Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates |
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| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates Principles of Accounting and Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Fluence Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Non-Controlling Interest As the sole managing member of Fluence Energy, LLC, Fluence Energy, Inc. operates and controls all the business and affairs of Fluence Energy, LLC and, through Fluence Energy, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, conducts the Company’s business. Fluence Energy, LLC is a variable interest entity, of which Fluence Energy, Inc. beneficially owns a 71.61% interest as of December 31, 2024. For accounting purposes, Fluence Energy, Inc. is considered the primary beneficiary and therefore consolidates the results of Fluence Energy, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The table below summarizes the ownership structure at the end of each respective period:
Unaudited Interim Financial Information The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024, and for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2024 filed with the SEC on November 29, 2024 (the “2024 Annual Report”). In our opinion, such unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, that are necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of December 31, 2024, the results of its operations for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and its cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The financial data and other information disclosed in these notes related to the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are also unaudited. The results for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year ending September 30, 2025 and 2024, any other interim periods, or any future year or period. The balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 included herein was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date. Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted in the interim financial statements. For a complete description of our significant accounting policies, refer to “Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates” in the audited consolidated financial statements included in our 2024 Annual Report. Use of Estimates The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: the carrying amount and estimated useful lives of long-lived assets; impairment of goodwill, intangible assets, and long-lived assets; valuation allowances for inventories; deferred tax assets; revenue recognized under the percentage-of-completion method; transaction price estimates with variable consideration; accrued bonuses; and various project-related provisions including, but not limited to, estimated losses and warranty obligations. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents include cash on-hand and highly liquid investments readily convertible to cash, with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased. Cash restricted for use as a result of financing or other obligations is classified separately as restricted cash. If the purpose of restricted cash relates to acquiring a long-term asset, liquidating a long-term liability, or is otherwise unavailable for a period longer than one year from the balance sheet date, the restricted cash is included in “other non-current assets.” Otherwise, restricted cash is included as a separate line item on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company typically retains cash for operations within one or more bank accounts. These accounts may hold cash in excess of the FDIC limit of $250,000. As a result, we are subject to concentration risk associated with the underlying custodial banks with whom deposits of cash and cash equivalents in excess of the FDIC limits are held. If access to these accounts is delayed or suspended indefinitely, it could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s ability to meet its financial obligations required for operations. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of each respective period as shown in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Restricted cash at the end of each respective period consisted of the following:
Revenue and Cost Recognition The Company’s revenue recognition policy included herein is based on the application of Accounting Standards Codification - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s revenue was generated primarily from the sale of energy storage products and solutions, providing operational services, and the sale of digital applications and solutions. Revenue from Energy Storage Products and Solutions: The Company enters into contracts with utility companies, developers, and commercial and industrial customers to design and build battery-based energy storage products. Our projects have a lead time from date of contract execution to substantial completion, typically ranging from approximately up to eighteen months. Generally, we must design the project, as each storage solution is customized depending on the customer’s energy needs, procure the major equipment, obtain manufacturing slots from our contract manufacturers, coordinate the logistics, and assemble the solution prior to delivery and installation at our customer project sites. These actions must be completed timely to adhere to customer schedules and milestones. Depending on the scope of the project, we may be responsible for the installation of the equipment. After the equipment is installed, we are responsible for commissioning. The Company recognizes revenue over time as we transfer control of our product to the customer. This transfer of control to the customer occurs as the project is being built in accordance with the contract or is supported by clauses in the contracts that provide enforceable rights to payment of the transaction price associated with work performed to date for products that do not have an alternative use to the Company. Revenue is recognized using the percentage of completion (“POC”) method based on actual cost incurred as a percentage of total estimated contract costs. Standard inventory materials (including batteries, enclosures, chillers, and others, which are assembled into “cubes”) that could be used interchangeably on other projects are included in our measure of progress when they are integrated into, or restricted to a specific customer’s project such that we no longer have the ability to direct their use for other purposes. Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs related to contract performance. As the cost of the assembled cubes comprise a substantial portion of the total estimated contract costs, our pattern of revenue recognition may vary materially from period to period. Our judgement on when costs should be included in the measure of progress has a material impact on revenue recognition. Since the revenue recognition of these contracts depends on estimates, which are assessed continually during the term of the contract, recognized revenues and profit are subject to revisions as the contract progresses to completion. The cumulative effects of revisions of estimated total contract costs and revenues, together with any contract reserves which may be deemed appropriate, are recorded in the period in which they occur. Due to the uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that these estimates will be revised in a different period. The Company determines the transaction price based on the consideration expected to be received which includes estimates of variable consideration that are included in the transaction price in accordance with ASC 606. The transaction price identified is allocated to each distinct performance obligation to deliver a good or service based on the relative standalone selling prices. For our energy storage products and solutions, services, and digital applications contracts where there are multiple performance obligations in a single contract or we sign separate contracts at or near the same time with the same customer that meet the criteria for combination, the Company allocates the transaction price to the various obligations in the contract based on the relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are estimated based on estimated costs plus margin taking into consideration pricing history and market factors. Generally, our revenues recognized are not sensitive to the Company’s determination of standalone selling prices. We assess any variable consideration using an expected value method which computes a weighted average amount based on a range of potential outcomes. