Dated December 4, 2007 SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD. and GOOD ENERGIES INVESTMENTS (JERSEY) LIMITED and YONGHUA SOLAR POWER INVESTMENT HOLDING LTD. and CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PARTNERSHIP, L.P. and CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL...
Exhibit 3
Dated December 4, 2007
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
and
GOOD ENERGIES INVESTMENTS (JERSEY) LIMITED
and
YONGHUA SOLAR POWER INVESTMENT HOLDING LTD.
and
CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
and
CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL CO-INVESTMENT, L.P.
and
WHF INVESTMENT CO., LTD.
and
BRILLIANT ORIENT INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
and
LC FUND III, L.P.
SECOND SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
OF
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
OF
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
Linklaters LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Telephone (x0) 000 000 0000
Facsimile (x0) 000 000 0000
Facsimile (x0) 000 000 0000
Ref L-A08677742
1 | DEFINITIONS | 1 | ||||||
1.1 | Definitions |
1 | ||||||
1.2 | Additional Definitions |
6 | ||||||
1.3 | Construction |
6 | ||||||
2 | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 7 | ||||||
2.1 | Representations and Warranties of the Parties |
7 | ||||||
3 | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 8 | ||||||
3.1 | General |
8 | ||||||
3.2 | Good Energies Nominees to the Board |
8 | ||||||
3.3 | Committees Of The Board and Subsidiary Directors |
9 | ||||||
3.4 | Removal of Good Energies Nominees |
9 | ||||||
3.5 | Appointment of Executive Officers |
9 | ||||||
3.6 | Consultation Right |
9 | ||||||
3.7 | Continuation of the Chairman |
10 | ||||||
4 | TRANSFER OF SHARES | 10 | ||||||
4.1 | General |
10 | ||||||
4.2 | Right of First Refusal |
11 | ||||||
4.3 | No Circumvention Of Share Transfer Restrictions |
12 | ||||||
5 | TERM AND TERMINATION | 12 | ||||||
5.1 | Term And Termination |
12 | ||||||
5.2 | Effect Of Termination |
12 | ||||||
5.3 | Party-Specific Termination |
13 | ||||||
6 | GOVERNING LAW AND RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES | 13 | ||||||
6.1 | Governing Law |
13 | ||||||
6.2 | Dispute Resolution Forum |
13 | ||||||
6.3 | Specific Performance |
14 | ||||||
6.4 | Waiver of Immunities |
15 | ||||||
6.5 | Performance Pending Dispute Resolution |
15 | ||||||
6.6 | Survival |
15 | ||||||
7 | MISCELLANEOUS | 15 | ||||||
7.1 | No Partnership; Agency |
15 | ||||||
7.2 | Entire Agreement; First Shareholders Agreement |
15 | ||||||
7.3 | Binding Effect; Benefit |
15 | ||||||
7.4 | Assignment |
16 | ||||||
7.5 | Amendment; Waiver |
16 | ||||||
7.6 | Notices |
16 | ||||||
7.7 | Counterparts |
17 | ||||||
7.8 | Severability |
17 | ||||||
7.9 | Further Acts And Assurances |
18 | ||||||
7.10 | Conflict |
18 |
1
This SECOND SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of December 4, 2007, is made by and
among the shareholders listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a “Shareholder” and collectively,
the “Shareholders”), GOOD ENERGIES INVESTMENTS (JERSEY) LIMITED, a company organized under the laws
of Jersey (“Good Energies”) and SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO. LTD., a company incorporated in the
Cayman Islands (the “Company”).
