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Solv Energy, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 1 lowered. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 77% in the quarter: Second-quarter revenue was $951 million, up 77% from $536 million. First-half revenue was $1.628 billion, up 72%. Management attributed the growth to new construction activity and M&A. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $117 million: Q2 Adjusted EBITDA was $117 million, or 12.4% of revenue, against $86 million or 16.1% a year earlier. First-half Adjusted EBITDA was $210 million; the first-quarter release reported $93 million. Source
  • Backlog reached $8.9 billion: Total backlog was approximately $8.9 billion at June 30, 2026, up 44% year over year and from $8.2 billion at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Gross margin fell to 14.7%: Q2 gross margin was 14.7% and adjusted gross margin 15.2%, against 21.1% a year earlier. First-half margins were 15.9% and 16.5%, against 18.2%. Source
  • Share issuance funded debt payoff and buyout: Class A stock issuance netted $844 million. Term debt repayment was $405 million, and purchases of LLC interests totaled $292 million. Source
  • One-time IPO equity award charge: The first half included a one-time non-cash compensation charge tied to modifying and accelerating legacy equity awards at the IPO. Source

“SOLV delivered record financial results through the first half of 2026, driven by strong execution across the business and continued demand from customers who rely on us to build, maintain, and enhance critical energy infrastructure,”

George Hershman, Chief Executive Officer of SOLV Energy

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)$3,870 - $3,970Raised from $3,720 - $3,820
Adjusted Gross Profit SourceFull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)$620 - $660Raised from $610 - $650
Adjusted Gross Margin (%) SourceFull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)16.0% - 16.6%Lowered from 16.4% - 17.0%
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)$485 - $505Raised from $435 - $455
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%) SourceFull year 2026 (year ending December 31, 2026)12.5% - 12.7%Raised from 11.7% - 11.9%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 ranges for revenue, Adjusted Gross Profit, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin were raised from the first-quarter ranges. Source
  • Guidance lowered: The full-year 2026 Adjusted Gross Margin range moved down to 16.0% - 16.6% from 16.4% - 17.0%. Source
  • New: The Roberson Waite Electric acquisition closed on July 1, 2026, after being announced in the first-quarter release. Source
  • New: From the second quarter of 2026, certain annual incentive compensation is classified in cost of revenue rather than SG&A. Source
  • Ended: Management fees paid to American Securities are no longer incurred following the IPO date. Source
  • Ended: Development-related sales are no longer part of ordinary course business operations, according to management. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 77% in the quarter: Second-quarter revenue was $951 million, up 77% from $536 million. First-half revenue was $1.628 billion, up 72%. Management attributed the growth to new construction activity and M&A. Source
  • Net income up in quarter, down in half: Q2 net income was $67 million versus $45 million, from higher operating income and lower interest expense. First-half net income was $39 million, partly offset by an $11 million non-cash loss on debt extinguishment and a $52 million compensation charge. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $117 million: Q2 Adjusted EBITDA was $117 million, or 12.4% of revenue, against $86 million or 16.1% a year earlier. First-half Adjusted EBITDA was $210 million; the first-quarter release reported $93 million. Source
  • Net income to SOLV holders lower: Net income attributable to SOLV Energy, Inc. was $37.6 million in Q2, against $44.3 million a year earlier. $29.2 million was attributed to non-controlling interests and LLC members prior to IPO. Source

Demand and the order book

  • Backlog reached $8.9 billion: Total backlog was approximately $8.9 billion at June 30, 2026, up 44% year over year and from $8.2 billion at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Management cites backlog and momentum: Management cited the growing backlog and momentum across operations as the basis for being well positioned for the rest of the year. Source
  • O&M contracts above 23 GW: Over 23 GW is now under O&M contract, up from nearly 22 GW in the first-quarter release. Source

“With a growing backlog, strong momentum across our operations, and continued focus on execution, we are well positioned for the remainder of the year and are raising our full-year financial guidance.”

