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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CAPSTONE TURBINE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARYSUBSIDIARIES INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)  

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 20102011

or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to          

Commission file number 001-15957

CAPSTONE TURBINE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 95-4180883
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

21211 Nordhoff Street,

 

 
Chatsworth, California91311

(Address of principal executive offices)
 91311
(Zip Code)

(818)734-5300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.001 per share NASDAQ Global Market
Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Rights  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:None

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No ý

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer ý Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
 Smaller reporting company o

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No ý

         The aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates on September 30, 20092010 was approximately $258.9$189.1 million.

         As of June 7, 2010, 242,231,9352011, 259,316,216 shares of the registrant's Common Stock were issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions of the definitive proxy statement relating to the registrant's 20102011 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report to the extent described therein.


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CAPSTONE TURBINE CORPORATION



FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  
 Page 

PART I

 

Item 1.

 

Business

  2 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

  1516 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

  2729 

Item 2.

 

Properties

  2730 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

  2730 

PART II

 

Item 5.

 

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

  3032 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

  3133 

Item 7.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  3234 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

  4850 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

  4950 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

  4950 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

  4950 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

  5253 

PART III

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

  5253 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

  5254 

Item 12.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

  5354 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

  5354 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

  5354 

PART IV

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

  5455 

Signatures

    

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PART I

Item 1.    Business.

Overview

        Capstone Turbine Corporation ("Capstone" or the "Company") develops, manufactures, markets and services microturbine technology solutions for use in stationary distributed power generation applications, including cogeneration (combined heat and power ("CHP"), integrated combined heat and power ("ICHP"), and combined cooling, heat and power ("CCHP")), resource recovery and secure power. In addition, our microturbines can be used as battery charging generators for hybrid electric vehicle applications. Microturbines allow customers to produce power on-site in parallel with the electric grid or stand alone when no utility grid is available. There are several technologies that are used to provide "on-site power generation" (also called "distributed generation") such as reciprocating engines, solar power, wind powered systems and fuel cells. For customers who do not have access to the electric utility grid, microturbines provide clean, on-site power with lower scheduled maintenance intervals and greater fuel flexibility than competing technologies. For customers with access to the electric grid, microturbines provide an additional source of continuous duty power, thereby providing additional reliability and potential cost savings. With our stand-alone feature, customers can produce their own energy in the event of a power outage and can use microturbines as their primary source of power for extended periods. Because our microturbines also produce clean, usable heat energy, they provide economic advantages to customers who can benefit from the use of hot water, chilled water, air conditioning and heating. Our microturbines are sold primarily through our distributors. Our distributors along with our Authorized Service Companies ("ASCs"), install the microturbines. Service is provided directly by us through our Factory Protection Plan ("FPP") or by our distributors and ASCs.distributors. Successful implementation of microturbines relies on the quality of the microturbine, marketability for appropriate applications, and the quality of the installation and support.

        We believe we were the first company to offer a commercially available power source using microturbine technology. Capstone offers microturbines designed for commercial, industrial, and utility users from 30 kilowatts ("kW") up to 1one megawatt in electric power output. Our 30 kW ("C30") microturbine can produce enough electricity to power a small convenience store. The 60 kW and 65 kW ("C60 Series"C65") microturbine can produce enough heat to provide hot water to a 100-room hotel while also providing about one-third of its electrical requirements. Our 200 kW ("C200") microturbine is well suited for larger hotels, office buildings, and wastewater treatment plants, among others. By packaging the C200 microturbine power modules into an International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") sized container, Capstone has created a family of microturbine offerings from 600 kW up to one megawatt in a compact footprint. Our 1000 kW ("C1000 Series") microturbines are well suited for utility substations, larger commercial and industrial facilities and remote oil and gas applications. Our microturbines combine patented air-bearing technology, advanced combustion technology and sophisticated power electronics to form efficient and ultra low emission electricity and cooling and heat production systems. Because of our air-bearing technology, our microturbines do not require liquid lubricants. This means they do not require routine maintenance to change and dispose of oil or other liquid lubricants, as do the most common competing products. Capstone microturbines can be fueled by various sources, including natural gas, propane, sour gas, renewable fuels such as landfill or digester gas, kerosene, diesel and biodiesel. The C60 SeriesC65 and C200 microturbines are available with integrated heat exchangers, making them easy to engineer and install in applications where hot water is used. Our products produce exceptionally clean power. Our C60 SeriesC65 was certified by the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") as meeting its stringent 2007 emissions requirements—the same emissions standard used to certify fuel cells and the same emissions levels as a state-of-the-art central power plant. Our C65 Landfill and Digester Gas systems were certified in January 2008 by CARB as meeting 2008 waste gas emissions requirements for landfill and digester gas applications. Our C200 Landfill and Digester


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Gas systems were certified in November 2010 by CARB as meeting 2008 waste gas emissions requirements for landfill and digester gas applications.

        On February 1, 2010, we acquired the 100 kW ("TA100") microturbine product line from Calnetix Power Solutions, Inc. ("CPS") and entered into a manufacturing sub-contract agreement and an original equipment manufacturer agreement with selected exclusive rights to package a combined microturbine and waste heat recovery generator product. The TA100 microturbine is most similar to the Capstone product design compared to other microturbine products in the industry and the 100 kW rating fits well between our C60 SeriesC65 and C200 microturbines. The 125 kW waste heat recovery generator can be directly fired by the exhaust of six C60 SeriesC65 or two C200 microturbines to provide a total of over 500 kW of clean and efficient green power in applications where the microturbine exhaust is not otherwise utilized, such as CHP or CCHP.

        We sell complete microturbine units, subassemblies, components and various accessories. We also remanufacture microturbine engines and provide after-market parts and services. Our microturbines are sold primarily through distributors and Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs"). Distributors purchase our products for sale to end users and also provide application engineering and installation support. Distributors are also required to provide a variety of additional services, including engineering the applications in which the microturbines will be used, installation support of the products at the end users' sites, commissioning the installed applications and providing post-commissioning service. Our distributors perform as value-added resellers. OEMs integrate Capstone's products into their own product solutions. Capstone has also established outside sales representatives who qualify and close customer orders for direct sales by Capstone.

        To assure proper installation of Capstone microturbine systems, we have instituted a Factory Trained Installer ("FTI") training and certification program. Personnel from our distributors and OEMs, as well as design engineering firms, contractors and end users attend this FTI training. We offer a Conceptual Approval ("CA") process to assist all customers by reviewing their installation designs to confirm that the technical requirements for proper operation have been met, such as electrical interconnections, load requirements, fuel type and pressure, cooling air flow, and turbine exhaust routing. As part of the microturbine commissioning process, we also receive a checklist to confirm that the final installation adheres to Capstone technical requirements before we accept any warranty obligations. This is aimed at providing the end user with a proper installation that will operate as expected for the life of the equipment.

        Capstone has a factory direct service offering for commissioning and post-commissioning service. We offer a comprehensive FPP where Capstone charges a fixed annual fee to perform regularly scheduled maintenance, and in some cases unscheduledas well as other maintenance as well.needed. Capstone then performs the required maintenance directly with its own personnel or contracts with one of its local ASCsdistributors to do so. In January 2011, we expanded the FPP to include total microturbine plant operations if required by the end use customer. Capstone provides factory and on-site training to certify all personnel that are allowed to perform service on our microturbines. Individuals who are certified are called Authorized Service Providers ("ASPs") and must be employed by an ASCa distributor in order to perform work pursuant to a Capstone FPP. The majority of our distributors are ASCs. We also have ASCs who do not sell our products, but only offer service for them.provide these services.

Our Products

        We began commercial sales of our C30 products in 1998, targeting the emerging distributed generation industry that was being driven by fundamental changes in power requirements. In September 2000, we shipped the first commercial unit of our C60 Series microturbine.60 kW microturbine ("C60"), which was replaced by the C65 models during the quarter ended March 31, 2006. We began shipping the C60 Integrated CHP solution in 2003, and first shipments of the C65 models occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006.2003. The first commercial C200 microturbine was shipped on August 28, 2008. Our C1000 Series product was developed based on Capstone's C200 microturbine


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engine. The C1000 Series product can be configured into 1,000 kW, 800 kW and 600 kW solutions in a single ISO-sized container. Our C1000 Series product beta testing was successfully implemented during


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Fiscal 2009 and the first commercial shipment was on December 29, 2008. We began shipping TA100 microturbines in March 2010.

        During Fiscal 2010,2011, we booked total orders of $86.5 million for 554 units, or 91.9 megawatts, compared to $73.5 million for 620 units, or 77.2 megawatts, compared to $66.0 million for 673 units, or 76.6 megawatts, during Fiscal 2009.2010. We shipped 611 units with an aggregate of 69.7 megawatts, generating revenue of $66.4 million compared to 499 units with an aggregate of 52.8 megawatts, generating revenue of $48.7 million compared to 494 units with an aggregate of 34.1 megawatts, generating revenue of $32.4 million during Fiscal 2009.2010. Total backlog as of March 31, 20102011 increased $24.8$20.1 million, or 40%23%, to $86.3$106.4 million from $61.5$86.3 million at March 31, 2009. On2010. As of March 31, 2010,2011, we had 726669 units, or 96.4118.6 megawatts, in total backlog compared to 605726 units, or 72.096.4 megawatts, for the same period last year. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, all of the backlog was current and expected to be shipped within the next twelve months compared to 421 units, or 53.5 megawatts, valued at $45.3 million as of March 31, 2009.months. The timing of shipments is subject to change based on several variables (including customer payments and changes in customer delivery schedules), many of which are not in our control and can affect our revenue and backlog. During Fiscal 2011, we booked our first order for 14 waste heat recovery generators, 12 of which are in the ending backlog as of March 31, 2011.

        The following table summarizes our backlog:



 Years Ended March 31, 
 Years Ended March 31, 


 2010 2009 
 2011 2010 


 Megawatts Units Megawatts Units 
 Megawatts Units Megawatts Units 

Current (Expected delivery within the next twelve months)

Current (Expected delivery within the next twelve months)

 

Current (Expected delivery within the next twelve months)

 

C30

 5.9 196 5.3 174 

C30

 3.2 106 5.9 196 

C60 Series

 23.4 361 10.8 168 

C65

 27.0 416 23.4 361 

TA100

 4.7 47   

TA100

 2.3 23 4.7 47 

C200

 14.2 71 9.8 49 

C200

 5.2 26 14.2 71 

C600

 2.4 4 1.8 3 

C600

 5.4 9 2.4 4 

C800

 4.8 6 4.8 6 

C800

 12.0 15 4.8 6 

C1000

 41.0 41 21 21 

C1000

 62.0 62 41.0 41 
         

Waste heat recovery generator

 1.5 12   

Total Current Backlog

 96.4 726 53.5 421           

Long-term (Expected delivery is greater than twelve months)

 

C30

   4.7 158 

C200

   3.0 15 

C800

   0.8 1 

C1000

   10 10 
         

Total Long-term Backlog

   18.5 184 
         

Total Backlog

Total Backlog

 96.4 726 72.0 605 

Total Backlog

 118.6 669 96.4 726 
                   

        Capstone microturbines are compact, lightweight and environmentally friendly generators of electricity and heat, compared to other competing technologies. They operate on the same principle as a jet engine with the added capability of using a variety of commercially available fuels. For example, our microturbines can operate on low British Thermal Unit ("BTU") gas, which is gas with lower energy content, and can also operate on gas with a high amount of sulfur, known in the industry as sour gas. Examples of these fuel sources include methane from facilities such as wastewater treatment plants, landfills or agrodigesters.

