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Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Dec. 31, 2017 shares
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Canadian Solar Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001375877
Document Type	20-F
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	58,496,685
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents, including consolidated variable interest entities of $4,066 and $33,993 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	$ 561,679	$ 511,039
Restricted cash - current, including consolidated variable interest entities of $25,958 and nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	617,761	487,516
Accounts receivable trade, net of allowance of $26,119 and $32,941 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $2,787 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	358,091	400,251
Accounts receivable, unbilled	1,253	3,425
Amounts due from related parties	26,102	19,082
Inventories	346,092	295,371
Value added tax recoverable, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $4,772 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	94,503	55,680
Advances to suppliers - current, net of allowance of $6,482 and $5,705 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $16 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	61,399	29,312
Derivative assets - current	16,200	12,270
Project assets - current, including consolidated variable interest entities of $114,440 and $171,898 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	1,523,342	1,317,902
Assets held-for-sale	182,797	392,089
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, including consolidated variable interest entities of $2,249 and $12,605 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	296,084	266,826
Total current assets	4,085,303	3,790,763
Restricted cash - non-current	10,695	9,145
Property, plant and equipment, net	747,235	462,345
Solar power systems, net	63,964	112,062
Deferred tax assets - non-current	131,796	229,980
Advances to suppliers - non-current, net of allowance of $13,045 and $13,057 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	38,325	54,080
Prepaid land use rights, including consolidated variable interest entities of $689 and $22,927 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	78,649	48,651
Investments in affiliates	414,215	368,459
Intangible assets, net	10,986	8,422
Goodwill	6,248	7,617
Derivative assets - non-current	10,911	15,446
Project assets - non-current	148,170	182,391
Other non-current assets, including consolidated variable interest entities of $5,834 and $2,708 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	143,130	117,245
TOTAL ASSETS	5,889,627	5,406,606
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings, including consolidated variable interest entities of $69,811 and $214,128 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	1,957,755	1,600,033
Accounts payable, including consolidated variable interest entities of $29,813 and nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	402,964	440,116
Short-term notes payable	572,631	296,663
Amounts due to related parties, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $272 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	6,023	19,912
Other payables, including consolidated variable interest entities of $22 and nil as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	315,321	223,584
Short-term commercial paper		131,432
Advances from customers	51,739	90,101
Derivative liabilities - current	6,121	9,625
Liabilities held-for-sale	185,872	279,272
Financing liabilities - current	407,683	459,258
Other current liabilities, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $7,863 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	201,903	171,070
Total current liabilities	4,108,012	3,721,066
Accrued warranty costs	55,659	61,139
Convertible notes	126,476	125,569
Long-term borrowings	404,341	493,455
Derivative liabilities - non-current	359
Liability for uncertain tax positions	9,264	8,431
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current	5,562	23,348
Loss contingency accruals	25,682	22,654
Financing liabilities - non-current	12,243
Other non-current liabilities, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $6,777 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	82,254	51,554
TOTAL LIABILITIES	4,829,852	4,507,216
Commitments and contingencies (Note 23)
Equity:
Common shares - no par value: unlimited authorized shares, 57,830,149 and 58,496,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	702,162	701,283
Additional paid-in capital	417	(8,897)
Retained earnings	383,681	284,109
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(54,034)	(91,814)
Total Canadian Solar Inc. shareholders' equity	1,032,226	884,681
Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries	27,549	14,709
TOTAL EQUITY	1,059,775	899,390
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 5,889,627	$ 5,406,606

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts receivable trade, allowance	$ 32,941	$ 26,119
Advances to suppliers - current, allowance	5,705	6,482
Advances to suppliers - non-current, allowance	$ 13,057	$ 13,045
Common share, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common shares, shares issued (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149
Common shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149
Cash and cash equivalents
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	$ 33,993	$ 4,066
Restricted cash
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	0	25,958
Accounts receivable trade
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	2,787	0
Value added tax
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	4,772	0
Advances to suppliers
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	16	0
Project assets
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	171,898	114,440
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	12,605	2,249
Prepaid land use rights
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	22,927	689
Other non-current assets
Consolidated variable interest entities, Assets	2,708	5,834
Short-term borrowings
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	214,128	69,811
Accounts payable
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	0	29,813
Due to related parties
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	272	0
Other payables, current
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	0	22
Other current liabilities
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	7,863	0
Other non-current liabilities
Consolidated variable interest entities, Liabilities	$ 6,777	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net revenues:
-Non-related parties	$ 3,221,928	$ 2,605,335	$ 3,363,274
-Related parties	168,465	247,743	104,352
Total net revenues	3,390,393	2,853,078	3,467,626
Cost of revenues:
-Non-related parties	2,641,583	2,216,146	2,821,972
-Related parties	111,212	219,744	68,884
Total cost of revenues	2,752,795	2,435,890	2,890,856
Gross profit	637,598	417,188	576,770
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	156,032	145,367	149,710
General and administrative expenses	230,998	203,789	168,025
Research and development expenses	28,777	17,407	17,056
Other operating income, net	(47,554)	(42,539)	(5,392)
Total operating expenses, net	368,253	324,024	329,399
Income from operations	269,345	93,164	247,371
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(117,971)	(69,723)	(54,148)
Interest income	10,477	10,236	16,831
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	(272)	27,322	(12,196)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	(23,449)	25,406	22,882
Investment income (loss)	(3,607)	(1,532)	2,342
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		2,782
Others			389
Other expenses, net	(134,822)	(5,509)	(23,900)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	134,523	87,655	223,471
Income tax expense	(40,951)	(17,976)	(49,512)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	9,411	(4,404)	(643)
Net income	102,983	65,275	173,316
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests	3,411	26	1,455
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	$ 99,572	$ 65,249	$ 171,861
Earnings per share - basic	$ 1.71	$ 1.13	$ 3.08
Shares used in computation - basic	58,167,004	57,524,349	55,728,903
Earnings per share - diluted	$ 1.69	$ 1.12	$ 2.93
Shares used in computation - diluted	61,548,158	58,059,063	60,426,056

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income	$ 102,983	$ 65,275	$ 173,316
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax of nil):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	39,305	(41,786)	(75,687)
Gain(loss) on commodity hedge	(1,844)	2,083	2,078
Gain(loss) on interest rate swap	(246)	10,375
Comprehensive income	140,198	35,947	99,707
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	2,846	2,656	7,759
Comprehensive income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	$ 137,352	$ 33,291	$ 91,948

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Earnings Attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	Common Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)	Non-Controlling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 716,611	$ 675,236	$ (25,682)	$ 46,999	$ 20,058	$ 12,963	$ 729,574
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		55,161,856
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	171,861			171,861		1,455	173,316
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(81,992)				(81,992)	6,305	(75,687)
Profit distribution to non-controlling interests						(305)	(305)
Share-based compensation	5,966		5,966				5,966
Tax benefit of share-based compensation	853		853				853
Exercise of share options	1,867	$ 1,867					1,867
Exercise of share options (in shares)		803,587
Acquisition of non-controlling interests	1,724		1,724			(2,651)	(927)
Gain on commodity hedge	2,078				2,078		2,078
Disposal of a subsidiary						(4,225)	(4,225)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	818,968	$ 677,103	(17,139)	218,860	(59,856)	13,542	832,510
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		55,965,443
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	65,249			65,249		26	65,275
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(44,416)				(44,416)	2,630	(41,786)
Capital injection from non-controlling interests						1,648	1,648
Issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs	23,408	$ 23,408					23,408
Issuance of ordinary shares, net of issuance costs (in shares)		1,029,661
Deferred tax on issuance costs of ordinary shares	65	$ 65					65
Share-based compensation	7,757		7,757				7,757
Tax benefit of share-based compensation	485		485				485
Exercise of share options	707	$ 707					707
Exercise of share options (in shares)		835,045
Fair value change on derivatives	12,458				12,458		12,458
Disposal of a subsidiary						(3,137)	(3,137)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	884,681	$ 701,283	(8,897)	284,109	(91,814)	14,709	$ 899,390
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		57,830,149					57,830,149
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	99,572			99,572		3,411	$ 102,983
Foreign currency translation adjustment	39,870				39,870	(565)	39,305
Acquisition of subsidiaries						9,994	9,994
Share-based compensation	9,314		9,314				9,314
Exercise of share options	879	$ 879					879
Exercise of share options (in shares)		666,536
Fair value change on derivatives	(2,090)				(2,090)		(2,090)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,032,226	$ 702,162	$ 417	$ 383,681	$ (54,034)	$ 27,549	$ 1,059,775
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		58,496,685					58,496,685

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 102,983	$ 65,275	$ 173,316
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	99,273	95,849	94,217
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	13,976	8,094	1,801
Gain on disposal of solar power systems and other investments	(27,803)	(46,367)
Impairment loss of property, plant and equipment	11,626	22,757	6,992
Impairment loss of project assets	0	2,952	0
Impairment loss of investment	3,686	0	0
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivatives	272	(27,322)	12,196
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated investees	(9,411)	4,404	643
Allowance for doubtful accounts	7,265	(280)	3,673
Write-down of inventories	17,820	19,467	23,013
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		(2,782)
Share-based compensation	9,314	7,757	5,966
Unrealized gain from sales to unconsolidated investees	13,065	9,469	15,637
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable trade	46,337	(33,060)	(63,352)
Accounts receivable, unbilled	2,345	4,688	15,642
Amounts due from related parties	(10,089)	(4,230)	(99,893)
Inventories	(49,024)	(50,557)	50,821
Value added tax recoverable	(38,190)	(11,466)	(22,725)
Advances to suppliers	(15,990)	(30,609)	7,967
Project assets	(128,982)	(6,792)	70,943
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(49,813)	(135,426)	36,745
Other non-current assets	(23,795)	(1,308)	(6,093)
Accounts payable	(27,758)	61,157	(23,975)
Short-term notes payable	243,685	(141,363)	116,453
Amounts due to related parties	33,908	(43,774)	47,522
Other payables	(5,889)	63,828	12,484
Advances from customers	(44,985)	19,710	(30,123)
Other liabilities	(18,774)	(995)	56,542
Accrued warranty costs	(6,726)	(3,847)	12,004
Prepaid land use rights	(30,087)	(19,714)	(16,262)
Liability for uncertain tax positions	833	(6,037)	(1,111)
Goodwill	1,369
Deferred taxes	84,939	(95,629)	(112,263)
Net settlement of derivatives	(1,460)	(1,922)	24,878
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	203,920	(278,073)	413,658
Investing activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(101,985)	50,585	(100,935)
Investments in affiliates	(92,925)	(124,737)	(84,389)
Return of investment from unconsolidated investees	4,233	7,442	1,698
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(276,978)	(286,722)	(90,905)
Purchase of solar power systems	(33,697)	(824,766)	(551,863)
Repayment of loan received from a third party			24,467
Proceeds from disposal of solar power systems	128,768	90,078
Proceeds from insurance claim	43,930	46,801
Proceeds from disposal of investment on subsidiaries		1,899	3,615
Distribution to non-controlling shareholders upon disposal of a subsidiary		(3,137)	(4,225)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash paid	(12,561)		(196,783)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment			216
Net cash used in investing activities	(341,215)	(1,042,557)	(999,104)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	1,646,910	1,841,808	1,436,950
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(2,068,069)	(2,243,003)	(1,308,235)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	690,841	1,076,332	487,228
Profit distribution to a non-controlling interest			(305)
Gross proceeds from issuance of common shares		23,864
Issuance costs paid for common shares offering		(456)
Payment of financing costs		(3,750)	(39,297)
Purchase of shares from non-controlling shareholders			(927)
Proceeds from non-controlling interest		1,648
Proceeds from issuance of warrant			16,378
Proceeds from third party financing liabilities	12,243	415,523	1,685
Proceeds from sales-leaseback arrangement	61,142	96,697	25,246
Distributions to tax equity investors	(9,582)
Repayment of capital lease obligation	(30,128)	(24,191)	(1,107)
Proceeds from short-term commercial paper		134,311
Repayment of short-term commercial paper	(138,953)
Payments for repurchase of convertible notes		(19,667)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	879	707	1,867
Net cash provided by financing activities	165,283	1,299,823	619,483
Effect of exchange rate changes	21,444	(12,312)	(30,501)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	49,432	(33,119)	3,536
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	511,039	553,079	549,543
Less: increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents classified within assets held-for-sale at the end of the year	(1,208)	8,921
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	561,679	511,039	553,079
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	113,513	70,827	49,619
Income taxes paid	45,483	187,876	87,348
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
Reclassification of solar power systems to project assets	4,782	1,362,037	114,131
Unpaid proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries included in prepaid expenses and other current assets		14,604
Property, plant and equipment costs included in other payables	$ 153,017	120,881	34,161
Solar power systems costs included in accounts payables		72,885	115,887
Reclassification of partial interests in project assets to investment in connection with a sale of 51% equity in the project			$ 84,200
Decrease in amounts due from related parties, net of investments in affiliates		$ 65,090

ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES	12 Months Ended
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES	Dec. 31, 2017
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES	1. ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES Canadian Solar Inc. ("CSI") was incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of Ontario in October 2001, and changed its jurisdiction by continuing under the Canadian federal corporate statute, the Canada Business Corporations Act, or CBCA, effective June 1, 2006. CSI and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") design, develop, and manufacture solar wafers, cells and solar power products. In recent years, the Company has increased investment in, and management attention on its total solutions business, which primarily consists of solar power project development and sale, EPC and development services, O&M services, operating solar power projects and sales of electricity, and sales of solar system kits. As of December 31, 2017, major subsidiaries of CSI are included in Appendix 1

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

(b) Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest or variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is a primary beneficiary.

A controlling financial interest is typically determined when a company holds a majority of the voting equity interest in an entity. All intercompany balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company consolidates VIEs when the Company is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the entity. VIEs are entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders, as a group, lack one or more of the following characteristics: (a) direct or indirect ability to make decisions; (b) obligation to absorb expected losses; or (c) right to receive expected residual returns. VIEs must be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively to determine the primary beneficiary, which is the reporting entity that has (a) the power to direct activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIEs economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE for financial reporting purposes. A VIE can have only one primary beneficiary, but may not have a primary beneficiary if no party meets the criteria described above.

When evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, and must therefore consolidate the entity, the Company performs a qualitative analysis that considers the design of the VIE, the nature of its involvement and the variable interests held by other parties. If that evaluation is inconclusive as to which party absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses or residual returns, a quantitative analysis is performed to determine the primary beneficiary.

For the Company's consolidated VIEs, the Company has presented on the consolidated balance sheets, to the extent material, the assets of its consolidated VIEs that can only be used to settle specific obligations of the consolidated VIE, and the liabilities of its consolidated VIEs for which creditors do not have recourse to its general assets outside of the consolidated VIE. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Company and its consolidated VIEs have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition for sales of solar power projects, EPC and development services accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and advances to suppliers, valuation of inventories and provision for firm purchase commitments, provision for contingent liability, impairment of long-lived assets and project assets, the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets, determination of assets retirement obligation ("ARO"), accrual for warranty and the recognition of the benefit from the purchased warranty insurance, fair value estimate of financial instruments including warrants and other types of derivative, accrual for uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, applying acquisition method of accounting to business acquisitions and the grant-date fair value of share-based compensation awards and related forfeiture rates.

(d) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and demand deposits, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal and use, and have original maturities of three months or less when acquired.

Restricted cash represents amounts held by banks, which are not available for the Company's general use, as security for issuance of letters of credit, short-term notes payable and bank borrowings. Upon maturity of the letters of credit, repayment of short-term notes payable or bank borrowings, the deposits are released by the bank and become available for general use by the Company.

(e) Accounts receivable, unbilled

Accounts receivable, unbilled represents revenue that has been recognized in advance of billing the customer. The Company uses the percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenue from EPC and development services and sales of solar power projects when all relevant revenue recognition criteria have been met. Under this accounting method, revenue may be recognized in advance of billing the customer, which results in the recording of accounts receivable, unbilled. Once the Company meets the billing criteria under such contract, it bills the customer and reclassifies the unbilled balance to accounts receivable trade. Billing requirements vary by contract, but are generally structured around completion of certain construction milestones.

(f) Allowance for doubtful receivables

The Company began purchasing insurance from China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation ("Sinosure") since 2009 for certain of its accounts receivable trade in order to reduce its exposure to bad debt loss. The Company provides an allowance for accounts receivable trade using primarily a specific identification methodology. An allowance is recorded based on the likelihood of collection from the specific customer regardless whether such account is covered by Sinosure. At the time the claim is made to Sinosure, the Company records a receivable from Sinosure equal to the expected recovery up to the amount of the specific allowance. The Company had recorded a receivable from Sinosure in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $409 and $9 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively and a corresponding reduction in bad debt expense.

(g) Advances to suppliers

The Company makes prepayments to certain suppliers and such amounts are recorded in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. Advances to suppliers expected to be utilized within twelve months as of each balance sheet date are recorded as current assets and the portion expected to be utilized after twelve months are classified as non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

(h) Inventories

Before 2016, inventories were stated at the lower of cost or market. In 2016, the Company adopted ASU 2015-11 prospectively, and inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value as of December 31, 2016 and 2017. Cost is determined by the weighted-average method. Cost of inventories consists of direct materials and, where applicable, direct labor costs, tolling costs and those overhead costs that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Adjustments are recorded to write down the cost of obsolete and excess inventories to the estimated net realizable value based on historical and forecast demand.

The Company outsources portions of its manufacturing process. These outsourcing arrangements may or may not include transfer of title of the raw materials inventory to third-party manufacturers. Such raw materials are recorded as raw materials inventory when purchased from suppliers. For those outsourcing arrangements in which the title is not transferred, the Company maintains such inventory on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as raw materials inventory while it is in physical possession of the third-party manufacturer. Upon receipt, processed inventory is reclassified to work-in-process inventory and a processing fee is paid to the third-party manufacturer.

For those outsourcing arrangements, characterized as sales, in which title (including risk of loss) is transferred to the third-party manufacturer, the Company is constructively obligated, through raw materials sales agreements and processed inventory purchase agreements, which have been entered into with the third-party manufacturer simultaneously, to repurchase the inventory once processed. In this case, the raw materials remain classified as raw material inventory while in physical possession of the third-party manufacturer and cash is received, which is classified as "advances from customers" on the consolidated balance sheets and not as revenue or deferred revenue. Cash payments for outsourcing arrangements, which require prepayments for repurchase of the processed inventory, are classified as "advances to suppliers" on the consolidated balance sheets. There is no right of offset for these arrangements and accordingly, "advances from customers" and "advances to suppliers" remain on the consolidated balance sheets until the processed inventory is repurchased.

On occasion, the Company enters into firm purchase commitments to acquire materials from its suppliers. A firm purchase commitment represents an agreement that specifies all significant terms, including the price and timing of the transactions, and includes a disincentive for non-performance that is sufficiently large to make performance probable. This disincentive is generally in the form of a take-or-pay provision, which requires the Company to pay for committed volumes regardless of whether the Company actually acquires the materials. The Company evaluates these agreements and records a loss, if any, on firm purchase commitments using the same way as that used to value inventory losses.

(i) Project assets

Project assets consist primarily of capitalized costs relating to solar power projects in various stages of development prior to the intended sale of the solar power projects to a third party. These costs include certain acquisition costs, land costs and costs for developing and constructing a solar power system. Development costs can include legal, consulting, permitting, and other similar costs. Construction costs can include execution of field construction, installation of solar equipment, solar modules and related equipment. Interest costs incurred on debt during the construction phase and all deferred financing costs amortized during the construction phase are also capitalized within project assets.

Solar power projects are preliminarily classified as project assets unless the Company has intention not to sell them to third parties. In that case, they will be classified as solar power systems on the balance sheet. During the development phase, solar power projects are accounted for in accordance with the recognition, initial measurement and subsequent measurement subtopics of ASC 970 — 360, as they are considered in substance real estates. The costs to construct solar power projects are presented as operating activities or investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows, if they are related to project assets or solar power systems, respectively. While the solar power projects are in the development phase, they are generally classified as non-current assets, unless it is anticipated that construction will be completed and the sale will occur within one year.

Once the development of the solar power projects is substantially complete and the projects reach Commercial Operation Date ("COD"), appropriateness of the classification of the solar power projects is re-assessed based on the circumstances at that time. Solar power projects that the Company intends to sell, which meet the criteria of ASC 360-10-45-9 on COD, are classified as project assets-current. Solar power projects that the Company intends to hold and operate to generate electricity are still classified as solar power systems. The Company reclassified solar power systems of $1,202.1 million and $1.0 million to project assets-current, and $160.0 million and $3.8 million to project assets-non-current on the consolidated balance sheet in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The Company reviews project assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company considers a project commercially viable or recoverable if it is anticipated to be sold for a profit once it is either fully developed or fully constructed. The Company considers a partially developed or partially constructed project commercially viable or recoverable if the anticipated selling price is higher than the carrying value of the related project assets. The Company examines a number of factors to determine if the project will be recoverable, the most notable of which include whether there are any changes in environmental, ecological, permitting, market pricing or regulatory conditions that impact the project. Such changes could cause the costs of the project to increase or the selling price of the project to decrease. If a project is not considered recoverable, the Company impairs the respective project assets and adjusts the carrying value to the estimated recoverable amount, with the resulting impairment recorded within operations.

Project assets are often held in separate legal entities which are formed for the special purpose of constructing the project assets, which the Company refers to as "project companies". The Company consolidates project companies as described in note (b) above. The cash paid to the non-controlling interest in connection with disposal of such project companies was recorded as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Company does not depreciate the project assets. Any revenue generated from a solar power system connected to the grid would be considered incidental revenue and accounted for as a reduction of the capitalized project costs for development. If circumstances change, and the Company will begin to operate the project assets for the purpose of generating income from the sale of electricity, the project assets will be reclassified to solar power systems.

(j) Business combination

Business combinations are recorded using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities are recorded at their fair market value at the date of acquisition. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill. The Company charges acquisition related costs that are not part of the purchase price consideration to general and administrative expenses as they are incurred. These costs typically include transaction and integration costs, such as legal, accounting, and other professional fees.

(k) Assets acquisition

When the Company acquires other entities, if the assets acquired and liabilities assumed do not constitute a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition. Assets are recognized based on the cost, which generally includes the transaction costs of the asset acquisition, and no gain or loss is recognized unless the fair value of noncash assets given as consideration differs from the assets' carrying amounts on the Company's books. The costs of asset acquisitions generally include the direct transaction costs of the asset acquisition. If the consideration given is not in the form of cash (that is, in the form of noncash assets, liabilities incurred, or equity interests issued), measurement is based on either the cost to the acquiring entity or the fair value of the assets (or net assets) acquired, whichever is more clearly evident and, thus, more reliably measurable. The cost of a group of assets acquired in an asset acquisition is allocated to the individual assets acquired or liabilities assumed based on their relative fair value and does not give rise to goodwill.

