Advanced Soltech's subsidiary in China, has signed two orders with WuHu ChiLan Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. and Hu Xinlei Plastic Technology Co. Ltd. The orders is for the installation of two solar energy plants of 0.8 megawatts (MW) and 0.75 megawatts (MW) and are estimated to generate annual revenues of approximately SEK 1.18 million, or approximately SEK 23.6 million during the agreement's 20-year term. The investment in the facilities, which will be owned by our wholly owned subsidiary, amounts to approximately SEK 8.65 million and construction is planned to start in the second quarter of 2021.

Advanced Soltechs CEO Max Metelius comments:

-We see strong demand for renewable energy in general and our offering in particular.

On April 20, Soltech Energy Sweden AB (publ) acquired 100 percent of the shares in Rams El AB with access on May 3, 2021. The company has sales of approximately SEK 70 million and 30 employees based in Angered. The plan now, together with Soltech, is to integrate solar energy into the product range and increase both sales and earnings. The acquisition means that the Soltech Group further strengthens its offering in electrical engineering and installation linked to solar energy, charging and storage. The acquisition of Rams El is financed entirely from its own cash and with newly issued Soltech shares. Rams El is expected to contribute approximately SEK 46 million in sales during 2021 (8 months) with a positive result.

Soltech has an offensive growth strategy with acquisitions in the solar, roof, facade and electrical engineering industries. Together, these companies will create synergy effects and build a strong group with cross-border expertise. As part of the growth strategy, Soltech has now acquired its second company in the electrical engineering industry, which will strengthen Soltech's positioning as a partner in electrification, solar energy and charging and storage infrastructure.

– We are very pleased to welcome Rams El to Soltech, which will be our second acquisition in the electrical engineering industry. It is a well-known company in a growing region whose corporate culture is permeated by long-termism and professionalism, something that is completely in line with our values. This means that we are even more equipped for an electrified future and to offer our customers a powerful solar energy group with the capacity to take responsibility for the entire value chain, says Stefan Ölander, CEO of Soltech Energy.

Established player in the Gothenburg area
Rams El was founded in 1993 and has since had a successful history and specializes in, among other things, electrical engineering, telecommunications and network installations and service work. The company's customers are found in both the public and private sectors, where the projects often consist of hospitals, industries, schools and commercial properties. Now the company is adding solar energy to its competencies when joining the Soltech Group.

– That we now become part of Soltech is something we look forward to. Soltech is the ultimate owner as the demand for expertise in solar technology grows daily. The fact that we can now add solar energy to our core business will create positive rings on the water, for both customers and employees but also in the industry. We are ready to take the step from being more of a traditional electrical engineering company to now also becoming a solar technology company and it is a very exciting journey that starts today, says Johan Adelbjer, CEO of Rams El.

Six of the Group's companies have together offered a project with a comprehensive guarantee that will be the Nordic region's largest façade-integrated solar energy plant of 3,500 m2. Lustgården Ädelmetallen AB in Jönköping ordered the facility with a total order value of SEK 12 million.

Soltech Energy's CEO Stefan Ölander comments:
– I am very proud of this deal as it demonstrates unique synergy effects between six of our companies and also the strength of the group. I am sure that more and more construction companies and property owners will want to minimize the number of contractors and get a complete guarantee by doing as Lustgården Ädelmetallen AB does now.

Facts about the project in Jönköping
The property is over 200 meters long and in total over 3500 m2 of facade will be covered by solar cells. Approximately 5,000 of Soltech's type-approved facade solar cells will transform the old industrial building, now clad in turquoise sheet metal, into a landmark in southern Sweden. The panels are complemented with "dummie glass" in the same color, which will make the property a magnificent glass cube. Construction will start during the second quarter with completion during the fourth quarter of 2021.

The following Soltech companies contribute with their expert competence:
Soltech Sales & Support and Swede Energy – The solar cell façade
Fasadsystem in Stenkullen – Support for the facade
Takrekond – New roof of 21,000 m2
Provector – Electrical installations
NP Gruppen – Sheet metal job

The competence that we possess together is unique, there is no other supplier on the market that in a contract can deliver a complete solution to the customer with one and the same interface. Not least from a guarantee perspective, is this interesting for customers, says Stefan Ölander.