        Our microturbines incorporate four major design features:


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        Our advanced combustion technology allows Capstone microturbines to achieve low emissions capability with a design that is simple to manufacture. These low emission levels not only provide an environmentally friendly product, but also eliminate permitting requirements in several municipalities for continuously operated onsite power generation. The air-bearing system allows the microturbine's single moving assembly to produce power without the need for typical petroleum-based lubrication. Air-bearings use a high-pressure field of air rather than petroleum lubricants. This improves reliability and reduces maintenance such as oil changes. The electronic controls manage critical functions and monitor operations of the microturbine. For instance, our electronics control the microturbine's speed, temperature and fuel flow and communicate with external networks and building management systems. The power electronics coordinate with the grid when the units are operated in a grid-connect mode and with the on-board battery when equipped for stand-alone mode. All control functions are performed digitally. Performance is optimized, resulting in lower emissions, higher reliability and high efficiency over a variable power range.

        The electrical output of our units can be paralleled in multiple unit configurations through our Advanced Power Server product and a digital communications cable to serve larger installations requiring electrical loads up to ten megawatts.

        Our products can operate:

        We also offer C60 SeriesC65 and C200 ICHP systems. These systems combine the standard C60 SeriesC65 and C200 microturbine unit with a Heat Recovery Module that provides electricity and heats water.

        Our family of products is offered in the following configurations:

 
 C30 C60 SeriesC65 TA100 C200 C1000 Series
Fuel Types
 Grid
Connect
 Dual
Mode
 Grid
Connect
 Dual
Mode
 Grid
Connect
 Dual
Mode
 Grid
Connect
 Dual
Mode
 Grid
Connect
 Dual
Mode

Low pressure natural gas

 X X X X X X X X X X

High pressure natural gas

 X X X X X X X X X X

Compressed natural gas

 X X X X X X X X X X

Landfill gas

 X   X       X   X  

Digester gas

 X   X       X   X  

Gaseous propane

 X X X X     X X X X

Diesel

 X X X X            

Bio-diesel

 X X X X            

Kerosene

 X X X X            

        We offer various accessories for our products including rotary gas compressors with digital controls, heat recovery modules for CHP applications, dual mode controllers that allow automatic transition between grid connect and stand-alone modes, batteries with digital controls for stand-alone or dual-mode operations, power servers for large multipacked installations, protocol converters for Internet access, packaging options and miscellaneous parts such as frames, exhaust ducting and installation hardware. We also sell microturbine components and subassemblies to OEMs.


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        Our electronic controls manage microturbines using Capstone's proprietary software and advanced algorithms. The controls:

        In addition, our proprietary Capstone Remote Monitoring Software ("CRMS") allows end users to remotely operate and manage the microturbine. Unlike the technology of other power sources that require manual monitoring and maintenance, the CRMS allows end-usersend users to remotely and efficiently monitor performance, power generation and time of operation using our CRMS interface software with standard personal computers. This remote capability can provide end users with power generation flexibility and cost savings. Our Internet-based communication system, the Capstone Service Network ("CSN"), provides continuous remote monitoring and diagnostics to customers who purchase the service. If the CSN detects an out-of-limit condition or alarm, it automatically notifies the responsible ASCdistributor for immediate follow-up action.

        The C30 microturbines were initially designed to operate connected to an electric utility grid and to use a high pressure natural gas fuel source. We have expanded our microturbines' functionality to operate with different fuels. The combustor system remains the same for all fuels except for the fuel injectors, which currently vary between liquid and gaseous fuels. The Capstone microturbines' multi-fuel capability provides significant competitive advantages with respect to some of our selected vertical markets.

        Our C60 SeriesC65 grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems are listed by Underwriters Laboratories ("UL") as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements. Our products are manufactured by processes that are ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certified.

        In 2002, the California Energy Commission certified our 30 kW and 60 kW microturbine power systems as the first products to comply with the requirements of its "Rule 21" grid interconnection standard. This standard streamlines the process for connecting distributed generation systems to the grid in California. The benefits of achieving this standard include avoiding both costly external equipment procurement requirements and extensive site-by-site and utility-by-utility analysis. Our protective relay functionality has also been recognized by the State of New York, which has pre-cleared our microturbines for connection to New York's electric utility grid.

        Our 60 kW microturbine power system was the first combustion power generation product to be certified by the CARB as meeting its stringent distributed generation emissions standards that went into effect in 2003. Our C60 SeriesC65 microturbine now meets the even more stringent CARB 2007 standard for natural gas, as well as the 2008 CARB standard for landfill and digester gas fuels.

        The 100 kWTA100 microturbine power system offers a digital communications interface which can be connected to an external controller (not sold by Capstone) to provide multiple unit and dual mode dispatching functionality. An external synchronization board is provided to parallel the electrical output in multiple unit configurations for stand-alone operation.


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        We are the first microturbine manufacturer to achieve UL Class I, Division 2 certification for operation in hazardous-area oil and gas applications. These specially packed systems are applied in oil and gas production areas with potentially explosive environments.

        In September 2009, we received UL certification for our C200 Series grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements.

        In June 2010, we received UL certification for our C1000 Series grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements.

Applications

        Worldwide, stationary power generation applications vary from huge central stationary generating facilities aboveup to 1,000 megawatts,MW, to back-up uses below ten kilowatts.generators as small as two kW. Historically, power generation in most developed countries such as the United States, has been part of a regulated utility system. A number of developments related primarily to the deregulation of the utility industry as well as significant technology advances have broadened the range of power supply choices available to customers. With the introductionall types of the C200 and C1000 Series, our microturbines may becustomers.

        Capstone products serve multiple vertical markets worldwide from applications as small as 30 kW up to 5 MW. Our broad family of microturbine based low emission solutions are used in a variety of applications generally requiring less than five megawatts.a minimum of 30 kW and a maximum of 5 MW. Within the distributed generation markets served, we focus on vertical markets that we have identified as having the greatest near-term potential. In the markets we are focusing on (CHP, CCHP, resource recovery(energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resources, critical power supply and secure power)mobile products), we have identified specific targeted vertical market segments.

Cogeneration—Energy Efficiency—CHP/CCHP

        CogenerationEnergy efficiency maximizes the use of energy produced by the microturbines, reduces emissions compared with traditional power generation and enhances the economic advantage to customers. CogenerationEnergy efficiency uses both the heat and electric energy produced in the power generation process. Using the heat and electricity created from a single combustion process increases the efficiency of the system from approximately 30% to 70%75% or more. The increased operating efficiency reduces overall green house gas emissions compared with traditional independent sources such as power generation and local thermal generation and, through displacement of other separate systems, can reduce variable production costs. Our microturbines' emissions of commonly found air pollutants ("criteria pollutants") such as Nitrogen oxides ("NOx") and volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") are lower than those from the on-site boilers that our CHP system displaces—meaning that local emissions of these pollutants are actually reduced when a Capstone energy efficiency CHP system is installed. This high CHP efficiency also means more efficient use of expensive fuels and can reduce net utility costs for end users. The most prominent uses of heat energy include space heating and air conditioning, heating and cooling water, as well as drying and other applications. For example, we have used the heat generated by the microturbines to supply hot water solutions for hotels, schools, big box retail, commercial and swimming pools.industrial customers. When our microturbine exhaust drives an absorption chiller, the chiller produces chilled water for air conditioning and other uses. These systems have also been implemented to supply solutions in grocery stores, office and government buildings and manufacturing facilities.

        There are energy efficiency markets for CHP and CCHP applications worldwide. A study conducted for the US Department of Energy ("DOE") calculated the total potential energy efficiency CHP market in the United States to be over 35.5 gigawatts through 2020. Many governments have encouraged more efficient use of the power generation process to reduce pollution, lower dependence on fossil fuels and control the cost of locally produced goods. To access these markets, we have entered


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into agreements with distributors which have engineered energy efficiency CHP packages that utilize the hot exhaust air of the microturbine for heating water and


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also use the hot exhaust to run an absorption chiller for air conditioning. Further, we have our own integrated energy efficiency CHP product for the C60 SeriesC65 and C200 products.

Resource Recovery/Renewable FuelsEnergy

        On a worldwide basis, there are thousands of locations where the production of fossil fuels and other extraction and production processes creates fuel byproducts, which traditionally have been released or burned into the atmosphere.        Our microturbine products can use renewable methane gases from landfills, and wastewater treatment facilities and other biogas applications like cow, pig and chicken manure. Capstone's product can burn these renewable waste gases with minimal emissions, thereby, in some cases, avoiding the imposition of penalties incurred for pollution, while simultaneously producing electricity from this "free" renewable fuel for use at the site or in the surrounding community. Our microturbine products have demonstrated effectiveness in this applicationthese applications and outperform conventional combustion engines in a number of situations, including when the gas contains a high amount of sulfur. We have sold systems that were installed in the resource recovery market to be used at oil and gas exploration and production sites both onshore and offshore in addition to landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. These gases are considered renewable resources.

        In February 2010, we entered into an agreement with CPS to purchase 125 kW waste heat recovery generators in exchange for certain minimum purchase requirements during a three-year period ending February 1, 2013. Pursuant to this agreement, we have exclusive rights to sell the zero-emission waste heat recovery generator for all microturbine applications and for applications 500 kW or lower where the source of heat is the exhaust of a reciprocating engine used in a landfill application.

SecureNatural Resources—Oil, Natural Gas, Shale Gas & Mining

        On a worldwide basis, there are thousands of locations where the drilling, production, compression and transportation of natural resources and other extraction and production processes creates fuel byproducts, which traditionally have been released or burned into the atmosphere. Our microturbine products are installed in the natural resource market to be used at oil and gas exploration, production, compression and transmission sites both onshore and offshore as a highly reliable critical source of power generation. Typically these oil and gas or mining operations have no electric utility grid and rely solely on Capstone's microturbine product for reliable low emission power supply.

        Many major oil and gas companies are exploring large shale reserves—or plays—in the United States. In mid 2010 Capstone sold its first turbines into the U.S. shale gas market in the Eagle Ford and Marcellus shale plays. The market for Capstone turbines and microturbines in this industry is vast. The shale gas market is expected to grow substantially, especially since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Act has strict requirements for emissions levels at natural gas sites.

Critical Power Supply

        Because of the potentially catastrophic consequences of even momentary system failure, certain power users such as high technology and information systems companies require particularly high levels of reliability in their power service. Capstone's secure power offerings are the world's only microturbine powered Uninterruptible Power Source ("UPS") solutions that can offer clean, IT-grade power produced from microturbines, the utility or a combination of both. We offer two microturbine poweredmicroturbine-powered UPS solutions that support prime and dispatched power options. The Capstone UPSource microturbine poweredmicroturbine-powered UPS solution provides prime or emergency power solutions. Capstone's Hybrid UPS microturbine-microturbine powered solution provides power when dispatched in high efficiency, standard UPS and emergency power solutions. Both secure power products offer eight 9's of reliability (99.999999%) in common N + 1 configurations. Dual mode units operating in a prime power configuration can support a 150% overload for 10 seconds during transient conditions. Dual mode units operating in grid parallel mode can provide customers a back-up power system with an economic return. These systems offer high onsite energy efficiency when combined with a heat exchanger (CHP) to create hot water or


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with a chiller (CCHP) for air conditioning at these facilities. This configuration, when combined with the Capstone Dual Mode Controller, can transition from the grid parallel mode to prime power mode in less than 10 seconds. This provides end users with a backup system with a short return on investment.

