Note 1. Nature of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

FuelCell Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “FuelCell Energy”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is a leading integrated fuel cell company with a growing global presence. We design, manufacture, install, operate and service ultra-clean, efficient and reliable stationary fuel cell power plants. Our Direct FuelCell power plants continuously produce base load electricity and usable high quality heat around the clock for commercial, industrial, government and utility customers. We have commercialized our stationary carbonate fuel cells and are also pursuing the complementary development of planar solid oxide fuel cells and other fuel cell technologies. We continue to invest in new product and market development and, as such, we are not currently generating net income from our operations. Our operations are funded primarily through cash generated from product sales, service and advanced technologies contracts, license fee income and sales of equity and debt securities. In order to continually produce positive cash flow from operations, we need to be successful at increasing annual order volume and production and in our cost reduction efforts.

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, including FCE FuelCell Energy Ltd. (“FCE Ltd.”), our Canadian subsidiary; Waterbury Renewable Energy, LLC (“WRE”), FuelCell Energy Finance, LLC, which was formed for the purpose of financing projects within the U.S., UB Fuel Cell LLC, DFC-ERG Milford, LLC and DFC-ERG CT, LLC, which were formed for the purpose of developing projects within Connecticut; UCI Fuel Cell, LLC, which was formed for the purpose of developing a project within California; Long Beach Clean Energy, LLC, which was formed for the purpose of developing projects within New York; and FCE Korea, Ltd., which was formed to facilitate our business operations in South Korea. FuelCell Energy Solutions GmbH (“FCES GmbH”), a joint venture with Fraunhofer IKTS (Fraunhofer), was formed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 to facilitate business development in Europe. We have an 86 percent interest in FCES GmbH and accordingly, the financial results are consolidated with our financial results. Alliance Star Energy, LLC (“Alliance Star”) is a joint venture with Alliance Power, Inc. (“Alliance”) established to construct fuel cell power plants and sell power under power purchase agreements (“PPAs”). We have an 80 percent interest in the entity and accordingly, the financial results of Alliance Star are consolidated with our financial results. Versa Power Systems, Inc. ("Versa"), a domestic entity, which includes its Canadian subsidiary Versa Power Systems Ltd., is a sub-contractor for the Department of Energy ("DOE") large-scale hybrid project to develop a coal-based, multi-megawatt solid oxide fuel cell ("SOFC") based hybrid system. We had a 39 percent ownership interest and historically accounted for Versa under the equity method of accounting. On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired the remaining 61 percent ownership position of Versa and it is now a wholly-owned subsidiary and consolidated with our financial results. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

All cash equivalents consist of investments in money market funds with original maturities of three months or less at date of acquisition. We place our temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. At October 31, 2014, $25.1 million of cash and cash equivalents was pledged as collateral for letters of credit for certain banking requirements and contractual commitments, compared to $10.0 million pledged at October 31, 2013. The restricted cash balance at October 31, 2014 includes $15.0 million which has been placed in a Grantor's Trust account to secure certain FCE obligations under a 15-year service agreement for the Bridgeport Fuel Cell Park project and has been classified as Restricted cash and cash equivalents - long-term. At October 31, 2014 and 2013, we had outstanding letters of credit of $7.4 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

Inventories and Advance Payments to Vendors

Inventories consist principally of raw materials and work-in-process. In certain circumstances, we will make advance payments to vendors for future inventory deliveries. These advance payments are recorded as other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Inventories are reviewed to determine if reserves are required for obsolescence (excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory). This review includes analyzing inventory levels of individual parts considering the current design of our products and production requirements as well as the expected inventory requirements for maintenance on installed power plants.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the lease. When property is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations for the period.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property, including internally generated patents and know-how, is carried at no value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a purchase business combination and is reviewed for impairment at least annually.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other", (ASC 350) permits the assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under ASC 350.

The Company completed its annual impairment analysis of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives at July 31, 2014 during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 which was completed at the reporting unit level. The goodwill and intangible assets all relate to the Company's Versa reporting unit, since Versa has a segment manager that regularly reviews the results of that operation. Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets are also reviewed for possible impairment whenever changes in conditions indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not below its carrying value. No impairment charges were recorded during fiscal year 2014 or fiscal year 2013.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group may not be recoverable, we compare the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows, excluding interest costs, expected to be generated by the asset group and their ultimate disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.

Revenue Recognition

We earn revenue from (i) the sale and installation of fuel cell power plants (ii) the sale of fuel cell modules, component part kits and spare parts to customers, (iii) site engineering and construction services, (iv) providing services under service agreements, (v) the sale of electricity under PPAs , (vi) license fees and royalty income from manufacturing and technology transfer agreements, and (vii) customer-sponsored advanced technology projects.