Lustgården Ädelmetallen AB´'s CEO and owner Niclas Järvhammar, comments:
– It feels good to strengthen our environmental profile by working with sustainable and innovative solutions. Soltech's stylish and solar cell integrated glass facade will make our property unique and talked about. In addition, getting six different suppliers together under one quote is great and something we look at very positively.

Advanced Soltech's subsidiary in China has signed orders with ZhangZhou LaiFu Furniture Co. Ltd. and ZhangZhou YueYuan Food Co. Ltd. These apply to the installation of two solar energy plants of 0.8 and 0.43 megawatts (MW), respectively, and are estimated to generate annual revenues of approximately SEK 0.93 million, or approximately SEK 18.6 million during the agreements' 20-year term. The investments in the facilities, which will be owned by ASAB's subsidiaries, amount to approximately SEK 6.85 million. No subsidies are paid for these projects and construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2021.

Advanced Soltech's CEO Max Metelius comments:

– We see a strong demand for green electricity in China and continue to bring in new customers of good quality. Today we are achieving good profitability in our projects without subsidies and our assessment is that the development for solar energy in China will be very strong for a long time to come.

In the motivation for the award in the eighth edition of the "Solar Energy Cup" it is mentioned, among other things, "The innovative business model that does not take up valuable land resources and the high reliability and quality that Advanced Soltech delivers in its installations" "Solar Energy Cup" was launched as early as 2012 and is an authority in the Chinese solar industry.

Advanced Soltechs CEO Max Metelius comments:

  • Advanced Soltech is proud to contribute to the restructuring of China's energy supply in a green direction by using technologically advanced and secure solar energy installations.

Clarification regarding tissue settlement

• The acquisition payment for 100% of the shares amounts to SEK 53 million
• The acquisition is paid for with an initial cash portion of SEK 20 million and with newly issued Soltech shares to a value of SEK 25 million. In addition, a cash portion of SEK 8 million maturing during Q2 2021
• A total of 716,332 shares are issued at an average price of SEK 34.9 / share
• After 12, 24 and 36 months, a total of approximately SEK 6.7 million / year can be paid out in a variable additional purchase consideration if the set sales and profitability targets are achieved which would give a total acquisition payment of SEK 65.1 million

On March 8, 2021, Soltech Energy Sweden AB (publ) signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Provektor Sweden AB (Provektor). Provektor was founded in 1949 and is Skaraborg's largest privately owned electrical engineering company and is headquartered in Skara. The company has 130 employees and sales of SEK 147 million in 2020 with a positive operating profit. Provektor is Soltech's largest acquisition to date and fully in line with the Group's strategy to add deep expertise in electrification as a crucial factor in being the leading partner in solar energy, charging and storage infrastructure.

Provektor is Soltech's first acquisition in the electrical engineering industry and the company will have a central role in Soltech's offensive growth strategy with acquisitions in the solar, roofing, facade and electrical engineering industries. These various companies' cutting-edge expertise and given role in solar energy build a strong group for the benefit of customers and shareholders.

The acquisition of Provektor in financial terms:
• The acquisition payment for 100% of the shares amounts to SEK 53 million
• The acquisition is paid for with an initial cash portion of SEK 20 million and with newly issued Soltech shares to a value of SEK 25 million
• After 12, 24 and 36 months, a total of approximately SEK 6.7 million / year can be paid out in a variable additional purchase consideration if the set sales and profitability targets are achieved. Which would give a total acquisition payment of SEK 65.1 million
• The acquisition of Provektor is financed entirely from its own cash and with newly issued Soltech shares
• The acquisition also includes the wholly owned company Afsens Fastighetsbolag AB, which includes three properties. Provector's operations in Skara, Lidköping and Töreboda are conducted in these properties. The book residual value amounts to SEK 22.2 million and the properties are mortgaged to SEK 14.4 million
• Soltech and Provektor's assessment is that the acquisition will contribute approximately SEK 133 million in sales during the financial year 2021 (ten months) and with a positive operating profit of approximately 6% of sales. During the years 21-22-23, Provektor is estimated to contribute with more than SEK 500 million in sales and with an operating profit of 7-8%
• Provektor will add solar energy to its product range and be a competence partner in electricity, charging and storage for its sister companies
• Synergy effects in purchasing, marketing, HR, finance and administration will have a positive effect on sales and earnings throughout the Group through this acquisition

Soltech's CEO Stefan Ölander comments:
– Provektor adds expertise and business opportunities to Soltech that we have to some extent lacked. I see this acquisition as a milestone and am happy and proud that Provektor's owners chose to sell to us. Their corporate culture is characterized by competence and entrepreneurship, which is a perfect match with Soltech.