Mobile Products—Hybrid Electric Vehicles

        Our technology is also used in hybrid electric vehicle applications. Our customers have applied our products in hybrid electric vehicles such as transit buses, trucks and trolleys.boats. In these applications the microturbine acts as an onboard battery charger to recharge the electric vehicle battery system as needed. The benefits of thesethis microturbine hybridshybrid include extended range, fuel economy gains, quieter operation, reduced emissions and highhigher reliability compared with traditional internal combustion engines. Internal combustion diesel engine manufacturers have been challenged for the last several years to develop technology improvements, before after-treatment,after treatment that reduce emissions to levels specified by the EPA and CARB 2007 and 2010 standards. . Many manufacturers are incorporating exhaust treatmentafter-treatment that increases upfront equipment costs, vehicle weight and life cycle costs and may reduce overall engine efficiency.


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Sales, Marketing and Distribution

        We sell our microturbines worldwide. With the introduction of the C200 and C1000 Series products, management anticipates that our microturbines will be used in applications requiring up to five megawatts.

        We primarily sell our microturbine products through distributors, and in some cases, we sell our microturbine products directly to end users. Our parts are sold to distributors ASCs and end users. Our typical terms of sale include shipment of the products with title, care, custody and control transferring at our dock, payment due anywhere from in advance of shipment to 90 days from shipment, and warranty periods of approximately 15 to 18 months from shipment. We typically do not have customer acceptance provisions in our agreements.

North America

        We have distribution agreements with a number of companies throughout North America for the resale of our products. Many of these distributors serve multiple markets in their select geographic regions. The primary markets served in this region have been CHP, CCHP, resource recovery, oil & gasenergy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resources and hybrid vehicles.mobile products.

        In developing our sales opportunities we have identified the need to address various requirements present in our target localities. These requirements include electric grid interconnection standards, gas utility connection requirements, building and fire safety codes and various inspections and approvals. The costs and scheduling ramifications of these various approvals can be significant to the completion of an installation. Our goal is to work with the applicable regulating entities to establish compliant standards for the installation of our microturbines so that the costs and installation timelines are minimized for our customers. We have received pre-approval by the New York State Public Services Commission for installation and interconnection to the electric utilities in New York, and we meet the California interconnection requirements. Management believes that we can create market advantages for our products through enhancing the ease of deploying our distributed generation solutions.

        In February 2009, we introduced our factory rental program primarily to target the oil & gas and telecommunication sectors that frequently deploy temporary power solutions while they build out permanent infrastructure.


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Asia and Australia

        Our sales and marketing strategy in Asia and Australia has been to develop and strengthen distributor relationships throughout these continents.

        Our market focus in Asia and Australia is CHP, CCHPenergy efficiency and oil & gas applications.natural resources. Our historical sales in Southeast Asia and Australia have primarily been in the oil & gas market. Other areas in Asia and the Pacific Rim offer attractive opportunities as well. South Korea and China are areas where resource recovery applications and CHP and CCHP solutions are expected to experience market growth.

Europe and Russia

        To address the European market, including Russia, we are strengthening our relationships with existing and new distributors and have increased Capstone local sales and service support. We have an office in Europe for the purpose of working with our distributors there on a daily basis to realize growth opportunities. We have established a spare parts distribution center in Europe to make parts readily available to our distributors. Resource recoveryRenewable energy applications have been growing in Europe based on attractive incentives established in several countries. Further, Europe has a history of extensive use of distributed generation technologies.


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South America

        Our sales and marketing strategy in South America has been to develop and strengthen distributor relationships throughout South America.

        Our market focus in South America is CHP, CCHPenergy efficiency and oil & gas applications.natural resources. Our historical sales in South America have primarily been in the oil & gasnatural resources market.

Revenue

        For geographic and segment revenue information, please see Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Segment Reporting in the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

Customers

        Two customers each accounted for 14% of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2010. Sales to Banking Production Centre ("BPC"), one of ourthe Company's Russian distributors, and Pumps and Service Company ("Pumps and Service"), one of the Company's domestic distributors, accounted for 14%, 13%23% and 18%, respectively, of revenue for the year ended March 31, 2011. Sales to BPC accounted for 23%, 14% and 13% of our revenue for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales to Pumps and 2008,Service accounted for 18%, 4% and 6% of our revenue for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Sales to Aquatec-Maxcon Pty Ltd. ("Aquatec"), our Australian distributor, accounted for 14%4%, 5%14% and 0%5% of our revenue for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008, respectively. Sales to UTC Power Corporation ("UTCP"), an affiliate of United Technologies Corporation ("UTC") and historically one of our largest customers, accounted for 0.2%, 7% and 13% of our revenue for the years ended March 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. Additionally, BPC and Green Environment, Inc.Verdesis S.A. ("Verdesis"), the Company's Belgian distributor, accounted for 20%26% and 16%10%, respectively, of net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2010.2011. BPC and Greenvironment plc, the Company's Finnish distributor, accounted for 29%20% and 16%, respectively, of net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2009. BPC represented 20% and 29% of net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. UTCP did not have any invoices outstanding in accounts receivable as of March 31, 2010.

Competition

        The market for our products is highly competitive. Our microturbines compete with existing technologies such as reciprocating engines and may also compete with emerging distributed generation technologies, including solar power, wind-powered systems, fuel cells and other microturbines. Many potential customers rely on the utility grid for their electrical power. As many of our distributed generation competitors are large, well-established companies, they derive advantages from production


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economies of scale, worldwide presence and greater resources, which they can devote to product development or promotion.

        Generally, power purchased from the electric utility grid is less costly than power produced by distributed generation technologies, such as fuel cells or microturbines. Utilities may also charge fees to interconnect to their power grids. However, we can provide economic benefits to end users in instances where the waste heat from our microturbine has value (CHP and CCHP), where fuel costs are low (resource recovery/renewable fuels), where the costs of connecting to the grid may be high or impractical (such as remote power applications), where reliability and power quality are of critical importance, or in situations where peak shaving could be economically advantageous because of highly variable electricity prices. Because Capstone microturbines can provide a reliable source of power and can operate on multiple fuel sources, management believes they offer a level of flexibility not currently offered by other technologies such as reciprocating engines.

        Our reciprocating engine competitors have products and markets that are well developed and technologies that have been proven for some time. A reciprocating engine is also known as an internal combustion engine similar to those used in automotive applications. Reciprocating engines are popular for primary and back-up power applications despite higher levels of emissions, noise and maintenance. These technologies, which typically have a lower up-front cost than microturbines, are currently


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produced by, among others, Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Dresser Waukesha, a business unit of Dresser, Inc., GE Energy Jenbacher gas engines, Deutz Corporation and Kohler Power Systems, a division of Kohler Co.

        Our microturbines may also compete with other distributed generation technologies, including solar power, wind-powered systems and fuel cells. Solar-powered and wind-powered systems produce no emissions. The main drawbacks to solar-powered and wind-powered systems are their dependence on weather conditions, the utility grid and high capital costs that can often make these systems uneconomical without government subsidies.subsidies depending upon geographic locale and application of the technology. Although the market for fuel cells is still developing, a number of companies are focused on markets similar to ours,ours; including FuelCell Energy Inc., UTCP,UTC Power Corporation ("UTCP"), Plug Power Inc. and Ballard Power Systems Inc. Fuel cells have lower levels of NOx and other criteria pollutant emissions than our microturbines. Fuel cells, like wind-powered systems and solar power systems, have received higher levels of incentives for the same type of applications as microturbines. Management believes that, absent these high government-supported incentives, microturbines provide a better value to end users in most applications. However, over the medium-to-long term, fuel cell technologies that compete more directly with our products may be introduced.

        We also compete with other companies who have microturbine products, some of which have significantly greater resources and brand recognition than us, including Ingersoll-Rand Company LimitedFlex Energy and Turbec S.p.A.

        Overall, we compete with end users' other options for electrical power and heat generation on the basis of our microturbines' ability to:


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Governmental and Regulatory Impact

        Our markets can be positively or negatively impacted by the effects of governmental and regulatory matters. We are affected not only by energy policy, laws, regulations and incentives of governments in the markets into which we sell, but also by rules, regulations and costs imposed by utilities. Utility companies or governmental entities could place barriers on the installation of our product or the interconnection of the product with the electric grid. Further, utility companies may charge additional fees to customers who install on-site power generation;generation, thereby reducing the electricity they take from the utility, or for having the capacity to use power from the grid for back-up or standby purposes. These types of restrictions, fees or charges could hamper the ability to install or effectively use our product or increase the cost to our potential customers for using our systems. This could make our systems less desirable, thereby adversely affecting our revenue and profitability potential. In addition, utility rate reductions can make our products less competitive which would have a material adverse effect on our operations. These costs, incentives and rules are not always the same as those faced by technologies with which we compete. However, rules, regulations, laws and incentives could also provide an advantage to our distributed generation solutions as compared with competing technologies if we are able to achieve required compliance in a lower cost, more efficient manner. Additionally, reduced emissions and higher fuel efficiency could help our customers combat the effects of global


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warming. Accordingly, we may benefit from increased government regulations that impose tighter emission and fuel efficiency standards.

        In February 2009, the President of the United States signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("ARRA"). ARRA has dedicated billions of dollars towards clean energy research and deployment. Some of Capstone's distributor'sdistributors' projects in Fiscal 2010 were partly funded bythrough ARRA by providing fundingwith payments made directly to state energy programs, most notably in Pennsylvania.federal agencies. Members of Congress introduced legislation in calendar 2009 and 2010 that may benefit Capstone in Fiscal 2011, including energy and climate change legislation that will promote low and carbonless power generation applications.2012. In addition, certain proposed changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may result in positive tax benefits for our end users. This proposed legislation also targets CHP, hybrid electric and natural gas-powered vehicles. Additionally, Capstone continues to engage with U.S.Federal and State policymakers to develop government programs to promote the deployment of Capstone's low emission and energy efficient products. We cannot provide assurance that any such legislation will be enacted, however, or that it will benefit us if enacted.

        In California, the Self Generation Incentive Program was modified to allow natural gas-firedgas and energy efficiency CHP applications to receive rebates. However, at this time, management believes that our end users would not realize any significant benefits to their capital equipment purchase plans until the second half of calendar 2010.2011.

        Government funding can impact the rate of development of new technologies. While we continue to receive development funding, committed amounts remaining are relatively low. Competing new technologies generally receive larger incentives and development funding than do microturbines.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

        Our microturbines are designed to achieve high volume,high-volume, low-cost production objectives. Our manufacturing designs include the use of conventional technology, which has been proven in high volume automotive and turbocharger production for many years. The microturbines are designed for simple assembly and testing and to facilitate automated production techniques using less-skilled labor.