Whereas:
(A) | Good Energies has previously entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 4, 2007
(the “Stock Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Shareholders and Good Energies, pursuant to
which Good Energies has agreed to purchase an aggregate total of 66,745,638 of the Company’s
ordinary shares of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share (“Ordinary Shares”) and 281,011
American Depositary Shares, each representing five (5) Ordinary Shares (the “American
Depositary Shares”); |
|
(B) | In connection with the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Shareholders have agreed to enter into
this Agreement; |
|
(C) | Following the completion of the transactions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement (the
“Closing”), the Shareholders will continue to own that number of Ordinary Shares and/or
American Depositary Shares as set forth on Schedule A (together with any other
Ordinary Shares, American Depositary Shares or other Equity Securities of the Company that are
Beneficially Owned by any Shareholder or Permitted Transferee during the term of this
Agreement, the “Shares”), and the Shareholders and Good Energies wish to provide for certain
rights and obligations regarding the Company as set forth herein; |
|
(D) | Certain of the Shareholders and other Persons have previously entered into a Shareholders
Agreement, dated June 27, 2006 (the “First Shareholders Agreement”); and |
|
(E) | The Board of Directors of the Company, recognizing the benefit of having Good Energies as a
strategic Shareholder in the Company to assist the Company in the development of its business
and achieve the maximization of the value of the Company to all of its Shareholders and other
constituencies, has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company
for the Company to enter into this Agreement; |
Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth below and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1 | Definitions |
1.1 | Definitions |
2
The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Agreement:
1.1.1 | “AFFILIATE” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
such Person (including any Subsidiary) and “AFFILIATES” and “AFFILIATED” shall
have correlative meanings. For the purpose of this definition, the term “CONTROL”
(including with correlative meanings, the terms “CONTROLLING”, “CONTROLLED
BY” and “UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH”), as used with respect to any Person,
shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, any fund, collective investment scheme,
trust, partnership, including without limitation, any co-investment
partnership, special purpose or other vehicle or any subsidiary or affiliate
of any of the foregoing, which is controlled by Citigroup Inc. or any of its
direct or indirect subsidiaries as well as any or all of Citigroup Venture
Capital International Growth Partnership, L.P. and Citigroup Venture Capital
International Partnership G.P., shall be deemed to be an “Affiliate” of CVCI. |
||
1.1.2 | “ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION” means the memorandum and articles of
association of the Company, including the memorandum and articles of association
amended and restated in accordance with the Purchase Agreement and as amended
from time to time. |
||
1.1.3 | “BANKRUPTCY EVENT” means with respect to any Person (the “Bankruptcy
Party”), (a) the commencement by it of a Bankruptcy Proceeding with respect to
itself or the consent by it to be subject to a Bankruptcy Proceeding commenced by
another Person, (b) the commencement by another Person of a Bankruptcy Proceeding
with respect to the Bankruptcy Party that remains unstayed or undismissed for a
period of thirty (30) consecutive days, (c) the appointment of or taking
possession by a Receiver over the Bankruptcy Party or any substantial part of its
property, (d) the making by the Bankruptcy Party of a general assignment for the
benefit of its creditors or the admission by the Bankruptcy Party in writing of
its inability to generally pay its debts as they become due, (e) the entry by a
court having jurisdiction over the Bankruptcy Party or a substantial part of its
property of an Order for relief under any Bankruptcy Law which remains unstayed
or undismissed for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days, (i) adjudging the
Bankruptcy Party bankrupt or insolvent, (ii) approving as properly filed a
petition seeking the reorganization or other similar relief with respect to the
Bankruptcy Party, (iii) appointing a Receiver over the Bankruptcy Party or any
substantial part of its property or (iv) otherwise ordering the winding up and
liquidation of the Bankruptcy Party or (f) the occurrence of any event similar to
(a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) under any applicable Law with respect to the Bankruptcy
Party. |
||
1.1.4 | “BANKRUPTCY LAW” means any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
composition, moratorium or other similar Law. |
||
1.1.5 | “BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING” means a case or proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law wherein a Person may be adjudicated bankrupt, insolvent or become
subject to an Order of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding up,
dissolution, composition or other similar Order. |
3
1.1.6 | “BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP” by a Person of any securities includes
ownership by any Person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract,
arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares (a) voting
power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such
security, and/or (b) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to
direct the disposition, of such security, and shall otherwise be interpreted in
accordance with the term “beneficial ownership” as determined under Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The terms “Beneficially
Own” and “Beneficial Owner” have correlative meanings |
||
1.1.7 | “BOARD” means the board of directors of the Company. |
||
1.1.8 | “BUSINESS DAY” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on
which banks located in New York, Hong Kong or PRC are authorized or obligated to
close. |
||
1.1.9 | “Cause” means, with respect to a Director, (a) such Director’s or
officer’s willful or continued failure to substantially perform his or her
duties, (b) such Director’s or officer’s conviction or under formal investigation