(l) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquired businesses over the estimated fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company does not amortize goodwill but instead test goodwill for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter. The Company performs impairment tests between scheduled annual tests if facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit that has goodwill is less than its carrying value.

The Company may first make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The qualitative impairment test considers various factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, a sustained share price or market capitalization decrease, and any reporting unit specific events. If it is determined through the qualitative assessment that a reporting unit's fair value is more likely than not greater than its carrying value, the two-step impairment test is not required. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is not greater than its carrying value, the Company proceeds to perform the two-step impairment test. The Company may also elect to proceed directly to the two step impairment test without considering such qualitative factors.

The first step in a two-step impairment test is the comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. In accordance with the authoritative guidance over fair value measurements, the Company defines the fair value of a reporting unit as the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company primarily uses the income approach methodology of valuation, which includes the discounted cash flow method, to estimate the fair values of the reporting units.

Significant management judgment is required when estimating the fair value of the reporting units including the forecasting of future operating results and the selection of discount and expected future growth rates that the Company uses in discounting cash flows. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further analysis is required.

If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired, and no further analysis is required. Conversely, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company records an impairment loss equal to the excess, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

The Company performed a qualitative assessment for each of the reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2017 and concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. Accordingly, the two-step goodwill impairment test for the Company's reporting units was not considered necessary.

(m) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs, including interest costs capitalized during the period the asset is brought to its working condition and location for its intended use. The Company expenses repair and maintenance costs as incurred.

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings		20 years
Leasehold improvements		Over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives
Machinery		5-10 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		5 years
Motor vehicles		5 years

Costs incurred in constructing new facilities, including progress payments, capitalized interests and other costs relating to the construction, are capitalized and transferred to property, plant and equipment on completion and depreciation commences from that time.

For property, plant and equipment that has been placed into service, but is subsequently idled temporarily, the Company continues to record depreciation expense during the idle period. The Company adjusts the estimated useful life of the idled assets if the estimated useful life has changed.

(n) Assets held-for-sale

Long-lived assets (disposal group) are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when management commits to a plan to sell the asset; the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition; an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan have been initiated; the sale of the asset is probable within one year; the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a reasonable price in relation to its current fair value; and it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and depreciation (amortization) ceases once the asset is classified as held for sale.

(o) Solar power systems

Solar power systems are comprised of ground-mounted projects and roof top systems that the Company intends to hold for use. The solar power systems are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost consists primarily of direct costs incurred in various stages of development prior to the commencement of operations. For a self-developed solar power system, the actual cost capitalized is the amount of the expenditure incurred for the application of the feed-in tariff ("FIT") or other similar contracts, permits, consents, construction costs, interest costs capitalized, and other costs capitalized. For a solar power system acquired from third parties, the initial costs include the consideration transferred and certain direct acquisition costs. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

When solar power systems is retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the balance sheets and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the solar power systems of 20 to 25 years.

(p) Intangible assets

Intangible assets primarily represent the technical know-how and computer software purchased from third parties. Intangible assets are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition less accumulated amortization, if applicable. Amortization is recorded according to the following table on a straight-line basis for all intangible assets:

Power purchase agreement ("PPA")		Over the estimated useful lives
Technical know-how		10 years
Computer software		1-10 years

(q) Prepaid land use rights

Prepaid land use rights represent amounts paid for the Company's lease for the use right of lands located in China ("PRC") and Japan. Amounts are charged to earnings ratably over the lease periods of 20 to 50 years.

(r) Investments in affiliates

The Company accounts for the investments in affiliates using either the cost or equity method of accounting depending upon whether the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the affiliates. As part of this evaluation, the Company considers the participating and protective rights in the affiliates as well as its legal form. The Company records the cost method investments at historical cost and subsequently record any dividends received from the net accumulated earnings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reductions in the cost of the investment. The Company uses the equity method of accounting for the investments when the Company has the ability to significantly influence the operations or financial activities of the investee. The Company records the equity method investments at historical cost and subsequently adjusts the carrying amount each period for share of the earnings or losses of the investee and other adjustments required by the equity method of accounting. Dividends received from the equity method investments are recorded as reductions in the cost of such investments.

Investments are evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the investment is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial conditions and near term prospects of the affiliates; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded nil, nil and $3,686 impairment charges on its investments, respectively.

(s) Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company assesses the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets when an indicator of impairment has been identified. The Company reviews the long-lived assets each reporting period to assess whether impairment indicators are present. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, a long-lived asset or assets is grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. For long-lived assets, when impairment indicators are present, the Company compares undiscounted future cash flows, including the eventual disposition of the asset group at market value, to the asset group's carrying value to determine if the asset group is recoverable. Assessments also consider changes in asset group utilization, including the temporary idling of capacity and the expected timing of placing this capacity back into production. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Company will recognize an impairment loss based on the fair value of the assets. The Company recorded impairment charges for long-lived assets of $6,992, $22,757 and $11,626 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(t) Interest capitalization

The Company capitalizes interest costs as part of the historical costs of acquiring or constructing certain assets during the period of time required to get the assets ready for their intended use or sell the asset to a customer. The Company capitalizes interest costs to the extent that expenditures to acquire, construct, or develop an asset have occurred and interest costs have been incurred. Interest capitalized for property, plant and equipment, or solar power systems is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the related asset, as the qualifying asset is placed into service. The interest capitalized for project assets forms part of the cost of revenues when such project assets are sold and all revenue recognition criteria are met. Interest capitalization ceases once a project is substantially complete or no longer undergoing construction activities to prepare it for its intended use.

(u) Assets retirement obligation

Certain jurisdictions in which the Company's project assets are located or certain land lease agreements require the removal of the solar power systems when the project is decommissioned. Assets retirement obligation ("ARO") for the estimated costs of decommissioning associated with long-lived assets at a future date are accounted for in accordance with ASC 410-20, Asset Retirement Obligations ("ASC 410-20"). ASC 410-20 requires an entity to recognize the fair value of a liability for an ARO in the period in which it is incurred and a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Upon initial recognition of a liability for an ARO, the asset retirement cost is capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. Over time, the liability is accreted to its expected future value, while the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The Company's ARO included in solar power systems were $1,503 and $109 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(v) Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines, and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a potential material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but the amount cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, is disclosed. Legal costs incurred in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

(w) Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net tax loss carry-forwards and credits using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax liability or asset is expected to be settled or realized. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. Before 2016, the components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were individually classified as current and non-current based on the characteristics of the underlying assets and liabilities, or the expected timing of their use when they did not relate to a specific asset or liability. In 2016, the Company adopted ASU2015-17 prospectively and did not revise prior periods, and as of December 31, 2017, the components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities were all classified as non-current on the consolidated balance sheet.

Income tax expense includes (i) deferred tax expense, which generally represents the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability balance during the year plus any change in valuation allowances; (ii) current tax expense, which represents the amount of tax currently payable to or receivable from a taxing authority; and (iii) non-current tax expense, which represents the increases and decreases in amounts related to uncertain tax positions from prior periods and not settled with cash or other tax attributes. The Company only recognizes tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions when such positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon examination. For such positions, the amount of tax benefit that the Company recognizes is the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than fifty percent likely of being sustained upon the ultimate settlement of such uncertain tax position. The Company records penalties and interests associated with the uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

The Company uses the flow-through method to account for investment tax credits earned on qualifying projects placed into service. Under this method the investment tax credits are recognized as a reduction to income tax expense in the year the credit arises. The use of the flow-through method also results in a basis difference from the recognition of a deferred tax liability and an immediate income tax expense for reduced future tax depreciation of the related assets. Such basis differences are accounted for pursuant to the income statement method.

(x) Revenue recognition

Solar power products

The Company recognizes revenues for solar product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product has occurred and title and risk of loss has passed to the customers, the sales price is fixed or determinable and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. If collectability is not reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue only upon collection of cash. Revenues also include reimbursements received from customers for shipping and handling costs. Sales agreements typically contain the customary product warranties but do not contain any post-shipment obligations nor any return or credit provisions.

A majority of the Company's contracts provide that products are shipped under the term of free on board, or FOB, ex-works, or cost, insurance and freight, or CIF, and delivered duty paid, or DDP. Under FOB, the Company fulfills its obligation to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. The customer has to bear all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that point. Under ex-works, the Company fulfills its obligation to deliver when it has made the goods available at its premises to the customer. The customer bears all costs and risks involved in taking the goods from the Company's premises to the desired destination. Under CIF, the Company must pay the costs, marine insurance and freight necessary to bring the goods to the named port of destination but the risk of loss of or damage to the goods as well as any additional costs due to events occurring after the time the goods have been delivered on board the vessel, is transferred to the customer when the goods pass the ship's rail in the port of shipment. Under DDP, the Company is responsible for making a safe delivery of goods to a named destination, paying all transportation expenses and the duty. The Company bears the risks and costs associated with supplying the goods to the delivery location.

As of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company had inventories of $7.3 million, $5.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively, relating to sales to customers where revenues were not recognized because the collection of payment was not reasonably assured. The delivered products remain as inventories on consolidated balance sheets, regardless of whether title has been transferred. In such cases, the Company recognizes revenue, adjusts inventories and recognizes cost of revenues when payment is collected from customers.

Revenues from sales to customers are recorded net of estimated returns.

The Company enters into toll manufacturing arrangements in which the Company receives cells and returns finished modules. In such cases, the title of the cells received and risk of loss remains with the seller. As a result, the Company does not recognize inventory on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes a service fee as revenue when the processed modules are delivered. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized revenue of $6,764, nil and nil, respectively, under toll manufacturing arrangements.

EPC and development services

The Company uses the percentage-of-completion method to recognize revenues for which the Company provides EPC and development services, unless the Company cannot make reasonably dependable estimates of the costs to complete the contract, in which case the Company would use the completed contract method. The percentage-of-completion method is considered appropriate in circumstances in which reasonably dependable estimates can be made and in which all the following conditions exist: (i) contracts executed by the parties normally include provisions that clearly specify the enforceable rights regarding goods or services to be provided and received by the parties, the consideration to be exchanged, and the manner and terms of settlement; (ii) the buyer can be expected to satisfy all obligations under the contract; and (iii) the contractor can be expected to perform all contractual obligations. The Company uses the cost-to-cost method to measure the percentage of completion and recognize revenue based on the estimated progress to completion. The Company periodically revises its profit estimates based on changes in facts, and immediately recognizes any losses that are identified on contracts. Incurred costs include all direct material, labor, subcontractor cost, and other associated costs. The Company recognizes job material costs as incurred costs when the job materials have been permanently attached or fitted to the solar power projects as required by the engineering design. The construction periods normally extend beyond six months and less than one year.

The percentage-of-completion method of revenue recognition requires the Company to make estimates of net contract revenues and costs to complete contracts. In making such estimates, management judgments are required to evaluate significant assumptions including the amount of net contract revenues, the cost of materials and labor, expected labor productivity, the impact of potential variances in schedule completion, and the impact of any penalties, claims, change orders, or performance incentives.

If estimated total costs on any contract are greater than the net contract revenues, the Company recognizes the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of the revisions to estimates related to net contract revenues and costs to complete contracts, including penalties, claims, change orders, performance incentives, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the period in which revisions to the estimates are identified and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. The effect of the changes on future periods are recognized as if the revised estimates had been used since revenue was initially recognized under the contract. Such revisions could occur in any reporting period, and the effects may be material depending on the size of the contracts or the changes in estimates.

Solar power projects

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of project assets in accordance with ASC 360-20, Real Estate Sales. For these transactions, the Company has determined that the project assets, which represent the costs of constructing solar power projects, represent "integral" equipment and as such, the entire transaction is in substance the sale of real estate and subject to the revenue recognition guidance under ASC 360-20 Real Estate Sales. The Company records the sale as revenue with profit reduced by the maximum exposure to loss using one of the following revenue recognition methods, based upon evaluation of the substance and form of the terms and conditions of such real estate sales arrangements:


	(i)	Full accrual method. The Company records revenue for certain sales arrangements after construction of discrete portions of a project or after the entire project is substantially complete. The Company recognizes revenue and profit using the full accrual method when all of the following requirements are met: (a) the sales are consummated; (b) the buyer's initial and continuing investments are adequate to demonstrate its commitment to pay; (c) the receivable is not subject to any future subordination; and (d) the Company has transferred the usual risk and rewards of ownership to the buyer. Specifically, the Company considers the following factors in determining whether the sales have been consummated: (a) the parties are bound by the terms of a contract; (b) all consideration has been exchanged; (c) permanent financing for which the seller is responsible has been arranged; and (d) all conditions precedent to closing have been performed, and the Company does not have any substantial continuing involvement with the project.
	(ii)	Percentage-of-completion method. The Company applies the percentage-of-completion method, as further described below, to certain real estate sales arrangements where the Company conveys control of land or land rights, (a) when a sale has been consummated; (b) the Company has transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer; (c) the initial and continuing investment criteria have been met; (d) the Company has the ability to estimate its costs and progress toward completion, and (e) all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. The initial and continuing investment requirements, which demonstrate a buyer's commitment to honor their obligations for the sales arrangement, can typically be met through the receipt of cash or an irrevocable letter of credit from a highly creditworthy lending institution. When evaluating whether the usual risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer, the Company considers whether it has or may be contingently required to have any prohibited forms of continuing involvement with the project. Prohibited forms of continuing involvement in a real estate sales arrangement may include the Company retaining risks or rewards associated with the project that are not customary with the range of risks or rewards that an EPC contractor may assume.
	(iii)	Installment method. Depending on whether the initial and continuing investment requirements have been met, and whether collectability from the buyer is reasonably assured, the Company may align its revenue recognition and release of project assets or deferred project costs to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer if the sale has been consummated and the Company has transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer.

On occasion, the Company sells an interest in the project assets to a third party with an option to repurchase those assets in the future. The Company considers that there are continuing involvements in the projects and thus no profit or revenue is recognized. The transactions are accounted for as financing arrangement or profit-sharing arrangement.


	(iv)	Financing method. If the Company determines that it is likely the repurchase option will be exercised, the transactions are accounted for as financing arrangement. All the project assets remain on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The buyer's shares of earnings in the projects, during each period are reflected as interest expenses with a corresponding increase to the respective financing liabilities. Further distributions from the projects are reflected as a decrease to the financing liabilities. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded financing liabilities of $459.3 million and $407.7 million in financing liabilities-current on the consolidated balance sheet, respectively. The balances had been net of distributions of $1.4 million and $9.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
	(v)	Profit-sharing arrangement. If the Company determines that it is unlikely the repurchase option will be exercised, the transactions are accounted for as profit-sharing arrangement. The Company reclassifies the property and any related existing debt assumed by the buyer to an investment account on its balance sheet and any cash received from the buyer is credited to the investment account. The amount will be recorded in investments in affiliates or other liabilities on the balance sheet depending on whether the amount is a debit or credit. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

During 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized $557,132, $22,237 and $632,256 of revenue from the sale of solar power projects using the full accrual method and recognized $863, $428 and nil from sales of power projects using percentage-of-completion method, respectively.

The Company allocates revenue for transactions involving multiple-element arrangements to each unit of accounting on a relative fair value basis. The Company estimates fair value on each unit of accounting on the following basis: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price, if it exists, otherwise, (ii) third-party evidence of selling price. If neither (i) nor (ii) exists, management's best estimate of the selling price for that unit of accounting is used. The Company recognizes revenue for each unit of accounting when the revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Electricity revenue

Electricity revenue is generated primarily from various non-affiliated parties under long-term PPAs and performance based energy incentives. The Company recognizes electricity revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, electricity has been generated and transmitted to the grid, the price of electricity is fixed or determinable and the collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Performance-based energy incentives are awarded under certain state programs for the delivery of renewable electricity. The Company recognizes performance-based energy incentives of electricity revenue generated from solar power systems when the condition attached to it has been met and there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized performance-based energy incentives of $16.1 million, $22.8 million, and $10.9 million, respectively, related to electricity generated and recognized in revenue.

Certain PPAs are accounted for as operating leases in accordance with ASC 840-20, Operating Leases. Minimum lease payments are recognized over the term of the lease and contingent rents are recorded when the achievement of the contingency becomes probable in accordance with the U.S. GAAP. None of the Company's operating leases have minimum lease payments, so revenue from these contracts is recognized as energy and any related renewable energy attributes are delivered. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the total lease income recognized was $6.1 million, $6.2 million, and $2.5 million related to PPAs, respectively.

(y) Shipping and handling costs

Payments received from customers for shipping and handling costs are included in net revenues. Shipping and handling costs relating to sales of $73,008, $68,451 and $79,853, are included in selling expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(z) Research and development

Costs related to the design, development, testing and enhancement of products and silicon reclamation program are included in research and development expenses. Research and development costs are expensed when incurred and amounted to $17,056, $17,407 and $28,777 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(aa) Other operating income, net

Other operating income, net primarily consists of gains or losses on disposal of solar power systems and property, plant and equipment, and government grants received, and compensation from business interruption insurance.

Government grants received by the Company consist of unrestricted and restricted grants and subsidies. Unrestricted grants that allowed the Company's full discretion in utilizing the funds were recognized as other operating income upon receipt of cash and when all the conditions for their receipt have been satisfied. Restricted grants related to prepaid land use rights are recorded as deferred subsidies in other non-current liabilities and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the land use right. In 2017, the Company received government grants related to land use rights of $4,329 and amortized the deferred subsidies of $103 into other operating income.

Business interruption insurance compensation of $15,238 received by the Company in 2017 is related to the finalization of an insurance claim related to the tornado damage to one of cell factories of the Company.

Before 2016, the net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and government grants were included in general and administrative expenses. In 2016, the Company reclassified the prior years' numbers, which are immaterial to the financial statements, to be consistent with current year's presentation.

The following table summarizes the Company's other operating income, net:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Net gain on disposal of solar power system		—			(47,899	)		(27,803	)
Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1,801			8,094			1,960
Government grants		(7,193	)		(2,734	)		(6,473	)
Business interruption insurance compensation		—			—			(15,238	)

		(5,392	)		(42,539	)		(47,554	)

(ab) Warranty cost

Before June 2009, the Company typically sold its standard solar modules with a two-year guarantee for defects in materials and workmanship and a 10-year and 25-year warranty against declines of more than 10% and 20%, respectively, from the initial minimum power generation capacity at the time of delivery. In June 2009, the Company increased its warranty against defects in materials and workmanship to six years.

In August 2011, the Company increased its guarantee for defects in materials and workmanship to ten years and the Company warrants that, for a period of 25 years, its standard solar modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 24th year, the actual annual power output decline of the module will be no more than 0.7%; and (iii) by the end of the 25th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 80% of the labeled power output.

Effective June 2015, the Company warrants that, for a period of 25 years, its polycrystalline modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97.5% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 24th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.7%; and (iii) by the end of the 25th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 80.7% of the labeled power output.

Effective June 2015, the Company warrants that, for a period of 25 years, its monocrystalline modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 24th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.7%; and (iii) by the end of the 25th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 80.2% of the labeled power output. In addition, effective January 1, 2015, the Company lengthened the warranty against decline in its Dymond modules to 30 years and the Company guarantees that, for a period of 30 years, the Dymond modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97.5% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 29th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.5%; and (iii) by the end of the 30th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 83% of the labeled power output.

Effective August, 2016, the Company lengthened the warranty against decline in its Dymond polycrystalline modules to 30 years and the Company warrants that, for a period of 30 years, the Dymond modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97.5% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 29th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.5%; and (iii) by the end of the 30th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 83% of the labeled power output.

Effective August, 2016, the Company warrants that, for a period of 30 years, its Dymond monocrystalline modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the sixth year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.7%; (iii) from the seventh year to the 29th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.5%and (iiii) by the end of the 30th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 81.5% of the labeled power output.

Effective August 2017, the Company warrant that, for a period of 25 years, its PERC monocrystalline modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97.5% of the labeled power output; (ii) from the second year to the 24th year, the actual annual power output cline will be no more than 0.7%; and (iii) by the end of the 25th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 80.7% of the labeled power output.

Effective August 2017, the Company warrant that, for a period of 30 years, our Dymond PERC monocrystalline modules will maintain the following performance levels: (i) during the first year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 97.5% of the labeled power output;(ii) from the second year to the 29th year, the actual annual power output decline will be no more than 0.5%; and (iii) by the end of the 30th year, the actual power output of the module will be no less than 83% of the labeled power output.

In resolving claims under the workmanship warranty, the Company has the option of remedying through repair, refurbishment or replacement of equipment. In resolving claims under the performance warranty, the Company has the right to repair or replace solar modules, at the Company’s option.

For solar power projects built by the Company, the Company provides a limited workmanship or balance of system warranty against defects in engineering design, installation and construction under normal use, operation and service conditions for a period of up to five years following the energizing of the solar power project. In resolving claims under the workmanship or balance of system warranty, the Company has the option of remedying through repair, refurbishment or replacement of equipment. The Company has entered into similar workmanship warranties with its suppliers to back up its warranties.

The Company maintains warranty reserves to cover potential liabilities that could arise under these guarantees and warranties.

Due to limited warranty claims to date, the Company accrues the estimated costs of warranties based on an assessment of its competitors' and its own actual claim history, industry-standard accelerated testing, estimates of failure rates from the Company's quality review, and other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual warranty costs are accumulated and charged against the accrued warranty liability. To the extent that accrual for warranty costs differs from the estimates, the Company will prospectively revise its accrual rate. The Company currently records a 1% warranty provision against the revenue for sales of solar power products.

The Company have entered into agreements with a group of insurance companies with high credit ratings to back up its warranties. Under the terms of the insurance policies, which are designed to match the terms of our solar module product warranty policy, the insurance companies are obliged to reimburse the Company, subject to certain maximum claim limits and certain deductibles, for the actual product warranty costs that the Company incur under the terms of our solar module product warranty policy. The Company records the insurance premiums initially as prepaid expenses and amortize them over the respective policy period of one year. The unamortized carrying amount is $2,531 and $2,850 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively and was included as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets.

The warranty obligations the Company records relate to defects that existed when the product was sold to the customer. The event which the Company is insured against through its insurance policies is the sale of products with these defects. Accordingly, the Company views the insured losses attributable to the shipment of defective products covered under its warranty as analogous to potential claims, or claims that have been incurred as of the product ship date, but not yet reported. The Company expects to recover all or a portion of its obligation through insurance claims. Therefore, the Company's accounting policy is to record an asset for the amount determined to be probable of recovery from the insurance claims (not to exceed the amount of the total losses incurred), consistent with the guidance set forth at ASC 410-30.