        Our strategy of outsourcing the manufacturing and assembly of our nonproprietary product components allows for more attractive pricing, quick ramp-up and the use of just-in-time inventory management techniques. While the current variability in our demand volumes and resulting imprecise demand forecasting affect our ability to leverage these capabilities, management believes that we can realize economies of scale related to our product manufacturing costs as unit volume increases. We


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assemble and test units as well as manufacture air-bearings and certain combustion system components at our facility in Chatsworth, California. Additionally, we manufacture recuperator cores at our facility in Van Nuys, California. We have primary and secondary sources for other critical components and have evaluated our core competencies and identified additional outsourcing opportunities which we are now actively pursuing. We monitor parts subject to a single or a limited source supply to minimize factory down time due to unavailability of such parts, which could impact our ability to meet manufacturing schedules.

        Management believes our manufacturing facilities located in Chatsworth and Van Nuys, California have a combined production capacity of approximately 2,000 units per year, depending on product mix. Excluding working capital requirements, management believes we can expand our combined production capacity to approximately 4,000 units per year, depending on product mix, with approximately $10 to $15 million of capital expenditures. We have not committed to this expansion nor identified a source for its funding, if available.


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        Solar Turbines Incorporated ("Solar"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., had been our sole supplier of recuperator cores prior to 2001. In 2000, we exercised an option to license Solar's technology, which allows us to manufacture recuperator cores ourselves. In June 2001, we started to manufacture recuperator cores. Recuperator cores using the Solar technology, which we make and sell, are subject to a per-unit royalty fee. As of March 31, 2010,2011, cumulative royalties of $0.3 million have been paid under the terms of the licensing agreement with Solar.

        CPS will continue to manufactureOn April 28, 2011, we purchased $2.3 million of the TA100 microturbines for Capstone through March 31, 2011. We have agreed to purchase for cash any remaining TA100 microturbine inventory remaining after March 31, 2011from CPS that haswas not been consumed as part of the TA100 manufacturing process and is not considered in excess or obsolete, and we will obtain title to certain TA100acquired the manufacturing equipment. On February 1, 2010, the Company and CPS also entered into an agreement pursuant to which we agreed to purchase 125 kW waste heat recovery generator systems from CPS. In exchange for certain minimum purchase requirements during a three-year period, we have exclusive rights to sell the zero-emission waste heat recovery generator for all microturbine applications and for applications 500kW500 kW or lower where the source of heat is the exhaust of a reciprocating engine used in a landfill application. We must meet specified annual sales targets in order to maintain the exclusive rights to sell the waste heat recovery generators.

Research and Development ("R&D")

        For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, R&D expense was $7.0 million, $7.0 million and $8.1 million and $8.9 millionwas 9%, 11% and was 11%, 19% and 28% of total revenue, respectively. R&D expenses are reported net of benefits from cost-sharing programs, such as the DOE grant and the Development and License Agreement ("Development Agreement") with UTCP.Carrier Corporation ("Carrier"), successor in interest to UTC Power Corporation. Benefits from cost-sharing programs were $0.9 million, $1.7 million $8.1 million and $3.0$8.1 million for the years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 2009 and 2008,2009, respectively. Our R&D activities enabled us to become one of the first companies to develop a commercially available microturbine that operates in parallel with the grid. We were the first company to successfully demonstrate a commercially available microturbine that operates on a stand-alone basis.

        The CARB has established extremely high industry standards for distributed generation technologies by requiring them to meet emissions levels comparable to the Best Available Control Technology for large state-of-the-art central utility power plants. In March 2009, Capstone's 30 kW microturbines becamehave become even "greener" with the successful demonstration of our ultra low emissions product complying with EPA anddesigned to meet this CARB 2010 emissions requirements2007 standard which reduced previous requirements for NOx by 86%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 98%, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)VOCs by 98%. TestIn addition to the emission reductions, test results showed that the microturbine removed concentrations of unburned hydrocarbons (HC) in the ambient air. The ultra low emissions performance was attained without sacrificing Capstone's signature low maintenance costs by combining ultra low emission lean premix combustion technology with a catalyst that requires no scheduled


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maintenance for the life of the system. This is in contrast to exhaust cleanup systems used by traditional reciprocating engine driven generation equipment that use chemicals such as ammonia or urea and need frequent adjustments to maintain proper function and air quality. Certification to this standard allows generators to be installed in most of the major air quality management districts in California without regular on-site emissions testing. To date, only microturbines and fuel cells have been certified to this new standard. Installing six 65 kW microturbines operating 24 hours a day reduces NOx emissions by approximately five tons per year which equates to the environmental impact of taking 258 cars off the road, based on EPA emissions and efficiency data for the average U.S. power plant and average passenger vehicle. Capstone enhanced its C60 SeriesC65 microturbine to meet the CARB 2007 standard with co-funding from the DOE.

        Capstone microturbines arewere the first power generation technology to receive CARB 2008 Waste Gas Emissions certification for operation on landfill and digester gas. Capstone microturbines are capable of burning waste gases with methane contents as low as 30% which can be challenging for


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competing combustion technologies. We achieve CARB waste gas emissions requirements with our low premix combustion technology inherent to the microturbine which requires no exhaust after treatment. Certification to the new waste fuel emissions standard makes approved technologies such as the Capstone landfill and digester microturbines much easier to locate in California. Producing energy using gas from these applications avoids the need to use non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, or natural gas to produce the same amount of energy.

        Capstone released for sale its C65 Liquid Fuel configuration microturbine system. The high reliability benefits of the Capstone microturbine product make it well suited for remote power and secure power applications which often use liquid fuel. Capstone liquid fuel microturbines are able to burn a variety of fuels including kerosene, high and low sulfur diesel, and biodiesel blends.

        Capstone released versions of its C30 and C60 SeriesC65 microturbine products for operation in high humidity applications. The new package provides resistance to corrosive environmental conditions typical of coastal, jungle and other high humidity installations. Previously released products for offshore manned and unmanned platforms have been well received by our oil and gas customers. The high humidity package is a further offering to many of these same customers for use at land-based oil and gas facilities.

        Our more recent significant R&D activity has been the C200 microturbine—a 200 kW, higher electrical efficiency product. Capstone worked with the DOE on its "Advanced MicroTurbine System" program and received funding for some of the early C200 development efforts. C200 beta testing demonstrated performance to design objectives making the C200 the highest electrical efficiency turbine less than 4.5 megawatts. The C200 includes the same low emissions, certification options, and flexible configuration features incorporated on our existing C30 and C60 SeriesC65 products. Capstone signed an agreement with UTCPCarrier to provide cash and in-kind services to complete development and commercially launch the C200 product in September 2007. Our C200 beta testing was successfully implemented during Fiscal 2005 and the first commercial shipment was on August 28, 2008.

        Our C1000 Series product was developed based on Capstone's C200 microturbine product line. This product family can be configured into 1,000 kW, 800 kW and 600 kW solutions in a single ISO container. Benefits of the C1000 Series product include low greenhouse-gas emissions, patented air-bearing microturbine technology, ease of installation and commissioning with a single fuel and electrical connection, minimal scheduled maintenance and downtime, low noise and vibration and one of the industry's smallest modular footprints. Additional features include Capstone's remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities and integrated utility synchronization and protection. Our C1000 product beta testing was successfully implemented during Fiscal 2009 and the first commercial shipment was on December 29, 2008.


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        In September 2009, we received UL certification for our C200 Series grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements. In June 2010, we received UL certification for our C1000 Series grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements.

        The world's first boat powered with an ultra low emission Capstone C30 microturbine launched in the Netherlands on June 7, 2010. This innovative onboard energy system features a Capstone C30 diesel fueled microturbine.

        In June 2010, we received UL certification for our C1000 Series grid-connect and stand-alone microturbine power systems as meeting the UL 2200 stationary engine generator standards and the UL 1741 utility interconnection requirements.

        R&D activities have historically also focused on development of related products and applications, including gas compressors that enhance the microturbines' multi-fuel capability and integration with energy storage devices like battery packs for stand-alone applications. Current and future R&D activities are and will be in support of our focused target markets.


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        Capstone has a microturbine concept in the early stages of development, which is targeted at the needs of the Class 8 truck market (trucks or tractor- trailers with a manufacturer's listed gross vehicle weight of 33,000 pounds or more). This Inter Cooled and Recuperated ("ICR") microturbine is targeted to achieve 45% shaft efficiency while meeting 2010 EPA requirements for heavy duty diesel engines. In March 2009, we successfully demonstrated that our ICRintercooled and recuperated ("ICR") microturbine produces emission levels that comply with the EPA and CARB 2010 requirements for heavy duty diesel engines and hybrid electric buses. Sales of heavy duty trucks and bussesbuses represent a major market opportunity, and, therefore, these applications have the potential to become a focused area for development if we can achieve the required performance and price levels. In December 2010, we released configurations of the C30 compressed natural gas ("CNG") microturbine that meet or exceed emissions standards, including the EPA and CARB 2010 requirements for heavy duty diesel engines for urban bus. The C30 CNG microturbine is Capstone's second CARB certified engine for automotive applications; the C30 liquid fuel microturbine was certified in June 2010.

        In July 2010, we successfully demonstrated a commercial concentrated solar power product converting sunlight to electricity with a solar receiver driving a C65 microturbine. This renewable solution focuses enough sunlight energy to provide heat to drive the microturbine and offers higher solar conversion efficiencies over a traditional solar photovoltaic system.

        We are currently focusing efforts on a more efficient microturbine CHP system. The DOE awarded us a grant of $5.0 million in support of this development program. The first phase of the development program is expected to improve our existing C200 engine to increase power output and electrical efficiency, resulting in a system with a targeted power output of 250 kW and projected electrical efficiency of 35%. The second phase of the program is expected to incorporate further engine efficiency improvements, resulting in a product with a projected electrical efficiency of 42% and targeted power output of 370 kW.

        The technology developed with the 370kW engine is directly applicable to the ICR microturbine targeted at the needs of the Class 8 truck market (trucks or tractor-trailers with a manufacturer's listed gross vehicle weight of 33,000 pounds or more).

        In addition, we are developing and testing a fuel flexible microturbine system capable of operating on synthetic gas fuel mixtures containing varying amounts of hydrogen. The DOE awarded us a grant of $2.5 million in support of this development program.

Protecting our Intellectual Property Rights and Patents

        We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law and nondisclosure agreements to establish and protect our intellectual property rights in our products. In this regard, we have obtained 111110 U.S. and 3536 international patents (in certain cases covering the same technology in multiple jurisdictions). The patents we have obtained will expire between 2014 and 2027. These numbers include 24 U.S. patents and 353 international patents that were acquired from CPS.

        Management believes that a policy of protecting intellectual property is an important component of our strategy of being the leader in microturbine system technology and will provide us with a long-term competitive advantage. In addition, we implement security procedures at our plants and facilities and have confidentiality agreements with our suppliers, distributors, employees and certain visitors to our facilities.


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Organization and Employees

        We were organized in 1988. On June 22, 2000, we reincorporated as a Delaware corporation.

        As of March 31, 2010,2011, we had 182195 employees. No employees are covered by collective bargaining arrangements. We consider relations with our employees to be good.

Available Information

        This annual report on Form 10-K ("Annual Report"), as well as our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are made available free of charge on the Company's Internet website (http://www.capstoneturbine.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

        This document contains certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") pertaining to, among other things,


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These statements are based largely on our current expectations, estimates and forecasts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Factors that can cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, those discussed below. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The following factors should be considered in addition to the other information contained herein in evaluating Capstone and its business. We assume no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the filing of this Annual Report to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as may be required by law.