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Estimating variable consideration requires certain estimates and assumptions, including whether and by how much a project will be delayed or if we will not meet certain performance specifications per the contract. Our contracts generally provide our customers the right to liquidated damages (“LDs”) against Fluence in the event specified milestones are not met on time or equipment is not delivered according to contract specifications. Liquidated damages are accounted for as variable consideration and the contract price is reduced by the expected LD amount when recognizing revenue. The existence and measurement of LDs may also be impacted by our judgments about the probability of favorable outcomes of customer disputes involving whether certain events qualify as force majeure or the reason for the events that caused project delays. Variable consideration for LDs is estimated using the expected value method. As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, transaction prices have been reduced to reflect estimates of variable consideration primarily related to LDs of $79.1 million and $78.4 million, respectively. Fluence may incur additional costs to execute on the performance of a contract. When this happens, we typically attempt to recover these costs via a change order with the customer. When this fact pattern occurs, it can create a timing difference between when we have incurred the cost versus when we record the proportionate revenue, since costs are recognized immediately when incurred and the revenue is recognized based upon the transaction price, which is usually increased upon signing a respective change order with the customer. When shipping and handling activities are performed after the customer obtains control of the product, we elect to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the product. Revenue is recorded net of any taxes assessed on and collected from customers, which are remitted to the governmental authorities. Customer payments are due upon meeting certain milestones as defined in the contract, which are generally consistent with contract-specific phases of a project. Pre-contract costs with no future benefit are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Revenue from Services: The Company also enters into long-term service agreements with customers to provide operational services related to battery-based energy storage products and solutions. The services include extended warranty, maintenance, monitoring, and other services. The Company accounts for the services as separate performance obligations from the battery-based energy storage products and solutions. The extended warranty services are typically considered a separate performance obligation from the maintenance, monitoring, and other services. We typically recognize revenue ratably over the terms of the services using a straight-line recognition method. The Company believes using a time-based method to measure progress is appropriate as the performance obligations are satisfied evenly over the terms of services. Revenue is recognized for each of the performance obligations by dividing the allocated transaction price over the service period. Some of the agreements also provide a commitment to perform augmentation activities which would typically be represented by installation of additional batteries, and other components as needed, to compensate for partially lost capacity due to degradation of batteries over time. The obligation to perform augmentation activities can take the form of either maintaining battery capacity above a given threshold for a stated term while others provide a fixed number of augmentations over a contract term. Augmentation arrangements that require us to maintain battery capacity above an established thresholds for a given term may be considered service-type warranties depending on the contract terms. These represent a stand-ready obligation in which the customer benefits evenly overtime, of which we recognize revenue for these arrangements using a straight-line recognition method. Alternatively, augmentation arrangements that require us to perform a fixed number of augmentations over a contract term follow the percentage of completion revenue recognition method. Since these arrangements require a fixed number of augmentations we must perform, we use the pattern of cost as a proxy to identify when our obligations are satisfied and to recognize revenue. Revenue from Digital Applications and Solutions: The Company provides access to proprietary cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) offerings through several market facing applications. These applications currently include Fluence Mosaic and Fluence Nispera. Fluence Mosaic is an intelligent bidding software for utility-scale storage and renewable assets, helping to enable customers to optimize asset trading in wholesale electricity markets. Fluence Mosaic is currently available in the NEM (Australia), CAISO (California), and ERCOT (Texas) markets. Fluence Nispera is an asset performance management software that helps customers monitor, analyze, forecast, and optimize the performance of their renewable energy assets. Fluence Nispera is an AI-driven utility-scale asset performance management platform that supports portfolios of energy storage, solar, and wind assets. Customers do not receive legal title or ownership of the applications as a result of these arrangements. The use of the Fluence Digital software applications is separately identifiable from other promises that the Company offers to its customers. As such, Fluence Digital applications are accounted for as separate performance obligations when combined with other Fluence products, solutions, and services. We consider access to the platform and related support services in a customer contract to be a series of distinct services which comprise a single performance obligation because they are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer. We recognize revenue over time using a straight-line recognition method. Cost of Goods and Services: Cost of goods and services consists primarily of product costs, including purchased materials and supplies, as well as costs related to shipping, customer support, product warranty, and personnel. Personnel costs in cost of goods and services includes both direct labor costs as well as costs attributable to any individuals whose activities relate to the transformation of raw materials or component parts into finished goods or the transportation of materials to the customer. Cost of goods and services are recognized when services are performed or control of goods are transferred to the customers. Standard inventory materials that could be used interchangeably on other projects are included in cost of goods sold when they are integrated into or restricted to the production of a customer’s project. Deferred Revenue: Deferred revenue represents the excess billings to date over the amount of revenue recognized to date. The timing and the amount we bill our customers is based on achieving milestones as defined in the contract with the customers. Loss Contracts: A contract becomes a loss contract when its estimated total costs are expected to exceed its total revenue. The Company accrues the full loss expected in the period a loss contract is identified in “Current liabilities — Accruals and provisions” and “Cost of goods and services” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations, respectively. Inventory, Net Inventory, net primarily consists of cubes, batteries and related equipment, enclosures, inverters, and spare parts which are used in ongoing battery storage projects for sale. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined by the specific identification method. Costs include cost of purchase, costs of conversion, and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The Company periodically reviews its inventory for potential obsolescence and write down of its inventory, as appropriate, to net realizable value based on its assessment of usefulness and marketability conditions. Software Development Costs Our software development costs primarily relate to three categories: (i) internal-use software development costs, (ii) hosting arrangements which are service contracts, and (iii) external-use software development costs. We capitalize costs incurred to purchase or develop software for internal use and software to be sold or leased externally. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage in accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software. These capitalized costs are reflected in “Intangible assets, net” on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. Our internal-use software relates to our (i) SaaS customer offerings and is amortized to “Cost of goods and services” and (ii) internally developed solutions and are amortized to “Depreciation and amortization.” The useful life of our internal-use software development costs is generally 3 to 5 years. During the three months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company capitalized $1.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, of internal-use software. Software development costs associated with hosting arrangements are capitalized during the application development stage. These are generally cloud-computing arrangements that are service contracts. The capitalized costs are reflected in “Other non-current assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to “General and administrative” once ready for intended use over the estimated useful life of the hosted software. The useful life of our software development costs associated with hosting arrangements is generally the period the Company expects to benefit from its right to access the hosted software plus consideration for any renewal or cancellation periods. During the three months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company capitalized $10.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of software development costs related to hosting arrangements. External-use software development costs developed to be sold or leased externally are capitalized upon the establishment of technological feasibility for a product in accordance with ASC 985-20, Software to be Sold or Leased Externally. These software development costs are reflected in “Intangible assets, net” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and amortized to “Cost of goods and services” on a product basis by the greater of the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product or the ratio that current gross revenues for a product bear to the total current and anticipated future gross revenues for that product. The useful life of our external-use software development costs is generally 5 years. During the three months ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company capitalized $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of external-use software to be sold. Fair Value Measurements The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects management’s estimate of amounts that the Company would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following fair value hierarchy, defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used to value the assets and liabilities: Level 1—Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 2—Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 inputs include those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted prices, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Level 3—Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value from the perspective of a market participant. The Company does not have significant recurring Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company’s cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments readily convertible to cash, with an original maturity of 90 days or less when purchased. Fair value of cash equivalents approximates the carrying amount. The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, and short-term debt obligations such as current portion of borrowings against note receivable - pledged as collateral, approximate fair values due to their short maturities. The fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives is measured on a recurring basis by comparing the contracted forward exchange rate to the current market exchange rate. The foreign currency derivatives are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, as the inputs to the derivative pricing model are generally observable and do not contain a high level of subjectivity. Refer to “Note 18 – Derivatives and Hedging” for details regarding the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities. The Company estimates the fair value of its 2030 Convertible Senior Notes (defined below) using commonly accepted valuation methodologies and market-based risk measurements that are directly observable, such as unadjusted quoted prices in markets that are not active (Level 2). Refer to “Note 12 – Convertible Senior Notes” for further details. Derivatives and Hedging The Company records all derivatives at their gross fair values on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The accounting for the gains or losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivatives, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows or other types of forecasted transactions are considered cash flow hedges. The gains or losses from designated cash flow hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The gains or losses will be presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The effectiveness of cash flow hedges is assessed at inception and quarterly thereafter. The change in fair value of the components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current period earnings. The changes in fair value of derivatives that are not designated for hedge accounting are recognized in current period earnings. Convertible Senior Notes, Net In December 2024, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% convertible senior notes due 2030 (the “2030 Convertible Senior Notes”). The Company accounts for its 2030 Convertible Senior Notes as a liability in their entirety, measured at amortized cost. Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the Company’s 2030 Convertible Senior Notes are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the outstanding 2030 Convertible Senior Notes. These costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the terms of the 2030 Convertible Senior Notes and are included within interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the issuance of the 2030 Convertible Senior Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain counterparties. The capped call transactions are generally expected to offset the potential dilution to the Company’s Class A common stock upon any conversion of the 2030 Convertible Senior Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. Refer to “Note 12 – Convertible Senior Notes” for further details. Reclassifications Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Accounts payable with related parties of $0.6 million and Accruals with related parties of $0.6 million as of December 31, 2023, were reclassified from Deferred revenue and payables with related parties to Accounts payable and Accruals and provisions, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (which is not presented in this Report). The reclassification had no impact on the total current liabilities for any period presented. Corresponding reclassifications were also reflected on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2023. The reclassifications had no impact on cash provided by operations for the period presented. Provision on loss contracts, net of $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 was reclassified to current accruals and provisions on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. The reclassification had no impact on cash provided by operations for the period presented. Recent Accounting Standards Adopted The following table presents accounting standards adopted during the three months ended December 31, 2024.
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted The following table presents accounting standards not yet adopted:
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