in a criminal proceeding (other than traffic violations or other minor
infractions), (c) such Director’s or other officer’s being censured or subject to
equivalent action by any internationally recognized securities exchange, or (d)
such Director or officer being subject to a Bankruptcy Event. |
||
1.1.10 | “CVCI” means Citigroup Venture Capital International Growth
Partnership, L.P., and Citigroup Venture Capital International Co-Investment,
L.P., each a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. |
||
1.1.11 | “DIRECTOR” means a director of the Company (including any duly
appointed alternate director). |
||
1.1.12 | “ENCUMBRANCE” means (a) any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or
floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, deed of trust, title
retention, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind securing, or
conferring any priority of payment in respect of, any obligation of any Person,
including any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the
granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the
granting of security under applicable Law, (b) any lease, sub-lease, occupancy
agreement, easement or covenant granting a right of use or occupancy to any
Person, (c) any proxy, power of attorney, voting trust agreement, interest,
option, right of first offer, negotiation or refusal or Transfer restriction in
favor of any Person and (d) any adverse claim as to title, possession or use. |
||
1.1.13 | “EQUITY SECURITIES” means the capital stock, membership interests,
partnership interests, registered capital or other ownership interest in any
Person or any options, warrants or other securities that are directly or
indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, such capital
stock, membership interests, partnership interests, registered capital or other
ownership interests (whether or not such derivative securities are issued by
such Person) and includes the Shares. |
4
1.1.14 | “GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY” means any court, tribunal, arbitrator,
authority, agency, commission, official or other instrumentality of the United
States, the PRC and the Cayman Island, any other country or territory or any
province, state, country, city or other political subdivision of the United
States, the PRC and the Cayman Islands or any other country or territory. |
||
1.1.15 | “LAW” means any law, treaty, statute, ordinance, code, rule or
regulation of any Government Authority or any Order. “Law” also includes the
rules of any stock exchange or self-regulatory organization upon which the
Company’s Equity Securities are listed or included for quotation. |
||
1.1.16 | “ORDER” means any writ, judgment, decree, injunction, award or
similar order of any Government Authority (in each case whether preliminary or
final). |
||
1.1.17 | “ORDINARY SHARES” has the meaning given in the recitals and includes
any subdivisions, combinations, splits or reclassifications of such “Ordinary
Shares”. |
||
1.1.18 | “PARTIES” means collectively the Shareholders, the Company, Good
Energies and any Person who becomes a party to this Agreement under Clause
4.1(a). Each of the Parties shall be referred to as a “PARTY.” |
||
1.1.19 | “PERMITTED TRANSFEREE” means with respect to any Person, (i) such
Person’s Affiliates, (ii) any investment funds managed by such Person’s
Affiliates or any Subsidiary of such Person or, (iii) any Affiliate or Subsidiary
of such Person’s parent entity. |
||
1.1.20 | “PERSON” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership,
association, limited liability company, trust or estate or any other entity or
organization whether or not having separate legal existence, including any
Government Authority. |
||
1.1.21 | “PRC” or “CHINA” each means the People’s Republic of China. |
||
1.1.22 | “PUBLIC TRANSFEREE” means any Person to whom Shares are Transferred
on a public market; provided, that such Transfer has not been directed to a
particular Person with whom a Shareholder has an understanding, agreement or
arrangement (written or otherwise) regarding such Transfer. |
||
1.1.23 | “RECEIVER” means any receiver, liquidator, trustee, administrator,
sequestrator or other similar official. |
||
1.1.24 | “SHAREHOLDERS” has the meaning stated in the preamble and shall
include any Permitted Transferee. |
||
1.1.25 | “SUBSIDIARY” means, with respect to any Person, any entity which
such Person controls, directly or indirectly. For purposes of this definition,
“control” has the meaning set forth above under the definition of “Affiliate.” |
5
1.1.26 | “TRANSFER” means to sell, exchange, assign, pledge, charge, grant a
security interest, make a hypothecation, gift or other encumbrance, or enter into
any contract therefor, or into any voting trust or other agreement or arrangement
with respect to the transfer of voting rights or any other legal or beneficial
interest in any of the Shares, create any other claim thereto or make any other
transfer or disposition whatsoever, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting
the right, title, interest or possession in, to or of such Shares, and
“TRANSFER”, “TRANSFERS” and “TRANSFERRED” shall have correlative meanings. |
1.2 | Additional Definitions |
The following terms shall have the meanings defined in the indicated Clause for
purposes of this Agreement:
Agreement |
1 | |||
American Depositary Shares |
1 | |||
Bankruptcy Party |
2 | |||
Beneficial Owner |
3 | |||
Beneficially Own |
3 | |||
Closing |
1 | |||
Contract |
9 | |||
Good Energies |
1 | |||
Good Energy Nominees |
7 | |||
ICC |
12 | |||
Ordinary Shares |
1 | |||
Rules |
12 | |||
Shareholder |
1 | |||
Shareholders |
1 | |||
Shareholders Meeting |
7 | |||
Shares |
1 | |||
Stock Purchase Agreement |
1 |
1.3 | Construction |
1.3.1 | Whenever used in this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly
provided or unless the context otherwise requires, any noun or pronoun shall be
deemed to include the plural as well as the singular and to cover all genders. |
||
1.3.2 | Unless otherwise specified, words such as “herein,” “hereof,”
“hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular clause or sub-clause of this Agreement, and
references herein to “articles” or “clauses” refer to articles or clauses of this
Agreement. |
||
1.3.3 | Unless otherwise specified, references herein to the word “including”
shall be deemed to be followed by words “without limitation” or “but not limited