The Company considers the following factors in determining whether an insurance receivable that is probable and recoverability can be reasonably estimated: (i) reputation and credit rating of the insurance company; (ii) comparison of the solar module product warranty policy against the terms of the insurance policies, to ensure valid warranty claims submitted by customers will be covered by the policy and therefore reimbursed by the insurance companies; and (iii) with respect to specific claims submitted, written communications from the insurance company are monitored to ensure the claim has been promptly submitted to and accepted by the insurance company, and reimbursements have been subsequently collected. The successfully processed claims provide further evidence that the insurance policies are functioning as anticipated.

To the extent uncertainties regarding the solvency of insurance carriers or the legal sufficiency of insurance claims (including if they became subject to litigation) were to arise, the Company will establish a provision for uncollectible amounts based on the specific facts and circumstances. To date, no provision had been determined to be necessary. In addition, to the extent that accrual for warranty costs differs from the estimates and the Company prospectively revises its accrual rate, this change may result in a change to the amount expected to be recovered from insurance.

As the warranty obligation and related recovery asset do not meet the criteria for offsetting, the gross amounts are reported in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The asset is expected to be realized over the life of the warranty obligation, which is 25 or 30 years and is treated as a non-current asset consistent with the underlying warranty obligation. When a specific claim is submitted, and the corresponding insurance proceeds will be collected within twelve months of the balance sheet date, the Company will reclassify that portion of the receivable as being current. The insurance receivable amounts were $61,879 and $74,872 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and were included as a component of other non-current assets.

The Company made downward adjustments to its accrued warranty costs of $7,467 and other non-current assets of $5,178, for the year ended December 31, 2017, to reflect the general declining trend of the average selling price of solar modules, which is a primary input into the estimated warranty costs. Accrued warranty costs (net effect of adjustments) of $15,876, $9,817 and $19,793 are included in cost of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(ac) Foreign currency translation

The United States dollar ("U.S. dollar" or "$"), the currency in which a substantial amount of the Company's transactions are denominated, is used as the functional and reporting currency of CSI. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar during the year are converted into the U.S. dollar at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing on the transaction date. Transaction gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Gains and losses on intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature (that is, settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future) between consolidated entities are not recognized in earnings, but are included as a component of other comprehensive income.

The financial records of certain of the Company's subsidiaries are maintained in local currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as Renminbi ("RMB"), Euro, Canadian dollar ("CAD"), Japanese yen and British pound ("GBP"), which are their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates and revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average rate for the year. Translation adjustments are reported as foreign currency translation adjustment and are shown as a separate component of other comprehensive income in the statements of comprehensive income.

(ad) Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. For the years presented, total comprehensive income included (i) net income, (ii) foreign currency translation adjustments, (iii) gains and losses on intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature (that is, settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future) between consolidated entities, and (iv) the unrealized gains or losses (effective portion) on derivative instruments that qualify for and have been designated as cash flow hedges.

(ae) Foreign currency risk

The RMB is not a freely convertible currency. The PRC State Administration for Foreign Exchange, under the authority of the People's Bank of China, controls the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in central government policies and to international economic and political developments affecting supply and demand in the China foreign exchange trading system market. The Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in RMB amounted to $538,788 and $702,443 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

(af) Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers and amounts due from related parties.

All of the Company's cash and cash equivalents are held with financial institutions that Company management believes to have high credit quality.

The Company conducts credit evaluations of customers and generally does not require collateral or other security from its customers. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon the age of the receivables and factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers. With respect to advances to suppliers, such suppliers are primarily suppliers of raw materials. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its suppliers' financial conditions. The Company generally does not require collateral or security against advances to suppliers, however, it maintains a reserve for potential credit losses and such losses have historically been within management's expectation.

The prepayments made by the Company are unsecured and expose the Company to supplier credit risk. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, gross prepayments made to individual suppliers in excess of 10% of total advances to suppliers are as follows:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Supplier A		18,260		18,260

(ag) Fair value of financial instruments

The Company applies authoritative guidance for fair value measurements for its financial assets and liabilities. The guidance defines fair value as an exit price representing the amount that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritized the inputs used in measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. The Company's restricted cash balance for all periods presented uses level one fair value inputs.

Level 2—Inputs reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities; or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company's own assumptions incorporated in valuation techniques used to determine fair value. These assumptions are required to be consistent with market participant assumptions that are reasonably available.

(ah) Derivatives instruments and hedging activity

The Company's primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage risks. Depending on the terms of the specific derivative instruments and market conditions, some of the Company's derivative instruments may be assets and others liabilities at any particular point in time. The recognition of gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of these derivative instruments is based on the use of each derivative instrument and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting.

The Company enters into derivatives to hedge its foreign currency risk, exposure to losses from price adjustments of electricity and interest rate risk. When the Company determines to designate a derivative instrument as a cash flow hedge, the Company formally documents the hedging relationship and its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument's effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative that is used in hedging transactions is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. The effective portion of gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are initially deferred in other comprehensive income before being recognized in the statements of operations in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not designated or fail to qualify as effective hedges are recognized in the statements of operations as incurred.

Fair value of the derivative instruments is determined using pricing models developed based on the underlying price of the hedged items. The values are also adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of the counterparty and the Company, as necessary.

(ai) Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) is computed by dividing income (loss) attributable to holders of common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares. Common share equivalents are not included in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share if their effects are anti-dilutive.

(aj) Share-based compensation

The Company's share-based compensation with employees, such as share options, restricted shares and restricted share units ("RSUs"), is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period.

(ak) Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates (or "ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. An entity has the option to apply the provisions of ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this standard recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. In August 2015, the FASB updated this standard to ASU 2015-14, the amendments in this ASU defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09, that the ASU should be applied to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.

The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the period beginning from January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. This approach will be applied to all contracts not complete as of January 1, 2018.

The Company expects this adoption to primarily affect certain energy business sales arrangements currently accounted for under ASC 360-20, which requires the Company to evaluate whether such arrangements have any forms of continuing involvement that may affect the revenue or profit recognition of the transactions, including arrangements with prohibited forms of continuing involvement requiring the Company to reduce the potential profit on a project sale by the maximum exposure to loss. The Company anticipates that ASU 2014-09, which supersedes the real estate sales guidance under ASC 360-20, will result in the earlier recognition of revenue and profit. The Company expects revenue recognition for other sales arrangements, including sales of solar power products, EPC and development services, O&M services and electricity income, to remain materially consistent with the current practice.

Based on the Company's assessment and best estimates of the effects of adopting ASU 2014-09 at the time of the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the Company expects a cumulative-effect adjustment, $1.3 million increase to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2018. The cumulative-effective adjustment is primarily due to the recognition of profit associated with projects sold in 2017, which had previously been deferred under ASC 360-20.

The Company has substantially completed its evaluation of the impact on accounting policies, disclosures, and internal processes and controls the new standard has on its revenue stream. As part of the adoption, the Company has modified certain control procedures and processes, although these updates are not expected to have a material effect on the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

Additionally, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will result in increased footnote disclosures, particularly with regard to (1) revenue-related balance sheet accounts and associated activity in the fiscal period, (2) disaggregation of revenue into appropriate categories, (3) unsatisfied performance obligations, (4) the pro-forma impact of changes to the Company's financial statements in the initial year of adoption, and (5) qualitative disclosures related to the nature and terms of the Company's sales, timing of the transfer of control and judgments used in the application of the five-step process.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10)-Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. The guidance also eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for organizations that are not public business entities and the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. This accounting standards update does not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)". Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date including a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). This new guidance requires modified retrospective application and becomes effective for the Group in the first quarter of 2019, but early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this update to determine the full impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and related disclosures, as well as the impact of adoption on policies, practices and systems. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has $80.2 million of future minimum operating lease commitments that are not currently recognized on the consolidated balance sheet (see note 23). Therefore, the Company expects material changes to its consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. The objective of this amendment is part of the FASB's Simplification Initiative as it applies to several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The effective date of the amendment is for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2016 and interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted the ASU for the year ended December 31, 2017 and has already considered the impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and the effects upon adoption are not material.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)". The pronouncement changes the impairment model for most financial assets, and will require the use of an "expected loss" model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect a material impact to its consolidated financial statement upon adoption of this ASU.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 which amends the guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and is applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. The Company will adopt this ASU on its effective date of January 1, 2018 and is in the process of evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In October, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 230)—Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory", which removes the prohibition in ASC 740 against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The ASU, which is part of the Board's simplification initiative, is intended to reduce the complexity of U.S. GAAP and diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property (IP). For public business entities, the ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of a fiscal year for which neither the annual or interim (if applicable) financial statements have been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash", which clarifies the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statements of cash flows. Under ASU 2016-18 restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statements of cash flows. This ASU should be applied retrospectively and becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, but early adoption is permitted. Currently the changes in restricted cash were included in the investing activities in the cash follow statement with the amounts of $(100.9) million, $50.6 million and $(102.0) million for the year of 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. The Company plans to adopt this ASU for the fiscal year beginning from January 1, 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business". The update affects all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The update is intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The update provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business, and also provides more consistency in applying the guidance, reducing the costs of application, and making the definition of a business more operable. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The guidance should be applied prospectively upon its effective date. The effect of ASU 2017-01 on the consolidated financial statements will be dependent on any future acquisitions.

In January, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under the ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. For public business entities that are SEC filers, the guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a significant impact to its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation", to provide clarity and reduce complexity on when to apply modification accounting to existing share-based payment awards. The guidance will be applied prospectively. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. This accounting standards update does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

BUSINESS COMBINATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

BUSINESS COMBINATION

BUSINESS COMBINATION

3. BUSINESS COMBINATION

Acquisition of Recurrent

On March 30, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in Recurrent Energy, LLC ("Recurrent"), a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Through its subsidiaries, Recurrent engages in developing, building, operating and sales of utility scale and commercial solar systems. Subsequent to the acquisition, Recurrent has become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and operates and develops its major solar project pipeline in the United States.

The purchase price of Recurrent was allocated to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired was allocated to goodwill.

The Company acquired Recurrent for a total cash consideration of approximately $261.4 million. The fair values assigned are based on reasonable methods applicable to the nature of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table summarized the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		108.4
Restricted cash		38.2
Project assets		233.5
Solar power systems, net		46.8
Other assets		40.2
Less: Long term borrowings and notes payable		165.2
Other liabilities		51.4

Total identifiable net assets		250.5


Goodwill		10.9

The goodwill is allocated to each project under Recurrent with respect to their fair value. None of the goodwill recognized from the acquisition of Recurrent is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Goodwill recognized from this acquisition reflects the current value of the expected future income resulting from synergies of the Company's combined operations. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, nil and $1,369 million goodwill have been included in the cost of revenues with the sales of the related project assets, respectively.

Revenue of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 included $266.9 million generated from Recurrent since acquisition day, and net income of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015 included $3.5 million net income from Recurrent since acquisition, respectively.

Acquisition of SSM

On September 28, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests in SSM1 Solar ULC, SSM2 Solar ULC, and SSM3 Solar ULC (together as "SSM"). Subsequent to the acquisition, SSM have become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company and operates and develops its solar project pipeline in Canada.

The Company acquired SSM for a total cash consideration of approximately $59.0 million. The following table summarized the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		8.1
Solar power systems.		141.9
Intangible assets		72.0
Other assets		11.7
Less: Short-term borrowings		7.4
Long-term borrowings		134.6
Other liabilities		32.7

Total identifiable net assets		59.0

No bank fees, legal costs and accounting costs associated with the acquisition have been expensed and recorded within general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. On February 1st, 2017, the Company completed the sale of SSM to Fengate SSM Holdco LP for approximately $200.2 million.

Acquisition of Gaochuangte

On December 17, 2009, CSI Cells Co., Ltd. ("SZCC") established a joint venture, Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Co., Ltd. ("Gaochuangte"). SZCC held 40% equity interests and accounted for the investment using equity method. On June 30, 2017, SZCC paid RMB 220.6 million ($33,761) to acquire additional 40% equity interest of Gaochuangte and Gaochuangte becomes the Company's 80% owned subsidiary. The following table summarized the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date:

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		21.2
Accounts receivable.		20.0
Fixed assets		2.0
Other assets		25.8
Less: Accounts payable		13.1
Other liabilities		3.9

Total identifiable net assets		52.0

Less: Non-controlling interests		10.9
Less: Net assets belongs to CSI before acquisition		7.3

		33.8

Pro forma results of acquisitions (unaudited)

The following pro forma condensed consolidated financial results of operations are presented as if the acquisitions described above had been completed at the beginning of the comparable annual reporting period. Specifically, the pro forma results give effect as though the acquisition of Gaochuangte were consummated on January 1, 2016.

	For the year end December 31
	2016		2017
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, expect per share data)
Pro forma revenues		2,873,713		3,419,421
Pro forma net income attributable to CSI		65,994		100,007
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CSI		1.14		1.70

The pro forma condensed consolidated financial information has been prepared for comparative purposes only. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the combinations occurred at the beginning of each period presented or of future results of the consolidated entities.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

4. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Allowance for doubtful accounts are comprised of allowances for accounts receivable trade, advances to suppliers and other receivables.

An analysis of allowances for accounts receivable, trade for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		31,817			28,156			26,119
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net		(1,084	)		(854	)		5,345
Accounts written-off against allowances		(858	)		(47	)		(174	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1,719	)		(1,136	)		1,651

Closing balance		28,156			26,119			32,941

An analysis of allowances for advances to suppliers for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		37,735			28,629			19,527
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net		1,291			(5,427	)		(833	)
Accounts written-off against allowances		(9,465	)		(3,644	)		—
Foreign exchange effect		(932	)		(31	)		68

Closing balance		28,629			19,527			18,762

An analysis of allowances for other receivables for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		830			3,885			9,251
Allowances made during the year, net		3,257			5,954			549
Foreign exchange effect		(202	)		(588	)		549

Closing balance		3,885			9,251			10,349

INVENTORIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Raw materials		71,655		90,299
Work-in-process		22,776		59,576
Finished goods		200,940		196,217

		295,371		346,092

In 2015, inventory was written down by $23,013 to reflect the lower of cost or market measurement. In 2016 and 2017, inventory was written down by $19,467 and $17,820, respectively, to reflect the lower of cost and net realizable value since the Company adopted ASU 2015-11 prospectively.

PROJECT ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

PROJECT ASSETS

PROJECT ASSETS

6. PROJECT ASSETS

Project assets consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Project assets—Acquisition cost		38,298		40,094
Project assets—EPC and other cost		1,461,995		1,631,418

		1,500,293		1,671,512


Current portion		1,317,902		1,523,342
Non-current portion		182,391		148,170

The Company recorded impairment charges and write-off for project assets of nil, $2,952 and nil for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE

7. ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE

The Company was in negotiation with a number of potential buyers to sell certain solar power projects in operation in Spain, Japan and the United Kingdom. Solar power projects meeting the conditions of being classified as held for sale were presented as assets held-for-sale and associated liabilities were presented as liabilities held-for-sale on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company's assets of solar power projects held for sale as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 were as follows:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Cash and cash equivalents		8,921		7,714
Restricted cash—current		41		129
Accounts receivable trade, net		6,555		1,161
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		7,427		8,394
Solar power systems, net		290,613		165,312
Intangible assets, net		68,438		—
Other non-current assets		10,094		87

Total assets held-for-sale		392,089		182,797

The Company's liabilities of solar power projects held for sale as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 were as follows:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Short-term borrowings		12,221		4,862
Accounts payable		880		100
Other payables		13,240		2,022
Derivative liabilities-current		3,863		—
Other current liabilities		1,537		918
Long-term borrowings		224,545		161,323
Derivative liabilities—non-current		16,672		4,024
Other non-current liabilities		6,314		12,623

Total liabilities held-for-sale		279,272		185,872

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Buildings		187,179			340,215
Leasehold improvements		9,023			11,498
Machinery		458,624			698,150
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		44,443			50,310
Motor vehicles		4,653			5,782
Land		13,451			18,647

		717,373			1,124,602
Accumulated depreciation		(402,792	)		(462,128	)
Impairment		(17,601	)		(7,933	)

		296,980			654,541
Construction in process		165,365			92,694

Property, plant and equipment, net		462,345			747,235

Depreciation expense of property, plant and equipment was $80,642, $72,813 and $88,931 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Construction in process primarily represents production facilities under construction and the machinery under installation.

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET

9. SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET

Solar power systems, net consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Solar power systems in operation		120,935			74,488
Solar power systems under construction		4,782			4,710
Accumulated depreciation		(13,655	)		(15,234	)

Solar power systems, net		112,062			63,964

For the years ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed construction of certain solar power projects and transferred from solar power systems to project assets totaling $4.8 million. In connection with decisions to sell certain operating solar power projects, the Company reclassified solar power systems of $42.0 million to assets held-for-sale, of which $40.8 million was sold, during the year ended December 31, 2017. Depreciation expense of solar power systems was $11,340, $16,492 and $5,683 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

10. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

The following table summarizes the Company's intangible assets:

At December 31, 2017	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	$		$			$
Technical know-how		2,334		(1,371	)		963
Computer software		20,883		(10,860	)		10,023

Total intangible assets, net		23,217		(12,231	)		10,986

At December 31, 2016	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	$		$			$
Technical know-how		1,431		(1,183	)		248
Computer software		15,884		(7,710	)		8,174

Total intangible assets, net		17,315		(8,893	)		8,422

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were $2,235, $6,544 and $4,659, respectively.

Amortization expenses of the above intangible assets are expected to be approximately $2.8 million, $2.8 million, $2.1 million, $1.6 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and thereafter, respectively.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The Company measures at fair value its financial assets and liabilities by using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., an exit price) on the measurement date in an orderly transaction between market participants.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the following financial assets and liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial recognition using the type of inputs shown as follows:

	Fair Value Measurements Using
At December 31, 2017	Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	$		$		$		$
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts		12,316		—		12,316		—
Commodity hedge		3,416		—		3,416		—
Interest rate swap		11,379		—		11,379		—

Total assets		27,111		—		27,111		—


Liabilities:
Interest rate swap		1,359		—		1,359		—
Foreign exchange forward contracts		5,121		—		5,121		—

Total liabilities		6,480		—		6,480		—

	Fair Value Measurements Using
At December 31, 2016	Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	$		$		$		$
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts		10,632		—		10,632		—
Commodity hedge		4,230		—		4,230		—
Interest rate swap		12,854		—		12,854		—

Total assets		27,716		—		27,716		—


Liabilities:
Interest rate swap		5,418		—		5,418		—
Warrants		711		—		711		—
Foreign exchange forward contracts		3,496		—		3,496		—

Total liabilities		9,625		—		9,625		—

Foreign exchange forward contracts

The Company entered into certain foreign currency derivative contracts to protect against volatility of future cash flows caused by the changes in foreign exchange rates. The foreign currency derivative contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and, as a result, the changes in fair value of the foreign currency derivative contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company's foreign currency derivative instruments relate to foreign exchange options or forward contracts involving major currencies such as Japanese yen, Euro, Canadian dollar and Renminbi. Since its derivative instruments are not traded on an exchange, the Company values them using valuation models. Interest rate yield curves and foreign exchange rates are the significant inputs into these valuation models. These inputs are observable in active markets over the terms of the instruments the Company holds, and accordingly, the fair value measurements are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. The Company considers the effect of its own credit standing and that of its counterparties in valuations of its derivative financial instruments.

Commodity hedge

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company entered into a fixed for floating energy commodity swap with a financial institution to hedge cash flows associated with electricity sales of the Astoria project in the U.S. for the period between expected COD and commencement of the long term PPA with the off taker in January 2019. The swap contract was designated as a cash flow hedge at inception and is anticipated to be effective through its two-year term that ends on December 31, 2018. The fair value of the swap contract was $4,230 and $3,416, an asset position, recorded in derivative assets on the balance sheet at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The effective portion of gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are initially deferred in other comprehensive income before being recognized in the statements of operations in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not designated or fail to qualify as effective hedges are recognized in the statements of operations as incurred.

Fair value of the commodity swap is determined using pricing models developed based on the underlying commodity price of electricity and adjusted to reflect nonperformance risk of the counterparty and the Company, as necessary, which are considered Level 2 inputs.

Interest rate swap

SSM, which the Company acquired on September 28, 2015, entered into fixed for floating interest rate swaps with a financial institution to hedge the interest rate risk resulting from fluctuations in interest rates on its project construction debts with notional amount totaling CAD186.0 million ($133.9 million), which will expire in 2029. The interest rate swaps had not been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. The total estimated fair value of the swap contracts was $3,863 and nil, a liability position, as of December 31, 2016 and recorded in liabilities held-for-sale on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, respectively, and the change in its fair value was recorded in gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company entered into fixed for floating interest rate swaps with two financial institutions to hedge the interest rate risk on its project debts obtained in the United Kingdom with notional amount totaling GBP78.4 million ($96.8 million), which will expire between 2033 and 2034. The interest rate swaps had been designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

Together with interest rate swap contracts of total notional amounts of approximately $399.0 million entered into for Recurrent projects upon the exercise of the swaption and designated as cash flow hedges, the total estimated fair value of the swap contracts was recorded as derivative assets of $11,379 and derivative liabilities of $1,359 on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. The effective portion of gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are initially deferred in other comprehensive income before being recognized in the statements of operations in the same period as the hedged transactions are reflected in earnings. Gains and losses on derivatives that are not designated or fail to qualify as effective hedges are recognized in the statements of operations as incurred.

The estimated fair value of interest rate swaps was measured based on observable market data, which are considered Level 2 inputs.

Warrants

The fair value of the warrants (see Note 28) was determined using the Binomial model, with certain inputs significant to the valuation methodology classified as Level 2 inputs.

The fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:

	Fair Value of Derivative Assets
	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Derivative assets—current		10,632	Derivative assets—current		12,316
Commodity hedge	Derivative assets—current		1,638	Derivative assets—current		3,416
Interest rate swap	Derivative assets—current		—	Derivative assets—current		468
Commodity hedge	Derivative assets—non-current		2,592	Derivative assets—non-current		—
Interest rate swap	Derivative assets—non-current		12,854	Derivative assets—non-current		10,911

	Total		27,716	Total		27,111

	Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities
	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Derivative liabilities—current		3,496	Derivative liabilities—current		5,120
Warrants	Derivative liabilities—current		711	Derivative liabilities—current		—
Interest rate swap	Derivative liabilities—current		5,418	Derivative liabilities—current		1,001
Interest rate swap	Derivative liabilities—non-current		—	Derivative liabilities—non-current		359

	Total		9,625	Total		6,480

		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operations
		Years Ended December 31
	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operations	Years Ended December 31
		2015			2016			2017
		$			$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(3,738	)		4,798			(2,638	)
Warrants	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(8,887	)		24,554			711
Commodity hedge	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(7	)		75			—
Interest rate swaption	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(107	)		(4,335	)		—
Interest rate swap	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		543			2,230			1,655

	Total		(12,196	)		27,322			(272	)

The Company measures certain long-lived assets or long-term investments at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods after initial measurement in circumstances when the fair value of such assets is below its recorded cost and impairment is required.