        The following are risk factors that could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. These risk factors should be considered in connection with evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report because these factors could cause the actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in forward-forward looking statements. Before you invest in our publicly traded securities, you should know that making such an investment involves some risks, including the risks described below. Additional risks of which we may not be aware or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations or our stock price. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be negatively affected. In that case, the trading


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price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. In assessing these risks, investors should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by us from time to time.

Our operating history is characterized by net losses. We anticipate further losses and we may never become profitable.

        Since inception, we have incurred annual operating losses. We expect this trend to continue until such time that we can sell a sufficient number of units and achieve a cost structure to become profitable. Our business is such that we have relatively few customers and limited repeat business. As a result, we may not maintain or increase revenue. We may not have adequate cash resources to reach the point of profitability, and we may never become profitable. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may be unable to increase our sales and sustain or increase our profitability in the future.

We may be unable to fund our future operating requirements, which could force us to curtail our operations.

        To the extent that the funds we now have on hand are insufficient to fund our future operating requirements, we would need to raise additional funds, through further public or private equity or debt financings depending upon prevailing market conditions. These financings may not be available, or if available, may be on terms that are not favorable to us and could result in dilution to our stockholders and reduction of the trading price of our stock. The state of worldwide capital markets could also impede our ability to raise additional capital on favorable terms or at all. If adequate capital were not available to us, we likely would be required to significantly curtail our operations or possibly even cease our operations.

        We maintain two Credit and Security Agreements (the "Agreements") with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, or Wells Fargo, that provide us with a line of credit offacility up to $10 million in the aggregate. At March 31, 2010,2011, we had $7.6$7.1 million outstanding under this line of credit. Under this credit facility, we are required to satisfy specified financial and restrictive covenants. Failure to comply with these covenants could cause an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could require us to repay substantial indebtedness immediately. At several times during the Fiscal 2010 and as of March 31, 2010, we have been in noncompliance with certain covenants under the credit facility. In connection with each event


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of noncompliance,immediately or allow Wells Fargo has waived the event of default and, on several occasions, we have amended the credit facility agreements in response to the default and waiver. For more information, see the section below entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources." If we had not obtained these waivers, or if we are ever again in noncompliance, we may not be able to draw additional funds underterminate the credit facility. In addition, we have pledged our accounts receivables, inventories, equipment, patents and other assets as collateral under the credit facility agreements,Agreements which would be subject to seizure by Wells Fargo if we were in default and unable to repay the indebtedness.

        At several times during Fiscal 2010, we were in noncompliance with certain covenants under the credit facility. In connection with each event of noncompliance, Wells Fargo waived the event of default and, on several occasions, we amended the Agreements in response to the default and waiver. As a condition of the recent amended Agreements, we have restricted $5.0 million of cash was restricted in June 2010 as additional security for the credit facility. On November 9, 2010, we entered into an amendment to the Agreements that provides for the release by Wells Fargo of the $5.0 million in cash upon the Company's satisfaction of certain conditions. During Fiscal 2011, Wells Fargo released $3.7 million of the restricted cash. The remaining $1.3 million of cash was released in connection with the amendment to the Agreements on June 9, 2011 described below. On March 25, 2011, we entered into a an amendment to the Agreements that allows the Company to form one wholly-owned subsidiary in each of Singapore and the United Kingdom provided that the amount of cash and cash equivalents that may be held by, or invested in each such subsidiary is within certain agreed upon limits. This amendment also hasprovides that, if requested by Wells Fargo, the optionCompany will grant Wells Fargo a security interest in 65% of the equity interests of each subsidiary to terminatesecure indebtedness under the Agreements.

        As of March 31, 2011, we determined that we were not in compliance with one of the financial covenants in the Agreements regarding our net income. On June 9, 2011, we entered into an amendment to the Agreements which provided a waiver of our noncompliance with the financial


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covenant as of March 31, 2011 and removed the net worth financial covenant for future periods. Additionally, this amendment also established the financial covenants for Fiscal 2012 and authorized the release of the remaining $1.3 million of restricted cash. If we had not obtained these waivers, or if we are ever again in noncompliance, we would not be able to draw additional funds under the credit facility or accelerate the indebtedness during a period of noncompliance.facility.

        Our obligations under the credit facility could have important consequences, including the following:

        For more information, see the section below entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources."

If we are unable to either substantially improve our operating results or obtain additional financing, we may be unable to continue as a going concern.

        Should we be unable to execute our plans to build sales and margins while controlling costs and obtain additional financing, we may be unable to continue as a going concern. In particular, we must generate positive cash flow from operations and net income and otherwise improve our results of operations substantially. Our available cash and proceeds from future financings, if any, that we may be able to obtain, may not be sufficient to fund our operating expenses, capital expenditures and other cash requirements. As a result, this would affect our ability to continue as a going concern. These events and circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise additional capital and on the market value of our common stock. Moreover, should we experience a cash shortage that requires us to curtail or cease our operations, or should we be unable to continue as a going concern, you could lose all or part of your investments in our securities.

Impairment charges on our long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives would adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

        We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. To determine whether impairment has occurred, we compare the undiscounted cash flows of the long-lived asset with its carrying value. The estimation of future cash flows requires significant estimates of factors that include future sales growth, gross margin performance, including our estimates of reductions in our direct material costs, and reductions in operating expenses. If our sales growth, gross margin performance or other estimated operating results are not achieved at or above our forecasted level, or inflation exceeds our forecast, the carrying value of our asset groups may prove to be unrecoverable and we may incur impairment charges in the future. In addition, significant


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charge for impairment that can materially and adversely affect our reported net loss and our stockholders' equity.

A sustainable market for microturbines may never develop or may take longer to develop than we anticipate which would adversely affect our results of operations.

        Our products represent an emerging market, and we do not know whether our targeted customers will accept our technology or will purchase our products in sufficient quantities to allow our business to grow. To succeed, demand for our products must increase significantly in existing markets, and there must be strong demand for products that we introduce in the future. If a sustainable market fails to develop or develops more slowly than we anticipate, we may be unable to recover the losses we have incurred to develop our products, we may have further impairment of assets, and we may be unable to meet our operational expenses. The development of a sustainable market for our systems may be hindered by many factors, including some that are out of our control. Examples include:

Our operating results are dependent, in large part, upon the successful commercialization of our products. Failure to produce our products as scheduled and budgeted would materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.

        We cannot be certain that we will deliver ordered products in a timely manner. Any reliability or quality issues that may arise with our products could prevent or delay scheduled deliveries. Any such delays or costs could significantly impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, expand our production capabilities or improve our operational, financial and management information systems, which would impair our results of operations.

        If we are successful in executing our business plan, we will experience growth in our business that could place a significant strain on our business operations, management and other resources. Our ability to manage our growth will require us to expand our production capabilities, continue to improve our operational, financial and management information systems, and to motivate and effectively manage our employees. We cannot provide assurance that our systems, procedures and controls or financial resources will be adequate, or that our management will keep pace with this growth. We cannot provide assurance that our management will be able to manage this growth effectively.


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The current global financial crisis may have an impact on our business and financial condition, including some effects we may not be able to predict.

        The continued credit crisis could prevent our customers from purchasingproduce our products on a timely basis if we fail to correctly anticipate product supply requirements or delay their purchases, which would adversely affectif we suffer delays in production resulting from issues with our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted or made very expensive at a time when we need, or would like to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity and financial resources. Certain industries in which our customers do business and certain geographic areas have been and could continue to be adversely affected by the recession in economic activity.

suppliers. Our suppliers may not supply us with a sufficient amount of components or components of adequate quality, or they may provide components at significantly increased prices, and, therefore, we may not be able to produce our products.prices.

        Some of our components are currently available only from a single source or limited sources. We may experience delays in production if we fail to identify alternative suppliers, or if any parts supply is interrupted, each of which could materially adversely affect our business and operations. In order to reduce manufacturing lead times and ensure adequate component supply, we enter into agreements with certain suppliers that allow them to procure inventories based upon criteria defined by us. If we fail to anticipate customer demand properly, an oversupply of parts could result in excess or obsolete inventories, which could adversely affect our business. Additionally, if we fail to correctly anticipate our internal supply requirements, an undersupply of parts could limit our production capacity. Our inability to meet volume commitments with suppliers could affect the availability or pricing of our parts and


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components. A reduction or interruption in supply, a significant increase in price of one or more components or a decrease in demand of products could materially adversely affect our business and operations and could materially damage our customer relationships. Financial problems of suppliers on whom we rely could limit our supply of components or increase our costs. Also, we cannot guarantee that any of the parts or components that we purchase will be of adequate quality or that the prices we pay for the parts or components will not increase. Inadequate quality of products from suppliers could interrupt our ability to supply quality products to our customers in a timely manner. Additionally, defects in materials or products supplied by our suppliers that are not identified before our products are placed in service by our customers could result in higher warranty costs and damage to our reputation. We also outsource certain of our components internationally and expect to increase international outsourcing of components. As a result of outsourcing internationally, we may be subject to delays in delivery due to the timing orbecause of regulations associated with the import/export process, delays in transportation or regional instability.

We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, expand our production capabilities or improve our operational, financial and management information systems, which would impair our results of operations.

        If we are successful in executing our business plan, we will experience growth in our business that could place a significant strain on our business operations, management and other resources. Our ability to manage our growth will require us to expand our production capabilities, continue to improve our operational, financial and management information systems, and to motivate and effectively manage our employees. We cannot provide assurance that our systems, procedures and controls or financial resources will be adequate, or that our management will keep pace with this growth. We cannot provide assurance that our management will be able to manage this growth effectively.

Current economic conditions may have an impact on our business and financial condition, including some effects we may not be able to predict.

        Current economic conditions may prevent our customers from purchasing our products or delay their purchases, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our ability to access the capital markets may be severely restricted or made very expensive at a time when we need, or would like, to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity and financial resources. Certain industries in which our customers do business and certain geographic areas have been and could continue to be adversely affected by the continued recession in economic activity.

Product quality expectations may not be met, causing slower market acceptance or warranty cost exposure.

        In order to achieve our goal of improving the quality and lowering the total costs of ownership of our products, we may require engineering changes. Such improvement initiatives may render existing inventories obsolete or excessive. Despite our continuous quality improvement initiatives, we may not meet customer expectations. Any significant quality issues with our products could have a material adverse effect on our rate of product adoption, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Moreover, as we develop new configurations for our microturbines and as our customers place existing configurations in commercial use, our products may perform below expectations. Any significant performance below expectations could adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and cash flow and affect the marketability of our products.

        We sell our products with warranties. There can be no assurance that the provision for estimated product warranty will be sufficient to cover our warranty expenses in the future. We cannot ensure that our efforts to reduce our risk through warranty disclaimers will effectively limit our liability. Any significant incurrence of warranty expense in excess of estimates could have a material adverse effect


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programs to enhance the performance of units previously sold. These enhancements have at times been provided at no cost or below our cost. If we choose to offer such programs again in the future, such actions could result in significant costs.

We operate in a highly competitive market among competitors who have significantly greater resources than we have and we may not be able to compete effectively.

        Capstone microturbines compete with several technologies, including reciprocating engines, fuel cells and solar power. Competing technologies may receive certain benefits, like governmental subsidies or promotion, or be able to offer consumer rebates or other incentives that we cannot receive or offer to the same extent. This could enhance our competitors' abilities to fund research, penetrate markets or increase sales. We also compete with other manufacturers of microturbines.