to,” as applicable, or words of similar import. |
||
1.3.4 | The word “or” shall not be interpreted to be exclusive. If any
translated version of this Agreement differs from the English version, the
English version shall control. |
||
1.3.5 | The table of contents and headings in this Agreement are intended
solely for convenience of reference and shall be given no effect in the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement. |
||
1.3.6 | Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall
refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. |
6
2 | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
2.1 | Representations and Warranties of the Parties |
Each Party represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, to each other Party
that as of the date of this Agreement:
2.1.1 | such Party has the full power and authority to enter into, execute
and deliver this Agreement and to perform the transactions contemplated hereby
and, if such Party is not a natural Person, such Party is duly incorporated or
organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
its incorporation or organization; |
||
2.1.2 | the execution and delivery by such Party of this Agreement and the
performance by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate or other action of such Party; |
||
2.1.3 | assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by each
of the other Parties, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of such Party, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable Bankruptcy Laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally; |
||
2.1.4 | the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such
Party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (i)
violate any provision of the organizational or governance documents of such
Party; (ii) require such Party to obtain any consent, approval or action of, or
make any filing with or give any notice to, any Government Authority in such
Party’s country of organization or any other Person pursuant to any instrument,
contract or other agreement to which such Party is a party or by which such Party
is bound, other than any such consent, approval, action or filing that has
already been duly obtained or made; (iii) conflict with or result in any material
breach or violation of any of the terms and conditions of, or constitute (or with
notice or lapse of time or both would constitute) a default under any instrument,
contract or other agreement to which such Party is a party or by which such Party
is bound; (iv) violate any Order against, or binding upon, such Party or upon its
respective securities, properties or businesses; or (v) violate any Law of such
Party’s country of organization or any other country in which it maintains its
principal office; and |
||
2.1.5 | such Party, such Party’s assets and such Party’s business and record
keeping practices are not in violation of any Law, the violation of which would,
at any time (including after the Closing) have a material adverse effect upon (i)
such Party, (ii) such Party’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder or
(iii) any of the other Party’s hereto. |
7
3 | Corporate Governance |
3.1 | General |
From and after the date hereof, each Shareholder shall vote its Shares at any regular
or special meeting of shareholders of the Company or in connection with any written
consent of the shareholders of the Company (a “Shareholders Meeting”), and shall take,
subject to applicable Law, all other actions necessary or required to give effect to
the provisions of this Agreement and to procure that the Articles of Association (and
any such organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company) do not at any time
conflict with any provision of this Agreement. In all other respects, each
Shareholder shall be entitled to vote in such Shareholder’s own best interests.
3.2 | Good Energies Nominees to the Board |
3.2.1 | Subject to applicable Law: |
(i) | in connection with any election for members of
the Board at any Shareholders Meeting, the Company shall, at the request
of Good Energies, include person(s) designated by Good Energies in the
slate of directors to be considered by the Shareholders for election as
directors (the “Good Energies Nominee(s)”) in accordance with Clause
3.2.2; and |
||
(ii) | the Company shall take no action intended to
diminish the prospects of such Good Energies Nominees being elected to
the Board or increase the prospects of such Good Energies Nominees being
removed from the Board. |
3.2.2
(i) | If Good Energies and its Affiliates Beneficially Own less than 5% of
the Equity Securities of the Company at the time of any Shareholders
Meeting, Good Energies shall not designate any Good Energies Nominees at
such Shareholders Meeting; |
||
(ii) | if Good Energies and its Affiliates Beneficially
Own at least 5% but less than 16% of the Equity Securities of the
Company at the time of any Shareholders Meeting, Good Energies shall
designate one Good Energies Nominee at such Shareholders Meeting; and |
||
(iii) | if Good Energies and its Affiliates Beneficially
Own at least 16% of the Equity Securities of the Company at the time of
any Shareholders Meeting, Good Energies shall designate two Good
Energies Nominees at such Shareholders Meeting. |
3.2.3 | Each Shareholder shall vote its Shares at any Shareholders Meeting
called for the purpose of electing the Good Energies Nominees to elect such Good
Energies Nominees, and shall take all other actions necessary or required to
ensure the election to the Board of the persons nominated to the Board by
Good Energies. |
8
3.3 | Committees Of The Board and Subsidiary Directors |
3.3.1 | Subject to applicable Law: |
(i) | the Company shall consider at least one (1) Good
Energies Nominee to be appointed to each committee or sub-committee of
the Board; and |
||
(ii) | the Company shall consider at least one (1)
person nominated by Good Energies, which may be a Good Energies Nominee,
to be appointed to serve as a director on the board of directors of any
Subsidiary of the Company and, to the extent practicable, on the board
of directors of each joint venture to which the Company is a party. |
Appointment or replacement of any such Nominee shall be at the discretion of the Board
as may be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, provided that the
Board shall consider in good faith whether the appointment of any person so proposed
by Good Energies would be in the best interests of the Company.
