SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

These accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Stated Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”) (Huaxin was liquidated and deregistered in October 2012) and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Pingshan Shengda Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shengda”) (deregistered in September 2012) and Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 93% of the investment is from Xi’an TCH.  Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

In preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition

The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers. The Company usually transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease.  The investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. The Company finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating.  The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (lessor) and the customer (lessee).  The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments.  The minimum lease payment consists of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease.  While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease, which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of sales tax.

Contingent Rental Income

The Company records income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payments of each project as contingent rental income in the period contingent rental income is earned.  Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.

Cash and Equivalents

Cash and Equivalents

Cash and equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date of such investments.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had accounts receivable of $81,819 from sales of extra electricity. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had accounts receivable of $19.11 million arising, in part, from the transfer of a set of 18MW capacity power generating systems to Shenmu by Xi’an TCH for $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Repurchase Price”). Shenmu paid 30% of the Repurchase Price within five working days of the Repurchase Agreement date, another 30% within 90 days of the Repurchase Agreement date and the remaining 40% within 180 days of the Repurchase Agreement date. Ownership of the Systems was transferred by the Company to Shenmu upon full payment of the Repurchase Price, which occurred in June 2012.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:

Building	20 years
Vehicle	2 - 5 years
Office and Other Equipment	2 - 5 years
Software	2 - 3 years

Impairment of Long-life Assets

 Impairment of Long-life Assets

In accordance with SFAS 144 (codified in FASB ASC Topic 360), the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the asset. There was no impairment as of December 31, 2012 or 2011.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740), which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Company follows FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 740. When tax returns are filed, it is likely some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.  Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits is classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had not taken any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording of tax related liability.

Non-Controlling Interest

Non-Controlling Interest

The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests (NCIs) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability (as was previously the case), that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.

The net income (loss) attributed to the NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of income and other comprehensive income. Losses attributable to the NCI in a subsidiary may exceed the NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to the NCI is attributed to those interests. The NCI shall continue to be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance.

Statement of Cash Flows

Statement of Cash Flows

In accordance with SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 230), cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value (“FV”) of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures.  The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FV because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

· Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

· Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

· Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the FV measurement.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815.

The following are the considerations with respect to disclosures of fair value of long-term debt obligations:

As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s long term debt obligations consisted of the following: (i) bank loans payable of $12.09 million, (ii) a long term payable for a sale-leaseback transactionof $3.71 million.

Fair value measurements / approximations, for certain financial instruments, are based on what a reporting entity would likely have to pay to transfer the financial obligation to an entity with a comparable credit rating. The Company’s bank loans and trust loans payable are privately held (i.e., nonpublic) debt; therefore, pricing inputs are not observable. For this reason, the Company classified bank loans and trust loans payable as a Level 3 FV measurement in the valuation hierarchy.

For each of the Company’s long term debt obligations noted above, the Company believes the carrying amounts approximate their FV. The following reasons support this determination.

Bank Loans Payables of $12.09 Million (noncurrent portion)

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had two loans with the same Chinese commercial bank with terms of 3 and 4 years, respectively. Each loan was for the subsidiary’s (Xi’an TCH’s) energy saving and emission reduction projects and had a floating interest rate that both reset at the beginning of each quarter at 115%, of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan. Each of these loans was guaranteed by Xi’an TCH (along with a pledge of its accounts receivables) and by certain executive officers of the Company, and a pledge of certain BMPG (Biomass Power Generation) systems. Based on the Company’s understanding of the credit markets, the Company’s business is in a sector (energy-saving green) that is supported by the PRC government and the lending bank, the Company believes it could have obtained similar loans on similar terms and interest rates. In addition, in connection with the FV measurement, the Company considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk) relating to the debt obligations, including the following: (i) the Company is considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and its creditors; (ii) the Company has a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) the Company has a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from its sales-type lease of energy saving projects.

Sale-Leaseback Transaction of $3.71 Million

The Company recorded the sale-lease back transaction at FV, which is the present value of the total future cash outflow including principal and interest payments.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV other than the sale-lease back transaction of $3.71 million described above.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 718 and 505).  The Company recognizes in its statement of operations the grant-date FV of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees.

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740).  Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes.  The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared.  Diluted EPS reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method. The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS:

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011:

	2012		2011
Net income for common shares	$	3,406,995	$	21,449,879
Interest accrued on convertible notes*		383,929		168,000
Net income for diluted shares	$	3,622,924	$	21,617,879
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		47,560,416		42,454,304
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible notes		2,663,934		11,976,692
Options granted		812,905		1,612,614
Warrants granted		-		11,780
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted		51,037,255		56,055,390
Earnings (loss) per share – basic	$	0.07	$	0.51
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted	$	0.07	$	0.39

* Interest expense on convertible notes was added back to net income for the computation of diluted EPS.

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There was no significant fluctuation in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.

The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280) requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. SFAS 131 has no effect on the Company’s financial statements as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in the current period. The Company reclassified loss on extinguishment of Cinda Notes of $6,699,949 from interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

 In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.  The ASU provides entities with an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired.  If an entity concludes it is more than 50% likely that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, no further analysis is required.  However, if an entity concludes otherwise, it would be required to determine the FV of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to measure the amount of actual impairment, if any, as currently required under US GAAP.

The ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012.  Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this pronouncement will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

As of December 31, 2012, there were no other recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted by the Company that would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.