The Company recorded impairment charges for certain idle assets of $6,992, $22,757 and $11,626 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The fair value of these assets was measured based on prices offered by unrelated third-party willing buyers and classified as level 3 fair value measurements as the offering prices are not observable.

The Company also holds financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, but whose fair value is required to be disclosed under the U.S. GAAP.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade receivables, billed and unbilled, amounts due from related parties, accounts payables, short-term notes payable, amounts due to related parties and short-term borrowings approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Long-term borrowings were $493,455 and $404,341 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, which approximate their fair values since most of the borrowings contain variable interest rates. The fair value of long-term borrowings was measured based on discounted cash flow approach, which is classified as level 2 as the key inputs can be corroborated with market data.

The carrying value of the Company's outstanding convertible notes was $125.6 million and $126.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, which approximates the fair value.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

12. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Since 2016, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, CSE Japan Investment Company Limited, entered into silent partnership agreements with various Japan project companies, for the purpose of raising project finance bonds arranged by Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. Under the silent partnership agreements, the project entities are considered VIEs in which the Company has no equity interests, but is entitled to substantially all of the economic interests of the projects. In addition, the Company has the power to make decisions over the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the projects under the asset management agreement signed simultaneously between the project companies and Canadian Solar Project K.K, a subsidiary of the Group. As such, the Company concluded it was the primary beneficiary of the project companies and thus these project companies were accounted for as consolidated VIEs for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amounts and classifications of the consolidated VIEs' assets and liabilities, excluding intercompany balances which are eliminated upon consolidation, included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

	At December 31, 2017
	$
Current assets		226,071
Non-current assets		25,635

Total assets		251,706


Current liabilities		222,263
Non-current liabilities		6,777

Total liabilities		229,040

All of the assets are restricted for settlement of the VIEs' obligations, and all of the liabilities can only be settled using VIE resources. Net income and overall cash flow activities during the year are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

13. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Investments in affiliates consist of the following:

	At December 31,
	2016				2017
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
	$		(%)		$		(%)
Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Co., Ltd.		7,049		40		—		—
CSI SkyPower		3,749		50		—		—
RE Tranquillity Holdings LLC ("Tranquillity")		143,951		49		145,795		49
RE Silverlake Holdings LLC ("Garland")		118,641		49		120,247		49
RE Roserock Holdings LLC ("Roserock")		30,870		49		77,053		49
Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.		12,974		6		14,129		6
Pirapora Solar Holding S.A.		13,775		20		6,551		20
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc.		—		—		23,866		14.76
Others		37,450		21-49		26,574		21-49

Total		368,459				414,215

Tax equity transactions

In 2015, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Recurrent, entered into the following tax equity transactions:

In August 2015, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the class A membership interests of RE Tranquillity Holdings LLC, the holding company of the Tranquillity project companies, to Southern Power ("Southern"), a subsidiary of Southern Company. The Company maintains 100% ownership in the class B membership interests of RE Tranquillity Holdings LLC. Southern paid the Company an initial contribution of $100 million in cash for the class A membership interests in RE Tranquillity Holdings LLC.

In October 2015, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the class A membership interests of RE Silverlake Holdings LLC, the holding company of the Garland project companies, to Southern. The Company maintains 100% ownership in the class B membership interests of RE Silverlake Holdings LLC. Southern paid the Company an initial contribution of $49 million in cash for the class A membership interests in RE Silverlake Holdings LLC.

In December 2015, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the class A membership interests of RE Roserock Holdings LLC, the holding company of the Roserock project companies, to Southern. The Company maintains 100% ownership in the class B membership interests of RE Roserock Holdings LLC. Southern paid the Company an initial contribution of $45 million in cash for the class A membership interests in RE Roserock Holdings LLC.

Under the LLC agreements, the class A membership interests and class B membership interests will receive 51% and 49%, respectively, of future cash flow distributions, and Southern is entitled to substantially all of the projects' federal tax benefits.

Effective with the sale of the class A membership interests, the Company ceased having controlling financial interests in Tranquillity, Roserock and Garland, and accounted for the transactions as partial sales of real estates under ASC360-20. The Company also considered that it would continue to exercise significant influences over its retained interests in and has accounted for these interests pursuant to the equity method of accounting.

Under this method, the Company recognizes its equity in earnings attributable to class B membership interests according to its proportionate share of investees' operating cash flows. Additionally, the Company amortizes the basis difference between the cost of investment and its proportionate share of the investees' net assets over the estimated lives of the related assets.

In connection with these sales to Southern in 2015, $190.4 million was recognized as revenue, and with the loss of controlling financial interests in Tranquillity, Garland and Roserock, the Company derecognized net assets of $93.9 million, $56.4 million and $23.5 million, respectively, and recognized its class B membership interests in investments in affiliates.

Subsequent to sales of the class A membership interests, the Company further contributed $123.2 million and nil to the projects in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Other investments

On December 17, 2009, SZCC established a joint venture, Gaochuangte, for total cash consideration of $2,929. SZCC holds 40% voting interests and one of the three board members is designated by SZCC and, as such, SZCC is considered to have significant influence over the investee. On July 4, 2011, Gaochuangte increased its share capital and SZCC paid $3,119 in proportion to its ownership percentage. On June 30, 2017, SZCC paid $32,351 to increase its ownership to 80%, became the Company's 80% owned subsidiary.

On July 4, 2011, CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") ("SZSP") acquired 10% interests in a joint venture, GCL-CSI (Suzhou) Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., for cash consideration of $2,549. SZSP is able to exercise significant influence over the investee through its representative in the board. In September 2016, the Company sold its entire interests in the investee.

On May 23, 2012, CSI established a joint venture, CSI SkyPower, for cash consideration of $3,429. In August 2013, CSI SkyPower increased its share capital, and CSI paid $4,000 in proportion to its ownership percentage. CSI holds a 50% voting interests and two of the four board members are designated by CSI and, as such, CSI is considered to have significant influence over the investee. In December 2017, the Company provided full impairment on this investment due to deterioration of the investee's financial position.

In December 2014, CSI sold its 95% equity interests in two solar power project companies, Discovery Light and Foto Light, to a third party buyer. In June 2016, the Company sold the remaining 5% equity interests of the two project companies.

In March 2015, CSI sold its 95% equity interests in a project company, City Light, to a third party buyer. In June 2016, the Company sold the remaining 5% equity interests of this project company.

On September 8, 2015, SZSP established an entity, Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., for cash consideration of $13,860, in which the Company holds 6% voting interests. One of five board members is designated by SZSP and, as such SZSP is considered having significant influence over the investee and the equity method is used in this investment.

On October 7, 2016, CSI entered into a shareholders' agreement with EDF EN do Brasil ("EDF"), a subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles, pursuant to which EDF owned 80% equity interests in Pirapora I project companies previously transferred from CSI and the Company retained the remaining 20% equity interests.

On October 26, 2017, Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc. ("CSIF") priced its initial public offering of 177,800 investment units at 100,000 Japanese yen per unit, before underwriting discounts. Of the units included in the offering, the Company purchased 25,395 units as the designated purchaser. The Company has held 26,895 units including initial private investment of 1,500 units. On November 22, 2017, due to the exercise of over-allotment issuance by Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., by 2,890 units, the total 182,190 units have issued by CSIF as of December 31, 2017, the Company owned 14.76% of total units. One out of the three members of the board of directors of CSIF represents the Company. The quorum for a board resolution of CSIF is a majority of the members of the board of directors, and the adoption of a resolution requires a majority of the votes presents.

Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees were $(643), $(4,404) and $9,411 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

BORROWINGS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

BORROWINGS

BORROWINGS

14. BORROWINGS

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings		1,960,893		2,043,974

Analysis as:
Short-term		902,348		829,035
Long-term, current portion		675,857		860,954

Subtotal for short-term		1,578,205		1,689,989
Long-term, non-current portion		382,688		353,985

Borrowings from non-banking institutions		132,595		318,122

Analysis as:
Short-term		—		270
Long-term, current portion		21,828		267,496

Subtotal for short-term		21,828		267,766
Long-term, non-current portion		110,767		50,356

Total		2,093,488		2,362,096

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had contractual credit facilities of $3,477,650 and $455,507 was available for draw down upon demand. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, the Company also had non-binding credit facilities of $485,869.

As of December 31, 2017, short-term borrowings of $1,582,100 and long-term borrowings of $266,133 were secured by property, plant and equipment with carrying amounts of $206,689, inventories of $111,437, prepaid land use rights of $52,513, equity of $789,204, restricted cash of $219,377, accounts receivable of $253,164 and project assets and solar power systems of $1,546,819.


a)	Short-term

The Company's short-term borrowings consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings
Short-term bank borrowings secured by restricted cash		266,685		267,507
Short-term bank borrowings secured by inventories		46,408		7,652
Short-term bank borrowings secured by prepaid land use rights and property, plant and equipment		211,263		248,502
Short-term bank borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		82,079		2,700
Unsecured short-term borrowings		295,913		302,674
Long-term borrowings due within one year
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by prepaid land use rights and property, plant and equipment		16,919		8,313
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by project assets and solar power systems		630,696		690,283
Long-term bank borrowings due within one year secured by equity		18,765		151,000
Unsecured long-term borrowings due within one year		9,477		11,358

		1,578,205		1,689,989
Borrowings from non-banking institutions
Short-term borrowings secured by project assets		—		270
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by project assets		2,640		205,873
Unsecured long-term borrowings due within one year		19,188		61,623

		21,828		267,766

Total		1,600,033		1,957,755

The average interest rate on short-term borrowings was 3.45% and 3.31% per annum for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Certain long-term borrowings were classified as current liabilities because these borrowings are associated with certain solar power projects that are expected to be sold within one year.


b)	Long-term

The Company's long-term borrowings consist of the following:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings
Unsecured long-term bank borrowings		—		87,852
Long-term bank borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		27,100		24,640
Long-term bank borrowings secured by property, plant and equipment		15,588		83,329
Long-term bank borrowings secured by equity		340,000		150,000
Long-term borrowings secured by inventory		—		8,164

		382,688		353,985
Borrowings from non-banking institutions
Long-term borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		49,767		—
Unsecured long-term borrowings		61,000		50,356

		110,767		50,356

Total		493,455		404,341

The average interest rate on long-term borrowings was 3.75% and 3.06% per annum for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Future principal repayments on the long-term borrowings are as follows:

2018		1,128,450
2019		332,956
2020		42,775
2021		12,873
2022		5,637
Thereafter		10,100

Total		1,532,791
Less: future principal repayment related to long-term borrowings, current portion		(1,128,450	)

Total long-term portion	$	404,341

On June 20, 2013, Canadian Solar New Energy (Tumushuke) Co. Ltd., the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, entered into a loan agreement, denominated in RMB, with China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch ("CDB"). The total credit facility under this agreement is $41,312 and used to finance the project costs. The outstanding borrowing under this agreement equaled $24,946 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment semi-annually and matures in 2026. The loan is secured by solar power systems. As at December 31, 2017, the Company met all the requirements of the financial covenants.

On August 28, 2013, CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") entered into a financing agreement, denominated in RMB, with CDB, pursuant to which CDB agreed to provide long-term financing of $7,652 for the construction of solar power projects in Suzhou National New and High-tech Industrial Development Zone. The outstanding borrowing under this agreement equaled $3,826 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment semi-annually and matures in 2021. The loan is secured by project assets and guaranteed by Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc. As at December 31, 2017, the Company met all the requirements of the financial covenants.

On June 25, 2014, CSI-GCL (Yan Cheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ("YCSM") entered into a financing agreement, denominated in RMB, with local Chinese state-owned companies, which agreed to provide long-term construction financing of $64,277 for the construction of solar power projects and production line construction in Yancheng, Jiangsu. The facility is free of securities, financial covenants or restrictions. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement equaled $52,924 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment of $19,944, $26,093 and $6,887 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

On November 25, 2015, Recurrent entered into a facility agreement for $150,000 with Ping An Bank, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Branch, to finance its project development and operation. The outstanding borrowing under this agreement was $150,000 at December 31, 2017, which requires full repayment in 2019. The loan is secured by 100% LLC interests of Recurrent and guaranteed by CSI and CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. As at December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all requirements of the financial covenants.

On January 6, 2016, Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. entered into a loan agreement, denominated in RMB, with a local Chinese state-owned company, which agreed to provide long-term working capital financing of approximately $9,182. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement equaled $8,446 at December 31, 2017, which require full repayment in 2019. The agreement does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

On January 28, 2016, Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. entered into a loan agreement of $60,000 with International Finance Corporation ("IFC"), a member of World Bank Group, to fund the construction of solar cell and module production facilities in Vietnam and other countries approved by IFC. The outstanding borrowing under this agreement was $15,025 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment of $5,008, $5,008 and $5,009 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The loan is secured by accounts receivable, inventory and property, plant and equipment. As at December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all requirements of the financial covenants.

On March 23, 2016, CSI Cells Co., Ltd. entered into a financing agreement, denominated in RMB, with a local Chinese state-owned company, which agreed to provide long-term working capital financing of approximately $47,290. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement were $24,512 at December 31, 2017, which require repayment of $15,923, $2,813 and $5,776 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The agreement does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

On September 28, 2016, Canadian Solar Projects K.K entered into a financing agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, denominated in JPY, which agreed to provide revolving long-term working capital financing of approximately $87,852. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement was $87,852 at December 31, 2017. The borrowing is unsecured and guaranteed by CSI and does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

On January 13, 2017, Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd entered into a syndicated credit facility, denominated in U.S. dollars, arranged by Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, and China Minsheng Banking Corporation Ltd is one of the lenders. The total credit facility under this agreement is $210,000 and to finance the construction of solar cell and module manufacturing facilities in Thailand. The outstanding borrowings under this agreement was $67,215 at December 31, 2017, which requires quarterly repayments and matures in 2022. The loan is secured by prepaid land use rights, property, plant and equipment, and guaranteed by CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. The borrowing also contains some financial covenants measured by liabilities. As of December 31, 2017, the Company met all the requirements of financial covenants.

On March 29, 2017, Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. entered into an entrusted loan agreement, denominated in RMB, with Ping An International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. and a Chinese bank, which agreed to provide two-year working capital financing of approximately $2,619. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement equaled $1,660 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment of $1,319 and $341 in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The loan is unsecured and guaranteed by CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc. The agreement does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

On March 31, 2017, Canadian Solar Sun Energy (Suzhou) Co., Ltd entered into a financing agreement, denominated in RMB, with Bank of Jiangsu, which agreed to provide long-term construction financing of $21,426 for enhancement of solar module manufacturing in in Suzhou, Jiangsu. The outstanding borrowing under this agreement was $9,183 at December 31, 2017, which requires repayment of $3,306, $3,306 and $2,571 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The loan is secured by property, plant and equipment and guaranteed by CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. The agreement does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

On July 1, 2017, Canadian Solar Japan K.K. entered into a financing agreement with Mizuho Bank, Ltd, denominated in JPY, which agreed to provide revolving long-term working capital financing of approximately $8,164. The total outstanding borrowings under this agreement equaled $8,164 at December 31, 2017. The loan is secured by inventory and accounts receivable. The agreement does not contain any financial covenants or restrictions.

The long-term borrowings disclosed above bear floating interest rates from nil to 7.485% per annum.


c)	Interest expense

The Company capitalized interest costs incurred on borrowings obtained to finance construction of solar power projects or property, plant and equipment until the asset is ready for its intended use. The interests incurred during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:

	Years Ended December 31
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Interest capitalized—project assets		102		47,881		13,274
Interest capitalized—solar power systems		23,328		3,113		—
Interest capitalized—property, plant and equipment		912		819		1,010
Interest expense		54,148		69,723		117,971

Total interest incurred		78,490		121,536		132,255

SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE	12 Months Ended
SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE	Dec. 31, 2017
SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE
SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE	15. SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE The Company enters into arrangements with banks whereby the banks issue notes to the Company's vendors, which effectively serve to extend the payment date of the associated accounts payable. Vendors may present the notes for payment to a bank, including the bank issuing the note, prior to the stated maturity date, but generally at a discount from the face amount of the note. The Company is generally required to deposit restricted cash balances with the issuing bank, which are utilized to immediately repay the bank upon the banks' settlement of the notes. Given the purpose of these arrangements is to extend the payment dates of accounts payable, the Company has recorded such amounts as short-term notes payable. As payments by the bank are immediately repaid by the Company's restricted cash balances and other deposits with the same bank, the notes payable do not represent cash borrowings from the bank and, as such, the associated cash payments have been recorded by the Company as an operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, short-term notes payable was $296,663 and $572,631, respectively.

SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER	12 Months Ended
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER	Dec. 31, 2017
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER	16. SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER On September 5, 2016, the Company issued a RMB400 million ($60 million) commercial paper at par value with a fixed interest rate of 5.5% per annum for a tenor of one year, the net proceeds from the issuance after deducting issuance expenses, were approximately RMB398.4 million ($59.9 million), interest is payable from September 7, 2016, the paper matured on September 7, 2017 and repayable at its principal amount plus accrued interest. The amortization expense was RMB1,092 ($160) for the year ended December 31, 2017. Coupon interest of RMB15,008 ($2,199) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017. Principal amount plus accrued interest was paid off as of December 31, 2017. On September 23, 2016, the Company issued a RMB500 million ($74.8 million) commercial paper for a term of nine months with a fixed interest rate of 5.3% per annum, the net proceeds from the issuance after deducting issuance expenses, were approximately RMB498.5 million ($74.7 million), interest is payable from September 26, 2016, the paper matured on June 23, 2017 and repayable at its principal amount plus accrued interest. The amortization expense was RMB961 ($140) for the year ended December 31, 2017. Coupon interest of RMB12,560 ($1,826) was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017. Principal amount plus accrued interest was paid off as of December 31, 2017.

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS

17. ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS

The Company's warranty activity is summarized below:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning balance		54,644			65,193			61,139
Warranty provision		15,876			9,817			19,793
Warranty costs incurred		(3,872	)		(13,663	)		(26,552	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1,455	)		(208	)		1,279

Ending balance		65,193			61,139			55,659

RESTRICTED NET ASSETS	12 Months Ended
RESTRICTED NET ASSETS	Dec. 31, 2017
RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
RESTRICTED NET ASSETS	18. RESTRICTED NET ASSETS As stipulated by the relevant laws and regulations applicable to China's foreign investment enterprise, the Company's PRC subsidiaries are required to make appropriations from net income as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the PRC ("PRC GAAP") to non-distributable reserves, which include general reserve, enterprise expansion reserve and staff welfare and bonus reserve. The wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries are not required to make appropriations to the enterprise expansion reserve but appropriations to the general reserve are required to be made at not less than 10% of the profit after tax as determined under PRC GAAP. The board of directors determines the staff welfare and bonus reserve. The general reserve is used to offset future losses. The PRC subsidiaries may, upon a resolution passed by the stockholder, convert the general reserve into capital. The staff welfare and bonus reserve is used for the collective welfare of the employee of the subsidiaries. The enterprise expansion reserve is for the expansion of the PRC subsidiaries' operations and can be converted to capital subject to approval by the relevant authorities. These reserves represent appropriations of the retained earnings determined in accordance with Chinese law. In addition to the general reserve, the Company's PRC subsidiaries are required to obtain approval from the local PRC government prior to distributing any registered share capital. Accordingly, both the appropriations to general reserve and the registered share capital of the Company's PRC subsidiaries are considered as restricted net assets amounting to $461.8 million as of December 31, 2017.

CONVERTIBLE NOTES	12 Months Ended
CONVERTIBLE NOTES	Dec. 31, 2017
CONVERTIBLE NOTES
CONVERTIBLE NOTES	19. CONVERTIBLE NOTES On February 18, 2014, the Company issued $130,000 of convertible notes (the "2014 Notes"). The Company granted the initial purchasers a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $20,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2014 Notes. The option was fully exercised by initial purchasers on the same day. The key terms of the 2014 Notes are described as follows: Maturity date. The 2014 Notes mature on February 15, 2019. Interest. The 2014 Notes holders are entitled to receive interest at 4.25% per annum on the principal outstanding, in semi-annually installments, payable in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning August 15, 2014. Conversion. The initial conversion rate is 22.2222 shares per $1,000 initial principal amount, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $45.00 per share. The 2014 Notes are convertible at any time prior to maturity. The conversion rate is subject to change for certain anti-dilution events and upon a change in control. If the holders elect to convert the 2014 Notes upon a change of control, the conversion rate will increase by a number of additional shares as determined by reference to an adjustment schedule based on the date on which the change in control becomes effective and the price paid per common share in the transaction (referred to as the "Fundamental Change Make-Whole Premium"). The Fundamental Make-Whole Premium is intended to compensate holders for the loss of time value upon early exercise. Redemption. The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes (i) at the Company's option, on or after February 21, 2017, if the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption, or (ii) following the occurrence of certain tax related events, in each case, at a redemption price equals to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the carrying value of the convertible notes was $125,569 and $126,476, respectively. The balance at December 31, 2016 and 2017 was net of unamortized issuance costs of $1,931 and $1,024, respectively. The debt issuance costs are being amortized through interest expense over the period from February 18, 2014, the date of issuance, to February 15, 2019, the date of expiration, using the effective interest rate method which was 4.96% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The amortization expense was $810, $898 and $907 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Coupon interest of $5,642 and $5,419 was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, of which, $2,008and $2,008 was not paid and recorded in other payables on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

20. INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Income before income taxes
Canada		79,631			57,922			(30,524	)
United States		(14,183	)		(74,002	)		(33,205	)
PRC including Hong Kong		174,201			152,588			173,266
Japan		14,284			7,981			28,164
United Kingdom		(7,536	)		(25,781	)		403
Other		(23,569	)		(35,457	)		5,830

		222,828			83,251			143,934


Current tax
Canada		71,002			610			346
United States		40,567			96,172			(54,482	)
PRC including Hong Kong		20,154			29,181			(7,383	)
Japan		5,388			3,381			31,266
United Kingdom		419			(206	)		—
Other		823			(9,263	)		(8,008	)

		138,353			119,875			(38,261	)


Deferred tax
Canada		(44,548	)		6,366			(6,464	)
United States		(45,024	)		(74,562	)		67,426
PRC including Hong Kong		7,305			(31,731	)		23,452
Japan		58			361			(4,499	)
United Kingdom		—			—			(353	)
Other		(6,632	)		(2,333	)		(350	)

		(88,841	)		(101,899	)		79,212


Total income tax expense
Canada		26,454			6,976			(6,118	)
United States		(4,457	)		21,610			12,944
PRC including Hong Kong		27,459			(2,550	)		16,069
Japan		5,446			3,742			26,767
United Kingdom		419			(206	)		(353	)
Other		(5,809	)		(11,596	)		(8,358	)

		49,512			17,976			40,951

The Company mainly operates in Canada, PRC, Japan, Germany, the United States, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam.