3.3.2 | The Company, if requested by Good Energies, shall appoint an observer
to any committee or sub-committee of the Board or the Board of Directors of any
Subsidiary or joint venture to which the Company is a party. |
3.4 | Removal of Good Energies Nominees |
Where Good Energies wishes to remove any Good Energies Nominee, each of the
Shareholders shall vote its Shares at any Shareholders Meeting or in any written
consent of Shareholders so as to effect such preference. Except as provided in the
previous sentence, no Shareholder shall vote its Shares for the removal of a Good
Energies Nominee.
3.5 | Appointment of Executive Officers |
Owing to Good Energies’ familiarity with the industry in which the Company operates,
and to ensure the Company secures the best management team possible, Good Energies
shall have the right from time-to-time to propose to the Board, for the Board’s
consideration, nominees for the executive officer positions of the Company, including
the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Business Development
Officer. Appointment or replacement of any such officer shall be at the discretion of
the Board as may be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders,
provided that the Board shall consider in good faith whether the appointment of any
person so proposed by Good Energies would be in the best interests of the Company.
3.6 | Consultation Right |
From and after the date hereof, (x) subject to applicable Law and to the extent
practicable, the Company will consult with Good Energies prior to taking each of the
following actions, and (y) each Shareholder shall vote its Shares at any Shareholders
Meeting, and shall use its best efforts to take or refrain from taking, subject to
applicable Law, all other actions necessary or required such that each of the following actions
on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be taken unless Good Energies
has consented in advance:
9
3.6.1 | the entry into any contract, agreement, understanding, whether oral
or written (a “Contract”) that would have a value or potential liability to the
Company in excess of 5% of the Company’s net assets as of the time such contract
is entered into or is otherwise likely to be material to the Company; |
||
3.6.2 | the engagement of any business other than photovoltaic business or a
change in the nature or scope of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary; |
||
3.6.3 | any joint ventures, strategic alliances, partnerships or similar
arrangement with any third party; |
||
3.6.4 | any recapitalization, merger, asset swap, share sale or transfer of
substantially all of the rights to intellectual properties or other assets, or
any other extraordinary transaction; |
||
3.6.5 | any amendment to the Articles of Association or any other
constitutional documents, including without limitation increase and decrease in
the capitalization of the Company or any Subsidiary; and |
||
3.6.6 | entry into any agreement or understanding to do any of the foregoing. |
3.7 | Continuation of the Chairman |
The other Parties, in recognition of the contributions of Xx. Xxxxxxx Xx, Chairman of
the Company, hereby confirm that Xx. Xx will continue to serve as the Chairman of the
Company until at least the second (2nd) anniversary of the date hereof. Xx.
Xxxxxxx Xx acknowledges such term.
4 | Transfer of Shares |
4.1 | General |
4.1.1 | Without Good Energies’ prior written consent, for a period of one (1)
year from the date hereof (the “Lockup Period”), Yonghua Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd. agrees that neither it nor any Permitted Transferee of Yonghua Solar
Power Investment Holding Ltd. shall, directly or indirectly, make or permit any
Transfer of Shares Beneficially Owned by Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding
Ltd.or such Permitted Transferee to any Person other than a Permitted Transferee
of Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd.. |
||
4.1.2 | During the one year period immediately following the Lockup Period,
neither Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. nor any of its Permitted
Transferees shall, directly or indirectly, make or permit any Transfer of Shares
Beneficially Owned by Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd.or such
Permitted Transferee to any Person (each such transfer, an “Unrestricted
Transfer”), except to the extent that the aggregate of all Unrestricted
Transfers does not exceed 50% of the total Shares Benefically Owned by
Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. and its Permitted Transferees
immediately following Closing. |
10
4.1.3 | Even to the extent otherwise restricted from making a Transfer of
Shares pursuant to Sections 4.1.1and 4.1.2, Yonghua Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd. and any of its Permitted Transferees shall be permitted to Transfer
Shares to a Permitted Transferee if all the following conditions are met: (a)
prior to such Transfer, the Permitted Transferee has agreed in writing to be
bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement by signing a copy of this
Agreement in which case such transferee shall be considered a Shareholder and a
Party to this Agreement except when such transferee is already a Party to this
Agreement, (b) the Transfer complies in all respects with the terms of this
Agreement and (c) the Transfer complies in all respects with applicable
securities and other Laws. Any Transfer of Shares by any Shareholder in violation
of the preceding sentence shall be null and void, and the Company shall not
register and the Shareholders shall procure that no transfer agent registers such
Transfer. |
4.2 | Right of First Refusal |
Good Energies shall have a right of first refusal (the “Right of First Refusal”) with
respect to any proposed Transfer of Shares (other than a Transfer to a Permitted
Transferee or a Public Transferee) by Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. or
any of its Permitted Transferees. In the event that Yonghua Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd. or any of its Permitted Transferees (for the purpose of this Clause, the
“Covered Transferor”) receives an offer from a bona fide Third Party (the “Third Party
Purchaser”) to purchase any Shares, the Covered Transferor shall be required to send
Good Energies a written notice (the “Right of First Refusal Notice”) prior to the
consummation of such Transfer of Shares to the Third Party Purchaser. The Right of
First Refusal Notice shall set forth the number of Shares that the Covered Transferor
proposes to Transfer, the price per share to be received for the Shares and any other
proposed terms and conditions relating to such Transfer and the identity (including
name and address) of the Third Party Purchaser. The Right of First Refusal Notice
shall certify that the Covered Transferor has received a firm offer from the Third
Party Purchaser and in good faith believes a binding agreement for the Transfer is
obtainable on the terms set forth in the Right of First Refusal Notice. The Right of
First Refusal Notice shall also include a copy of any written proposal, term sheet or
letter of intent or other agreement relating to the proposed Transfer.