        Our competitors include several well-known companies with histories of providing power solutions. They have substantially greater resources than we have and have established worldwide presence. Because of greater resources, some of our competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements, to devote greater resources to the promotion and sale of their products than we can or lobby for governmental regulations and policies to create competitive advantages vis-à-vis our products. We believe that developing and maintaining a competitive advantage will require continued investment by us in product development and quality, as well as attention to product performance, our product prices, our conformance to industry standards, manufacturing capability and sales and marketing. In addition, current and potential competitors have established or may in the future establish collaborative relationships among themselves or with third parties, including third parties with whom we have business relationships. Accordingly, new competitors or alliances may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share.

        Overall, the market for our products is highly competitive and is changing rapidly. We believe that the primary competitive factors affecting the market for our products, including some that are outside of our control, include:

        There is no assurance that we will be able to successfully compete against either current or potential competitors or that competition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flow.

If we do not effectively implement our sales, marketing and service plans, our sales will not grow and our results of operations will suffer.

        Our sales and marketing efforts may not achieve intended results and, therefore, may not generate the revenue we anticipate. As a result of our corporate strategies, we have decided to focus our resources on selected vertical markets. We may change our focus to other markets or applications in the future. There can be no assurance that our focus or our near term plans will be successful. If we


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are not able to successfully address markets for our products successfully, we may not be able to grow our business, compete effectively or achieve profitability.


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        We offer direct sales and service in selected markets. We do not have extensive experience in providing direct sales and service and may not be successful in executing this strategy. In addition, we may lose existing distributors or service providers or we may have more difficulty attracting new distributors and service providers as a result of this strategy. Further, we may incur new types of obligations, such as extended service obligations, that could result in costs that exceed the related revenue. We may encounter new transaction types through providing direct sales and service and these transactions may require changes to our historic business practices. For example, an arrangement with a third party leasing company may require us to provide a residual value guarantee, which is not consistent with our past operating practice.

        Also, asOur sales and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted by risks inherent in international markets.

        As we expand in international markets, customers may have difficulty or be unable to integrate our products into their existing systems or may have difficulty complying with foreign regulatory and commercial requirements. As a result, our products may require redesign. Any redesign of the product may delay sales or cause quality issues. In addition, we may be subject to a variety of other risks associated with international business, including import/export restrictions, fluctuations in currency exchange rates and global economic or political instability. In that regard,Two of our top distributors are located in Russia and Belgium, and therefore we are particularly susceptible to risks associated with doing business in these two countries. BPC, whicha privately owned company located in Russia, accounted for approximately 20%26% of our net accounts receivable as of March 31, 20102011 and approximately 14%23% of our revenue for Fiscal 2010, isthe fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Verdesis, a privately owned company located in Russia,Belgian distributor, accounted for approximately 10% of our net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2011 and we are, therefore, particularly susceptible to risks associated with doing business in that country.approximately 4% of our revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

We cannot be certain of the future effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting or the impact thereof on our operations or the market price of our common stock.

        Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to include in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. We cannot be certain that our internal controls over financial reporting will remain effective or that future material changes to our internal controls will be effective. If we cannot adequately maintain the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our common stock or warrants.

We may not be able to retain or develop relationships with OEMs or distributors in our targeted markets, in which case our sales would not increase as expected.

        In order to serve certain of our targeted markets, we believe that we must ally ourselves with companies that have particular expertise or better access to those markets. We believe that retaining or developing relationships with strong OEMs (which to date have typically resold our products under their own brands or packaged our products with other products as part of an integrated unit) or distributors in these targeted markets can improve the rate of adoption as well as reduce the direct financial burden of introducing a new technology and creating a new market. Because of OEMs' and distributors' relationships in their respective markets, the loss of an OEM or distributor could adversely impact the ability to penetrate our target markets. We offer our OEMs and distributors stated discounts from list price for the products they purchase. In the future, to attract and retain OEMs and distributors we may provide volume price discounts or otherwise incur significant costs that may reduce the potential revenues from these relationships. We may not be able to retain or develop appropriate OEMs and distributors on a timely basis, and we cannot provide assurance that the OEMs and


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distributors will focus adequate resources on selling our products or will be successful in selling them. In addition, some of the relationships may require that we grant exclusive distribution rights in defined territories. These exclusive distribution arrangements could result in our being unable to enter into other arrangements at a time when the OEM or distributor with whom we form a relationship is not


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successful in selling our products or has reduced its commitment to market our products. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to negotiate collaborative relationships on favorable terms or at all. Our inability to have appropriate distribution in our target markets may adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Activities necessary to integrate the acquisition of the microturbine business of CPS and any future acquisitions may result in costs in excess of current expectations or be less successful than anticipated.

        We recently completed the acquisition of certain assets relating to the microturbine business of CPS, and we may acquire other businesses in the future. The success of these transactions will depend on, among other things, our ability to develop productive relationships with the corresponding distributors and to integrate assets and personnel, if any, acquired in these transactions and to apply our internal controls processes to these acquired businesses. The integration of any acquired businesses or significant assets may require significant attention from our management, and the diversion of management's attention and resources could have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage our business. Furthermore, we may not realize the degree or timing of benefits we anticipated when we first enter into these transactions. If actual integration costs are higher than amounts assumed, if we are unable to integrate the assets and personnel acquired in an acquisition as anticipated, or if we are unable to fully benefit from anticipated synergies, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

We have substantial accounts receivable, and increased bad debt expense or delays in collecting accounts receivable could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and results of operations.

        We have substantial accounts receivable as evidenced by days sales outstanding, or DSO, of 78 days as of March 31, 2011. No assurances can be given that future bad debt expense will not increase above current operating levels. Increased bad debt expense or delays in collecting accounts receivable could have a material adverse effect on cash flows and results of operations.

Loss of a significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

        AquatecBPC and BPC eachPumps and Service accounted for approximately 14%23% and 18%, respectively, of our revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.2011. As of March 31, 2010, Aquatec2011, BPC and BPCPumps and Service represented 7%26% and 20%1% of net accounts receivable, respectively. Loss of Aquatec, BPC, Pumps and Service or any other significant customers could adversely affect our results of operations.

We may not be able to develop sufficiently trained applications engineering, installation and service support to serve our targeted markets.

        Our ability to identify and develop business relationships with companies who can provide quality, cost-effective application engineering, installation and service can significantly affect our success. The application engineering and proper installation of our microturbines, as well as proper maintenance and service, are critical to the performance of the units. Additionally, we need to reduce the total installed cost of our microturbines to enhance market opportunities. Our inability to improve the quality of applications, installation and service while reducing associated costs could affect the marketability of our products.


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Changes in our product components may require us to replace parts held at distributors and ASCs.distributors.

        We have entered into agreements with some of our distributors and ASCs requiring that if we render parts obsolete in inventories they own and hold in support of their obligations to serve fielded microturbines, we are required to replace the affected stock at no cost to the distributors or ASCs.distributors. It is possible that future changes in our product technology could involve costs that have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flow or financial position.

We operate in a highly regulated business environment, and changes in regulation could impose significant costs on us or make our products less economical, thereby affecting demand for our microturbines.

        Our products are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, governing, among other things, emissions and occupational health and safety. Regulatory agencies may impose special requirements for the implementation and operation of our products or that may significantly affect or


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even eliminate some of our target markets. We may incur material costs or liabilities in complying with government regulations. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future. Furthermore, our potential utility customers must comply with numerous laws and regulations. The deregulation of the utility industry may also create challenges for our marketing efforts. For example, as part of electric utility deregulation, federal, state and local governmental authorities may impose transitional charges or exit fees, which would make it less economical for some potential customers to switch to our products. We can provide no assurances that we will be able to obtain these approvals and changes in a timely manner, or at all. Non-compliance with applicable regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

        The market for electricity and generation products is heavily influenced by federal and state government regulations and policies. The deregulation and restructuring of the electric industry in the United States and elsewhere may cause rule changes that may reduce or eliminate some of the advantages of such deregulation and restructuring. We cannot determine how any deregulation or restructuring of the electric utility industry may ultimately affect the market for our microturbines. Changes in regulatory standards or policies could reduce the level of investment in the research and development of alternative power sources, including microturbines. Any reduction or termination of such programs could increase the cost to our potential customers, making our systems less desirable, and thereby adversely affect our revenue and other operating results.

Utility companies or governmental entities could place barriers to our entry into the marketplace, and we may not be able to effectively sell our products.

        Utility companies or governmental entities could place barriers on the installation of our products or the interconnection of the products with the electric grid. Further, they may charge additional fees to customers who install on-site generation or have the capacity to use power from the grid for back-up or standby purposes. These types of restrictions, fees or charges could hamper the ability to install or effectively use our products or increase the cost to our potential customers for using our systems. This could make our systems less desirable, thereby adversely affecting our revenue and other operating results. In addition, utility rate reductions can make our products less competitive which would have a material adverse effect on our operations. The cost of electric power generation bears a close relationship to natural gas and other fuels. However, changes to electric utility tariffs often require lengthy regulatory approval and include a mix of fuel types as well as customer categories. Potential customers may perceive the resulting swings in natural gas and electric pricing as an increased risk of investing in on-site generation.


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We depend upon the development of new products and enhancements of existing products.

        Our operating results depend on our ability to develop and introduce new products, or enhance existing products and to reduce the costs to produce our products. The success of our products is dependent on several factors, including proper product definition, product cost, timely completion and introduction of the products, differentiation of products from those of our competitors, meeting changing customer requirements, emerging industry standards and market acceptance of these products. The development of new, technologically advanced products and enhancements is a complex and uncertain process requiring high levels of innovation, as well as the accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. There can be no assurance that we will successfully identify new product opportunities, develop and bring new or enhanced products to market in a timely manner, successfully lower costs and achieve market acceptance of our products, or that products and technologies developed by others will not render our products or technologies obsolete or noncompetitive.


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Operational restructuring may result in asset impairment or other unanticipated charges.

        As a result of our corporate strategies, we have identified opportunities to outsource to third-party suppliers certain functions which we currently perform. We believe outsourcing can reduce product costs, improve product quality or increase operating efficiency. These actions may not yield the expected results, and outsourcing may result in production delays or lower quality products. Transitioning to outsourcing may cause certain of our affected employees to leave before the outsourcing is complete. This could result in a lack of the experienced in-house talent necessary to successfully implement the outsourcing. Further, depending on the nature of operations outsourced and the structure of agreements we reach with suppliers to perform these functions, we may experience impairment in the value of manufacturing assets related to the outsourced functions or other unanticipated charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

We may not achieve production cost reductions necessary to competitively price our products, which would adversely affect our sales.

        We believe that we will need to reduce the unit production cost of our products over time to maintain our ability to offer competitively priced products. Our ability to achieve cost reductions will depend on our ability to develop low cost design enhancements, to obtain necessary tooling and favorable supplier contracts and to increase sales volumes so we can achieve economies of scale. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to achieve any such production cost reductions. Our failure to achieve such cost reductions could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Commodity market factors impact our costs and availability of materials.

        Our products contain a number of commodity materials, from metals, which includesinclude steel, special high temperature alloys, copper, nickel and molybdenum, to computer components. The availability of these commodities could impact our ability to acquire the materials necessary to meet our requirements. The cost of metals has historically fluctuated. The pricing could impact the costs to manufacture our products. If we are not able to acquire commodity materials at prices and on terms satisfactory to us or at all, our operating results may be materially adversely affected.