Provector's CEO Kenneth Johansson comments:
– Soltech feels like a perfect owner because most customers nowadays demand solar energy. In order for Provektor to continue to be the leading player in our region, we must add solar energy to our offering and now it will be much easier as we are part of Soltech.

Continued strong growth in 2020

Continued strong growth in 2020

Fourth quarter in brief
• The Group's revenues in the quarter amounted to SEK 159.3 (67.5) million. An increase of 136%
• Revenues in the Swedish operations grew to SEK 118.1 (56.4) million, an increase of 110%
• The Group's profit before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to SEK 14.5 (-3.2) million.
• The Group's operating profit (EBIT) amounted to SEK -1.3 (-13.4) million. An improvement of 90%
• Profit for the period after tax amounted to SEK -80.6 (-39.6) million. The result was affected by unrealized exchange rate differences in the Chinese operations by SEK -29.2 (-8.2) million. This does not affect cash flow
• Cash flow for the period from operating activities amounted to -30.6 (67.9)
• The period's cash flow for the Group amounted to SEK 27.2 (-1.7) million. The cash flow for the period was, among other things, positively affected by the completed new share issue
• Earnings per share amounted to SEK -0.67 (-0.71)
• No dividend is proposed
• Covid-19 had a major impact on the Swedish operations in the fourth quarter, mainly in the form of postponed projects. However, order intake remains good
• Revenues from operations in China were negatively affected in the quarter by approximately SEK 1 million as a result of the temporary price reduction for electricity introduced by the state NDRC in order to stimulate the Chinese economy after the pandemic
• During the quarter, 33.3 MW was connected and a total of 176.6 (139) MW of installed capacity (solar power plants) at the end of 2020

January – December in summary
• Total operating income amounted to SEK 500 M (303.6). An increase of 65%
• The Group's operating profit before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to SEK 101.8 (65.4) million. An increase of 56%
• The Group's operating profit (EBIT) amounted to SEK 42.7 (24.8) million. An increase of 72%
• Profit for the year after financial items, currency effects and tax amounted to SEK -141.2 (-45.8) million. Currency effects of unrealized exchange rate differences in the Chinese operations have affected earnings by SEK -42.8 (1.8) million
• Covid-19 affected the Swedish operations during the year and mainly in the form of deferred projects driven by deferred customer meetings, orders and the fact that it took longer for customers to be able to make decisions with an estimated negative effect of approximately 15% on sales
• Covid-19 is estimated to have had a negative impact on revenues in the Chinese operations of approximately SEK 13.5 million. This is partly due to a general price reduction and that approximately 30 MW were shut down during the first and second quarters and that lower activity among customers resulted in lower electricity consumption, which led to a larger share of electricity being sold to the grid where ASAB is paid less. Furthermore, covid-19 has led to poorer conditions in the capital markets, which through poorer borrowing conditions caused higher costs than planned

Significant events during the fourth quarter
Sweden

• Soltech’s subsidiary Soltech Sales & Support AB has received an order to deliver semi-transparent solar cells in four different colors to the parking garage “Mölnlycke fabriker” with end customer Wallenstam. Order value approximately SEK 7 million
• Soltech’s subsidiary Fasadsystem will contribute to the construction of a new Biltema facility in Partille, as well as the expansion of Mio furniture department store in Frölunda with a total order value of SEK 7.5 million.
• Soltech’s subsidiary NP Gruppen delivered a new waterproofing roof including solar energy and charging posts. The project is carried out together with the sister company Measol. The order value was approximately SEK 4.5 million.
• Soltech’s subsidiary Merasol begins energy conversion projects together with Nexion Enertech for HSB and BRF Solängen in Alingsås. Merasol will deliver a solar system and roof with a total order value of approximately SEK 4 million.
• Soltech’s subsidiary Swede Energy received approximately SEK 10 million of solar energy deal from MatHem / Logistic Contractor with construction starting in 2021
• Soltech’s subsidiary Takorama has signed an agreement with Tuve Bygg AB regarding the rebuilding of the roof of the operating room at Norra Älvsborgs Sjukhus (NÄL) in Trollhättan. The order value is approximately SEK 11.8 million with project start in 2021
• Investment by the Swedish state in renewable energy, which includes tax reductions for the installation of solar cells and storage for private individuals as well as an increased power limit for energy tax to 500 kW for self-used electricity