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The delivery of a Right of First Refusal Notice shall constitute an offer, which shall
be irrevocable for ten (10) days from the date of the Right of First Refusal Notice
(the “Right of First Refusal Notice Period”) by the Covered Transferor to Transfer to
Good Energies the Shares subject to the Right of First Refusal Notice (the “Offered
Shares”) on the terms and conditions set forth therein. Good Energies shall have the right, but
not the obligation, to accept such offer to purchase all or part of the Offered Shares
free of Encumbrances by giving a written notice of its acceptance of such offer (an
“Acceptance Notice”) to the Covered Transferor prior to the expiration of the Right of
First Refusal Notice Period. Delivery of an Acceptance Notice by Good Energies to the
Covered Transferor shall constitute a contract between Good Energies and the Covered
Transferor for the Transfer of the Offered Shares on the terms and conditions set
forth therein. The failure of Good Energies to give an Acceptance Notice within the
Right of First Refusal Notice Period shall be deemed a rejection of its Right of First
Refusal with respect to the subject Transfer.
The closing of any Transfer of Shares between a Covered Transferor and Good Energies
pursuant to this Clause 4.2 shall take place within ten (10) days from the last day of
the Right of First Refusal Notice Period; provided, that if such Transfer is subject
to any prior approval or other consent required by applicable Law or stock exchange
rule, the time period during which the closing of such Transfer may occur shall be
extended until the expiration of ten (10) days after all such approvals and consents
shall have been granted but in no case later than ninety (90) days from the last day
of the Right of First Refusal Notice Period. Each Party to such Transfer shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such approvals and consents.
4.3 | No Circumvention Of Share Transfer Restrictions |
Each Party agrees that the Transfer restrictions in this Agreement may not be avoided
by the holding of Shares directly or indirectly through a Person that can itself be
sold in order to dispose of an interest in Shares free of such restrictions. Any
Transfer of any shares (or other interest) held by any Person Controlling a
Shareholder shall be treated as being a Transfer of the Shares held by that
Shareholder, and the provisions of this Agreement that apply in respect of the
Transfer of Shares shall thereupon apply in respect of the Shares so held by that the
Shareholder.
5 | Term and Termination |
5.1 | Term And Termination |
This Agreement shall remain in effect until:
5.1.1 | the Company has been dissolved, liquidated and wound up; |
||
5.1.2 | such time as Good Energies and its Affiliates Beneficially Own less
than 5% of the Equity Securities of the Company; or |
||
5.1.3 | the Parties have agreed in writing to terminate this Agreement. |
5.2 | Effect Of Termination |
Following any termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall have no further
force or effect, provided that no such termination shall relieve any Party of any
liability for a willful breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.
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5.3 | Party-Specific Termination |
The rights and obligations of individual Shareholders under this Agreement shall
terminate if such Shareholder and its Affiliates holds less than the lesser of (a) 5%
of the Equity Securities of the Company and (b) less than half the percentage of
Equity Securities of the Company such Shareholder shall hold upon Closing. No such
termination shall relieve any Shareholder of any liability for a willful breach of
this Agreement prior to such termination.
6 | Governing Law and Resolution of Disputes |
6.1 | Governing Law |
This Agreement and any disputes, claims or controversies arising from, related to or
in connection with this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the Laws of
the State of New York.