Our products involve a lengthy sales cycle and we may not anticipate sales levels appropriately, which could impair our results of operations.

        The sale of our products typically involves a significant commitment of capital by customers, with the attendant delays frequently associated with large capital expenditures. For these and other reasons,


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the sales cycle associated with our products is typically lengthy and subject to a number of significant risks over which we have little or no control. We expect to plan our production and inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer demand, which is highly unpredictable and can fluctuate substantially. If sales in any period fall significantly below anticipated levels, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow would suffer. If demand in any period increases well above anticipated levels, we may have difficulties in responding, incur greater costs to respond, or be unable to fulfill the demand in sufficient time to retain the order, which would negatively impact our operations. In addition, our operating expenses are based on anticipated sales levels, and a high percentage of our expenses are generally fixed in the short term. As a result of these factors, a small fluctuation in timing of sales can cause operating results to vary materially from period to period.

Potential intellectual property, labor, product liability, stockholder or other litigation may adversely impact our business.

        We may face litigation relating to intellectual property matters, labor matters, product liability, or other matters. We are a party to stockholder lawsuits alleging violations of securities laws in connection


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with our June 2000 initial public offering and November 2000 secondary offering described under "Legal Proceedings" in this Annual Report. An adverse judgment could negatively impact our financial position and results of operations, the trading price of our common stock and our ability to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all. Any litigation could be costly, divert management attention or result in increased costs of doing business.

Our success depends in significant part upon the continuing service of management and key employees.

        Our success depends in significant part upon the continuing service of our executive officers, senior management and sales and technical personnel. The failure of our personnel to execute our strategy or our failure to retain management and personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our success will be dependent on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled employees. There can be no assurance that we can do so.

        Our internal control systems rely on people trained in the execution of the controls. Loss of these people or our inability to replace them with similarly skilled and trained individuals or new processes in a timely manner could adversely impact our internal control mechanisms.

Our operations are vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake and other events beyond our control.

        Our operations are vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake and other events beyond our control. Our executive offices and manufacturing facilities are located in southern California. Because the southern California area is located in an earthquake-sensitive area, we are particularly susceptible to the risk of damage to, or total destruction of, our facilities in southern California and the surrounding transportation infrastructure, which could affect our ability to make and transport our products. We do not maintain earthquake insurance coverage for personal property or resulting business interruption. If an earthquake, fire or other natural disaster occurs at or near our facilities, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

If we fail to meet all applicable Nasdaq Global Market requirements and Nasdaq determines to delist our common stock, the delisting could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock, impair the value of your investment and adversely affect our ability to raise needed funds.

        Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other requirements. On August 23, 2010, we received a notice from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department stating that, for the last 30 consecutive business days, the closing bid price for our common stock had been below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we were provided 180 calendar days, or until


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February 22, 2011, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. On January 21, 2011, we received a notice from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department stating that the closing bid price of our common stock had been $1.00 or greater for the previous ten consecutive business days and that we had regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with the continued listing standards in the future.

        If we fail to meet all applicable Nasdaq Global Market requirements in the future and Nasdaq determines to delist our common stock, the delisting could adversely affect the market liquidity of our common stock and adversely affect our ability to obtain financing for the continuation of our operations. This delisting could also impair the value of your investment.

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be highly volatile and you could lose all or part of your investment in our securities.

        An investment in our securities is risky, and stockholders could lose their investment in our securities or suffer significant losses and wide fluctuations in the market value of their investment. The market price of our common stock is highly volatile and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. Given the continued uncertainty surrounding many variables that may affect our business and the industry in which we operate, our ability to foresee results for future periods is limited. This variability could affect our operating results and thereby adversely affect our stock price. Many factors that contribute to this volatility are beyond our control and may cause the market price of our common stock to change, regardless of our operating performance. Factors that could cause fluctuation in our stock price may include, among other things:


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        In addition, the stock market in general, and the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market and the market for technology companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies affected. The market prices of securities of technology companies and companies servicing the technology industries have been particularly volatile. These broad market and industry factors may cause a material decline in the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class- actionclass-action litigation has often been instituted against that company. We are currently subject to litigation relating to our initial public offering and a subsequent common stock offering as described under "Legal Proceedings" in this Annual Report. This type of litigation, regardless of whether we prevail on the underlying claim, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's attention and resources, which could materially harm our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and our stockholder rights plan, as well as Delaware law, may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition at a premium price.

        Provisions of our second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and our stockholder rights plan, as well as provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, could discourage, delay or prevent unsolicited proposals to merge with or acquire us, even though such proposals may be at a premium price or otherwise beneficial to you. These provisions include our board's authorization to issue shares of preferred stock, on terms the board determines in its discretion, without stockholder approval, and the following provisions of Delaware law that restrict many business combinations.

        We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which could prevent us from engaging in a business combination with a 15% or greater stockholder for a period of three years from the date itsuch stockholder acquired such status unless appropriate board or stockholder approvals are obtained.


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        Our board of directors has adopted a stockholder rights plan, pursuant to which one preferred stock purchase right has been issued for each share of our common stock authorized and outstanding. Until the occurrence of certain prescribed events, the rights are not exercisable and are transferable along with, and only with, each share of our common stock and are evidenced by the common stock certificates. One preferred stock purchase right will also be issued with each share of our common stock we issue in the future until the rights plan expires or is terminated or we redeem or exchange the rights for other property in accordance with the terms of the rights plan or at such time, if any, as the rights separate from each share of our common stock and become exercisable. Each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, dividends payable in cash in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all dividends or other distributions, including non-cash dividends (payable in kind), declared on our common stock other than a dividend payable in shares of common stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of common stock. The rights plan prohibits the issuance of additional rights after the rights separate from our common stock. The rights plan is intended to protect our stockholders in the event of an unfair or coercive offer to acquire us. However, the existence of the rights plan may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition of us that is not supported by our board of directors.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.

        None.


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Item 2.    Properties.

        Our principal corporate offices, administrative, sales and marketing, R&D and support facilities consist of approximately 98,000 square feet of leased office space, warehouse space and assembly and test space located at 21211 Nordhoff Street in Chatsworth, California. Our lease for those premises expires in July 2014, and we have two five-year options to extend the term of this lease. We also lease an approximately 79,000 square foot facility at 16640 Stagg Street in nearby Van Nuys, California as an engineering test and manufacturing facility for our recuperator cores. This lease will expire in December 2012, and we have one five-year option to extend this lease.

Management believes our facilities are adequate for our current needs.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

        In December 2001, a purported stockholder class action lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the "District Court") against the Company, two of its then officers, and the underwriters of our initial public offering. The suit purports to be a class action filed on behalf of purchasers of our common stock during the period from June 28, 2000 to December 6, 2000. An amended complaint was filed on April 19, 2002. The plaintiffs allege that the prospectuses for our June 28, 2000 initial public offering and November 16, 2000 secondary offering were false and misleading in violation of the applicable securities laws because the prospectuses failed to disclose the underwriter defendants' alleged agreement to allocate stock in these offerings to certain investors in exchange for excessive and undisclosed commissions and agreements to make additional purchases of stock in the aftermarket at pre-determined prices. Similar complaints have been filed against hundreds of other issuers that have had initial public offerings since 1998; the complaints have been consolidated into an action captioned In re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, No. 21 MC 92. On October 9, 2002, the plaintiffs dismissed, without prejudice, the claims against the named officers and directors in the action against the Company.Company, pursuant to the terms of Reservation of Rights and Tolling Agreements entered into with the plaintiffs (the "Tolling Agreements"). Subsequent addenda to the Tolling Agreements extended the tolling period through August 27, 2010. The District Court directed that the litigation proceed within a number of "focus cases" and on October 13, 2004, the District Court certified the focus cases as class actions. Our case is not one of these focus cases. The underwriter defendants appealed that ruling, and on December 5, 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed


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the District Court's class certification decision. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed their second consolidated amended complaints against the six focus cases and on September 27, 2007, again moved for class certification. On November 12, 2007, certain of the defendants in the focus cases moved to dismiss the second consolidated amended class action complaints. On March 26, 2008, the District Court denied the motions to dismiss except as to Section 11 claims raised by those plaintiffs who sold their securities for a price in excess of the initial offering price and those who purchased outside the previously certified class period. The motion for class certification was withdrawn without prejudice on October 10, 2008. On April 2, 2009, a stipulation and agreement of settlement between the plaintiffs, issuer defendants and underwriter defendants was submitted to the District Court for preliminary approval. The District Court granted the plaintiffs' motion for preliminary approval and preliminarily certified the settlement classes on June 10, 2009. The settlement "fairness" hearing was held on September 10, 2009. On October 6, 2009, the District Court entered an opinion granting final approval to the settlement and directing that the Clerk of the District Court close these actions. NoticesOn August 26, 2010, based on the expiration of appealthe tolling period stated in the Tolling Agreements, the plaintiffs filed a Notice of Termination of Tolling Agreement and Recommencement of Litigation against the named officers and directors. The plaintiffs stated to the District Court that they do not intend to take any further action against the named officers and directors at this time. Appeals of the opinion granting final approval have been filed. Because of the inherent uncertainties of litigation and because the settlement remains subject to appeal, the ultimate


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outcome of the matter is uncertain, and managementuncertain. Management believes that the outcome of this litigation will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial position and results of operations.

        On October 9, 2007, Vanessa Simmonds, a purported stockholder of the Company, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington(the "Washington District Court") against The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., and Morgan Stanley, the lead underwriters of our initial public offering in June 1999, and our secondary offering of common stock in November 2000, alleging violations of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. § 78p(b). The complaint sought to recover from the lead underwriters any "short-swing"short swing profits" obtained by them in violation of Section 16(b). The suit names the Company as a nominal defendant, contained no claims against the Company, and sought no relief from the Company. Simmonds filed an Amended Complaint on February 27, 2008 (the "Amended Complaint"), naming as defendants Goldman Sachs & Co. and Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. and again naming Morgan Stanley. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. were no longer named as defendants. The Amended Complaint asserted substantially similar claims as those set forth in the initial complaint. On July 25, 2008, the Company joined with 29 other issuers to file the Issuer Defendants' Joint Motion to Dismiss. Simmonds filed her opposition to this motion on September 8, 2008, and the Company and the other Issuer Defendants filed a Reply in Support of Their Joint Motion to Dismiss on October 23, 2008. On March 12, 2009, the Washington District Court granted the Issuer Defendants' Joint Motion to Dismiss, dismissing the complaint without prejudice on the grounds that Simmonds had failed to make an adequate demand on the Company prior to filing her complaint. In its order, the Washington District Court stated that it would not permit Simmonds to amend her demand letters while pursuing her claims in the litigation. Because the Washington District Court dismissed the case on the grounds that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction, it did not specifically reach the issue of whether Simmonds' claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations. However, the Washington District Court also granted the Underwriters' Joint Motion to Dismiss with respect to cases involving non-moving issuers, holding that the cases were barred by the applicable statute of limitations because the issuers' stockholders had notice of the potential claims more than five years prior to filing suit. Simmonds filed a Notice of Appeal on April 10, 2009. The underwriters subsequently filed a Notice of Cross-Appeal,Cross Appeal, arguing that the dismissal of the claims involving the moving issuers should have been with prejudice because the claims were untimely under the applicable statute of limitations. Simmonds filed her opening brief on appeal on August 26, 2009. On October 2, 2009, the Company and other Issuer Defendants filed a joint response brief, and the underwriters filed a brief in support of their cross-appeal.cross appeal. Simmonds' reply brief and opposition to the cross-appealcross appeal were filed on November 2, 2009 and the underwriters' reply brief in support of their cross-appeals werecross appeals was filed on November 17, 2009. On October 5, 2010, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (the "Ninth Circuit") heard oral arguments regarding this matter. On December 2, 2010, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the Washington District Court's decision to dismiss the moving issuers' cases (including the Company's) on the grounds that plaintiff's demand letters were insufficient to put the issuers on notice of the claims asserted against them and further ordered that the dismissals be made with prejudice. The Ninth Circuit, however, reversed and remanded the Washington District Court's decision on the underwriters' motion to dismiss as to the claims arising from the non-moving issuers' initial public offerings, finding plaintiff's claims were not time-barred under the applicable statute of limitations. In remanding, the Ninth Circuit advised the non-moving issuers and underwriters to file in the Washington District Court the same challenges to plaintiff's demand letters that moving issuers had filed. On December 16, 2010, the underwriters filed a petition for panel rehearing and petition for rehearing en banc. Appellant Vanessa Simmonds also filed a petition for rehearing en banc. On January 18, 2011, the Ninth Circuit denied the petition for rehearing and petitions for rehearing en banc. It further ordered that no further petitions for rehearing may be filed. On January 24, 2011, the underwriters filed a motion to stay the issuance of the Ninth Circuit's mandate in the cases involving the non-moving issuers. On January 25, 2011, the Ninth Circuit granted the underwriters' motion and ordered that the mandate in the cases