The Company periodically enters into arrangements with customers that involve multiple elements of the above items. We assess such contracts to evaluate whether there are multiple deliverables, and whether the consideration under the arrangement is being appropriately allocated to each of the deliverables.

Our revenue is primarily generated from customers located throughout the U.S. and Asia and from agencies of the U.S. Government. Revenue from product and module kit sales, construction services and component part revenue is recorded as product sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Construction services includes engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services of the overall fuel cell project. The installation of a power plant at a customer site includes significant site preparation which is included in the EPC component and is required to be completed before integration of the fuel cell power plant. Revenue from service agreements, PPAs, license and royalty revenue and engineering services revenue is recorded as service and license revenues. Revenue from customer-sponsored advanced technology research and development projects is recorded as advanced technologies contract revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

For customer contracts for complete DFC Power Plants which the Company has adequate cost history and estimating experience, and that management believes it can reasonably estimate total contract costs, revenue is recognized under the percentage of completion method of accounting. The use of percentage of completion accounting requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the contract, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, anticipated increases in wages and prices for subcontractor services and materials, and the availability of subcontractor services and materials. Our estimates are based upon the professional knowledge and experience of our engineers, program managers and other personnel, who review each long-term contract on a quarterly basis to assess the contract's schedule, performance, technical matters and estimated cost at completion. When changes in estimated contract costs are identified, such revisions may result in current period adjustments to operations applicable to performance in prior periods. Revenues are recognized based on the percentage of the contract value that incurred costs to date bear to estimated total contract costs, after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based on most recent information. For customer contracts for new or significantly customized products, where management does not believe it has the ability to reasonably estimate total contract costs, revenue is recognized using the completed contract method and therefore all revenue and costs for the contract are deferred and not recognized until installation and acceptance of the power plant is complete. For all types of contracts, we recognize anticipated contract losses as soon as they become known and estimable. We have recorded an estimated contract loss reserve of $0.03 million and $0.09 million at October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. Actual results could vary from initial estimates and reserve estimates will be updated as conditions change.

Revenue from the sale of fuel cell modules, kits and spare parts is recognized upon shipment or title transfer under the terms of the customer contract. Terms for certain contracts provide for a transfer of title and risk of loss to our customers at our factory locations upon completion of our contractual requirement to produce products and prepare the products for shipment. A shipment in place may occur in the event that the customer is not ready to take delivery of the products on the contractually specified delivery dates.

Site engineering and construction services revenue is recognized on a percentage of completion basis as costs are incurred.

Revenue from service agreements is generally recorded ratably over the term of the service agreement, as our performance of routine monitoring and maintenance under these service agreements are generally expected to be incurred on a straight-line basis. For service agreements where we expect to have a module exchange at some point during the term (generally service agreements in excess of five years), the costs of performance are not expected to be incurred on a straight-line basis, and therefore, a portion of the initial contract value related to the module exchange is deferred and is recognized upon such module replacement event.

Under PPAs, revenue from the sale of electricity is recognized as electricity is provided to the customer.

Beginning in fiscal year 2013, license fees and royalty income are included within revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. This change is a result of the license agreement entered into on October 31, 2012 for our core technology and the harmonization of the existing agreements to provide fees and royalties for the manufacture of complete DFC Power Plants. Classification as revenue is reflective of our Asia market partnership and royalty based strategy and this business activity is a significant component of non-product revenue.

Revenue from funded advanced technology contracts is recognized as direct costs are incurred plus allowable overhead less cost share requirements, if any. Revenue from customer funded advanced technology programs are generally multi-year, cost-reimbursement and/or cost-shared type contracts or cooperative agreements. We are reimbursed for reasonable and allocable costs up to the reimbursement limits set by the contract or cooperative agreement, and on certain contracts we are reimbursed only a portion of the costs incurred. While advanced technology contracts may extend for many years, funding is often provided incrementally on a year-by-year basis if contract terms are met and funds are authorized.

Warranty and Service Expense Recognition

We warranty our products for a specific period of time against manufacturing or performance defects. Our warranty is limited to a term generally 15 months after shipment or 12 months after acceptance of our products, except for fuel cell kits. We have agreed to warranty fuel cell kits and components for 21 months from the date of shipment due to the additional shipping and customer manufacture time required. We accrue for estimated future warranty costs based on historical experience. We also provide for a specific accrual if there is a known issue requiring repair during the warranty period. Estimates used to record warranty accruals are updated as we gain further operating experience. At October 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, the warranty accrual, which is classified in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet totaled $1.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

In addition to the standard product warranty, we have entered into service agreements with certain customers to provide monitoring, maintenance and repair services for fuel cell power plants. Under the terms of these service agreements, the power plant must meet a minimum operating output during the term. If minimum output falls below the contract requirement, we may be subject to performance penalties or may be required to repair and/or replace the customer's fuel cell module. The Company has accrued for performance guarantees of $0.8 million and $0.5 million at October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company provides for loss accruals for all service agreements when the estimated cost of future module exchanges and maintenance and monitoring activities exceed the remaining contract value. Estimates for future costs on service agreements are determined by a number of factors including the estimated remaining life of the module, used replacement modules available, our limit of liability on service agreements and future operating plans for the power plant. Our estimates are performed on a contract by contract basis and include cost assumptions based on what we anticipate the service requirements will be to fulfill obligations for each contract. At October 31, 2014, our loss accruals on service agreements totaled $3.0 million compared to $3.7 million at October 31, 2013.

