Third quarter revenue increased 141% to $10.3 million

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Real Goods Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: RSOL), a leading residential solar energy integrator, announced today results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008 increased 141% to $10.3 million from $4.3 million recorded in the same period last year due to organic growth and acquisitions.

Gross profit increased to $2.8 million, or 27.2% of revenue, from $1.3 million, or 30.0% of revenue, in the comparable period last year. The decrease in gross margin reflects the acquisitions of Marin Solar and Independent Energy Systems, which have traditionally produced lower gross profit margins.

Operating expenses as a percent of revenue declined 300 basis points year over year to 31.8% from 34.8%, as we continued to see operating leverage off a larger revenue base.

Operating loss for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.5 million, or 4.6% of revenue, compared to an operating loss of $0.2 million, or 4.8% of revenue for the third quarter of 2007. While the loss improved slightly as a percentage of revenue, the loss in dollars increased to reflect Real Goods' increased cost structure required to be a public company, significant management and operating infrastructure that has been put in place to prepare for future organic and acquisition growth, and integration costs of the new businesses that Real Goods has acquired.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2008 was $0.2 million, compared to a net loss of $0.1 million during the third quarter of 2007. Loss per share remained the same as the third quarter last year at $0.01 per share.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Real Goods recorded net revenue of $25.7 million, a 95.7% increase from $13.2 million in the comparable period a year ago. Net loss totaled $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net income of $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Last year's results do not include Real Goods' acquisitions of Marin Solar, Carlson Solar, and Independent Energy Systems which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2007, the first quarter of 2008, and the third quarter of 2008, respectively, the related integration costs, nor the costs associated with being a public company.

'We are pleased with the sales growth and operating results we achieved in the third quarter. Despite a very soft economic environment and uncertainties surrounding the extension of the Federal Investment Tax Credit, which we were excited to see subsequently pass in October, demand for our products remained strong,' said John Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer. 'Even in these challenging economic times, we see the solar outlook being bright and we've expanded our sales force and installation organization to support our future growth, while still managing to achieve moderate operating expense leverage.'

'We experienced solid sales growth in the quarter, particularly given the challenging economic environment. Our organic growth well exceeded our stated goal of 20% year-over-year and was further supplemented by our acquisition of Santa Cruz, California-based Independent Energy Systems in August,' said Erik Zech, President and CFO. 'Our rapidly growing revenue base is enabling us to leverage our infrastructure while continuing to increase market share.