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involving the non-moving issuers is stayed for ninety days pending the filing of a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. On January 26, 2011, Appellant Vanessa Simmonds moved to join the underwriters' motion and requested that the Ninth Circuit stay the mandate in all cases. On January 26, 2011, the Ninth Circuit granted Appellant's motion and ruled that the mandate in all cases (including the Company's and other moving issuers) is stayed for ninety days pending Appellant's filing of a petition for writ of certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. On April 5, 2011, plaintiff filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking reversal of the Ninth Circuit's December 2, 2010 decision relating to the adequacy of the pre-suit demand. Plaintiff's petition was docketed by the Supreme Court on April 7, 2011. On April 15, 2011, underwriter defendants filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking reversal of the Ninth Circuit's December 2, 2010 decision relating to the statute of limitations issue. Underwriter's petition was docketed by the Supreme Court on April 18, 2011. On May 12, 2011, Vanessa Simmonds filed her Brief in Opposition to the underwriters' Petition. On May 26, 2011, the moving issuer defendants filed their Brief in Opposition to Vanessa Simmonds' Petition, and on June 6, 2011, Vanessa Simmonds filed her reply to that Brief. Management believes that the outcome of this litigation will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

        From time to time, the Company may become subject to additional legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Other than the matters discussed above, we are not a party to any other material legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any other pending or threatened litigation that would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition should such litigation be resolved unfavorably.


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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Price Range of Common Stock

        Our common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market under the symbol "CPST". The following table sets forth the low and high sales prices for each period indicated.


 High Low  High Low 

Year Ended March 31, 2009:

 

First Quarter

 $4.42 $2.14 

Second Quarter

 $4.15 $1.12 

Third Quarter

 $1.67 $0.61 

Fourth Quarter

 $1.10 $0.39 

Year Ended March 31, 2010:

  

First Quarter

 $1.34 $0.60  $1.34 $0.60 

Second Quarter

 $1.57 $0.71  $1.57 $0.71 

Third Quarter

 $1.50 $1.07  $1.50 $1.07 

Fourth Quarter

 $1.45 $1.06  $1.45 $1.06 

Year Ended March 31, 2011:

 

First Quarter

 $1.35 $0.97 

Second Quarter

 $1.02 $0.62 

Third Quarter

 $1.10 $0.73 

Fourth Quarter

 $2.14 $0.94 

        As of June 7, 2010,2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Market was $1.09$1.67 per share.

Stockholders

        As of June 7, 20102011 there were 880854 stockholders of record of our common stock. This does not include the number of persons whose stock is held in nominee or "street name" accounts through brokers.


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Dividend Policy

        We currently intend to retain any earnings for use in our business and, therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. In the future, the decision to pay any cash dividends will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash flow and capital expenditure plans, as well as such other factors as our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may consider relevant, including approval from Wells Fargo.


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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data.

        The selected financial data shown below have been derived from the audited financial statements of Capstone. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected in the future. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

        Amounts in thousands, except per share data.



 Year Ended March 31, 
 Year Ended March 31, 


 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 
 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 

Statement of Operations:

Statement of Operations:

 

Statement of Operations:

 

Revenue

Revenue

 $61,554 $43,949 $31,305 $21,108 $24,103 

Revenue

 $81,890 $61,554 $43,949 $31,305 $21,108 

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold

 69,999 49,277 35,105 26,045 34,563 

Cost of goods sold

 82,427 69,999 49,277 35,105 26,045 
                       
 

Gross loss

 (8,445) (5,328) (3,800) (5,027) (10,460) 

Gross loss

 (537) (8,445) (5,328) (3,800) (5,027)

Operating costs and expenses:

Operating costs and expenses:

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

Research and development

 6,954 8,125 8,906 9,374 11,019 

Research and development

 6,986 6,954 8,125 8,906 9,374 

Selling, general and administrative

 28,383 28,628 25,622 24,615 27,741 

Selling, general and administrative

 26,203 28,383 28,628 25,622 24,615 
 

Loss from operations

 (43,782) (42,081) (38,328) (39,016) (49,220) 

Loss from operations

 (33,726) (43,782) (42,081) (38,328) (39,016)
 

Net loss

 $(67,241)$(41,717)$(36,113)$(36,728)$(47,073) 

Net loss

 $(38,470)$(67,241)$(41,717)$(36,113)$(36,728)
 

Net loss per share of common stock—basic and diluted

 $(0.34)$(0.25)$(0.25)$(0.32)$(0.50) 

Net loss per share of common stock—basic and diluted

 $(0.16)$(0.34)$(0.25)$(0.25)$(0.32)

 


 As of March 31,  As of March 31, 

 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006  2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 

Balance Sheet Data:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $47,270 $19,519 $42,605 $60,322 $58,051  $33,456 $47,270 $19,519 $42,605 $60,322 

Working capital

 30,115 34,741 44,934 72,103 60,099  22,274 30,115 34,741 44,934 72,103 

Total assets

 103,446 72,329 74,046 97,003 89,717  87,019 103,446 72,329 74,046 97,003 

Revolving credit facility

 7,571 3,654     7,080 7,571 3,654   

Capital lease/note payable obligations

 302 41 18 46 66  297 302 41 18 46 

Long-term liabilities

 274 288 463 561 626  309 274 288 463 561 

Stockholders' equity

 $46,432 $50,470 $53,053 $81,785 $71,628  $34,480 $46,432 $50,470 $53,053 $81,785 

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Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

        The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Item 1A (Risk Factors) in this Annual Report. The following section is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, which appears elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Overview

        Capstone is, and has been, the market leader in microturbines based on the number of microturbines sold. We were able to significantly increase revenues again this year despite the difficultchallenging economic conditions worldwide. Management believes that our efforts on the continued growth and broadening of our distribution network and the stronger than anticipated market acceptance of our new C200 and C1000 Series products were the primary reasons for our revenue growth. In addition, management believes that the oil & gas, high rise buildings, biogas, UPS and hybrid electric vehicle markets will continue tocan provide strong potential upside opportunities to Capstone in the near term.

        Our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Senior Vice President of Customer Service have approximately 60 years of combinedsignificant experience in distributed generation and co-generation. This team hasThey have successfully sold competing products, including GE Energy Jenbacher, gas engines, and Caterpillar Inc., Deutz Corporation, Waukesha gas engines and other microturbines. Effective April 2011, we filled a newly created position of Senior Vice President of Program Management. This officer is responsible for the timely execution of our various research and development programs.

        We continue to focus on improving our products and delivery based on customer input, building brand awareness and new channels to market by developing a diversified network of strategic distribution partners. Our focus is on products and solutions that provide near-term opportunities to drive repeatable business rather than discrete projects for niche markets.

        On February 1, 2010, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with CPS. The Company acquired, subject to an existing license retained by CPS, all of the rights and assets related to the manufacture and sale of the CPS 100 kW ("TA100") microturbine generator, including intellectual property, design, tooling, drawings, patents, know-how, distribution agreements and supply agreements. Pursuant to the transaction, on February 23, 2010,APA, the Company issued to CPS 1,550,387 shares of common stock ofat the Companyclosing date on February 1, 2010 and agreed to pay additional consideration of $3.1 million on July 30, 2010.2010 (the "Second Funding Date"). The additional consideration maywas to be paid, at the Company's discretion, in a currently undetermined numbershares of shares,the Company's common stock or cash. If settled inThe Company elected to satisfy the amount due on the Second Funding Date with common stock the numberand issued 3,131,313 shares to CPS.

        On April 28, 2011, we purchased $2.3 million of shares of common stock issuable on July 30, 2010 will be equal to $3.1 million divided by the average closing share price of the common stock for the 30-day trading period ending on the trading date immediately preceding the issuance.

        CPS will continue to manufacture the TA100 microturbines for Capstone through March 31, 2011. We have agreed to purchase for cash any remaining TA100 microturbine inventory remaining after March 31, 2011 that haswas not been consumed as part of the TA100 manufacturing process and is not considered in excess or obsolete and we will obtain title to certain TA100acquired the manufacturing equipment. On the closing date of February 1, 2010, the Company and CPS also entered into an agreement pursuant to which we agreed to purchase 125 kW waste heat recovery generator systems from CPS. In exchange for certain minimum purchase requirements during a three-year period, we have exclusive rights to sell the zero-emission waste heat recovery generator for all microturbine applications and for applications 500 kW or lower where the source of heat is the exhaust of a reciprocating engine used in a landfill application. We must meet specified annual sales targets in order to maintain the exclusive rights to sell the waste heat recovery generators.


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        In order to increase volume and reduce cost, we focus our efforts in vertical markets that we expect to generate repeat business for the Company. To support our opportunities to grow in these markets, we continue to enhance the reliability and performance of our products by regularly


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developing new processes and enhancing training to assist those who apply, install and use our products.

        An overview of our direction, targets and key initiatives follows:


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        Management believes that effective execution in each of these key areas will be necessary to leverage Capstone's promising technology and early market leadership into achieving positive cash flow with growing market presence and improving financial performance. Based on our recent progress and assuming achievement of targeted cost reductions, our financial model indicates that we will achieve positive cash flow when we ship approximately 200 units in a quarter, depending on an assumed product mix. Management believes our manufacturing facilities located in Chatsworth and Van Nuys, California have a combined production capacity of approximately 2,000 units per year, depending on product mix. Excluding working capital requirements, management believes we can expand our combined production capacity to approximately 4,000 units per year, depending on product mix, which iswith approximately $10 to $15 million of capital expenditures. We have not reflective of what is in our current backlog.committed to this expansion nor identified a source for its funding, if available.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosures of contingent liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including but not limited to those related to long-lived assets, including intangible assets and fixed assets, bad debts, inventories, warranty obligations, stock-based compensation, warrant liabilities, income taxes and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

        Management believes that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.


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