6.2 | Dispute Resolution Forum |
6.2.1 | If there is any dispute, claim or controversy arising from, related
to or in connection with this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity
hereof, the Parties shall first attempt to resolve such dispute, controversy or
claim through friendly consultations. If the dispute, claim or controversy is not
resolved through friendly consultations within thirty (30) days after a Party has
delivered a written notice to another Party requesting the commencement of
consultation, then the dispute, claim or controversy shall be finally settled by
arbitration conducted by the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) in
accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the ICC then in effect and as may be
amended by the rest of this Clause 6.2 (the “Rules”). There shall be three (3)
arbitrators of whom the plaintiff and the defendant shall each nominate one (1)
in accordance with the Rules. The two (2) named arbitrators shall nominate the
third arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the nomination of the second
arbitrator. If any arbitrator has not been named within the time limits specified
in the Rules, such appointment shall be made by the International Court of
Arbitration of the ICC upon the written request of either Party within thirty
(30) days of such request. The arbitration shall be held and the award shall be
rendered in Hong Kong. Each Party shall cooperate in good faith to expedite (to
the maximum extent practicable) the conduct of any arbitral proceedings commenced
under this Agreement. |
||
6.2.2 | Prompt resolution of any dispute is important to both parties, and
the parties agree that the arbitration of any dispute shall be conducted
expeditiously. The arbitrator(s) are instructed and directed to assume case
management initiative and control over the arbitration process (including
scheduling of events, pre-hearing discovery and activities, and the conduct of
the hearing), in order to
complete the arbitration as expeditiously as is reasonably practical for
obtaining a just resolution of the dispute. |
13
6.2.3 | The arbitrator(s) shall follow and apply the applicable law. The
arbitrator(s) shall grant such legal or equitable remedies and relief in
compliance with applicable law that the arbitrator(s) deem just and equitable,
but only to the extent that such remedies or relief could be granted by a state
or federal court and as otherwise limited by the terms in this Agreement. No
punitive damages may be awarded by the arbitrator(s). No court action may be
maintained seeking punitive damages. |
||
6.2.4 | The award shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and shall be
the exclusive remedy between the Parties regarding any claims, counterclaims,
issues, or accountings presented to the arbitral tribunal. To the fullest extent
allowed by applicable Law, each Party hereby waives any right to appeal such
award. Judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof, and for purposes of enforcing any arbitral award made hereunder, each
Party irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any court sitting where any of
such Party’s material assets may be found. Any arbitration proceedings, decisions
or awards rendered hereunder shall be governed by the United Nations Convention
on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of June 10, 1958,
as amended, and the Parties agree that any award rendered hereunder shall not be
deemed a domestic arbitration under the laws of any jurisdiction. |
||
6.2.5 | By agreeing to arbitration, the Parties do not intend to deprive any
court of its jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction, pre-arbitral
attachment or other order in aid of arbitration proceedings and the enforcement
of any award. |
||
6.2.6 | The costs of the arbitration, as defined in the Rules, shall be
allocated between the Parties by the arbitrators and shall be set forth in the
arbitral award. Any amounts subject to the dispute, controversy or claim that are
ultimately awarded to a Party under this Clause 6.2 shall bear interest at the
rate of six percent per annum from the earlier of (i) the date of the request for
arbitration and (ii) the date such amount would have become due and owing but for
the dispute, controversy or claim until the date the arbitral award is paid in
full. |
6.3 | Specific Performance |
Each Party hereby acknowledges that the remedies at law of the other Parties for a
breach or threatened breach of this Agreement would be inadequate and, in recognition
of this fact, any Party, without posting any bond, and in addition to all other
remedies that may be available, shall be entitled in accordance with Clause 6.2.3 to
seek equitable relief in the form of specific performance, injunctions or any other
equitable remedy.
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6.4 | Waiver of Immunities |
Each Party irrevocably waives any right that it has or may hereafter acquire, in any
jurisdiction, to claim for itself or its revenues, assets or properties, immunity from
service of process, suit, the jurisdiction of any court, an interlocutory order or
injunction or the enforcement of the same against its property in such court,
attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of an arbitral award or
judgment (interlocutory or final) or any other legal process.
6.5 | Performance Pending Dispute Resolution |
Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, this Agreement and
the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and
effect during the pendency of any proceeding under Clause 6.2.
6.6 | Survival |
Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, this Article 6 shall
survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
7 | Miscellaneous |
7.1 | No Partnership; Agency |
The Shareholders expressly do not intend hereby to form an agency relationship or
partnership either general or limited, under any jurisdiction’s agency, partnership or
other similar law. The Shareholders do not intend to be agents or partners of each
other, or agents of or partners to any third party, or to create any other fiduciary
relationship among themselves, solely by virtue of their status as Shareholders. To
the extent that any Shareholder, by word or action, improperly represents to another
Person that any Shareholder is an agent or partner of another Shareholder or that the
Company is a partnership, the Shareholder making such representation shall be liable
to any other Shareholder that incurs any Losses arising out of or relating to such
representation.
7.2 | Entire Agreement; First Shareholders Agreement |
7.2.1 | This Agreement constitutes the whole agreement among the parties
hereto and thereto relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and
supersedes all prior agreements or understandings both oral and written among all
of the parties hereto and thereto relating to the subject matter hereof and
thereof. |
||
7.2.2 | The First Shareholders Agreement shall remain unamended and in full
force. |
7.3 | Binding Effect; Benefit |
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their
respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Nothing in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than
the Parties, and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and
permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason
of this Agreement.