Canada

The Company was incorporated in Ontario, Canada and is subject to both federal and Ontario provincial corporate income taxes at a rate of 26.5% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. was incorporated in Ontario, Canada and is subject to both federal and Ontario provincial corporate income taxes at a rate of 25% for all years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

United States

Canadian Solar (USA) Inc. was incorporated in Delaware, USA and is subject to federal, California, and other states' corporate income taxes at a rate of 38.56%, 37.69% and 38.61% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Canadian Solar Energy Acquisition Co. was incorporated in Delaware, USA on January 22, 2015 and is subject to federal, California, and other states' corporate income taxes at a rate of 40.75%, 43.63% and 38.32% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Japan

Canadian Solar Japan K.K. was incorporated in Japan and is subject to Japanese corporate income taxes at a normal statutory rate of approximately 35.64%, 35.15% and 32.02% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Germany

Canadian Solar EMEA GmbH was incorporated in Munich, Germany and is subject to German corporate income tax at a rate of approximately 33% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Vietnam

Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd was incorporated in Vietnam in June 25, 2015 and is subject to Vietnamese corporate income taxes at a normal statutory rate of 10%. The Company enjoyed tax exemption from 2016 as its first profitable year. For 2017, it continued to enjoy the tax exemption. The exemption will expire in year 2019. The Company will use a reduced statutory rate of 5% from 2020 to 2028.

Thailand

Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. was incorporated in Thailand in November 20, 2015 and is subject to Thailand corporate income taxes at a normal statutory rate of 20%. The Company currently has two Board of Investment certificates for tax exemption which have different effective years. The licenses both started from year 2017, one of which will expire in year 2022 and the other in year 2025.

Hong Kong

Canadian Solar International Ltd. was incorporated in Hong Kong, China, and is subject to Hong Kong profits tax at a rate of 16.5% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

PRC

The other major operating subsidiaries, including CSI Solartronics (Changshu) Co., Ltd., CSI Solar Technologies Inc., CSI Cells Co., Ltd., Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc., CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") and Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc., and Suzhou Sanysolar Materials Technology Co., Ltd. were governed by the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law ("EIT Law").

CSI Solartronics (Changshu) Co., Ltd., CSI Solar Technologies Inc., Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc., CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") are all subject to the enterprise income tax rate of 25% for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Suzhou Sanysolar Materials Technology Co., Ltd. is subject to the enterprise income tax rate of 15% resulting from its High and New Technology Enterprise status for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc. Changshu Tlian Co., LTD and CSI Cells Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The Company makes an assessment of the level of authority for each of its uncertain tax positions (including the potential application of interest and penalties) based on their technical merits, and has measured the unrecognized benefits associated with such tax positions. This liability is recorded as liability for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with its policies, the Company accrues and classifies interest and penalties associated with such unrecognized tax benefits as a component of its income tax provision. The amount of interest and penalties accrued as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 was $2,747 and $3,083, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its liability for unrecognized tax positions within the next 12 months.

The following table illustrates the movement and balance of the Company's liability for uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning balance		10,844			9,490			5,684
Addition for tax positions related to the current year		196			1,376			1,376
Reductions for tax positions from prior years/Statute of limitations expirations		—			(5,436	)		(1,094	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1550	)		254			215

Ending balance		9,490			5,684			6,181

The Company is subject to taxation in various jurisdictions where it operates, mainly including Canada, China and the United States. Generally, the Company's taxation years from 2010 to 2017 are open for reassessment to the Canadian tax authorities. The Company's taxation years from 2007 through 2017 are subject to examination by the Chinese tax authorities due to its permanent establishment in China. The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various state jurisdictions. The Company is not currently under examination by the federal or state tax authorities. The Company's income tax returns for 2013 through 2017 remain open to examination by the US tax authorities.

According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is three years if the underpayment of income taxes has resulted from the computational errors of the taxpayer. The statute of limitations could be extended to five years under special circumstances. Though not being clearly defined, a special circumstance would suffice where any underpayment of income taxes exceeds RMB100. For income tax adjustments relating to transfer pricing matters, the statute of limitations is ten years. Therefore, the Company's Chinese subsidiaries might be subject to reexamination by the Chinese tax authorities on non-transfer pricing matters for taxation years up to 2012 retrospectively, and on transfer pricing matters for taxation years up to 2007 retrospectively. There is no statute of limitations in case of tax evasion in China.

The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented as follows:

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued warranty costs		23,228			17,945
Bad debt allowance		8,058			7,288
Investment in affiliates under tax equity transactions		54,187			24,859
Inventory write-down		4,564			3,283
Future deductible expenses		13,321			17,652
Depreciation and impairment difference of property, plant and equipment and solar power systems		29,668			13,333
Accrued liabilities related to countervailing and antidumping duty deposits		111,021			59,983
Deferred tax assets relating to sales of solar power systems		996			2,721
Net operating losses carry-forward		48,678			52,007
Unrealized foreign exchange loss and capital loss		3,278			3,888
Others		4,450			17,912

Total deferred tax assets, gross		301,449			220,871
Valuation allowance		(71,469	)		(65,399	)

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		229,980			155,472


Deferred tax liabilities:		3,315			2,742
Derivative assets
Depreciation difference of property, plant and equipment		468			243
Insurance recoverable		16,727			21,420
Others		2,838			4,833

Total deferred tax liabilities		23,348			29,238


Net deferred tax assets		206,632			126,234


Analysis as:
Non-current deferred tax assets		229,980			131,796
Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(23,348	)		(5,562	)

Net deferred tax assets		206,632			126,234

Movement of the valuation allowance is as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016		2017
	$			$		$
Beginning balance		52,985			55,959		71,469
Additions (Reversals)		(944	)		14,486		(5,361	)
Addition from acquisition of Recurrent		4,949			—		—
Foreign exchange effect		(1,031	)		1,024		(709	)

Ending balance		55,959			71,469		65,399

As of December 31, 2017, the Company has accumulated net operating losses of $229,708, of which $111,392 will expire between 2018 and 2037, and the remaining can be carried forward indefinitely.

The Company considers positive and negative evidences to determine whether some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry-forward periods, the Company's experience with tax attributes expiring unused and tax planning alternatives. The Company has considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:


	•	Tax planning strategies;
	•	Future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;
	•	Further taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry-forwards;

The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible for tax purposes. As a result, the Company has recognized a valuation allowance of $71,469 and $ 65,399 as at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Reconciliation between the provision for income tax computed by applying Canadian federal and provincial statutory tax rates to income before income taxes and the actual provision and benefit for income taxes is as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
Combined federal and provincial income tax rate		27	%		27	%		27	%
Effect of permanent difference		1	%		(16	)%		(18	)%
Effect of different tax rate on earnings in other jurisdictions		(3	)%		(18	)%		(7	)%
Effect of tax holiday		—	%		(4	)%		(2	)%
Unrecognized tax provision		—	%		4	%		—	%
Change in valuation allowance		—	%		32	%		(6	)%
Effect of change in tax rate		—	%		—	%		39	%
Others		(3	)%		(3	)%		(5	)%

		22	%		22	%		28	%

In accordance with the EIT Law, dividends, which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprises in PRC earned after January 1, 2008, are subject to a 10% withholding income tax. Under applicable accounting principles, a deferred tax liability should be recorded for taxable temporary difference attributable to excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis in the investment in a foreign subsidiary. However, a deferred tax liability is not recognized if the basis difference is not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future and is expected to be permanent in duration. As of December 31, 2017, all of the undistributed earnings of approximately $353.4 million attributable to the Company's PRC subsidiaries and affiliates are considered to be permanently reinvested, and no provision for PRC withholding income tax on dividend has been made thereon accordingly. Upon distribution of those earnings generated after January 1, 2008, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to the then applicable PRC tax laws and regulations. Distributions of earnings generated before January 1, 2008 are exempt from PRC dividend withholding tax. The amounts of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for these earnings are in the range of $17.6 million to $35.3 million, as the withholding tax rate of the profit distribution will be 5% or 10% depends on whether the immediate offshore companies can enjoy the preferential withholding tax rate of 5%.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. president signed into law H.R.1, originally known as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act." The Act includes substantial changes to taxation of businesses with one of the most important being the top tax rate reduction from 35% to 21% and presents significant potential impacts on financial statements including the reassessment of the value of deferred taxes and taxes on mandatory repatriation. Per ASC 740, companies are required to recognize the effect of tax law changes in the period of enactment. Therefore, the Company has reflected the impacts of the tax law changes on the current provision. Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the corporation tax rate is permanently reduced to 21%. The federal rate change resulted in a net overall deferred tax asset reduction and result in additional tax expense.

The aggregate amount and per share effect of tax holiday are as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	(In Thousands of US Dollars, except per share data)
The aggregate amount		—		3,343		2,850
Per share—basic		—		0.06		0.05
Per share—diluted		—		0.06		0.05

EARNINGS PER SHARE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE

21. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years indicated:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	(In Thousands of US Dollars, except share and per share data)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.—basic	$	171,861	$	65,249	$	99,572
Dilutive effect of interest expense of convertible notes		5,275		—		4,649

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.—diluted	$	177,136	$	65,249	$	104,221


Denominator:
Denominator for basic calculation—weighted average number of common shares—basic		55,728,903		57,524,349		58,167,004
Diluted effects of share number from share options and RSUs		1,343,162		534,714		547,821
Diluted effects of share number from warrants		20,658		—		—
Dilutive effects of share number from convertible notes		3,333,333		—		2,833,333

Denominator for diluted calculation—weighted average number of common shares—diluted		60,426,056		58,059,063		61,548,158


Basic earnings per share	$	3.08	$	1.13	$	1.71


Diluted earnings per share	$	2.93	$	1.12	$	1.69

The following table sets forth anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years indicated.

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
Share options and RSUs		115,017		476,043		372,743

RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS	Dec. 31, 2017
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS	22. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS Related party balances: The amount due from related parties of $26,102 as of December 31, 2017 consists of (i) trade receivable of $13,930 for development services provided to Roserock, the Company's 49% owned affiliate, (ii) cash funding of $11,052 to Garland, another 49% owned affiliate, (iii) cash funding of $921 to Pilipinas Newton Energy Corp, the Company's 40% owned affiliate, and (iv) $199 receivable for O&M service provided to CSIF, the Company's 14.76% owned affiliate. No amount was due as of December 31, 2017. The amount due from related parties of $19,082 as of December 31, 2016 consists of (i) trade receivable of $1,446 for solar power products sold to Gaochuangte, the Company's 40% owned affiliate in 2016, which became a subsidiary of the Company in 2017, (ii) prepayments for bid deposits of $1,897 to CSI Skypower, the Company's 50% owned affiliate, and (iii) trade receivable of $15,739 for solar power products sold and development services provided to Tranquillity, Garland and Roserock, the Company's 49% owned affiliates. No amount was due as of December 31, 2016. The amount due to related parties of $6,023 as of December 31, 2017 consists of (i) a trade payable of $5,096 due to Suzhou iSilver Materials Co., Ltd., the Company's 15% owned affiliate, for raw materials purchased, (ii) payable for equipment purchase of $927 million to Suzhou Kzone Equipment Technology Co., Ltd, the Company's 32% owned affiliate obtained in September 2017. The amount due to related parties of $19,912 as of December 31, 2016 consists of (i) a trade payable of $19,912 due to Gaochuangte for the EPC service fees. Related party transactions: Guarantees and loans Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, fully guaranteed one-year loan facilities from Chinese commercial banks of RMB896 million, RMB896 million and RMB1,346 million ($206.0 million) in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Amounts drawn down from the facilities as at December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were $78,225, $79,558 and $135,225, respectively. Dr. Shawn Qu fully guaranteed three-year loan facilities of $150 million from Chinese commercial banks in 2015. The facility was fully drawn down as at December 31, 2016 and 2017. In the first quarter of 2015, Dr. Shawn Qu loaned the Company $35.0 million at an interest rate of 4.25% per annum. The Company fully repaid the loan, including interest of $21, in March 2015. In 2015, Recurrent entered into buyer payment guaranties with a third party supplier in connection with certain solar module supply agreements of Tranquillity and Garland, pursuant to which Recurrent unconditionally guarantees to the third party supplier the timely payment in full when due and other payment obligations of Tranquillity and Garland required under the solar module supply agreements. The payable balance due by Tranquillity and Garland was nil and $11.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016 and was both nil, as of December 31, 2017. Sales and purchase contracts with affiliates In 2017, the Company sold 13 solar power projects to CSIF, the Company's 14.76% owned affiliate in Japan, in the amount of JPY18,426,754 ($163,155) recorded in revenue and JPY3,148,648($27,879) recorded in other operating income, provided asset management service and O&M service to CSIF in the amount of JPY303,772($2,699) and JPY32,119 ($285), respectively. In 2017, the Company sold solar power products to Gaochuangte in the amount of RMB11,352 ($1,648), before Gaochuangte became the Company's 80% owned subsidiary. In 2016, the Company sold solar power products to Roserock and Garland in the amount of $247,743, provided development services to Tranquillity, Garland and Roserock in the amount of $48,711. In 2015, the Company sold solar power products to Gaochuangte in the amount of RMB39,922 ($6,508), sold solar power products to Roserock and Garland in the amount of $28,132, provided development services to Tranquillity, Garland and Roserock in the amount of $69,712. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred costs of RMB44,271 ($6,430), RMB54,891 ($8,274) and RMB175,272 ($28,159) to Gaochuangte for EPC services related to the Company's solar power projects, respectively. These amounts were recorded in project assets. In 2017, the Company purchased raw materials from Suzhou iSilver Materials Co., Ltd in the amount of RMB331,958 ($49,113), purchased equipment from Suzhou Kzone Equipment Technology Co., Ltd in the amount of RMB29,704 ($4,395). In 2016, the Company purchased raw materials from Suzhou iSilver Materials Co., Ltd in the amount of RMB53,271 ($8,030).

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

23. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


a)	Lease commitments

The Company has operating lease agreements principally for its office properties in the PRC, Canada, Japan and the United States. Such leases have remaining terms ranging from one to 402 months and are renewable upon negotiation. Rental expenses were $15,451, $17,116 and $19,765 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

Year Ending December 31:		$
2018			10,230
2019			8,884
2020			8,025
2021			6,889
2022			4,965
Thereafter			71,667

Total			110,660



b)	Property, plant and equipment purchase commitments

As of December 31, 2017, the commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment were $201,577.


c)	Supply purchase commitments

In order to secure future solar wafers supply, the Company has entered into long-term supply agreements with suppliers in the past several years. Under such agreements, the suppliers agreed to provide the Company with specified quantities of solar wafers, and the Company has made prepayments to the suppliers in accordance with the supply contracts.

The following is a schedule, by year, of future minimum obligation, using market prices, under all supply agreements as of December 31, 2017:

Deutsche Solar AG

In 2007, the Company entered into a twelve-year wafer supply agreement with Deutsche Solar AG, under which the Company was required to purchase a contracted minimum volume of wafers at pre-determined fixed prices and in accordance with a pre-determined schedule, commencing January 1, 2009. The fixed prices may be adjusted annually at the beginning of each calendar year by Deutsche Solar AG to reflect certain changes in their material costs. The agreement also contains a take-or-pay provision, which requires the Company to pay the contracted amount regardless of whether the Company acquires the contracted annual minimum volumes. In 2009, the Company did not meet the minimum volume requirements under the agreement. Deutsche Solar AG agreed that the Company could fulfill its fiscal 2009 purchase obligation in fiscal 2010. In 2010, the Company fulfilled its 2009 purchase commitment under the agreement but did not meet the minimum purchase obligation for 2010. In 2011, the Company did not meet its purchase commitment for the respective years. The Company believes that the take-or-pay provisions of the agreement are void under German law and, accordingly, as of December 31, 2010 had not accrued for the full $21,144 that would otherwise be due under the take-or-pay provision of the agreement. Rather, the Company assumed that it would be permitted to purchase its 2010 contracted quantity, in addition to its 2011 contracted quantity, in fiscal 2011 and had included the purchase obligation for both years in its evaluation of the loss on the long-term purchase commitments. The Company did not record a loss on firm purchase commitments in any of the three years ended December 31, 2017.

In December 2011, Deutsche Solar AG gave notice to the Company to terminate the twelve-year wafer supply agreement with immediate effect. Deutsche Solar AG justified the termination with alleged breach of the agreement by the Company. In the notice, Deutsche Solar AG also reserved its right to claim damage of Euro148.6 million in court. The agreement was terminated in 2011. As a result, the Company reclassified the accrued loss on firm purchase commitments reserve of $27,862 as of December 31, 2011 to loss contingency accruals. In addition, the Company made a full bad debt allowance of $17,409 against the balance of its advance payments to Deutsche Solar as a result of the termination of the long-term supply contract. As of December 31, 2017, the accrued amount of $25,682 represents the Company's best estimate for its loss contingency. Deutsche Solar did not specify the basis for its claimed damage of Euro 148.6 million in the notice.

LDK

In 2007, the Company entered into a three-year agreement with Jiangxi LDK Solar Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., or LDK, under which the Company purchased specified quantities of silicon wafers and LDK converted the Company's reclaimed silicon feedstock into wafers. In June 2008, the Company entered into two long-term supply purchase agreements with LDK in which the Company was required to purchase a contracted minimum volume of wafers at pre-determined fixed prices and in accordance with a pre-determined schedule. In April 2010, the Company sent a notice to LDK and announced termination of these two contracts.

In July 2010, CSI Cells Co. Ltd., one of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, filed a request for arbitration against LDK with Shanghai International Economy and Trade Arbitration Commission, formerly known as CIETAC Shanghai Branch in relation to wafer supply contracts the Company entered into with LDK in October 2007, or the 2007 Supply Contract and in June 2008, or the 2008 Supply Contracts. In December 2012, CIETAC Shanghai Branch awarded RMB248.9 million in compensation plus RMB2.32 million in arbitration expenses to LDK for the damages LDK claimed to have suffered from the alleged breaches by the Company of the 2007 Supply Contract and 2008 Supply Contracts between July 2009 and September 2010, or the 2012 Arbitral Award.

In February 2013, LDK filed for enforcement of the 2012 Arbitral Award with Jiangsu Suzhou Intermediate People's Court, or the Suzhou Intermediate Court. In 2013, LDK initiated two separate proceedings against the Company in Jiangxi Xinyu Intermediate People's Court, or the Xinyu Intermediate Court, claiming that the Company had forfeited its rights to the initial deposits under the 2007 Supply Contract and 2008 Supply Contracts because of the alleged breaches under these contracts. On October 18, 2013, the Xinyu Intermediate Court stayed these proceedings pending the decision by the Suzhou Intermediate Court as to the 2012 Arbitral Award.

On September 9, 2015, the Suzhou Intermediate Court ruled in favor of LDK. On October 19, 2015, the Company reached a settlement agreement with LDK, or the 2015 Settlement Agreement. Under the 2015 Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed to pay RMB132.7 million ($20.8 million translated by using the rate in 2015) to LDK and to purchase 64.3 million pieces of silicon wafers from LDK at market price over a three year period starting in or around December 2015, in exchange for which LDK (i) would release the Company from the 2012 Arbitration Award and waive its rights and claims thereunder and (ii) would withdraw its complaints from the Xinyu Intermediate Court and terminate such proceedings. The Suzhou Intermediate Court reviewed the 2015 Settlement Agreement and terminated the enforcement proceeding relating to the 2012 Arbitral Award. The $20.8 million paid to LDK was recognized as general and administrative expenses in 2015. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had provided a full allowance against the advance to LDK of $9,798, due to the uncertainty of recovery. As of December 31, 2015, the allowance was written-off.

On May 19, 2016, the Company received a copy of a bill of complaint from Xinyu Intermediate Court, in which LDK's receiver applied to the court for an order to revoke the 2015 Settlement Agreement pursuant to PRC bankruptcy law, and requested it to pay an amount that had been waived by LDK under the 2015 Settlement Agreement. In May 2017, the Xinyu Intermediate Court made a judgment in favor of LDK's receiver, revoking the 2015 Settlement Agreement and requiring CSI Cells to pay RMB58.5 million to LDK's receiver and bear court expenses at RMB0.8 million. The Company recorded a $8.6 million provision in the first quarter of 2017 and CSI Cells appealed the judgment. In November 2017, the Jiangxi High People's Court, or Jiangxi High Court, dismissed CSI Cells' appeal and upheld the original judgment. CSI Cells then appealed this judgment to the Supreme People's Court of The People's Republic of China, or the Supreme Court. In January 2018, the Supreme Court put CSI Cells' appeal on record pending examination. To date, no decision has been made by the Supreme Court. In March 2018, LDK's receiver applied to the Xinyu Intermediate Court for compulsory execution of its judgment. The Xinyu Intermediate Court has accepted the LDK receiver's application, and the execution procedure is currently in progress.

Class Action Lawsuits

Following the two subpoenas from the SEC in 2010, six class action lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, or the New York cases, and another class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, or the California case. The New York cases were consolidated into a single action in December 2010. On January 5, 2011, the California case was dismissed by the plaintiff, who became a member of the lead plaintiff group in the New York action. On March 11, 2011, a Consolidated Complaint was filed with respect to the New York action. The Consolidated Complaint alleges generally that the Company's financial disclosures during 2009 and early 2010 were false or misleading; asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder; and names the Company, its chief executive officer and its former chief financial officer as defendants. The Company filed its motion to dismiss in May 2011, which was taken under submission by the Court in July 2011. On March 30, 2012, the Court dismissed the Consolidated Complaint with leave to amend, and the plaintiffs filed an Amended Consolidated Complaint against the same defendants on April 19, 2012. On March 29, 2013, the Court dismissed with prejudice a class action lawsuit filed against the Company and certain named defendants alleging that the Company's financial disclosures during 2009 and early 2010 were false or misleading and in violation of federal securities law. The court found that the plaintiffs failed to adequately allege a securities law violation and granted the Company's motion to dismiss all claims against all defendants with prejudice. On December 20, 2013, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the district court's order dismissing such class action lawsuit.

