Q3 FY2026
Filed Nov 9, 2026Plug Power Q3 2026 net revenue of $200,602 thousand, approximately 13% higher year over year; GAAP net income attributable to Plug of $99,766 thousand, which the company says was driven mainly by non-cash gains
Revenue growth, a much smaller gross loss, lower operating expenses and lower net cash usage are reported. The quarter still shows a gross loss of $(5,358) thousand, and the positive GAAP net income comes from non-cash fair value gains that the company itself highlights. Nine-month GAAP results remain a net loss of $(333,745) thousand attributable to Plug, and the 2026 guidance depends on a steep fourth-quarter revenue increase.
Key metrics
shortened, hover for the filing’s print| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net revenue, Q3 2026 (three months ended September 30, 2026)GAAP | $200.6M | – | approximately 13% |
| Sales of equipment, related infrastructure and other revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $105.7M | – | – |
| Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructure revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $29.01M | – | – |
| Power purchase agreements revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $27.71M | – | – |
| Fuel delivered to customers and related equipment revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $38.11M | – | approximately 6% (fuel revenue, as printed in Hydrogen Production highlights) |
| Other revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $30K | – | – |
| Total cost of revenue, Q3 2026GAAP | $206.0M | – | – |
| Gross loss, Q3 2026GAAP | −$5.36M | – | – |
| Gross margin, Q3 2026other | ~(3%) | – | ~65 percentage point YoY gross margin improvement (as printed in headline) |
| Fuel gross margin, Q3 2026other | ~(52%) | – | – |
| Research and development expense, Q3 2026GAAP | $12.55M | – | – |
| Selling, general and administrative expense, Q3 2026GAAP | $68.34M | – | – |
| Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment, Q3 2026GAAP | −$25.79M | – | – |
| Restructuring expense, Q3 2026GAAP | — (no amount printed for Q3 2026) | – | – |
| Impairment expense, Q3 2026GAAP | $16.63M | – | – |
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration, Q3 2026GAAP | −$1.84M | – | – |
| Total operating expenses, Q3 2026GAAP | $69.89M | – | declined approximately 69% |
| Operating loss, Q3 2026GAAP | −$75.25M | – | – |
| Interest income, Q3 2026GAAP | $2.06M | – | – |
| Interest expense, Q3 2026GAAP | −$19.29M | – | – |
| Change in fair value of convertible debt instruments, Q3 2026GAAP | $108.3M | – | – |
| Change in fair value of warrant liabilities, Q3 2026GAAP | $84.17M | – | – |
| Income/(loss) before income taxes, Q3 2026GAAP | $99.08M | – | – |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Plug Power Inc., Q3 2026GAAP | $99.77M | – | – |
| Basic EPS attributable to Plug Power Inc., Q3 2026GAAP | $0.07 | – | – |
| Diluted EPS attributable to Plug Power Inc., Q3 2026GAAP | $(0.00) | – | – |
| Net cash usage (change in cash and cash equivalents excluding restricted cash), Q3 2026other | approximately $28 million | approximately 54% reduction sequentially | – |
| Cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, at September 30, 2026GAAP | $134.1M | – | – |
| GenDrive fuel cell units deployed, Q3 2026other | 1,136 units | – | up 110% year over year |
| Service margin, Q3 2026other | ~31% positive | – | – |
| Net revenue, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $542.4M | – | – |
| Gross loss, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | −$28.64M | – | – |
| Total operating expenses, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $220.2M | – | – |
| Operating loss, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | −$248.8M | – | – |
| Net income/(loss) attributable to Plug Power Inc., nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | −$333.7M | – | – |
| Basic EPS attributable to Plug Power Inc., nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $(0.24) | – | – |
| Net cash used in operating activities, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | −$320.5M | – | – |
Segments
| Segment | Revenue | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales of equipment, related infrastructure and otherThe filing gives no driver for this revenue line. Material handling, electrolyzer and fuel cell commercial activity is described in narrative form without a line-level revenue explanation. | $105,739 thousand (Q3 2026) | – | – |
| Services performed on fuel cell systems and related infrastructureThe company says service margin was approximately 31% positive and that improved unit reliability is enabling more units per service tech, which drives improved overhead leverage. | $29,013 thousand (Q3 2026) | – | – |
| Power purchase agreementsThe filing gives no driver for this revenue line. | $27,710 thousand (Q3 2026) | – | – |
| Fuel delivered to customers and related equipment (Hydrogen Production)The company says growth reflects continued growth in the hydrogen product line across its expanding customer base. Fuel gross margin improved to approximately (52%) from approximately (79%), which the company attributes to increased average selling prices, lower average cost of purchase fuel, improved plant utilization, production efficiency and hydrogen network optimization. | $38,110 thousand (Q3 2026) | – | approximately 6% |
| OtherThe filing gives no driver for this revenue line. | $30 thousand (Q3 2026) | – | – |
Full year 2026 and Q4 2026 outlook
- Revenue2026 revenue growth guidance of 15% to 16% (reiterated; the filing says the company remains focused on it)
- NoteTarget of positive EBITDAS in Q4 2026 (non-GAAP, forward-looking; the company says it cannot reconcile this target to GAAP net income (loss) without unreasonable efforts)
- NoteNet cash usage may be relatively flat for Q4 2026, based on the current forecast
- NoteThe filing refers to substantial fourth quarter revenue growth required to meet the full-year 2026 guidance, without quantifying it
Capital returns
- No proceeds were raised through the ATM program or other equity or debt capital raises during Q3 2026, according to the company.
