Note 25. Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]

25. Concentrations of Credit and Other Risks

Customer Concentration. The following customers each comprised 10% or more of our total net sales and/or 10% or more of our total accounts receivable during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (dollars in thousands):

	2014								2013								2012
	Net Sales		% of Total NS		A/R Outstanding		% of Total A/R		Net Sales		% of Total NS		A/R Outstanding		% of Total A/R		Net Sales		% of Total NS
Customer #1	*		*		*		*		*		*		$	18,959	14	%	$	720,056	21	%
Customer #2	*		*		$	18,549	14	%	*		*		*		*		*		*
Customer #3	$	1,065,862	31	%	*		*		*		*		*		*		$	773,407	23	%
Customer #4	$	524,678	15	%	$	32,612	24	%	$	664,669	20	%	$	40,268	30	%	$	701,648	21	%
Customer #5	*		*		*		*		*		*		$	15,776	12	%	*		*
Customer #6	$	467,941	14	%	*		*		$	584,638	18	%	$	41,074	30	%	*		*
Customer #7	*		*		$	17,199	13	%	*		*		*		*		*		*

* Net sales and/or accounts receivable to these customers were less than 10% of our total net sales and/or accounts receivable during this period.

Credit Risk. We have certain financial and derivative instruments that subject us to credit risk. These consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted investments, trade accounts receivable, interest rate swap contracts, cross-currency swap contracts, and foreign exchange forward contracts. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our financial and derivative instruments. We place cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, restricted investments, interest rate swap contracts, cross-currency contracts, and foreign exchange forward contracts with various high-quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit risk from any one counterparty. We continuously evaluate the credit standing of our counterparty financial institutions. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, our net sales were primarily concentrated among a limited number of customers. We monitor the financial condition of our customers and perform credit evaluations whenever deemed necessary. Depending upon the sales arrangement, we may require some form of payment security from our customers including bank guarantees or commercial letters of credit.

Geographic Risk. Our solar power systems sales are predominantly in the United States. This concentration of our sales in limited geographic regions exposes us to local economic, public policy, and regulatory risks in those regions.

Production. Our products include components that are available from a limited number of suppliers or sources. Shortages of essential components could occur due to interruptions of supply or increases in demand and could impair our ability to meet customer demand for our products. Our modules are presently produced in facilities in Perrysburg, Ohio and Kulim, Malaysia. Damage to or disruption of facilities could interrupt our business and impair our ability to generate net sales.