In addition, a similar class action lawsuit was filed against the Company and certain of its executive officers in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on August 10, 2010. The lawsuit alleges generally that the Company's financial disclosures during 2009 and 2010 were false or misleading and brings claims under the shareholders' relief provisions of the CBCA, Part XX III.1 of the Ontario Securities Act as well as claims based on negligent misrepresentation. In December 2010, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the Ontario action on the basis that the Ontario Court has no jurisdiction over the claims and potential claims advanced by the plaintiff. The court dismissed the Company's motion on August 29, 2011. On March 30, 2012, the Ontario Court of Appeal denied the Company's appeal with regard to its jurisdictional motion. On November 29, 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada denied the Company's application for leave to appeal the order of the Ontario Court of Appeal. The plaintiff's motions for class certification and leave to assert the statutory cause of action under the Ontario Securities Act were served in January 2013 and initially scheduled for argument in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in June 2013.However, the plaintiff's motions were adjourned in view of the plaintiff's decision to seek an order compelling the Company to file additional evidence on the motions. On July 29, 2013 the Court dismissed the plaintiff's motion to compel evidence. On September 24, 2013 the plaintiff's application for leave to appeal from the July 29 order was dismissed. In September 2014, the plaintiff obtained an order granting him leave to assert the statutory cause of action under the Ontario Securities Act for certain of his misrepresentation claims.

In January 2015, the plaintiff in the class action lawsuit filed against the Company and certain of its executive officers in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice obtained an order for class certification in respect of certain claims for which he had obtained leave in September 2014 to assert the statutory cause of action for misrepresentation under the Ontario Securities Act, for certain negligent misrepresentation claims and for oppression remedy claims advanced under the CBCA. The Court dismissed the Company's application for leave to appeal and the class action is at the merits stage. The Company believes the Ontario action is without merit and the Company is defending it vigorously.

Countervailing and antidumping duties

In October 2011, a trade action was filed with the U.S. Department of Commerce, or USDOC, and the U.S. International Trade Commission, or USITC, by the U.S. unit of SolarWorld AG and six other U.S. firms, accusing Chinese producers of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, or CSPV cells, whether or not incorporated into modules, of selling their products (i.e., CSPV cells or modules incorporating these cells) into the United States at less than fair value, or dumping, and of receiving countervailable subsidies from the Chinese authorities. These firms asked the U.S. government to impose antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese-origin CSPV cells. The Company was identified as one of a number of Chinese exporting producers of the subject goods to the U.S. market. The Company also has affiliated U.S. operations that import the subject goods from China.

On October 9, 2012, the USDOC issued final affirmative determinations with respect to its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on CSPV, cells, whether or not incorporated into modules, from China. On November 7, 2012, the USITC determined that imports of CSPV cells had caused material injury to the U.S. CSPV industry. This decision was subsequently affirmed by the U.S. Court of International Trade, or CIT, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit).

As a result of these determinations, the Company was required to pay cash deposits on Chinese-origin CSPV cells imported into the U.S., whether or not incorporated into modules the rates of which applicable to the Company were 13.94% (antidumping duty) and 15.24% (countervailing duty), respectively. The Company paid all the cash deposits due under these determinations. Several parties challenged the determinations of the USITC in appeals to the CIT. On August 7, 2015, the CIT sustained the USITC's final determination and on January 22, 2018, the Federal Circuit upheld the CIT's decision. There was no further appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court and, therefore, this decision is final.

The rates at which duties will be assessed and payable are subject to administrative reviews.

The first administrative reviews were concluded on July 14, 2015, when the USDOC published its final results of the first administrative reviews of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on CSPV cells. As a result of these decisions, the duty rates applicable to the Company were revised to 9.67% (antidumping duty) and 20.94% (countervailing duty), respectively. The rates at which duties will be assessed and payable for the reviewed periods were appealed to the CIT. The CIT affirmed the USDOC's remand determination as to the final results of the countervailing duty review, and no change was made to our countervailing duty rate. This decision has not been appealed to the Federal Circuit. The CIT likewise affirmed USDOC's remand determination as to the final results of the antidumping duty review, and no change was made to our antidumping duty rate. The CIT's decision affirming USDOC's determination on the antidumping duty rate has now been appealed to the Federal Circuit, with a decision expected in late 2018 or 2019.

The second administrative reviews were concluded in June 2016 (antidumping duty) and July 2016 (countervailing duty) when the USDOC published the final results of the second administrative reviews of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on CSPV cells. Due to these decisions, the antidumping duty rate applicable to the Company was reduced to 8.52% (from 9.67%). Because the Company was not subject to the second administrative review of the countervailing duty order, its countervailing duty rate remained at 20.94%. There is no ongoing litigation related to the countervailing duty rate. The antidumping duty rates at which duties will be assessed and payable for the reviewed period are subject to ongoing litigation at the CIT, including remand proceedings before USDOC in which the agency has announced no change to the antidumping duty rate at this time. Further decisions on these appeals are expected later in 2018.

The third administrative reviews were concluded in June 2017 (antidumping duty) and July 2017 (countervailing duty) when the USDOC published the final results of the third administrative reviews of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on CSPV cells. As result of these decisions, the duty rates applicable to us were changed to 13.07% (from 8.52%) (antidumping duty) and 18.30% (from 20.94%) (countervailing duty). The rates at which duties will be assessed and payable for the reviewed period are subject to ongoing litigation at the CIT. Decisions on these appeals are not expected until late 2018, or 2019.

The fourth and fifth of these reviews are ongoing and are expected to conclude in mid-2018 and mid-2019, respectively. The preliminary countervailing duty results of the fourth administrative review estimate a reduced countervailing duty rate of 13.72% (from 18.30%). The Company is vigorously contesting the preliminary results in the final phase of this administrative review. The Company is not subject to the fourth administrative review of the antidumping duty order. Therefore, our antidumping duty rate will remain at 13.07%.

The Company was just selected for individual review in the fifth administrative review of the countervailing duty order. The final results of this review and the fourth administrative review of the countervailing duty order and the fifth administrative review of the antidumping duty order may result in duty rates that differ from the previous duty rates and cash deposit rates applicable to the Company. These duty rates could materially and adversely affect our U.S. import operations and increase the Company's cost of selling into the U.S.

On December 31, 2013, SolarWorld US filed a new trade action with the USDOC and the USITC accusing Chinese producers of certain CSPV modules of dumping their products into the U.S. and of receiving countervailable subsidies from the Chinese authorities. This trade action also alleged that Taiwanese producers of certain CSPV cells and modules dumped their products into the United States. Excluded from these new actions were those Chinese-origin solar products covered by the Solar 1 orders described above. The Company was identified as one of a number of Chinese producers exporting the subject goods to the U.S. market.

"Chinese CSPV products subject to Solar 2 orders" refer to CSPV products manufactured in mainland China using non-Chinese (e.g., Taiwanese) CSPV cells and imported into the USA during the investigation or review periods of Solar 2. "Taiwanese CSPV products subject to Solar 2 orders" refer to CSPV products manufactured outside of mainland China using Taiwanese CSPV cells and imported into the USA during the investigation or review periods of Solar 2.

On December 23, 2014, the USDOC issued final affirmative determinations with respect to its antidumping and countervailing duty investigation on these CSPV products. On January 21, 2015, the USITC determined that imports of these CSPV products had caused material injury to the U.S. CSPV industry. As a result of these determinations, the Company is required to pay cash deposits on these CSPV products the rates of which applicable to its Chinese CSPV products subject to Solar 2 orders were 30.06% (antidumping duty) and 38.43% (countervailing duty), respectively. The cash deposit rate applicable to its Taiwanese CSPV products subject to Solar 2 orders varied by solar cell producer. The Company paid all the cash deposits due under these determinations.

The countervailing duty rate applicable to the Company was challenged at the CIT and the Company was a party to these proceedings. In September 2017, the CIT sustained USDOC's CVD remand determination, which reduced Canadian Solar's CVD rate from 38.43% to 33.58%. The case has not been further appealed and, thus, the decision is final. Canadian Solar and other interested parties also appealed the scope of the Solar 2 antidumping and countervailing orders determined by Commerce to the CIT. The CIT affirmed Commerce's scope determinations on July 21, 2017. That decision has been appealed to the Federal Circuit, and a decision is expected later in 2018

The rates at which duties will be assessed and payable are subject to administrative reviews.

The first administrative reviews for both the Chinese and Taiwanese orders of Solar 2 were concluded in July 2017 (China and Taiwan antidumping duty orders) and September 2017 (China-only countervailing duty order), respectively, when the USDOC published the final results. Because the Company was not subject to the first administrative reviews of the Chinese orders of Solar 2, its duty rates will remain at 30.06% (antidumping duty) and 33.58% (countervailing duty) for its Chinese CSPV products subject to Solar 2 orders during the period of the first administrative review. For its imports of Taiwanese CSPV products subject to the Solar 2 orders, DOC calculated antidumping duty rates ranging from 3.56% to 4.20%.

The second administrative reviews for both the Chinese and Taiwanese orders of Solar 2 are expected to conclude in mid-2018. The Company is not subject to the second reviews of the Chinese orders of Solar 2, meaning that there will be no change in the duty rates applicable to it in that proceeding. The USDOC's preliminary results of the second review of the Taiwanese order of Solar 2 calculated an antidumping margin of 1.07% for Canadian Solar entities. The final results for the Taiwanese order of Solar 2 will set a new cash deposit rate, which may differ from the cash deposit rates applicable to the Company. These duties could materially and adversely affect the Company's U.S. import operations and increase its cost of selling into the U.S.

The third administrative reviews for both the Chinese and Taiwanese orders of Solar 2 are ongoing and are expected to conclude in mid-2019.

In 2017, a total of $7.6 million cash deposits were paid relating to countervailing and antidumping rulings in the U.S., of which $7.3 million were charged into cost of sales. As of December 31, 2017, $0.3 million countervailing and antidumping rulings remained in inventories. In addition, the Company booked the benefits of two reversals of $42.6 million and $15.0 million, primarily associated with prior years' module sales based on the final rates of the third administrative review of Solar 1 and the first administrative review of Solar 2 carried out by the U.S. Department of Commerce, respectively.

On May 17, 2017, following receipt of a petition from Suniva, Inc., which was later joined by SolarWorld Americas, Inc., the USITC instituted a safeguard investigation to determine whether there were increased imports of CSPV products in such quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat thereof, to the domestic industry producing like or directly competitive products. On September 22, 2017, the USITC determined that CSPV products are being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury to the domestic industry.

On January 23, 2018, the President of the United States imposed a safeguard measure on imports of CSPV cells, whether or not partially or fully assembled into other products such as modules, consisting of (1) a tariff-rate quota for four years on imports of CSPV cells not partially or fully assembled into other products, with (a) an in-quota quantity of 2.5 gigawatts, and (b) a tariff rate applicable to over-quota CSPV cells of 30%, declining annually by five percentage points to 25% in the second year, 20% in the third year, and 15% in the fourth year; and (2) a 30% tariff for four years on CSPV modules, declining annually by five percentage points to 25% in the second year, 20% in the third year, and 15% in the fourth year. This safeguard measure, which became effective on February 7, 2018, applies to CSPV products imported from all countries, except for certain developing country members of the World Trade Organization.

The safeguard measure may be amended or eliminated during the mid-term review, which should take place in 2020, as required by U.S. law. The President may then reduce, modify, or terminate the action taken if the President determines that: (1) the domestic industry has made a positive adjustment to import competition; (2) the domestic industry has not made adequate efforts to make a positive adjustment to import competition; or (3) the effectiveness of the safeguard action has been impaired by changed economic circumstances.

On February 9, 2018, Canadian Solar and two other manufacturers and exporters of CSPV modules from Canada challenged the applicability of the safeguard measure to U.S. imports of CSPV modules from Canada. The Canadian parties applied to the CIT for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction (TRO/PI) to halt the imposition of the 30% tariff on CSPV modules imported from Canada. The CIT denied the application, and the Canadian parties have appealed this decision to the Federal Circuit.

On September 6, 2012, following a complaint lodged by EU ProSun, an ad-hoc industry association of EU CSPV module, cell and wafer manufacturers, the European Commission initiated an antidumping investigation concerning EU imports of CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells and wafers) originating in China. On November 8, 2012, following a complaint lodged by the same parties, the European Commission initiated an anti-subsidy investigation on these same products.

On December 6, 2013, the EU imposed definitive antidumping and countervailing measures on imports of CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells and wafers) originating in or consigned from China.

On February 28, 2014, the Company filed separate actions with the General Court of the EU for annulment of the regulation imposing the definitive antidumping measures and of the regulation imposing the definitive countervailing measures (case T-162/14 and joined cases T-158/14, T-161/14, and T-163/14). The General Court rejected these actions for annulment. On May 8, 2017, the Company appealed the judgements of the General Court before the Court of Justice of the EU (cases C-236/17 and C-237/17). The appeals are pending.

On December 5, 2015, the European Commission initiated expiry (sunset) reviews of the antidumping and countervailing measures on imports of CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells and wafers) originating in or consigned from China. On March 3, 2017, the European Commission extended the antidumping and countervailing measures for 18 months on imports of CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells and wafers) originating in or consigned from China. On September 16, 2017, the European Commission amended the form of the antidumping and countervailing measures for certain Chinese exporters (but not for Canadian Solar).

On March 13, 2018, the European Commission published notices of expiry of the antidumping and countervailing measures on imports of CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells) originating in or consigned from China. The notices provide that the measures will expire on September 3, 2018, unless the EU industry (successfully) requests the European Commission to initiate expiry (sunset) reviews by June 3, 2018.

On June 3, 2015, the Canada Border Services Agency released final determinations of dumping and subsidization which found dumping calculated by way of a Ministerial Specification based on a Non Market Economy finding applicable to all cooperative exporters and ascertained a Canadian Solar-specific subsidies rate of RMB0.014 per Watt. On July 3, 2015 the Canadian International Trade Tribunal determined that a Canadian industry was not negatively affected as a result of imported modules but was threatened with negative impact. As a result of these findings, definitive duties were imposed on imports of Chinese solar modules into Canada starting on July 3, 2015. The Company does not believe the imposition of these duties will have a material negative effect upon its results of operations because it has significant module manufacturing capacity in Ontario and do not rely on Chinese solar modules to serve its Canadian business.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION

24. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company uses the management approach to determine operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") for making decisions, allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company's CODM has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, since he reviews consolidated and segment results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company.

Following the Company's decision to expand its business to include both building and selling and building and operating solar power projects, the Company operated its business in three principal reportable business segments in 2015: module and system solutions ("MSS") segment, energy development segment and electricity generation segment. Following its decision to terminate plans to create and spin off a publicly-traded "yieldco" that would hold the majority of the Company's solar power projects in operation, the Company have operated its business in two principal reportable business segments since 2016, i.e., MSS segment and energy segment. The prior year segment information has been restated to conform to the current year's presentation. The MSS segment primarily comprises the design, development, manufacture and sales of solar power products and solar system kits, and O&M services. The energy segment primarily comprises solar project development and sale, EPC and development services, operating solar power projects and sales of electricity. The sales from MSS segment to energy segment have terms and conditions similar to sales to third parties. The Company's CODM reviews net revenue and gross profit and does not review balance sheet information by segment. In 2017, the MSS segment provided O&M services which were provided by the energy segment. Net revenues, cost of revenues and gross profit of MSS segment and energy segment for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016 have been restated to conform to the current year's presentation.

The following table summarizes the Company's revenues and gross profit generated from each segment:

	Years Ended December 31, 2017
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,850,859		677,470		(137,936	)		3,390,393
Cost of revenues		2,390,686		473,453		(111,344	)		2,752,795

Gross profit		460,173		204,017		(26,592	)		637,598

	Years Ended December 31, 2016
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,825,270		106,432		(78,624	)		2,853,078
Cost of revenues		2,429,207		66,955		(60,272	)		2,435,890

Gross profit		396,063		39,477		(18,352	)		417,188

	Years Ended December 31, 2015
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,675,999		975,937		(184,310	)		3,467,626
Cost of revenues		2,278,805		778,050		(165,999	)		2,890,856

Gross profit		397,194		197,887		(18,311	)		576,770

The following table summarizes the Company's net revenues generated from different geographic locations. The information presented below is based on the location of customers' headquarters:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Europe and other regions:
—Germany		75,912		132,185		94,066
—Netherlands		12,859		36,732		51,357
—United Kingdom		98,800		73,274		48,295
—Australia		18,150		33,634		48,069
—Turkey		7,547		9,544		24,833
—Spain		8,246		22,516		13,471
—Others		111,869		103,280		76,049

		333,383		411,165		356,140

The Americas:
—United States		903,748		863,500		628,815
—Brazil		—		33,002		388,554
—Canada		747,100		193,790		52,194
—Others		99,152		13,217		38,599

		1,750,000		1,103,509		1,108,162

Asia:
—PRC		402,180		585,296		874,559
—Japan		578,173		373,396		476,946
—India		262,536		292,234		336,468
—Singapore		24,131		7,615		97,483
—U.A.E		—		5,391		91,991
—Others		117,223		74,472		48,644

		1,384,243		1,338,404		1,926,091

Total net revenues		3,467,626		2,853,078		3,390,393

The following table summarizes the Company's long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, non-current project assets, solar power systems, prepaid land use rights and intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and 2017 by geographic region, based on the physical location of the assets:

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
PRC		434,989		675,291
Japan		167,465		99,673
United States		67,652		71,761
Canada		7,308		8,827
Others		136,457		193,452

Total long-lived assets		813,871		1,049,004

The following table summarizes the Company's revenues generated from each product or service:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Solar power products		2,303,287		2,573,685		2,551,509
Solar system kits		93,406		86,794		84,598
Solar power projects		557,995		22,665		632,256
EPC and development services		385,882		11,990		2,925
Electricity		32,059		68,789		29,236
O&M services		3,310		4,128		6,938
Others		91,687		85,027		82,931

Total net revenues		3,467,626		2,853,078		3,390,393

MAJOR CUSTOMERS	12 Months Ended
MAJOR CUSTOMERS	Dec. 31, 2017
MAJOR CUSTOMERS
MAJOR CUSTOMERS	25. MAJOR CUSTOMERS No customers accounted for 10% or more of total net revenues. The accounts receivable from three customers with the largest receivable balances represents 12%, 4% and 4% of the balance of the account at December 31, 2017, and 9%, 6% and 4% of the balance of the account at December 31, 2016, respectively. The balance from the customer with the largest receivable balance is $43,218 and $34,468 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	Dec. 31, 2017
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	26. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Employees of the Company located in the PRC are covered by the retirement schemes defined by local practice and regulations, which are essentially defined contribution schemes. The calculation of contributions for eligible employees is based on 20% of the applicable payroll cost in 2016. The expense incurred by the Company to these defined contributions schemes was $6,189, $7,186 and $9,412 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. In addition, in 2017, the Company is required by PRC law to contribute approximately 10%, 8%, 2% and 2% of applicable salaries for medical insurance benefits, housing funds, unemployment and other statutory benefits, respectively. The PRC government is directly responsible for the payment of the benefits to these employees. The amounts contributed for these benefit schemes were $8,193, $9,128 and $10,447 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

27. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In March 2006, the Company adopted a share incentive plan, or the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company by linking the personal interests of the directors, employees and consultants to those of the shareholders and providing the directors, employees and consultants with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to the shareholders. The Plan is also intended to motivate, attract and retain the services of the directors, employees and consultants upon whose judgment, interest and effort the successful conduct of the Company's operations is largely dependent. In September 2010, the shareholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase the maximum number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to all awards of options, restricted shares and RSUs under the Plan to the sum of (i) 2,330,000 plus (ii) the sum of (a) 1% of the number of outstanding common shares of the Company on the first day of each of 2007, 2008 and 2009 and (b) 2.5% of the number of outstanding common shares of the Company outstanding on the first day of each calendar year after 2009. The Plan will expire on, and no awards may be granted after, May 8, 2021. Under the terms of the Plan, options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's ordinary shares and expire ten years from the date of grant.

Options to Employees

As of December 31, 2017, there was nil unrecognized compensation expense related to share-based compensation awards. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, $355, $44 and nil was recognized as compensation expense, respectively.

The Company utilizes the Binomial option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options. No stock options were granted in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

The Company used the market yield of Chinese International Government Bonds, denominated in U.S. dollar, with maturities that can cover the contractual life of the shares option for the risk-free rates. In 2013, since the Company has been listed for approximately 7 years and its share price history is more comparable to the life of the issued options, the Company estimated the expected volatility based on the annualized standard deviation of its daily stock price return from the date of listing to the valuation date. The Company's dividend policy is to retain earnings for reinvestment purpose, thus the dividend yield is assumed to be zero. The Company estimated the annual exit rates based on the historical general exit rate of employees at different levels. The Company estimated the exercise multiple based on the historical exercise pattern of prior employee stock options granted by the Company.

A summary of the option activity is as follows:

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contract Terms	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
				$			In Thousands of U.S. Dollars
Options outstanding at January 1, 2017		466,286			14.52	3 years		1,081
Granted		—
Exercised		(97,113	)		9.03
Forfeited		—

Options outstanding at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068


Options vested or expected to be vested at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068


Options exercisable at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068

The weighted average grant-date fair values of options granted in 2015, 2016 and 2017 was nil. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was $3,422, $2,643 and $605, respectively.

RSUs to Employees

The Company granted 574,488, 868,036 and 1,033,001 RSUs to employees in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The RSUs entitle the holders to receive the Company's common shares upon vesting. The RSUs were granted for free and generally vest over periods from one to four years based on the specific terms of the grants. The fair market value of the Company's ordinary shares at the date of grant resulted in total compensation cost of approximately $13.2 million, $12.1 million and $13.3 million that will be recognized ratably over the vesting period for the RSUs granted in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized $5,611, $7,713 and $9,314 in compensation expense associated with these awards, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, there was $21,867 of total unrecognized share-based compensation related to unvested RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.65 years.

A summary of the RSU activity is as follows:

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
				$
Unvested at January 1, 2017		1,402,859			17.27
Granted		1,033,001			13.11
Vested		569,423			14.49
Forfeited		(134,390	)		20.89

Unvested at December 31, 2017		1,732,047			15.42

The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was $4,641, $7,271 and $12,091, respectively.

WARRANTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

WARRANTS

WARRANTS

28. WARRANTS

In connection with $180 million of two-year senior secured term syndicated loan arranged by Credit Suisse, the Company issued the lenders warrants to purchase up to 1,348,040 shares of CSI's common stock, at an exercise price of $24.48 per share on October 26, 2015, and warrants to purchase up to 940,171 shares of common stock, at an exercise price of $28.08 per share on December 11, 2015, respectively (the "Warrants"), subject to adjustment under several special circumstances, including anti-dilution clauses.

The Warrants can be settled in cash at the discretion of the holder. As a result, they were accounted for as derivative liabilities which were fair valued at issuance and are subsequently marked to market at the end of each reporting period, until such time as the warrant is exercised or expired.

On the issuance dates of the Warrants, the Company recorded them at the fair value of $16,378 with an offset to the borrowing proceeds. The Company recognized a gain of $24,554 and $711 from change in fair value of the Warrants in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Warrants expired at October 25, 2017 and December 10, 2017, respectively.

