Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Module shipments reached 6.9 gigawatts, slightly above guidance [8] - Revenue totaled $1.2 billion, at the high end of the range, with a gross margin of 11.7% [9][31] - Net loss to shareholders was $34 million, or $0.69 per diluted share [9][33] - Operating expenses decreased by 4% year over year, driven by lower shipping costs [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CSI Solar's module shipments increased by 9.4% year over year to 6.9 gigawatts [16] - Storage deliveries totaled 849 megawatt hours, aligning with guidance [16] - Revenue from Recurrent Energy was $125 million with a gross margin of 18.6% [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Structural overcapacity in the solar supply chain has prolonged the market downturn, affecting module pricing globally [10] - The U.S. accounts for upwards of one-third of the energy storage business expected for the year [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is maintaining a profit-focused approach, managing volumes in less profitable markets and leveraging a blended supply chain strategy [10] - Commitment to R&D and innovation remains a constant, with new product launches in solar and energy storage technologies [12][14] - The company is proactively implementing safeguards for major IPP projects amid uncertain policy environments [27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in long-term opportunities despite near-term headwinds [9] - Global electricity demand is growing rapidly, and solar power is positioned to meet this demand effectively [12] - The company anticipates a stronger second quarter for energy storage solutions [19] Other Important Information - The company has a record pipeline of 91 gigawatt hours in energy storage, highlighting structural growth potential [22] - Total project pipeline stands at 27 gigawatts of solar and 76 gigawatt hours of energy storage [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of FEOC provisions on U.S. capacity investment - Management indicated uncertainty due to the recent draft of the FEOC and expects changes before finalization [40][41] Question: Balance sheet and target ratios - Management stated that leverage ratios will be maintained to balance growth and capital structure [43] Question: Revenue guidance despite lower shipment expectations - Management explained that the reduction in module shipments reflects a strategic move away from less profitable markets [46][49] Question: Impact of new ITC and PTC rules - Management acknowledged the significance of ITC and PTC for developers and manufacturers, indicating potential impacts on revenue [50][52] Question: Storage volume expectations and pricing differentials - Management confirmed that guidance includes uncertainties from tariff negotiations and that pricing remains healthy [65][67] Question: Future growth in China - Management anticipates a healthy demand for storage projects in China once policy clarifications are made [70][72] Question: Clarification on deconsolidation impact - Management confirmed that the deconsolidation of a project will have a one-off impact on Q2 margins [78] Question: Commitment in Ethiopia - Management clarified that there are no committed activities in Ethiopia yet, only exploratory discussions [87][89] Question: Guidance reduction and U.S. volume - Management stated that the reduction in guidance primarily reflects a decrease in non-profitable sales to other markets [90][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, revenue was $195.4 million, down from $476.3 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to lower average selling prices (ASP) and lower sales volumes [25][30] - The gross loss for Q4 2024 was $65.3 million, with a negative gross margin of 33%, compared to a gross profit of $87.2 million and a gross margin of 18.3% in Q4 2023 [25][26] - For the full year 2024, net loss attributable to shareholders was $345 million, compared to a net income of $429.5 million in 2023 [35] - Cash balance at the end of 2024 was $1.038 billion, down from $3.05 billion at the end of 2023 [37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Polysilicon production volume reached 205,068 metric tons in 2024, a 3.7% increase from 197,831 metric tons in 2023 [10] - The ASP for polysilicon decreased significantly from $11.48 per kilogram in 2023 to $5.66 per kilogram in 2024 [11] - The company sold 181,362 metric tons of polysilicon in 2024, maintaining a reasonable inventory level [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The polysilicon market faced excess capacity, leading to price declines below cash costs [9][11] - New solar PV capacity in China reached a record high of 68 gigawatts in December 2024, exceeding expectations [20] - The total production volume in China fell to approximately 100,000 metric tons per month in December 2024, the lowest level of the year [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance its competitive edge by improving N-type technology and optimizing cost structures through digital transformation and AI adoption [22] - Daqo New Energy plans to maintain a low utilization rate in 2025 until market conditions improve [16] - The company is participating in discussions on industry self-regulation to mitigate irrational competition and stabilize prices [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging market environment with excess capacity and price declines [9] - The company expects polysilicon production volume in Q1 2025 to be approximately 25,000 to 28,000 metric tons [16] - Management remains optimistic about long-term growth in the global solar PV market despite current challenges [22] Other Important Information - The company recorded a non-cash long-lived asset impairment charge of $175.6 million in Q4 2024 due to continuous negative gross margins [12] - Cash costs for polysilicon production decreased to $5.04 per kilogram, a 6% decline from the previous quarter [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: What was the cash spend in Q4 last year? - Management indicated that approximately $80 million was related to operations, $40 million to capital expenditures, and the remainder to changes in balance sheet items [57] Question: What are the pricing outlook and potential policy interventions? - Management expects poly prices to increase in the next couple of months, driven by self-regulation discussions and seasonal effects [46][51] Question: What is the current inventory level of the company? - The current sellable inventory is less than 20,000 metric tons per month, showing a decline of about 10,000 metric tons compared to the previous quarter [129]