2019
2018
2017
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$174,201
$(326,809)
$1,340,677
Net cash used in investing activities
(362,298)
(682,714)
(626,802)
Net cash provided by financing activities
74,943
255,228
192,045
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.
(2,959)
(13,558)
8,866
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$(116,113)
$(767,853)
$914,786

text: Cash Flows
text: The following table summarizes key cash flow activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in thousands):
text: Operating Activities
text: The increase in net cash provided by operating activities during 2019 was primarily driven by higher cash proceeds from sales of systems projects, including the Sunshine Valley, Sun Streams, and California Flats projects, and advance payments received for sales of solar modules prior to the step down in the U.S. investment tax credit as discussed above. These increases were partially offset by operating expenditures associated with initial ramp of certain Series 6 manufacturing lines and expenditures for the construction of certain projects.
text: Investing Activities
text: The decrease in net cash used in investing activities during 2019 was primarily due to higher net sales of marketable securities and restricted investments, partially offset by proceeds associated with the sale of our interests in 8point3 and its subsidiaries in 2018.
text: Financing Activities
text: The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities during 2019 was primarily the result of lower net proceeds from borrowings under project specific debt financings associated with the construction of certain projects in Australia, Japan, and India.

Questions:
question: What are the reasons for the increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2019?
answer: primarily driven by higher cash proceeds from sales of systems projects, including the Sunshine Valley, Sun Streams, and California Flats projects, and advance payments received for sales of solar modules prior to the step down in the U.S. investment tax credit as discussed above.
question: What are the reasons for the decrease in cash used in investing activities?
answer: The decrease in net cash used in investing activities during 2019 was primarily due to higher net sales of marketable securities and restricted investments, partially offset by proceeds associated with the sale of our interests in 8point3 and its subsidiaries in 2018.
question: What are the reasons for the decrease in cash provided by financing activities?
answer: The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities during 2019 was primarily the result of lower net proceeds from borrowings under project specific debt financings associated with the construction of certain projects in Australia, Japan, and India.
question: What is the increase in cash provided by operating activities from 2018 to 2019?
answer: 501010
derivation: 174,201 - (-326,809) 
scale: thousand
question: What is the difference in net cash and cash equivalents between 2019 and 2018?
answer: 651740
derivation:  (-116,113) - (-767,853) 
scale: thousand
question: What is the percentage decrease in cash provided in financing activities from 2018 to 2019?
answer: 70.64
derivation: (255,228 - 74,943) / 255,228 
scale: percent