The Company utilizes the Binomial model to estimate the fair value of the Warrants. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Warrants as of the date that the Warrants were originally issued and as of December 31, 2016:

	At October 26, 2015			At December 11, 2015			At December 31, 2016
Exercise price	$	24.48		$	28.08		$24.48 ~ $28.08
Risk-free interest rate		0.672	%		0.935	%	0.850% ~ 0.875%
Dividend yield		—			—		—
Time to maturity		2			2		0.82 ~ 0.94
Expected volatility		67.24	%		65.13	%	53.99% ~ 59.21%

The Company used the market yield of U.S. Government Bonds with maturity on October 31, 2017 as of the valuation date for the risk-free interest rate. The Company's dividend policy is to retain earnings for reinvestment purpose and the Company does not intend to distribute dividends, thus the dividend yield is assumed to be zero. Expected volatility is based on the historical share price movement of the Company for the period of time close to the expected time to exercise. The expected life is based on the remaining term of the Warrants.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and expiration the Warrants:

Derivative Liabilities	At December 31, 2017
	$
Beginning balance		711
Expiration of the Warrants		(711	)

Ending balance		—

CAPITAL LEASES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

CAPITAL LEASES

CAPITAL LEASES

29. CAPITAL LEASES

During 2017, the Company sold certain machinery ("leased assets") to third party financing companies (the "purchaser-lessor") and simultaneously entered into contracts to lease back the leased assets from the purchaser-lessor for periods ranging from two to four years. Pursuant to the terms of the contracts, the Company is required to pay to the purchaser-lessor quarterly lease payments over the terms of the lease and has the option to re-purchase the machinery for a nominal price upon the expiration of the lease. The lease is classified as capital lease. In connection with this sale-leaseback transaction, the Company recognized a loss of approximately $6.5million, which is being deferred and amortized into expense over the remaining useful lives of the leased assets.

In March 2017, the Company entered into a two-year finance leasing contract with a third-party lessor to lease equipment with carrying amount of $23.0 million. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, the Company is required to pay to the lessor quarterly lease payment over the lease term and has the option to re-purchase these equipment at a nominal price upon the expiration of the lease. The lease is classified as capital lease.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the net value of the leased assets are:

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Machinery and equipment		17,206			131,624
Accumulated depreciation		(6,473	)		(46,727	)

Machinery and equipment, net		10,733			84,897

The Company also leases machinery from third parties in the PRC under non-cancellable capital leases. As of December 31, 2017, future minimum lease payments for assets under capital leases to be paid over the remaining terms of up to four years were as follows:

Year Ending December 31:	$
2018		59,340
2019		33,300
2020		14,231
2021 and thereafter		3,425

Total minimum lease payments		110,296
Less: amount representing interest		6,982

Present value of net minimum lease payments		103,314
Current portion		59,942

Non-current portion		43,372

The current portion of the present value of net minimum lease payments is recorded in other payables, while the non-current portion is recorded in other non-current liabilities.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	Dec. 31, 2017
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	30. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In January 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with Photon Energy NV to co-develop five utility-scale solar power projects, with a total capacity of 1.14 GWp, in New South Wales, Australia. In February 2018, the Company completed the sale of solar power plants totaling 142 MWp in the U.K. to Greencoat Solar II LP, for approximately GBP 191.2 million ($267.7 million), net of distributions of GBP 3.8 million ($5.3 million) made prior to closing. In March 2018, the Company completed the sale of its interests in three solar power plants totaling 309 MWp in the U.S. to Korea Electric Power Corporation, for approximately $720 million.

Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I

Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I

Additional Information—Financial Statement Schedule I

Canadian Solar Inc.

Schedule I has been provided pursuant to the requirements of Rule 12-04(a) and 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X, which require condensed financial information as to financial position, changes in financial position and results of operations of a parent company as of the same dates and for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements have been presented as the restricted net assets of Canadian Solar Inc.'s consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries not available for distribution to Canadian Solar Inc. as of December 31, 2017 of $461.8 million, exceeded the 25% threshold.

The condensed financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the consolidated financial statements, except that the equity method has been used to account for investments in subsidiaries.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

BALANCE SHEETS

	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2017
	(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		21,348			16,957
Accounts receivable trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,007 and $3,642 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively		103			6,207
Amounts due from related parties		419,075			375,843
Derivative assets—current		2,425			—
Advances to suppliers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,225 and $5,222 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively		—			60
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,871			11,490

Total current assets		447,822			410,557
Investment in subsidiaries		789,633			1,005,176
Deferred tax assets—non-current		22,609			9,185
Other non-current assets		64,903			67,940

TOTAL ASSETS		1,324,967			1,492,858


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		10,000			151,000
Accounts payable		3			3
Amounts due to related parties		73,053			139,091
Derivative liabilities—current		1,914			—
Other current liabilities		10,952			36,914

Total current liabilities		95,922			327,008
Accrued warranty costs		2,950			—
Convertible notes		125,569			126,476
Long-term borrowings		190,000			—
Deferred tax liabilities—non-current		20,054			524
Liability for uncertain tax positions		5,791			6,625

TOTAL LIABILITIES		440,286			460,633

Equity:
Common shares—no par value: unlimited authorized shares, 57,830,149 and 58,496,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively		701,283			702,162
Additional paid-in capital		(8,897	)		417
Retained earnings		284,109			383,680
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(91,814	)		(54,034	)

TOTAL EQUITY		884,681			1,032,225

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		1,324,967			1,492,858

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Years Ended December 31
	2015			2016			2017
	(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Net revenues		23,302			13,748			35,011
Cost of revenues		15,850			9,657			29,542

Gross profit		7,452			4,091			5,469

Operating expenses:
Selling expenses		3,309			3,727			2,221
General and administrative expenses		29,124			17,167			18,390
Research and development expenses		450			589			645
Other operating loss		—			—			1,173

Total operating expenses		32,883			21,483			22,429

Loss from operations		(25,431	)		(17,392	)		(16,960	)

Other income (expenses):
Interest expense		(17,241	)		(29,032	)		(20,078	)
Interest income		34,471			44,666			42,191
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(13,571	)		30,988			(7,134	)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)		1,324			(3,810	)		(18,110	)
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		—			2,782			—
Investment loss		—			—			(11,944	)

Other income (expenses), net:		4,983			45,594			(15,075	)

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated investees		(20,448	)		28,202			(32,035	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1,231	)		(6,599	)		1,686
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		193,813			43,596			130,048
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees		(273	)		50			(127	)

Net income		171,861			65,249			99,572

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Net income		171,861			65,249			99,572
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax of nil):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(79,913	)		(31,958	)		37,780

Comprehensive income		91,948			33,291			137,352

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Operating activities:
Net income		171,861			65,249			99,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		32			32			33
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries		—			—			9,559
Impairment loss of investment		—			—			3,686
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivatives		13,571			(30,988	)		7,134
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		—			(2,782	)		—
Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,535			(844	)		2,666
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(193,813	)		(43,596	)		(130,048	)
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated investees		273			(50	)		127
Share-based compensation		5,966			7,757			9,314
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories		296			146			—
Accounts receivable trade		2,189			3,010			(6,739	)
Amounts due from related parties		228,284			21,731			57,539
Advances to suppliers		(226	)		226			(60	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(7,106	)		6,955			(5,715	)
Other non-current assets		(14,710	)		(2,039	)		1,016
Accounts payable		3			(4	)		—
Advances from customers		1,352			(1,413	)		(1,069	)
Amounts due to related parties		103,348			(129,307	)		66,038
Accrued warranty costs		(2,941	)		(12,381	)		(10,639	)
Other liabilities		4,484			(297	)		23,505
Liability for uncertain tax positions		(1,111	)		(7,413	)		833
Deferred taxes		1,451			199			(6,106	)
Net settlement of derivatives		(3,950	)		17,043			(6,358	)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		310,788			(108,766	)		114,288

Investing activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash		(6,513	)		6,512			—
Investment in subsidiaries		(116,840	)		—			(64,185	)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries		—			—			61,749
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		—			—			(26	)
(Funding) repayment of loans to subsidiaries		(550,776	)		299,578			(74,458	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(674,129	)		306,090			(76,920	)

Financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings		10,000			—			—
Repayment of short-term borrowings		—			(190,000	)		(49,000	)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		364,680			—			—
Proceeds from issuance of warrant		16,378			—			—
Investment on non-controlling interest		(918	)		—			—
Proceeds from issuance of common shares		—			23,864			—
Issuance costs paid for common shares offering		—			(456	)		—
Payment for repurchase of convertible notes		—			(19,667	)		—
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		1,867			707			879

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		392,007			(185,552	)		(48,121	)

Effect of exchange rate changes		2,085			(24,630	)		6,362

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		30,751			(12,858	)		(4,391	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year		3,455			34,206			21,348

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year		34,206			21,348			16,957

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)		15,299			29,288			18,375
Income taxes paid		—			—			—

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

Appendix 1 - Major Subsidiaries of CSI

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Appendix 1 - Major Subsidiaries of CSI

APPENDIX 1 - Major Subsidiaries of CSI

Appendix 1

Major Subsidiaries of CSI

The following table sets forth information concerning CSI's major subsidiaries:

Subsidiary	Place and Date of Incorporation		Attributable Equity Interest Held			Principal Activity
CSI Solartronics (Changshu) Co., Ltd.		PRC November 23, 2001		100%		Developing solar power project
CSI Solar Technologies Inc.		PRC August 8, 2003		100%		Sales and marketing of solar products
CSI New Energy Holding Co., Ltd.		PRC January 7, 2005		100%		Investment holding
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc.		PRC February 24, 2006		100%		Manufacture of solar modules, ingots and wafers
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc.		PRC August 1, 2006		100%		Production of solar modules
CSI Cells Co., Ltd.		PRC August 23, 2006		100%		Manufacture of solar cells
Canadian Solar (USA) Inc.		USA June 8, 2007		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.		Japan June 21, 2009		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc.		Canada June 22, 2009		100%		Developing solar power project and manufacture of solar modules
CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly named/known as "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.")		PRC July 7, 2009		100%		Investment holding and trading
Canadian Solar EMEA GmbH		Germany August 21, 2009		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar (Australia) Pty Limited		Australia February 3, 2011		100%		Developing solar power project
Canadian Solar International Limited		Hong Kong March 25, 2011		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar O and M (Ontario) Inc.		Canada May 10, 2011		100%		Solar farm operating and maintenance service
Suzhou Sanysolar Materials Technology Co., Ltd.		PRC August 17, 2011		75.324%		Production of solar module materials
Canadian Solar South East Asia Pte. Ltd.		Singapore September 19, 2011		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar South Africa (Pty) Ltd		South Africa June 22, 2012		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar Brazil Commerce, Import and Export of Solar Panels Ltd.		Brazil November 14, 2012		100%		Sales and marketing of solar modules, and provide solar energy solution to customer
Canadian Solar Middle East Limited		United Arab Emirates December 10, 2012		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar Construction (USA) LLC		USA May 20, 2014		100%		Solar farm operating and maintenance service
Canadian Solar Projects K.K.		Japan May 20, 2014		100%		Developing solar power project
CSI&GCL Solar Manufacturing (Yan Cheng) Inc.		PRC May 29, 2014		80%		Research and developing, manufacture and sales of solar cells, and solar power projects development
Canadian Solar UK Ltd.		United Kingdom May 29, 2014		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar UK Projects Ltd.		United Kingdom August 29, 2014		100%		Developing solar power project
Changshu Tegu New Material Technology Co., Ltd.		PRC September 2, 2014		90%		EVA solar packaging film research and development, production, and sales
Changshu Tlian Co., Ltd.		PRC December 26, 2014		100%		Junction box and connector research, development, production and sales
Canadian Solar Trading (Changshu) Inc.		PRC January 22, 2015		100%		Sales of solar wafers, cells and other photovoltaic products
Recurrent Energy Group Inc.		USA January 22, 2015		100%		Developing solar power project
Recurrent Energy, LLC		USA March 31, 2015		100%		Developing solar power project
PT. Canadian Solar Indonesia		Indonesia February 26, 2015		67%		Production of solar modules
Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd.		Vietnam June 25, 2015		100%		Production of solar modules
Canadian Solar Energy Private Limited		India May 06, 2015		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar MSS (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly named/known as "Canadian Solar Australia 1 Pty Ltd. ")		Australia August 03, 2015		100%		Sales and marketing of modules
Canadian Solar Energy Holding Company Limited		Hong Kong September 22, 2015		100%		Project investment, financing, trading of solar modules
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.		Thailand November 20, 2015		99.99992%		Cells and module production
Canadian Solar Sunenergy (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.		PRC May 12, 2016		100%		Production of solar modules
Canadian Solar Energy Holding Singapore 1 Pte. Ltd.		Singapore June 7, 2016		100%		Development & Ownership of Solar PV Projects
Canadian Solar Sunenergy (Baotou) Co., Ltd.		PRC August 18, 2016		100%		Production of solar modules, ingots and wafers
CSI Cells (Yancheng) Co., Ltd.		PRC May 18, 2017			*	Production of solar cells
CSI Modules (Dafeng) Co., Ltd.		PRC May 16, 2017			**	Production of solar modules


*	CSI Cells holds 3.22% equity rights of CSI Cells (Yancheng) Co., Ltd. A limited partnership fund, of which CSI Cells holds 37.33% shares as a limited partner and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. holds 0.17% shares as a general partner, holds 96.77% equity rights of CSI Cells (Yancheng) Co., Ltd.
**	CSI Changshu Manufacturing holds 4% equity rights of CSI Modules (Dafeng) Co., Ltd. A limited partnership fund, of which CSI Changshu Manufacturing holds 14.93% shares as a limited partner and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. holds 0.07% shares as a general partner, holds 96% equity rights of CSI Modules ( Dafeng) Co., Ltd.

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation

(a) Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP").

Basis of consolidation

(b) Basis of consolidation

Use of estimates

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

(d) Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

Accounts receivable, unbilled

(e) Accounts receivable, unbilled

Allowance for doubtful receivables

(f) Allowance for doubtful receivables

Advances to suppliers

(g) Advances to suppliers

Inventories

(h) Inventories

Adjustments are recorded to write down the cost of obsolete and excess inventories to the estimated net realizable value based on historical and forecast demand.

Project assets

(i) Project assets

Business combination

(j) Business combination

Assets acquisition

(k) Assets acquisition

Goodwill

(l) Goodwill

Property, plant and equipment

(m) Property, plant and equipment

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings		20 years
Leasehold improvements		Over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives
Machinery		5-10 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		5 years
Motor vehicles		5 years

Assets held-for-sale

(n) Assets held-for-sale

Solar power systems

(o) Solar power systems

Intangible assets

(p) Intangible assets

Power purchase agreement ("PPA")		Over the estimated useful lives
Technical know-how		10 years
Computer software		1-10 years

Prepaid land use rights

(q) Prepaid land use rights

Investments in affiliates

(r) Investments in affiliates

Impairment of long-lived assets

(s) Impairment of long-lived assets

Interest capitalization

(t) Interest capitalization

Assets retirement obligation

(u) Assets retirement obligation

Contingencies

(v) Contingencies

Income taxes

(w) Income taxes

Revenue recognition

(x) Revenue recognition

Solar power products

Revenues from sales to customers are recorded net of estimated returns.

EPC and development services

Solar power projects


	(i)	Full accrual method. The Company records revenue for certain sales arrangements after construction of discrete portions of a project or after the entire project is substantially complete. The Company recognizes revenue and profit using the full accrual method when all of the following requirements are met: (a) the sales are consummated; (b) the buyer's initial and continuing investments are adequate to demonstrate its commitment to pay; (c) the receivable is not subject to any future subordination; and (d) the Company has transferred the usual risk and rewards of ownership to the buyer. Specifically, the Company considers the following factors in determining whether the sales have been consummated: (a) the parties are bound by the terms of a contract; (b) all consideration has been exchanged; (c) permanent financing for which the seller is responsible has been arranged; and (d) all conditions precedent to closing have been performed, and the Company does not have any substantial continuing involvement with the project.
	(ii)	Percentage-of-completion method. The Company applies the percentage-of-completion method, as further described below, to certain real estate sales arrangements where the Company conveys control of land or land rights, (a) when a sale has been consummated; (b) the Company has transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer; (c) the initial and continuing investment criteria have been met; (d) the Company has the ability to estimate its costs and progress toward completion, and (e) all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. The initial and continuing investment requirements, which demonstrate a buyer's commitment to honor their obligations for the sales arrangement, can typically be met through the receipt of cash or an irrevocable letter of credit from a highly creditworthy lending institution. When evaluating whether the usual risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the buyer, the Company considers whether it has or may be contingently required to have any prohibited forms of continuing involvement with the project. Prohibited forms of continuing involvement in a real estate sales arrangement may include the Company retaining risks or rewards associated with the project that are not customary with the range of risks or rewards that an EPC contractor may assume.
	(iii)	Installment method. Depending on whether the initial and continuing investment requirements have been met, and whether collectability from the buyer is reasonably assured, the Company may align its revenue recognition and release of project assets or deferred project costs to cost of sales with the receipt of payment from the buyer if the sale has been consummated and the Company has transferred the usual risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer.


	(iv)	Financing method. If the Company determines that it is likely the repurchase option will be exercised, the transactions are accounted for as financing arrangement. All the project assets remain on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The buyer's shares of earnings in the projects, during each period are reflected as interest expenses with a corresponding increase to the respective financing liabilities. Further distributions from the projects are reflected as a decrease to the financing liabilities. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded financing liabilities of $459.3 million and $407.7 million in financing liabilities-current on the consolidated balance sheet, respectively. The balances had been net of distributions of $1.4 million and $9.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
	(v)	Profit-sharing arrangement. If the Company determines that it is unlikely the repurchase option will be exercised, the transactions are accounted for as profit-sharing arrangement. The Company reclassifies the property and any related existing debt assumed by the buyer to an investment account on its balance sheet and any cash received from the buyer is credited to the investment account. The amount will be recorded in investments in affiliates or other liabilities on the balance sheet depending on whether the amount is a debit or credit. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Electricity revenue

Shipping and handling costs

(y) Shipping and handling costs

Research and development

(z) Research and development

Other operating income, net

(aa) Other operating income, net

The following table summarizes the Company's other operating income, net:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Net gain on disposal of solar power system		—			(47,899	)		(27,803	)
Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1,801			8,094			1,960
Government grants		(7,193	)		(2,734	)		(6,473	)
Business interruption insurance compensation		—			—			(15,238	)

		(5,392	)		(42,539	)		(47,554	)

Warranty cost

(ab) Warranty cost

The Company maintains warranty reserves to cover potential liabilities that could arise under these guarantees and warranties.

Foreign currency translation

(ac) Foreign currency translation

Comprehensive income

(ad) Comprehensive income

Foreign currency risk

(ae) Foreign currency risk

Concentration of credit risk

(af) Concentration of credit risk

All of the Company's cash and cash equivalents are held with financial institutions that Company management believes to have high credit quality.

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Supplier A		18,260		18,260

Fair value of financial instruments

(ag) Fair value of financial instruments

Derivatives instruments and hedging activity

(ah) Derivatives instruments and hedging activity

Earnings (loss) per share

(ai) Earnings (loss) per share

Share-based compensation

(aj) Share-based compensation

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

(ak) Recently issued accounting pronouncements

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Schedule of expected useful lives of property and equipment

Buildings		20 years
Leasehold improvements		Over the shorter of the lease term or their estimated useful lives
Machinery		5-10 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		5 years
Motor vehicles		5 years

Schedule of useful life intangible assets

Power purchase agreement ("PPA")		Over the estimated useful lives
Technical know-how		10 years
Computer software		1-10 years

Summary of the Company's other operating income, net

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Net gain on disposal of solar power system		—			(47,899	)		(27,803	)
Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment		1,801			8,094			1,960
Government grants		(7,193	)		(2,734	)		(6,473	)
Business interruption insurance compensation		—			—			(15,238	)

		(5,392	)		(42,539	)		(47,554	)

Schedule of gross prepayments made to individual suppliers in excess of 10% of total advances to suppliers

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Supplier A		18,260		18,260

BUSINESS COMBINATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Recurrent

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		108.4
Restricted cash		38.2
Project assets		233.5
Solar power systems, net		46.8
Other assets		40.2
Less: Long term borrowings and notes payable		165.2
Other liabilities		51.4

Total identifiable net assets		250.5


Goodwill		10.9

SSM

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		8.1
Solar power systems.		141.9
Intangible assets		72.0
Other assets		11.7
Less: Short-term borrowings		7.4
Long-term borrowings		134.6
Other liabilities		32.7

Total identifiable net assets		59.0

Gaochuangte

Schedule of estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition

	In Millions of U.S. Dollars
Recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Cash		21.2
Accounts receivable.		20.0
Fixed assets		2.0
Other assets		25.8
Less: Accounts payable		13.1
Other liabilities		3.9

Total identifiable net assets		52.0

Less: Non-controlling interests		10.9
Less: Net assets belongs to CSI before acquisition		7.3

		33.8

Schedule of pro forma results give effect as though the acquisition of Gaochuangte were consummated on January 1, 2016

	For the year end December 31
	2016		2017
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, expect per share data)
Pro forma revenues		2,873,713		3,419,421
Pro forma net income attributable to CSI		65,994		100,007
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CSI		1.14		1.70

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Allowances for accounts receivable, trade

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Schedule of allowances

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		31,817			28,156			26,119
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net		(1,084	)		(854	)		5,345
Accounts written-off against allowances		(858	)		(47	)		(174	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1,719	)		(1,136	)		1,651

Closing balance		28,156			26,119			32,941

Allowances for advances to suppliers

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Schedule of allowances

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		37,735			28,629			19,527
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net		1,291			(5,427	)		(833	)
Accounts written-off against allowances		(9,465	)		(3,644	)		—
Foreign exchange effect		(932	)		(31	)		68

Closing balance		28,629			19,527			18,762

Allowances for other receivables

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Schedule of allowances

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning of the year		830			3,885			9,251
Allowances made during the year, net		3,257			5,954			549
Foreign exchange effect		(202	)		(588	)		549

Closing balance		3,885			9,251			10,349

INVENTORIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INVENTORIES

Schedule of inventories

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Raw materials		71,655		90,299
Work-in-process		22,776		59,576
Finished goods		200,940		196,217

		295,371		346,092

PROJECT ASSETS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

PROJECT ASSETS

Schedule of project assets

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Project assets—Acquisition cost		38,298		40,094
Project assets—EPC and other cost		1,461,995		1,631,418

		1,500,293		1,671,512


Current portion		1,317,902		1,523,342
Non-current portion		182,391		148,170

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE

Schedule of assets and liabilities solar power projects held for sale

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Cash and cash equivalents		8,921		7,714
Restricted cash—current		41		129
Accounts receivable trade, net		6,555		1,161
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		7,427		8,394
Solar power systems, net		290,613		165,312
Intangible assets, net		68,438		—
Other non-current assets		10,094		87

