Note 8 - Property, Plant and Equipment

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

8. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

	June 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
PV solar systems	$	20,887		$	20,783
Plant and machinery		33			33
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		376			388
Computers and software		1,503			1,499
Trucks		-			44
Leasehold improvements		59			96
		22,858			22,843
Less: accumulated depreciation		(4,570	)		(4,089	)
	$	18,288		$	18,754

In 2009, Solar Power, Inc. capitalized a photovoltaic (“PV”) solar system relating to the Aerojet 1 solar development project along with the associated financing obligation, recorded under loans payable, financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to certain guarantee arrangements as disclosed in Note 13— Commitments and Contingencies, the Company will continue to record this $14.9 million solar system in property, plant and equipment with its associated financing obligation in loans payable and financing obligations as long as it maintains its continuing involvement with this project. The income and expenses relating to the underlying operation of the Aerojet 1 project are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary, SGT, completed construction of two SEFs, which was classified as held for sale (refer to Note 9 —Assets Held for Sale) as of December 31, 2011. In May 2012, SGT sold to and leased back the assets from a leasing company. The gross amount of assets recorded under the capital leases was $6.0 million, with accumulated depreciation of $0.2 million, as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The SEFs are classified as PV solar systems under capital leases, which were recorded in loans payable, financing and capital lease obligations, net of current portion, on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 13 —Commitments and Contingencies for more information related to the capital leases.

Depreciation expense for the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $0.3 million. Depreciation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $0.6 million.