At the end of our service agreements, customers are expected to either renew the service agreement or, based on the Company's rights to title of the module, the module will be returned to the Company as the plant is no longer being monitored or having routine service performed. At October 31, 2014, the asset related to the residual value of replacement modules in power plants under service agreements was $2.7 million compared to $2.9 million at October 31, 2013.

During fiscal year 2011, the Company committed to a repair and upgrade program for a select group of 1.2 megawatt (MW) fuel cell modules produced between 2007 and early 2009. At October 31, 2014, the obligation to supply modules to POSCO Energy has been fulfilled and there is no remaining balance compared to $7.3 million accrued at October 31, 2013.

License Agreements and Royalty Income

We generally recognize license fees and other revenue over the term of the associated agreement. Beginning in fiscal year 2013, license fees and royalty income have been included within revenues on the consolidated statement of operations. This change is a result of the new license agreement entered into on October 31, 2012 for our core technology and the harmonization of the existing agreements to provide license fees and royalties for the value of complete DFC Power Plants sold by POSCO Energy. Classification as revenue is reflective of our Asia market partnership and royalty based strategy having become a significant component of non-product revenue. Prior to November 1, 2012, license fee and royalty income were classified as such in the accompanying Statement of Operations.

The Company receives license fees and royalty income from POSCO Energy as a result of manufacturing and technology transfer agreements entered into in 2007, 2009 and 2012. The Cell Technology Transfer Agreement ("CTTA") we entered into on October 31, 2012 provides POSCO Energy with the technology to manufacture Direct FuelCell power plants in South Korea and the exclusive market access to sell power plants throughout Asia. In conjunction with this agreement we amended the 2010 manufacturing and distribution agreement with POSCO Energy and the 2009 License Agreement. The 2012 agreement and the previously referenced amendments contain multiple elements, including the license of technology and market access rights, fuel cell module kit product deliverables, as well as professional service deliverables. We identified these three items as deliverables under the multiple-element arrangement guidance and evaluated the estimated selling prices to allocate the relative fair value to these deliverables, as vendor-specific objective evidence and third-party evidence was not available. The Company's determination of estimated selling prices involves the consideration of several factors based on the specific facts and circumstances of each arrangement. Specifically, the Company considers the cost to produce the tangible product and cost of professional service deliverables, the anticipated margin on those deliverables, prices charged when those deliverables are sold on a stand-alone basis in limited sales, and the Company's ongoing pricing strategy and practices used to negotiate and price overall bundled product, service and license arrangements. We are recognizing the consideration allocated to the license of technology and market access rights as revenue over the 15 year license term on a straight-line basis, and will recognize the amounts allocated to the module kit deliverables and professional service deliverables when such items are delivered to POSCO Energy. We have also determined that based on the utility to the customer of the fully developed technology that was licensed in the Cell Technology Transfer Agreement, there is stand-alone value for this deliverable.

In conjunction with the CTTA, a $10.0 million fee was paid to the Company on November 1, 2012. Future fees, totaling $8.0 million are payable on a milestone basis between 2014 and 2016. In conjunction with the CTTA, the Company also amended the royalty provisions in the 2007 Technology Transfer, Distribution and Licensing Agreement ("TTA") and the 2009 Stack Technology Transfer and License Agreement ("STTA") revising the royalty from 4.1 percent to 3.0 percent of POSCO Energy net sales. The reduction in the royalty rate resulted in a net fee of $6.7 million paid to the Company in January 2013.

Under the terms of the 2007 TTA, POSCO Energy manufactures balance of plant (“BOP”) in South Korea using its design, procurement and manufacturing expertise. The 2009 STTA allows POSCO Energy to produce fuel cell modules which will be combined with BOP manufactured in South Korea to complete electricity-producing fuel cell power plants for sale in South Korea. Under the STTA and prior to the CTTA, we were receiving 4.1 percent of the revenues generated from sales of fuel cell modules manufactured and sourced by POSCO Energy. The STTA also provided for an upfront license fee of $10.0 million. License fee income was recognized ratably over the 10-year term of the STTA through October 31, 2012. As a result of the CTTA, the remaining license fee income of $7.0 million is being recognized ratably over an additional 15 years beginning November 1, 2012.

