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Note 13 - Related Party Transactions
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS


On August 11, 2011, the Company entered into a Letter of Credit Agreement (“LOC”) with Mark Plush, its former Chief Financial Officer, in the amount of $250 thousand. Effective July 8, 2013, Mr. Plush stepped down from his role and left the Company. For a full description of the terms of the LOC, reference is made to Note 10, Debt, of the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. On July 3, 2013, the LOC was paid in full.


On December 12, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed James Tu to serve as its non-executive Chairman, and on April 30, 2013, Mr. Tu became the Executive Chairman assuming the duties of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer. Mr. Tu is also the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of 5 Elements Global Advisors, an investment advisory and management company managing the holdings of 5 Elements Global Fund LP, and 5 Elements Energy Efficiencies Ltd, a beneficial owner of more than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Common Stock. 5 Elements Global Advisors focuses on investing in clean energy companies with breakthrough, commercialized technologies and near-term profitability potential. Mr. Tu is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Communal International Ltd. “(Communal”), a British Virgin Islands Company dedicated to assisting clean energy solutions companies maximize their technology and product potential and gain access to global marketing, distribution licensing, manufacturing and financing resources. Communal has a fifty percent (50%) ownership interest in 5 Elements Efficiencies (BVI) Ltd.


On February 27, 2012, the Company entered into an Asian Business Development/Collaboration Agreement with Communal International Ltd. The agreement had a 60 month term, under which the Company paid $523 thousand to Communal. Additionally, during the term of the agreement, the Company will pay Communal a five percent (5%) commission on the Company’s net sales which occur within the Territory, as defined by the agreement. The Company has incurred no commissions due under this agreement through September 30, 2013.


Effective on January 1, 2013, the Asian Business Development/Collaboration Agreement with Communal was amended to reflect the extension of the terms of the agreement for an additional 12 months, and the addition of certain services and countries in the territory covered by the agreement. In connection with the amended and restated agreement, the Company agreed to pay an additional $425 thousand through December 2013. After December 31, 2013, the Company may terminate the agreement upon 30 days written notice. The Company paid $262 thousand related to this agreement during the first nine months of 2013, and recorded expense of $169 thousand during the first nine months 2013.