SunEdison Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection The solar energy company is one of the largest non-financial companies to file for bankruptcy protection in the past decade.

By Reuters

This story originally appeared on Reuters

Reuters | Noah Berger

U.S. solar energy company SunEdison Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday, becoming one of the largest non-financial companies to do so in the past 10 years.

Once the fastest-growing U.S. renewable energy developer, SunEdison embarked on an aggressive acquisition strategy that left it struggling with $12 billion in debt.

In its bankruptcy filing, the company said it had assets of $20.7 billion and liabilities of $16.1 billion as of Sept. 30.

Although solar project developers such as SunEdison continue to benefit from robust demand, their shares have been hit by investor concerns that demand could fall in tandem with weak oil prices.

SunEdison has struggled with its own list of problems, as well.

Breakneck expansion during 2014 and 2015 left the company saddled with huge debt.

In addition, the company has become embroiled in disputes with its yieldcos, or publicly-traded subsidiaries that own and operate renewable energy assets, some of which were acquired from SunEdison.

One yieldco, TerraForm Global Inc., is suing SunEdison for breach of contract, alleging it misappropriated $231 million of TerraForm's cash.

TerraForm Global, which had warned that SunEdison was at "substantial risk" of bankruptcy, said last month that SunEdison, its controlling shareholder, might not transfer to it some solar energy projects in India and Uruguay, and also may not complete other deals.

Billionaire David Tepper's Appaloosa Management is seeking to overhaul the Conflicts Committee of the other yieldco, TerraForm Power Inc., claiming the company's controlling shareholder, SunEdison, breached its fiduciary duties.

SunEdison itself faces about two dozen legal claims, mainly by shareholders who accuse the company of misleading them about its financial position.

The company has delayed filing its annual report twice after identifying material weaknesses in its financial reporting controls.

SunEdison is also being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over the failed Vivint Solar deal and other issues.

Early in March, Vivint terminated the cash-and-stock deal, worth $2.2 billion when it was forged in July 2015, after SunEdison failed to close on the planned acquisition.

SunEdison's financial troubles have imperiled dozens of projects underway globally. The company has sold or is trying to unload some of them, while others are scrambling to line up new financing.

(Reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and Nick Zieminski)

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

Lead From the Top: 5 Core Responsibilities of a CEO

Knowing exactly what the chief executive's role entails is critical for steering a company to success.

Business News

Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic Pour $23 Million into an AI Training Center for Teachers

The hub will train teachers to use AI for tasks like generating lesson plans.

Business News

Wimbledon Player Begs Morgan Stanley to Give His 'Lucky Charm' Sister More Time Off Work

Ben Shelton, ranked No. 10 in the world, is playing in the quarter-final round on Wednesday.

Growing a Business

How to Turn Summer Travel into More Business and Less Taxes

When you pursue business opportunities in the places you love to visit, you can make your summer profitable and fun.

Business News

A Code Ninjas Franchise Empowers Youth with Tech & Education

Code Ninjas is a leading kids' coding franchise that teaches children ages 7-14 how to code by building video games.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.