XML 28 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.2
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

In accordance with the provisions of fair value accounting, a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability, and defines fair value based upon an exit price model.

The fair value measurement guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset and liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Level 1 assets and liabilities include money market funds, debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market.

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes corporate obligations and non-exchange traded derivative contracts.

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments and intangible assets that have been impaired whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

Assets and liabilities of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2021

Significant Other

Quoted Prices in

Observable

Unobservable

Active Markets

Inputs

Inputs

Description

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Total

Certificates of deposit

$

$

380

$

$

380

Money market funds

3,134

3,134

Other investments

2,016

2,016

Interest rate swap

(97)

(97)

Total assets and liabilities measured at fair value

$

3,134

$

283

$

2,016

$

5,433

December 31, 2020

    

Significant Other

Quoted Prices in

Observable

Unobservable

Active Markets

Inputs

Inputs

Description

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Total

Certificates of deposit

$

$

380

$

$

380

Money market funds

2,785

2,785

Other investments

13,357

13,357

Interest rate swap

(157)

(157)

Total assets and liabilities measured at fair value

$

2,785

$

223

$

13,357

$

16,365

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, other investments measured using Level 3 inputs decreased $11.3 million. The decrease was the result of transferring $11.0 million out of Level 3 due to the conversion of a convertible debt instrument. At December 31, 2020, the Company accounted for a convertible debt instrument at fair value. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, that instrument was converted to equity and the Company began accounting for the investment under the cost method of accounting. Refer to Other Investments below. Also, during the six months ended June 30, 2021, the fair value of the remaining Level 3 investments decreased $0.3 million due to $0.5 million of cash distributions and $0.2 million of income recognized in the other income line of the Company’s statement of operations.

Certificate of Deposit

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 this asset class consisted of a time deposit at a financial institution denominated in US dollars. The asset class is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the fair value was based on observable market data.

Money Market Funds

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, this asset class consisted of a money market portfolio that comprises Federal government and US Treasury securities. The asset class is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because its underlying investments are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets.

Other Investments

In 2019, the Company made a $14.4 million investment in a renewable energy partnership as a tax equity investor. In 2020, the Company received an investment tax credit of $12.0 million from its investment and will receive future cash distributions from the partnership’s operations. The Company elected the deferral method to account for the credit and elected the fair value option to account for the equity investment. The Company’s investment had a fair value of $2.0 million at June 30, 2021, and $2.3 million at December 31, 2020. The asset is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company used the income approach to fair value the investment and the inputs consisted of a discount rate and future cash flows calculated based on the investment attributes.

Also in 2019, the Company made an investment in an early-stage venture through the acquisition of a convertible debt instrument. The instrument converted into equity during the first quarter of 2021. Upon conversion the Company accounted for the investment under the cost method of accounting as the investment does not have a readily determinable fair value. Prior to conversion, the Company accounted for the investment under the fair value option using Level 3 inputs. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded a gain of $2.5 million on the conversion and invested an additional $3.0 million of cash, increasing its book value from $11.0 million at December 31, 2020 to $16.5 million at June 30, 2021.

The Company also holds investments in equity securities consisting of non-controlling investments in privately held companies. These investments, over which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, are without readily determinable fair values. The investments are measured at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for observable price changes of similar investments of the same issuer. Fair value is not estimated for these investments if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have an effect on the fair value of the investment. The carrying value of the investments was $1.3 million at June 30, 2021, unchanged from December 31, 2020. These investments are included with other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Equity Method Investments

In the first quarter of 2020, the Company increased its ownership in one investment of a privately held company to approximately 24% of the outstanding voting equity through an additional $2.8 million investment. With this investment the Company obtained the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee and began accounting for the investment under the equity method of accounting including the recording of its share of the investee’s earnings or losses. The carrying value of the investment was $16.6 million and $17.9 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The value decreased $1.3 million from the December 31, 2020 balance due to $0.9 million of the Company’s share of investee losses, and currency losses of $0.4 million. The investment is included with other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

In the first quarter of 2021, the Company began to account for its former India solar operations under the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to the close of the Vibrant Transaction in January 2021, the value of the investment increased from $11.8 million to $12.9 million at June 30, 2021. The increase of $1.1 million was due to currency losses of $0.2 million, an additional investment of $1.6 million into its operations, and a distribution of $0.3 million to a minority investment partner.

Other Fair Value Disclosures

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values because of the relatively short-term maturities of these financial instruments. The fair value of the interest rate swap is measured using Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of long-term debt and the customer receivable credit facility is estimated using Level 2 inputs. At June 30, 2021, the fair value of long-term debt and the customer receivable credit facility, including the current portion, was $88.6 million and its book value was $87.7 million. At December 31, 2020, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $73.3 million and its book value was $72.8 million.