Real Goods Solar Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results



 * Revenue of $23.0 Million

 * Return to Profitability

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 4, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Real Goods Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:RSOL), a leading residential solar energy integrator, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 increased 122.3% to $23.0 million from $10.3 million recorded in the same period last year, primarily due to organic growth and acquisitions.

Gross profit increased to $5.0 million, or 21.8% of revenue, for the quarter from $2.8 million, or 27.2% of revenue, in the comparable period last year. The decrease in gross margin percentage primarily reflects an increased mix of lower margin commercial installations during the third quarter of 2009. In the fourth quarter gross margin is expected to return to the mid-twenties.

Operating expenses as a percent of revenue decreased to 20.7% for the quarter, from 31.8% in the comparable period last year. This decrease is partially a reflection of the significant fixed cost component of the business and the available leverage as revenues scale. Additionally, the lower operating expenses have been a result of the significant cost savings achieved by transitioning all past acquisitions to a single set of systems and a unified brand.

Net income for the third quarter was $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, as compared to a net loss of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, for the comparable period last year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue was $45.2 million, a 75.6% increase from $25.7 million in the comparable period last year. Net loss totaled $1.8 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Results for 2008 do not include Real Goods Solar's acquisition of Regrid Power on October 1, 2008 and only include two months of results for the acquisition of Independent Energy Systems on August 1, 2008. On a pro forma basis, adding the $6.0 million of revenue from acquisitions not included in the third quarter 2008 reported results, internal revenue growth was approximately 41%.

"In the third quarter we saw the return of strong demand for residential solar," commented John Schaeffer, President. "Bookings were robust throughout the quarter and we are pleased with the size of our current backlog. Revenue for the quarter showed significant growth as a result of increasing installation capacity as well as completion of the first phase of our Fremont High School project. What I am most excited to report is our return to profitability in the third quarter, a milestone that has been our highest priority."

"We really began to see the leverage in our business during the third quarter, which helped drive us to profitability," said Erik Zech, Chief Financial Officer. "While our gross margin was down from the previous quarter, we saw a decline in operating expenses as a percentage of revenue to 20.7% in the third quarter, as compared to 33.2% in the second quarter. Our balance sheet continued to strengthen during the quarter with our cash balance improving to $14.1 million."

Real Goods Solar will host a conference call tomorrow, November 5, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. PST (11:30 a.m. EST) to review the third quarter results.


 Dial-in No.: 877-941-2068 (domestic) or 480-629-9712 (international)
 Passcode: Real Goods

A replay of the call will begin approximately two hours after the end of the call and will continue until midnight EST on November 12, 2009.


 Replay number: 800-406-7325 (domestic) or 303-590-3030 (international)
 Pin: 4180678

About Real Goods Solar, Inc.

Real Goods Solar, Inc. is a leading residential solar energy integrator, having installed over 5,000 solar systems. Real Goods Solar offers turnkey solar energy services, and has 31 years of experience in residential solar energy, beginning with the sale in 1978 of the first solar photovoltaic, or PV, panels in the United States. For more information about Real Goods Solar, please visit www.realgoodssolar.com, or call (888) 507-2561.

The Real Goods Solar, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6455

This press release includes forward-looking statements relating to matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "intend," "believe," "will," "should" or comparable terminology or by discussions of strategy. While Real Goods Solar believes its assumptions and expectations underlying forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not be materially different. Risks and uncertainties that could cause materially different results include, among others, introduction of new products and services, completion and integration of acquisitions, the possibility of negative economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties included in Real Goods Solar's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Real Goods Solar assumes no duty to update any forward-looking statements.


                           REAL GOODS SOLAR, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands, except per share data)


                                    Three Months        Three Months
                                       Ended               Ended
                                   September 30,        September 30,
                                       2009                2008
                                 -----------------    ----------------
 Net revenue                     $ 22,966   100.0%    $10,333   100.0%

 Cost of goods sold                17,952    78.2%      7,527    72.8%
                                 ---------            --------

 Gross profit                       5,014    21.8%      2,806    27.2%

 Operating expenses                 4,756    20.7%      3,287    31.8%
                                 ---------            --------

 Income (loss) from operations        258     1.1%       (481)   -4.6%

 Interest income                        1     0.0%        118     1.1%
                                 ---------            --------

 Income (loss) before
  income taxes                        259     1.1%       (363)   -3.5%

 Income tax expense (benefit)         101     0.4%       (137)   -1.3%
                                 ---------            --------

 Net income (loss) attributable
  to Real Goods Solar, Inc.      $    158     0.7%    $  (226)   -2.2%
                                 =========            ========
 Weighted-average shares
  outstanding:
   Basic                           18,271              15,816
   Diluted                         18,273              15,816

 Net income (loss) per share
  attributable to Real Goods
  Solar, Inc. common
  shareholders:
   Basic                         $   0.01             $ (0.01)
   Diluted                       $   0.01             $ (0.01)



                          REAL GOODS SOLAR, INC.
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                               (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

                                    Nine Months          Nine Months
                                       Ended               Ended
                                   September 30,        September 30,
                                       2009                2008
                                 -----------------    ----------------
 Net revenue                     $ 45,210   100.0%    $25,742   100.0%

 Cost of goods sold                34,616    76.6%     18,461    71.7%
                                 ---------            --------

 Gross profit                      10,594    23.4%      7,281    28.3%

 Operating expenses                13,527    29.9%      8,383    32.6%
                                 ---------            --------

 Loss from operations              (2,933)   -6.5%     (1,102)   -4.3%

 Interest income                        1     0.0%        202     0.8%
                                 ---------            --------

 Loss before income taxes          (2,932)   -6.5%       (900)   -3.5%

 Income tax benefit                (1,138)   -2.5%       (346)   -1.3%
                                 ---------            --------

 Net loss                          (1,794)   -4.0%       (554)   -2.2%

 Net (income) attributable to
  the noncontrolling interest          --     0.0%         (5)    0.0%
                                 ---------            --------

 Net loss attributable to Real
  Goods Solar, Inc               $ (1,794)   -4.0%    $  (559)   -2.2%
                                 =========            ========
 Weighted-average shares
  outstanding:
   Basic                           18,145              14,045
   Diluted                         18,145              14,045

 Net loss per share
  attributable to Real Goods
  Solar, Inc. common
  shareholders:
   Basic                         $  (0.10)            $ (0.04)
   Diluted                       $  (0.10)            $ (0.04)

                    REAL GOODS SOLAR, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (Unaudited)
                       (In thousands)

                                                Sept.      Dec.
                                                 30,        31,
                                                 2009      2008
                                               -------   -------
 Assets
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $14,086   $12,339
   Accounts receivable, net                     12,655     7,711
   Inventory, net                                4,095     9,170
   Deferred costs on uncompleted contracts         387       970
   Deferred advertising costs                      499       251
   Receivable and deferred tax assets              570       704
   Other current assets                            668       332
                                               -------   -------
     Total current assets                       32,960    31,477

 Property and equipment, net                     5,103     5,298
 Goodwill                                          732        --
 Deferred tax assets                             3,471     2,239
 Other assets                                      896     1,051
                                               -------   -------
 Total assets                                  $43,162   $40,065
                                               =======   =======

 Liabilities and shareholders' equity
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                            $10,205   $ 6,501
   Accrued liabilities                           2,326     1,135
   Deferred revenue on uncompleted contracts        49       400
   Payable to Gaiam                                527     1,111
                                               -------   -------
 Total current liabilities                      13,107     9,147

 Total shareholders' equity                     30,055    30,918
                                               -------   -------
 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    $43,162   $40,065
                                               =======   =======


            

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