In September 2013, the Company entered into a revised Master Service Agreement with POSCO Energy, hereby POSCO Energy assumed more responsibility for servicing installations in Asia that utilize power plants manufactured by POSCO Energy. The Company will perform engineering and support services for each unit in the installed fleet and receive quarterly fees as well as a royalty on each scheduled fuel cell module replacement under service agreements that were built by POSCO Energy and installed at any plant in Asia.

The Company recorded license and royalty income of $4.3 million, $4.1 million and $1.6 million for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, relating to the above agreements. Future license and royalty income will consist of amortization of the payments discussed above as well as a 3.0 percent royalty on POSCO Energy net product sales related to FCE's technology and a 3.0 percent royalty on each scheduled fuel cell module replacement under terms of our Master Service Agreement.

Deferred Revenue and Customer Deposits

We receive payments from customers upon the acceptance of a purchase order and when contractual milestones are reached. These payments may be deferred based on the nature of the payment and status of the specific project. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue in accordance with our revenue recognition policies summarized above.

Research and Development Costs

We perform both customer-sponsored research and development projects based on contractual agreement with customers and company-sponsored research and development projects. Costs incurred for customer-sponsored projects include manufacturing and engineering labor, applicable overhead expenses, materials to build and test prototype units and other costs associated with customer-sponsored research and development contracts. These costs are recorded as Advanced Technologies contract revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

Costs incurred for company-sponsored research and development projects consist primarily of labor, overhead, materials to build and test prototype units and consulting fees. These costs are recorded as research and development expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Share-Based Compensation

We account for restricted stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock units (RSUs) based on the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. We account for stock options awarded to employees and non-employee directors under the fair value method of accounting using the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate fair value at the grant date. The model requires us to make estimates and assumptions regarding the expected life of the option, the risk-free interest rate, the expected volatility of our common stock price and the expected dividend yield. The fair value of equity awards is amortized to expense over the vesting period, which is generally four years. Refer to Note 14 for additional information.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, research and development credit carryforwards, and differences between financial reporting and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is unlikely that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized.

The Company’s financial statements reflect expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to take on a tax return (including a decision whether to file or not file a return in a particular jurisdiction) presuming the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.

Concentrations

We contract with a concentrated number of customers for the sale of our products, for service agreement contracts and for advanced technologies contracts. For the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our top five customers accounted for 88 percent, 88 percent and 83 percent, respectively, of our total annual consolidated revenue.

The percent of consolidated revenues from each customer for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively are presented below.



	2014		2013		2012
POSCO Energy	69	%	54	%	76	%
The United Illuminating Company	9	%	—	%	—	%
Bridgeport Dominion Fuel Cell, LLC	3	%	29	%	—	%
Department of Energy	4	%	5	%	7	%
NRG Energy	3	%	—	%	—	%
Total	88	%	88	%	83	%

POSCO Energy is a related party and owns approximately 11.0 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company and NRG Energy is a related party and owns approximately 6 percent of the outstanding common shares of the Company.

Derivatives

We do not use derivatives for speculative purposes and through fiscal year end 2014, have not used derivatives for hedging or trading purposes. Derivative instruments consist of embedded derivatives in our Series 1 Preferred Shares. Derivative instruments also consisted of embedded derivatives for the change of control put redemption and an interest make-whole payment upon conversion feature embedded in the 8.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes which required bifurcation from the host debt contract. We account for these derivatives using the fair-value method with changes in the underlying fair value recorded to earnings. Refer to Notes 10 and 12 for additional information.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, revenue recognition, excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventories, product warranty costs, service agreement loss accruals, allowance for uncollectible receivables, depreciation and amortization, impairment of assets, taxes, and contingencies. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary.

Foreign Currency Translation

The translation of FuelCell Korea Ltd’s and FCES GmbH's financial statements results in translation gains or losses, which are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity (deficit).

Our Canadian subsidiary, FCE Ltd., is financially and operationally integrated and therefore the temporal method of translation of foreign currencies is followed. The functional currency is U.S. dollars. We are subject to foreign currency transaction gains and losses as certain transactions are denominated in foreign currencies. We recognized a gain of $0.6 million, a gain of $0.4 million and a gain of $0.1 million for the years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts have been classified as other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

None

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This topic provides for five principles which should be followed to determine the appropriate amount and timing of revenue recognition for the transfer of goods and services to customers. The principles in this ASU should be applied to all contracts with customers regardless of industry. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, with two transition methods of adoption allowed. Early adoption for reporting periods prior to December 15, 2016 is not permitted. We are evaluating the financial statement impacts of the guidance in this ASU and determining which transition method we will utilize.