TORONTO, Mar 16, 2009 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Canadian Solar Inc. ("the Company" or "we") (Nasdaq: CSIQ) today announced its support and thanks for the Government of Ontario's new feed-in tariffs for renewable solar energy.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO Of Canadian Solar said, "The Province of Ontario, through its bold and creative plan has demonstrated a genuine and exemplary commitment toward renewable energy. We believe the new plan will contribute meaningfully towards addressing the global problems of climate change and pollution resulting from the unsustainable use of fossil fuels. This program sets the stage for other provincial and national authorities in North America to emulate Ontario's example. Of all the renewable energy alternatives, solar is the most attractive from the perspective of long-term viability and environmental footprint. Solar panels have no fuel requirement and the clearest road map for cost reductions among the renewable space. In their rooftop application they minimize the requirement for power transmission lines and associated losses. Canadian Solar, with its industry track record and established presence in North America hopes to play a meaningful role in enabling Ontario's renewable energy goals to be met."

About Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc. is a vertically-integrated manufacturer of silicon, ingots, wafers, cells, solar modules (panels) and custom-designed solar power applications. Canadian Solar delivers solar power products of uncompromising quality to customers worldwide. Canadian Solar's world class team of professionals works closely with our customers to provide them with solutions for all their solar needs. For more information, please visit http://www.csisolar.com.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements for Canadian Solar

Certain statements in this press release including statements regarding expected future financial and industry growth are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future shortage or availability of the supply of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers, including customers of our silicon materials sales; changes in demand from major markets such as Germany; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling price; delays in new product introduction; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F originally filed on June 3, 2008. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today's date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

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    For more information, please contact:

    In Toronto, Canada
    Alex Taylor, IR Director
    Canadian Solar Inc.
    Phone: +1-905-530-2334
    Fax:   +1-905-530-2001
    Email: ir@csisolar.com

    In the U.S.
    Joseph Villalta
    The Ruth Group
    Phone: +1-646-536-7003
    Email: jvillalta@theruthgroup.com
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SOURCE: Canadian Solar Inc.

In Toronto, Canada, Alex Taylor, IR Director of Canadian Solar Inc., (905) 530-2334,
fax (905) 530-2001, ir@csisolar.com; In the U.S., Joseph Villalta of The Ruth Group,
(646) 536-7003, jvillalta@theruthgroup.com for Canadian Solar Inc. Web Site:
http://www.csisolar.com