China
• During the quarter, Soltech’s subsidiary in China, ASRE, signed nine orders that are expected to generate a total annual revenue of SEK 13.3 million, or approximately SEK 265.5 million during the agreements’ 20-year maturities
• ASRE awarded prize in China as “Top 10 Industrial and Commercial Distributed Solar Power Station Builders in 2020”
• Soltech’s subsidiary ASAB issued additional preference shares corresponding to SEK 26.1 million during the quarter
Significant events after the reporting period
• Soltech acquired 76% of the shares in Annelunds Tak AB and 52% of the shares in Ljungs Sedum Entreprenad AB. The companies have a total of 18 employees and are expected to contribute SEK 60 million in sales and SEK 6 million in operating profit in the coming years.
• Soltech acquired the remaining 40% of the shares in the subsidiaries Swede Energy and MeraSol to create the best conditions to become an even larger player in the solar energy market. Soltech now owns 100% of both companies, which strengthens the offer in the corporate and real estate market in solar energy.
• Soltech’s subsidiary in China, ASRE, has signed orders that are estimated to generate annual revenues of just over SEK 10.2 million, or approximately SEK 203 million during the agreements’ 20-year maturities
• The effects of Covid-19 are difficult to assess and we are following developments closely

The CEO has the floor

Continued strong growth in a growing market
We are proud of our strong growth despite the difficult conditions caused by the Corona pandemic in 2020. We deliver 65 percent growth at Group level and 74 percent growth in the Swedish operations. Thus, we continue our journey towards 4.7 billion in turnover in 2024, which was communicated in November 2019.
Unfortunately, the Group's earnings on the bottom line for 2020 are strongly affected by, above all, unrealized currency losses and high interest costs in our Chinese operations. The management of Advanced Soltech is working hard to reduce these effects in the future and the project to list the company separately continues together with Carnegie and DnB. It is worth pointing out that we see good opportunities for continued strong growth in the Chinese operations, even after the completion of the special listing.

Continued strong interest from the market
We are very proud of the great interest we encounter from the stock market. We now have about 60,000 owners, which is more than most companies on the stock exchange's A-list. I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank all the shareholders who in the autumn participated in our successful rights issue when we raised SEK 144 million. At that time we were about 30,000 owners, so now we have been joined by as many more.

Growth continues in an expansive phase
The solar energy market with everything around in the form of storage, charging and control is growing explosively in Sweden and throughout the world. Today, about 1% of Swedish electricity comes from solar energy, which means that Sweden is far behind other comparable countries. But more and more private and commercial property owners are realizing that solar energy benefits both the climate and the economy, as evidenced by demand.

With a new green deduction for private individuals and an increase in the power limit for large roof installations, both of which will be introduced in 2021, the opportunities for continued Swedish market growth are very good. There, Soltech is well equipped to be one of the strongest players for both large property owners and the private homeowner.
Our organic growth in our subsidiaries will be good and if we add the business opportunities our acquisition strategy provides, the billion SEK barrier should be within reach. We are a growth company with ambitious goals. In 2018, we had sales of approximately SEK 50 million, two years later we have increased tenfold to approximately SEK 500 million and in November 2019 we communicated a goal to turn over SEK 4.7 billion in 2024, this goal remains.

Corona pandemic's impact on Soltech
The corona pandemic has affected the whole world, including Soltech. During the fourth quarter, we experienced greater problems with the Corona pandemic than during the first nine months. It is mainly in sales where both the opportunity to conduct physical meetings and travel is limited even more. We also experience longer decision-making processes with customers. In total, within the entire Group, we estimate that the Corona pandemic affected sales negatively by approximately 15 percent. Despite this, we reach our goal of approximately SEK 500 million in sales.

The acquisition strategy resulted in eight new subsidiaries
In just two years, Soltech has become an efficient acquisition company at the same time as dynamic development takes place in the existing companies. During the latter part of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, we see a clearly increasing trend in terms of incoming inquiries if we are interested in acquiring companies. We have succeeded in establishing ourselves as a serious, entrepreneur-friendly and decision-making buyer and this attracts direct contacts with companies, but many company brokers also come to us with their assignments. We meet companies every week and constantly have a number of negotiations underway. We look forward to more companies in the Soltech family.