George Hershman, Chief Executive Officer of SOLV Energy

Products and customers

  • Built more than 500 plants: Since 2008 the company has built more than 500 power plants totaling over 22 GW, up from 21 GW in the first-quarter release. Services span engineering, procurement, construction, testing and commissioning. Source
  • O&M plant count moved to 152: O&M services cover 152 power plants, down from 155 plants in the first-quarter release, while contracted capacity rose. Source
  • Repair, repowering and SCADA services: Other services include large-scale repair, emergency response, repowering, and end-to-end SCADA and network infrastructure installation. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin fell to 14.7%: Q2 gross margin was 14.7% and adjusted gross margin 15.2%, against 21.1% a year earlier. First-half margins were 15.9% and 16.5%, against 18.2%. Source
  • Prior-year repair and development work: Management attributed part of the year-over-year margin change to 2025 large repair projects and development-related sales that are no longer in ordinary course operations. Source
  • Bonus classification moved to cost of revenue: From Q2, certain annual incentive compensation is classified in cost of revenue rather than SG&A. The company put the first-half effect at over 60 basis points on gross and adjusted gross margin. Source
  • Adjusted gross profit grew: Adjusted gross profit was $145 million in Q2 against $113 million, and $269 million for the first half against $172 million. Source
  • SG&A rose in both periods: SG&A was $52.6 million in Q2 against $41.2 million, and $164.0 million for the first half against $77.2 million. Source

“The addition of Roberson Waite Electric further strengthens our platform and expands the solutions we can provide to our customers.”

George Hershman, Chief Executive Officer of SOLV Energy

Capital, cash and returns to shareholders

  • Cash balance eased to $364 million: Cash and equivalents were $364 million at June 30, 2026, against $395 million at December 31, 2025. First-half operating cash flow was $46.0 million and capital expenditure was $16.0 million. Source
  • Share issuance funded debt payoff and buyout: Class A stock issuance netted $844 million. Term debt repayment was $405 million, and purchases of LLC interests totaled $292 million. Source
  • Distributions to LLC members rose: Distributions to members of SOLV Energy Holdings LLC were $184 million in the first half, against $72 million a year earlier. Source
  • Tax receivable liability now recorded: The tax receivable agreement liability was $241 million at June 30, 2026, against none at year-end, and deferred tax assets were $180 million. Source
  • Share count after IPO: 123,745,401 Class A and 78,646,225 Class B shares were outstanding at June 30, 2026. Source

Acquisitions and strategy

  • Roberson Waite price terms: Roberson Waite Electric cost $40.9 million in cash including closing adjustments, with up to $9.0 million payable in later years subject to performance criteria. Source
  • Utility substation and battery capabilities: Management said the business brings long-standing relationships with major California utilities and turnkey substation and battery storage expertise that complement the transmission and distribution platform. Source
  • First-quarter deal terms: The first-quarter release described total consideration of $45 million, with $36 million payable at closing and the remainder later subject to performance criteria.

Compensation and people

  • One-time IPO equity award charge: The first half included a one-time non-cash compensation charge tied to modifying and accelerating legacy equity awards at the IPO. Source
  • First-quarter non-cash compensation about $65 million: The first-quarter release put non-cash compensation at about $65 million across cost of revenue and SG&A. Q2 non-cash compensation expense was $14.8 million.
  • Management fees ended at IPO: Management fees paid to American Securities stopped after the IPO date; none were recorded in Q2 2026 against $1.2 million in Q2 2025. Source
  • New investor relations vice president: Mike Adams joined in May 2026 as Vice President of Investor Relations, with over 20 years of experience mainly in the energy sector.

Safety and project execution

  • Safety metrics below industry benchmarks: Management said last-twelve-month safety metrics continue to track well below industry benchmarks. Source
  • Second-half project performance built into guidance: Guidance reflects management's current view of project performance from new construction in the second half of 2026. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA add-backs of $6.2 million: Q2 Adjusted EBITDA excludes $6.2 million of private equity fees, transaction, integration and transition costs, and other non-cash items. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total backlog as of June 30, 2026 Sourceapproximately $8.9 billion, 44% growth year over year
Power plants under O&M services Source152 plants, over 23 GW
Power plants built since 2008 Sourcemore than 500 plants, over 22 GW

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Q2 cost of revenue included a write-off of development assets tied to a historical business no longer in service. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The first-quarter release expected closing by the third quarter of 2026. The second-quarter release reports completion on July 1, 2026.
  • Not stated: The second-quarter release updates the full-year 2026 ranges and refers back to the first-quarter presentation for the prior figures. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.