- Nine-month 2026 cash flow statement shows no proceeds from public and private offerings (nine months 2025: $351,948 thousand).
- No share repurchases or dividends are reported in the filing.
What drove it
- Company states that revenue increased approximately 13% year over year as Plug advances sales growth, margin enhancement and improved cash flows.
- Company attributes the gross margin improvement to cost reductions, improved operating leverage and lower inventory valuation adjustments.
- Company attributes the decline in operating expenses to reduced unusual charges and continued execution of Project Quantum Leap.
- Company states that non-cash mark-to-market gains associated with equity instruments of approximately $192 million, or approximately $0.12 positive of an impact, were the primary reason EPS was positive this quarter.
- Company says net cash usage improved to approximately $28 million, reflecting continued improvement in underlying business performance.
- Company says the Q3 hydrogen fuel margin improvement reflects higher average selling prices, lower purchase fuel cost, improved plant utilization and network optimization.
- Commercial: 280 MW GenEco electrolyzer supply agreement for Project ENDOR in Denmark for e-SAF production, with a strategic cooperation agreement positioning Plug as preferred supplier for more than 1 GW of potential e-SAF projects across Europe and the Americas.
- Commercial: 50 MW GenEco electrolyzer order from Orica for the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub in Australia following final investment decision.
Concerns
- Gross loss of $(5,358) thousand in Q3 2026 and $(28,640) thousand for nine months 2026, with Fuel gross margin still approximately (52%).
- GAAP net income in Q3 2026 depends on non-cash fair value changes: change in fair value of convertible debt instruments of $108,284 thousand and change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $84,166 thousand. Nine-month net loss attributable to Plug is $(333,745) thousand.
- Full-year 2026 revenue growth guidance of 15% to 16% requires the substantial fourth-quarter revenue growth that the filing itself mentions. Nine-month revenue is $542,414 thousand, compared with $484,699 thousand.
- Company acknowledges a historically second-half-weighted revenue cadence and the timing of customer orders and deployments as sources of quarter-to-quarter variability.
- Non-consolidated risk factors cited include the First Solar judgment under appeal, securities litigation, and non-binding or conditional agreements, including the Arcadia eFuels agreements.
- Interest expense of $(19,287) thousand in Q3 2026 compared with $(16,461) thousand in Q3 2025.
- Cash and cash equivalents fell to $134,131 thousand at September 30, 2026, from $368,540 thousand at December 31, 2025.
What to watch
- Q4 2026 revenue against the 15% to 16% full-year 2026 growth guidance.
- Achievement of the target of positive EBITDAS in Q4 2026, a non-GAAP measure.
- Gross margin trajectory after Q3 2026 gross loss of $(5,358) thousand, and whether improvements are sustained.
- Net cash usage in Q4 2026, which the company expects may be relatively flat, and the Q4 2026 cash balance expectation, which the filing does not quantify.
- Conversion of the 280 MW Arcadia eFuels agreement and the 50 MW Orica order into orders and revenue.
- Fair value changes on convertible debt and warrant liabilities, which drive GAAP results in both directions.
- Plug Symposium 2026 on November 19, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Cash and cash equivalents: $134,131 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $368,540 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Restricted cash: $146,287 thousand current and $322,571 thousand non-current at September 30, 2026.
- Total assets: $2,104,006 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $2,594,568 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Total liabilities: $1,392,625 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $1,591,254 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Total Plug Power Inc. stockholders' equity: $705,896 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $978,069 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Convertible debt instruments, net (non-current): $470,690 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $431,014 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Inventory: $472,426 thousand at September 30, 2026, compared with $520,968 thousand at December 31, 2025.
- Net cash used in operating activities for nine months ended September 30, 2026: $(320,525) thousand. Net cash provided by investing activities: $17,756 thousand, including proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment of $41,035 thousand and proceeds from sale of investment tax credit of $36,148 thousand.