Advanced Sotech, our business in China
We are proud that under very difficult conditions we managed to increase our installed base from 139 megawatts to 176.6 megawatts during the past year. Demand for our offer is high and confidence in the future is strong. However, the result on the last line is strongly affected by, above all, unrealized currency losses, high interest costs and depreciation in our Chinese operations. The management of Advanced Soltech is working hard to reduce these effects in the future and the project to list the company separately continues together with Carnegie and DnB. All shareholders will receive information about the special listing by letter when the schedule is ready.

The green recovery
The corona pandemic has fundamentally changed the world. The years 2020 and 2021 will go down in history as very difficult years, both in terms of human and financial suffering. But it also forces politicians to make strong decisions about how to stimulate the economy. For all companies in solar energy and cleantech, these are positive times when these stimuli give us great opportunities to increase our business. Now the world has a chance to invest in long-term sustainable climate-smart alternatives and we are ready to take our responsibility by growing strongly. The better it goes for Soltech, the more benefit we make in the green transition.

Our journey has just begun
We are now primarily investing in developing our thirteen subsidiaries and getting the greatest possible synergy effects. We are already seeing positive signals, not least in purchasing, sales and recruitment. Our second focus is to continuously acquire more companies in the solar energy, roofing, facade and electricity industries. After two years and thirteen acquisitions, we have created a good process and we see great opportunities in the market that we will take advantage of.

I look forward to an exciting 2021 and to leading the company into the future with the board and our competent employees. You are warmly welcome to continue with us on the journey.

Sincerely,
Stefan Ölander, CEO

Advanced Soltech's subsidiary in China, ASRE, has signed an order with Wuhu DingFeng Auto Parts Co. Ltd. The order concerns the installation of a solar energy facility of 1.2 megawatts (MW) and is expected to generate annual revenues of approximately SEK 0.98 million, or approximately SEK 19.65 million during the agreement's 20-year term. The investment in the facility, which will be owned by ASRE, amounts to approximately SEK 6.66 million and construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Advanced Soltechs CEO Max Metelius comments:

  • We are happy to present yet another good project with strong profitability completely without subsidies. We have an offer that is appreciated by the market and also contributes to benefit the climate.

About the China venture
in China ASAB operates through, its wholly owned local subsidiaries Advanced Soltech Renewable Energy (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, ASRE and Longrui Solar Energy (Suqian) Co. Ltd. The business model consists of financing, installing, owning, and managing solar energy installations on customers' roofs in China. The customer does not pay for the plant, but instead undertakes to buy the electricity that the plant produces under a 20-year agreement. Current income comes from the sale of electricity to customers and from subsidies. The goal is to have an installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2023, which is fully connected to the electricity grid by 2024.

ASAB is 50.85 % owned by Soltech Energy Sweden AB (publ), 48.85% by Soltech's Chinese partner, Advanced Solar Power Hangzhou Inc and 0.3% by several holders of preference shares.

Advanced Soltech's subsidiary in China, ASRE, has signed an order with Wuhu XinFeng Mineral Fiber Material Co Ltd. The order is for an installation of a solar energy plant of 1.2 megawatts (MW) and is estimated to generate annual revenues of approximately SEK 1.03 million, or approximately SEK 20.59 million during the agreement's 20-year term. The investment in the facility, which will be owned by ASRE, amounts to approximately SEK 6.85 million and construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Advanced Soltech’s CEO, Max Metelius comments:

  • Currently we have many ongoing negotiations with new customers which we continue to convert into good projects with high profitability completely without subsidies. Demand for our offering is solid and we believe that the market will be even stronger going forward, considering China's recently communicated new ambitious climate goals.

About the China venture
In China ASAB operates through, its wholly owned local subsidiaries Advanced Soltech Renewable Energy (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, ASRE and Longrui Solar Energy (Suqian) Co. Ltd. The business model consists of financing, installing, owning and managing solar energy installations on customers' roofs in China. The customer does not pay for the plant, but instead undertakes to buy the electricity that the plant produces under a 20-year agreement. Current income comes from the sale of electricity to customers and from subsidies. The goal is to have an installed capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) by 2023, which is fully connected to the electricity grid by 2024. ASAB is 51% owned by Soltech Energy Sweden AB (publ) and 49% by Soltech's Chinese partner, Advanced Solar Power Hangzhou Inc.