15
7.4 | Assignment |
7.4.1 | Except as set out in Section 7.4.1, no Party may assign, delegate or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the written consent of the other Parties. |
||
7.4.2 | Notwithstanding Section 7.4.1, any Party may, without the written
consent of the other Parties, assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations under this Agreement to a Permitted Transferee, in
connection with a Transfer to such Transferee, provided (a) prior to such
Transfer, the Permitted Transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms
and conditions of this Agreement by signing a copy of this Agreement in which
case such transferee shall be considered a Shareholder and a Party to this
Agreement, and (b) timely notice is provided to the other Parties. |
7.5 | Amendment; Waiver |
7.5.1 | This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except by
a written instrument executed by each of the Parties. |
||
7.5.2 | No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective
unless set forth in a written instrument signed by the Party waiving such
provision. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or
remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of the same preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Without limiting the foregoing,
no waiver by a Party of any breach by any other Party of any provision hereof
shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of that or any other
provision hereof. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and
not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies provided at law or in equity. |
7.6 | Notices |
Each notice, demand or other communication given or made under this Agreement shall be
in writing and delivered or sent to the relevant Party at its address or fax number
set out below (or such other address or fax number as the addressee has by five days
prior written notice specified to the other Parties). Any notice, demand or other
communication so addressed to the relevant Party shall be deemed to have been
delivered (a) if delivered in person or by messenger, when proof of delivery is
obtained by the delivering Party; (b) if sent by post within the same country, on the
third day following posting, and if sent by post to another country, on the fifth day
following posting, and (c) if given or made by fax, upon dispatch and the receipt of a
transmission report confirming dispatch. The initial address and facsimile for the
Parties for the purposes of this Agreement are:
16
(i) | If to the Shareholders, to the address set forth
on Schedule A hereto. |
||
(ii) | If to Good Energies, to: |
||
Good Energies Investments (Jersey) Limited |
0 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Islands JE2 3NS
Facsimile No.: 44 1534 754 510
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xx. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Islands JE2 3NS
Facsimile No.: 44 1534 754 510
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
with a courtesy copy to:
Linklaters LLP
Unit 29 Level 25
China World Tower 1
Xx. 0 Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XXX
Facsimile No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Unit 29 Level 25
China World Tower 1
Xx. 0 Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XXX
Facsimile No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxx
(iii) | If to the Company, to: |
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
Xx. 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx PRC
Facsimile No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Mr. Xxx Xxx
Xx. 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx PRC
Facsimile No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Mr. Xxx Xxx
with a courtesy copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Sterling LLP
2318 China World Tower 0
Xx. 0 Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XXX 000000 Facsimile
No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxx, Esq.
2318 China World Tower 0
Xx. 0 Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XXX 000000 Facsimile
No.: x00 (00) 0000-0000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxx, Esq.
7.7 | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts including counterparts
transmitted by facsimile, each of which shall be deemed an original with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
7.8 | Severability |
If any provision contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be determined to be
partially or wholly invalid, illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such provision shall be of no force and effect to the extent so
determined, but the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of such provision shall
have no effect upon and shall not impair the validity, legality or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.
17
7.9 | Further Acts And Assurances |
Each Party shall give such further assurance, provide such further information, take
such further actions and execute and deliver such further documents and instruments as
are, in each case, within its power to give, provide and take so as to give full force
and effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
7.10 | Conflict |
In case of any inconsistency between the Articles of Association and this Agreement,
the Shareholders will use their best efforts to amend the Articles of Association to
ensure that the Articles of Association are consistent with this Agreement.
[Signatures follow on the next page]
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by
its respective authorized officers as of the date set forth above:
GOOD ENERGIES INVESTMENTS (JERSEY) LIMITED | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | XXXX XXXXXXX | |||||
Title: | Director |
by: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | XXXXXX XXXXXXX | |||||
Title: | Director |
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD. | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xx Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | XX XXXXXXX | |||||
Title: | Signatory |
YONGHUA SOLAR POWER INVESTMENT HOLDING LTD. | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xx Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | XX XXXXXXX | |||||
Title: | Signatory |
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CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH PARTNERSHIP, L.P. By: CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP G.P. LIMITED, as General Partner |
||||||
by: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Alternate Director |
CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL CO-INVESTMENT, L.P. By: CITIGROUP VENTURE CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP G.P. LIMITED, as General Partner |
||||||
by: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Alternate Director |
WHF INVESTMENT CO., LTD. | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxx Xxxxxx (Chinese characters) | |||||
Title: | (Chinese characters) |
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BRILLIANT ORIENT INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Title: | Signatory |
LC FUND III, L.P. | ||||||
by: | /s/ Xxx Xxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxx Xxxxx | |||||
Title: | Signatory |
21