- Net cash used in financing activities for nine months ended September 30, 2026: $(85,108) thousand, including principal repayments of finance obligations and finance leases of $(63,641) thousand and distributions to non-controlling interest of $(16,474) thousand.
Analysis
Plug Power reported third quarter 2026 net revenue of $200,602 thousand, compared with $177,055 thousand in Q3 2025, which the release describes as an approximately 13% increase. The sub-lines show sales of equipment, related infrastructure and other at $105,739 thousand (prior year $96,773 thousand), services at $29,013 thousand (prior year $19,742 thousand), power purchase agreements at $27,710 thousand (prior year $24,604 thousand) and fuel delivered to customers and related equipment at $38,110 thousand (prior year $35,912 thousand). The release gives the fuel line an approximately 6% increase. Gross loss narrowed to $(5,358) thousand from $(120,165) thousand, and the company gives gross margin as approximately (3%) against approximately (68%) a year earlier.
Operating expenses totaled $69,895 thousand against $228,624 thousand, and the release states that this reflects reduced unusual charges and Project Quantum Leap. Impairment fell to $16,631 thousand from $97,524 thousand, and selling, general and administrative expense fell to $68,344 thousand from $110,592 thousand. A gain on sale of property, plant and equipment of $(25,787) thousand appears in operating expenses in Q3 2026 and has no prior-year amount. Operating loss narrowed to $(75,253) thousand from $(348,789) thousand.
GAAP net income attributable to Plug Power was $99,766 thousand, or basic EPS of $0.07, against a loss of $(361,869) thousand and basic EPS of $(0.31) a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $(0.00). The statement of operations shows a change in fair value of convertible debt instruments of $108,284 thousand and a change in fair value of warrant liabilities of $84,166 thousand. The release describes non-cash mark-to-market gains of approximately $192 million, or approximately $0.12 positive of an impact, and states that this gain was the primary reason EPS was positive this quarter. Operating results before these items are therefore still a loss, and the filing does not give an adjusted EPS figure.
On cash, net cash usage fell to approximately $28 million from approximately $61 million in Q2 2026, a reduction of approximately 54%. The company says the improvement reflects underlying business performance rather than capital raising, and that no proceeds came from the ATM program or other capital raises in Q3. Cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, were $134,131 thousand at September 30, 2026, against $368,540 thousand at December 31, 2025. Nine-month net cash used in operating activities was $(320,525) thousand, against $(387,192) thousand in the prior-year period. Balance sheet totals show total assets of $2,104,006 thousand and total stockholders' equity of $711,381 thousand at quarter-end, against $2,594,568 thousand and $1,003,314 thousand at year-end 2025.
The outlook keeps the 2026 revenue growth guidance of 15% to 16% and the target of positive EBITDAS in Q4 2026. The filing itself refers to the substantial fourth quarter revenue growth required to reach the full-year guidance, and to a second-half-weighted revenue cadence. Nine-month revenue of $542,414 thousand is $484,699 thousand in the prior-year period, and the filing does not quantify the Q4 revenue figure needed. The company expects net cash usage may be relatively flat in Q4 2026. No prior outlook was provided, so no comparison against earlier guidance is made here.
Management, verbatim
Our third quarter results reflect continued progress toward a stronger, more profitable Plug.
Jose Luis Crespo, Chief Executive Officer
We grew revenue, improved margins, and significantly reduced cash usage through disciplined execution.
Jose Luis Crespo, Chief Executive Officer
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Prior-year and prior-quarter values for most Q3 2026 line items are not printed in the release (for example, Q2 2026 income statement lines are not given).
- Year-over-year percentage changes for most individual revenue and expense lines are not printed.
- Prior-year nine-month percentage changes are not printed.
- Q2 2026 gross margin, operating expense and net income figures are not printed.
- Actual EBITDAS figure for Q3 2026 or nine months is not reported; only the Q4 2026 target is given.
- Q4 2026 revenue required to achieve the 15% to 16% full-year growth guidance is not quantified.
- Quantified 2026 gross margin, operating expense, tax rate or cash balance guidance is not given.
- Revenue by business line or geography beyond the income statement revenue categories is not reported.
- Prior-year Q3 2026 cash and cash equivalents balance is not printed.
- Share repurchases and dividends are not reported in the filing.
- No previous outlook was provided, so vs_prior_guidance cannot be assessed.
- Free cash flow is not printed in the filing.
Written by an AI language model from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure is checked against the filing text, and a metric the filing does not print, or whose value, prior period and change do not add up, is dropped from the metrics. The model can still misread a table, in the metrics or in the text, so check a number in the filing before you rely on it. Consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.