Total assets held-for-sale		392,089		182,797

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Short-term borrowings		12,221		4,862
Accounts payable		880		100
Other payables		13,240		2,022
Derivative liabilities-current		3,863		—
Other current liabilities		1,537		918
Long-term borrowings		224,545		161,323
Derivative liabilities—non-current		16,672		4,024
Other non-current liabilities		6,314		12,623

Total liabilities held-for-sale		279,272		185,872

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of information related to a disposal group. Includes, but is not limited to, a discontinued operation, disposal classified as held-for-sale or disposed of by means other than sale or disposal of an individually significant component.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-Section 50
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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-Topic 205
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721659-107760

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 205
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721671-107760

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64827811&loc=SL51721677-107760

+ Details

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Schedule of components of property, plant and equipment, net

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Buildings		187,179			340,215
Leasehold improvements		9,023			11,498
Machinery		458,624			698,150
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		44,443			50,310
Motor vehicles		4,653			5,782
Land		13,451			18,647

		717,373			1,124,602
Accumulated depreciation		(402,792	)		(462,128	)
Impairment		(17,601	)		(7,933	)

		296,980			654,541
Construction in process		165,365			92,694

Property, plant and equipment, net		462,345			747,235

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET

Schedule of solar power systems, net

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Solar power systems in operation		120,935			74,488
Solar power systems under construction		4,782			4,710
Accumulated depreciation		(13,655	)		(15,234	)

Solar power systems, net		112,062			63,964

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Schedule of intangible assets

At December 31, 2017	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	$		$			$
Technical know-how		2,334		(1,371	)		963
Computer software		20,883		(10,860	)		10,023

Total intangible assets, net		23,217		(12,231	)		10,986

At December 31, 2016	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net
	$		$			$
Technical know-how		1,431		(1,183	)		248
Computer software		15,884		(7,710	)		8,174

Total intangible assets, net		17,315		(8,893	)		8,422

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Schedule of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

	Fair Value Measurements Using
At December 31, 2017	Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	$		$		$		$
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts		12,316		—		12,316		—
Commodity hedge		3,416		—		3,416		—
Interest rate swap		11,379		—		11,379		—

Total assets		27,111		—		27,111		—


Liabilities:
Interest rate swap		1,359		—		1,359		—
Foreign exchange forward contracts		5,121		—		5,121		—

Total liabilities		6,480		—		6,480		—

	Fair Value Measurements Using
At December 31, 2016	Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	$		$		$		$
Assets:
Foreign exchange forward contracts		10,632		—		10,632		—
Commodity hedge		4,230		—		4,230		—
Interest rate swap		12,854		—		12,854		—

Total assets		27,716		—		27,716		—


Liabilities:
Interest rate swap		5,418		—		5,418		—
Warrants		711		—		711		—
Foreign exchange forward contracts		3,496		—		3,496		—

Total liabilities		9,625		—		9,625		—

Schedule of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets

	Fair Value of Derivative Assets
	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Derivative assets—current		10,632	Derivative assets—current		12,316
Commodity hedge	Derivative assets—current		1,638	Derivative assets—current		3,416
Interest rate swap	Derivative assets—current		—	Derivative assets—current		468
Commodity hedge	Derivative assets—non-current		2,592	Derivative assets—non-current		—
Interest rate swap	Derivative assets—non-current		12,854	Derivative assets—non-current		10,911

	Total		27,716	Total		27,111

	Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities
	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Derivative liabilities—current		3,496	Derivative liabilities—current		5,120
Warrants	Derivative liabilities—current		711	Derivative liabilities—current		—
Interest rate swap	Derivative liabilities—current		5,418	Derivative liabilities—current		1,001
Interest rate swap	Derivative liabilities—non-current		—	Derivative liabilities—non-current		359

	Total		9,625	Total		6,480

Schedule of effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations

		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operations
		Years Ended December 31
	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operations	Years Ended December 31
		2015			2016			2017
		$			$			$
Foreign exchange forward contracts	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(3,738	)		4,798			(2,638	)
Warrants	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(8,887	)		24,554			711
Commodity hedge	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(7	)		75			—
Interest rate swaption	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(107	)		(4,335	)		—
Interest rate swap	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		543			2,230			1,655

	Total		(12,196	)		27,322			(272	)

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Schedule of carrying amounts and classifications of consolidated VIE's assets and liabilities, excluding intercompany balances

	At December 31, 2017
	$
Current assets		226,071
Non-current assets		25,635

Total assets		251,706


Current liabilities		222,263
Non-current liabilities		6,777

Total liabilities		229,040

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

+ References + Details

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

Schedule of investments in affiliates

	At December 31,
	2016				2017
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
	$		(%)		$		(%)
Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Co., Ltd.		7,049		40		—		—
CSI SkyPower		3,749		50		—		—
RE Tranquillity Holdings LLC ("Tranquillity")		143,951		49		145,795		49
RE Silverlake Holdings LLC ("Garland")		118,641		49		120,247		49
RE Roserock Holdings LLC ("Roserock")		30,870		49		77,053		49
Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.		12,974		6		14,129		6
Pirapora Solar Holding S.A.		13,775		20		6,551		20
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc.		—		—		23,866		14.76
Others		37,450		21-49		26,574		21-49

Total		368,459				414,215

BORROWINGS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

BORROWINGS

Schedule of bank borrowings

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings		1,960,893		2,043,974

Analysis as:
Short-term		902,348		829,035
Long-term, current portion		675,857		860,954

Subtotal for short-term		1,578,205		1,689,989
Long-term, non-current portion		382,688		353,985

Borrowings from non-banking institutions		132,595		318,122

Analysis as:
Short-term		—		270
Long-term, current portion		21,828		267,496

Subtotal for short-term		21,828		267,766
Long-term, non-current portion		110,767		50,356

Total		2,093,488		2,362,096

Schedule of the Company's short-term borrowings

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings
Short-term bank borrowings secured by restricted cash		266,685		267,507
Short-term bank borrowings secured by inventories		46,408		7,652
Short-term bank borrowings secured by prepaid land use rights and property, plant and equipment		211,263		248,502
Short-term bank borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		82,079		2,700
Unsecured short-term borrowings		295,913		302,674
Long-term borrowings due within one year
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by prepaid land use rights and property, plant and equipment		16,919		8,313
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by project assets and solar power systems		630,696		690,283
Long-term bank borrowings due within one year secured by equity		18,765		151,000
Unsecured long-term borrowings due within one year		9,477		11,358

		1,578,205		1,689,989
Borrowings from non-banking institutions
Short-term borrowings secured by project assets		—		270
Long-term borrowings due within one year secured by project assets		2,640		205,873
Unsecured long-term borrowings due within one year		19,188		61,623

		21,828		267,766

Total		1,600,033		1,957,755

Schedule of the Company's long-term borrowings

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
Bank borrowings
Unsecured long-term bank borrowings		—		87,852
Long-term bank borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		27,100		24,640
Long-term bank borrowings secured by property, plant and equipment		15,588		83,329
Long-term bank borrowings secured by equity		340,000		150,000
Long-term borrowings secured by inventory		—		8,164

		382,688		353,985
Borrowings from non-banking institutions
Long-term borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems		49,767		—
Unsecured long-term borrowings		61,000		50,356

		110,767		50,356

Total		493,455		404,341

Schedule of future principal repayments on the long-term borrowings

2018		1,128,450
2019		332,956
2020		42,775
2021		12,873
2022		5,637
Thereafter		10,100

Total		1,532,791
Less: future principal repayment related to long-term borrowings, current portion		(1,128,450	)

Total long-term portion	$	404,341

Schedule of interest incurred

	Years Ended December 31
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Interest capitalized—project assets		102		47,881		13,274
Interest capitalized—solar power systems		23,328		3,113		—
Interest capitalized—property, plant and equipment		912		819		1,010
Interest expense		54,148		69,723		117,971

Total interest incurred		78,490		121,536		132,255

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS

Summary of the Company's warranty activity

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning balance		54,644			65,193			61,139
Warranty provision		15,876			9,817			19,793
Warranty costs incurred		(3,872	)		(13,663	)		(26,552	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1,455	)		(208	)		1,279

Ending balance		65,193			61,139			55,659

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

INCOME TAXES

Schedule of provision for income taxes

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Income before income taxes
Canada		79,631			57,922			(30,524	)
United States		(14,183	)		(74,002	)		(33,205	)
PRC including Hong Kong		174,201			152,588			173,266
Japan		14,284			7,981			28,164
United Kingdom		(7,536	)		(25,781	)		403
Other		(23,569	)		(35,457	)		5,830

		222,828			83,251			143,934


Current tax
Canada		71,002			610			346
United States		40,567			96,172			(54,482	)
PRC including Hong Kong		20,154			29,181			(7,383	)
Japan		5,388			3,381			31,266
United Kingdom		419			(206	)		—
Other		823			(9,263	)		(8,008	)

		138,353			119,875			(38,261	)


Deferred tax
Canada		(44,548	)		6,366			(6,464	)
United States		(45,024	)		(74,562	)		67,426
PRC including Hong Kong		7,305			(31,731	)		23,452
Japan		58			361			(4,499	)
United Kingdom		—			—			(353	)
Other		(6,632	)		(2,333	)		(350	)

		(88,841	)		(101,899	)		79,212


Total income tax expense
Canada		26,454			6,976			(6,118	)
United States		(4,457	)		21,610			12,944
PRC including Hong Kong		27,459			(2,550	)		16,069
Japan		5,446			3,742			26,767
United Kingdom		419			(206	)		(353	)
Other		(5,809	)		(11,596	)		(8,358	)

		49,512			17,976			40,951

Schedule of movement and balance of the Company's liability for uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
	$			$			$
Beginning balance		10,844			9,490			5,684
Addition for tax positions related to the current year		196			1,376			1,376
Reductions for tax positions from prior years/Statute of limitations expirations		—			(5,436	)		(1,094	)
Foreign exchange effect		(1550	)		254			215

Ending balance		9,490			5,684			6,181

Schedule of components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued warranty costs		23,228			17,945
Bad debt allowance		8,058			7,288
Investment in affiliates under tax equity transactions		54,187			24,859
Inventory write-down		4,564			3,283
Future deductible expenses		13,321			17,652
Depreciation and impairment difference of property, plant and equipment and solar power systems		29,668			13,333
Accrued liabilities related to countervailing and antidumping duty deposits		111,021			59,983
Deferred tax assets relating to sales of solar power systems		996			2,721
Net operating losses carry-forward		48,678			52,007
Unrealized foreign exchange loss and capital loss		3,278			3,888
Others		4,450			17,912

Total deferred tax assets, gross		301,449			220,871
Valuation allowance		(71,469	)		(65,399	)

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		229,980			155,472


Deferred tax liabilities:		3,315			2,742
Derivative assets
Depreciation difference of property, plant and equipment		468			243
Insurance recoverable		16,727			21,420
Others		2,838			4,833

Total deferred tax liabilities		23,348			29,238


Net deferred tax assets		206,632			126,234


Analysis as:
Non-current deferred tax assets		229,980			131,796
Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(23,348	)		(5,562	)

Net deferred tax assets		206,632			126,234

Schedule of movement of the valuation allowance

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016		2017
	$			$		$
Beginning balance		52,985			55,959		71,469
Additions (Reversals)		(944	)		14,486		(5,361	)
Addition from acquisition of Recurrent		4,949			—		—
Foreign exchange effect		(1,031	)		1,024		(709	)

Ending balance		55,959			71,469		65,399

Schedule of reconciliation between the provision for income tax computed by applying Canadian federal and provincial statutory tax rates to income before income taxes and the actual provision and benefit for income taxes

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2016			2017
Combined federal and provincial income tax rate		27	%		27	%		27	%
Effect of permanent difference		1	%		(16	)%		(18	)%
Effect of different tax rate on earnings in other jurisdictions		(3	)%		(18	)%		(7	)%
Effect of tax holiday		—	%		(4	)%		(2	)%
Unrecognized tax provision		—	%		4	%		—	%
Change in valuation allowance		—	%		32	%		(6	)%
Effect of change in tax rate		—	%		—	%		39	%
Others		(3	)%		(3	)%		(5	)%

		22	%		22	%		28	%

Schedule of aggregate amount and per share effect of the tax holiday

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	(In Thousands of US Dollars, except per share data)
The aggregate amount		—		3,343		2,850
Per share—basic		—		0.06		0.05
Per share—diluted		—		0.06		0.05

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Schedule of computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	(In Thousands of US Dollars, except share and per share data)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.—basic	$	171,861	$	65,249	$	99,572
Dilutive effect of interest expense of convertible notes		5,275		—		4,649

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.—diluted	$	177,136	$	65,249	$	104,221


Denominator:
Denominator for basic calculation—weighted average number of common shares—basic		55,728,903		57,524,349		58,167,004
Diluted effects of share number from share options and RSUs		1,343,162		534,714		547,821
Diluted effects of share number from warrants		20,658		—		—
Dilutive effects of share number from convertible notes		3,333,333		—		2,833,333

Denominator for diluted calculation—weighted average number of common shares—diluted		60,426,056		58,059,063		61,548,158


Basic earnings per share	$	3.08	$	1.13	$	1.71


Diluted earnings per share	$	2.93	$	1.12	$	1.69

Schedule of anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
Share options and RSUs		115,017		476,043		372,743

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Schedule of future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

Year Ending December 31:	$
2018		10,230
2019		8,884
2020		8,025
2021		6,889
2022		4,965
Thereafter		71,667

Total		110,660

Schedule of future minimum lease payments assets under capital leases

Year Ending December 31:	$
2018		59,340
2019		33,300
2020		14,231
2021 and thereafter		3,425

Total minimum lease payments		110,296
Less: amount representing interest		6,982

Present value of net minimum lease payments		103,314
Current portion		59,942

Non-current portion		43,372

Schedule of future minimum obligation, using market prices, under all supply agreements

Year Ending December 31:	$
2018		1,187,834

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Summary of Company's revenues and gross profit generated from each segment

	Years Ended December 31, 2017
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,850,859		677,470		(137,936	)		3,390,393
Cost of revenues		2,390,686		473,453		(111,344	)		2,752,795

Gross profit		460,173		204,017		(26,592	)		637,598

	Years Ended December 31, 2016
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,825,270		106,432		(78,624	)		2,853,078
Cost of revenues		2,429,207		66,955		(60,272	)		2,435,890

Gross profit		396,063		39,477		(18,352	)		417,188

	Years Ended December 31, 2015
	MSS		Energy		Elimination			Total
	$		$		$			$
Net revenues		2,675,999		975,937		(184,310	)		3,467,626
Cost of revenues		2,278,805		778,050		(165,999	)		2,890,856

Gross profit		397,194		197,887		(18,311	)		576,770

Summary of the Company's net revenues generated from different geographic locations

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Europe and other regions:
—Germany		75,912		132,185		94,066
—Netherlands		12,859		36,732		51,357
—United Kingdom		98,800		73,274		48,295
—Australia		18,150		33,634		48,069
—Turkey		7,547		9,544		24,833
—Spain		8,246		22,516		13,471
—Others		111,869		103,280		76,049

		333,383		411,165		356,140

The Americas:
—United States		903,748		863,500		628,815
—Brazil		—		33,002		388,554
—Canada		747,100		193,790		52,194
—Others		99,152		13,217		38,599

		1,750,000		1,103,509		1,108,162

Asia:
—PRC		402,180		585,296		874,559
—Japan		578,173		373,396		476,946
—India		262,536		292,234		336,468
—Singapore		24,131		7,615		97,483
—U.A.E		—		5,391		91,991
—Others		117,223		74,472		48,644

		1,384,243		1,338,404		1,926,091

Total net revenues		3,467,626		2,853,078		3,390,393

Schedule of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, non-current project assets, solar power systems, prepaid land use rights and intangible assets by geographic region

	At December 31, 2016		At December 31, 2017
	$		$
PRC		434,989		675,291
Japan		167,465		99,673
United States		67,652		71,761
Canada		7,308		8,827
Others		136,457		193,452

Total long-lived assets		813,871		1,049,004

Summary of the Company's revenues generated from each product or service

	Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
	$		$		$
Solar power products		2,303,287		2,573,685		2,551,509
Solar system kits		93,406		86,794		84,598
Solar power projects		557,995		22,665		632,256
EPC and development services		385,882		11,990		2,925
Electricity		32,059		68,789		29,236
O&M services		3,310		4,128		6,938
Others		91,687		85,027		82,931

Total net revenues		3,467,626		2,853,078		3,390,393

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Summary of the option activity

	Number of Options			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contract Terms	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
				$			In Thousands of U.S. Dollars
Options outstanding at January 1, 2017		466,286			14.52	3 years		1,081
Granted		—
Exercised		(97,113	)		9.03
Forfeited		—

Options outstanding at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068


Options vested or expected to be vested at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068


Options exercisable at December 31, 2017		369,173			15.97	2 years		2,068

Summary of the RSU activity

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
				$
Unvested at January 1, 2017		1,402,859			17.27
Granted		1,033,001			13.11
Vested		569,423			14.49
Forfeited		(134,390	)		20.89

Unvested at December 31, 2017		1,732,047			15.42

WARRANTS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

WARRANTS

Schedule of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Warrants

	At October 26, 2015			At December 11, 2015			At December 31, 2016
Exercise price	$	24.48		$	28.08		$24.48 ~ $28.08
Risk-free interest rate		0.672	%		0.935	%	0.850% ~ 0.875%
Dividend yield		—			—		—
Time to maturity		2			2		0.82 ~ 0.94
Expected volatility		67.24	%		65.13	%	53.99% ~ 59.21%

Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Warrants measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs

Derivative Liabilities	At December 31, 2017
	$
Beginning balance		711
Expiration of the Warrants		(711	)

Ending balance		—

CAPITAL LEASES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

CAPITAL LEASES

Schedule of net value of the leased assets

	At December 31, 2016			At December 31, 2017
	$			$
Machinery and equipment		17,206			131,624
Accumulated depreciation		(6,473	)		(46,727	)

Machinery and equipment, net		10,733			84,897

Schedule of future minimum lease payments assets under capital leases

Year Ending December 31:	$
2018		59,340
2019		33,300
2020		14,231
2021 and thereafter		3,425

Total minimum lease payments		110,296
Less: amount representing interest		6,982

Present value of net minimum lease payments		103,314
Current portion		59,942

Non-current portion		43,372

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Allowance for doubtful receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Allowance for doubtful receivables
Receivable from Sinosure recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 9	$ 409

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Project assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Project assets
Solar power systems reclassified to project assets-current	$ 1.0	$ 1,202.1
Solar power systems reclassified to project assets-non-current	$ 3.8	$ 160.0
Buildings
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Machinery \| Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Machinery \| Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Motor vehicles
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Solar power systems \| Minimum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Solar power systems \| Maximum
Property, plant and equipment
Estimated useful lives	25 years

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Intangible assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Minimum
Prepaid land use right
Period over which land use rights in China and Japan are charged to earnings	20 years
Maximum
Prepaid land use right
Period over which land use rights in China and Japan are charged to earnings	50 years
Technical know-how
Intangible assets
Amortization period	10 years
Computer software \| Minimum
Intangible assets
Amortization period	1 year
Computer software \| Maximum
Intangible assets
Amortization period	10 years

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Investments in affiliates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments in affiliates
Impairment charges on investments	$ 3,686	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment charges for property, plant and equipment	11,626	22,757	6,992
Assets retirement obligation
Assets Retirement Obligation (ARO) included in solar power systems	109	1,503
Revenue recognition
Inventories relating to unrecognized revenue	7,100	5,900	7,300
Performance-based energy incentives recognized	10,900	22,800	16,100
Total lease income recognized related to PPAs	2,500	6,200	6,100
Shipping and handling costs
Shipping and handling costs relating to sales	79,853	68,451	73,008
Research and development
Research and development expenses	$ 28,777	17,407	17,056
Minimum
Revenue recognition
Construction period	6 months
Maximum
Revenue recognition
Construction period	1 year
Other liabilities
Revenue recognition
Assets sold under profit sharing arrangement	$ 4,800	4,800
Toll manufacturing arrangements
Revenue recognition
Revenue recognized	0	0	6,764
Disposal of solar power projects, option to repurchase
Revenue recognition
Revenue recognized	0
Revenue recognized using the full accrual method	632,256	22,237	557,132
Revenue recognized using the percentage-of-completion method	0	428	$ 863
Disposal of solar power projects, option to repurchase \| Financing liabilities
Revenue recognition
Distributions from the partnership	9,600	1,400
Disposal of solar power projects, option to repurchase \| Other current liabilities
Revenue recognition
Financing liabilities	$ 407,700	$ 459,300

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Other operating expense (income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other operating expense (income)
Amortization of deferred subsidiaries	$ 103
Net gain on disposal of solar power systems	(27,803)	$ (47,899)
Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	1,960	8,094	$ 1,801
Government grants	(6,473)	(2,734)	(7,193)
Business interruption insurance compensation	(15,238)
Other operating income, net	(47,554)	$ (42,539)	$ (5,392)
Land use rights
Other operating expense (income)
Government grants	$ (4,329)

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Warranty cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2016	Jan. 01, 2015	May 31, 2009	Aug. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Warranty cost
Warranty accrual rate for sales of solar modules as a percentage of revenue								1.00%
Term of insurance policy over which the insurance premium will be amortized								1 year
Unamortized carrying amount of insurance premium								$ 2,850	$ 2,531
Insurance receivable								74,872	61,879
Downward adjustment of warranty cost								7,467
Downward adjustment of other non-current assets								5,178
Warranty costs (net effect of adjustment) included in cost of revenues								19,793	9,817	$ 15,876
Foreign currency risk
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash denominated in RMB, USD equivalent								$ 702,443	$ 538,788
Minimum
Warranty cost
Term of warranty obligation over which the assets is expected to be realized								25 years
Maximum
Warranty cost
Guarantee of solar modules for defects in materials and engineering design, installation and construction								5 years
Term of warranty obligation over which the assets is expected to be realized								30 years
Standard solar modules
Warranty cost
Guarantee of solar modules for defects in materials and engineering design, installation and construction			2 years
Minimum percentage of decline in initial minimum power generation capacity for 10 years			10.00%
Minimum percentage of decline in initial minimum power generation capacity for 25 years			20.00%
Extended warranty of solar modules and products for defects in materials and workmanship						10 years	6 years
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels						25 years
Standard solar modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Warranty period of solar modules and products against decline of more than 10% of initial power generation capacity			10 years
Warranty period of solar modules and products against decline of more than 20% of initial power generation capacity			25 years
Polycrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels					25 years
Monocrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels					25 years
Dymond Modules
Warranty cost
Term of warranty obligation over which the assets is expected to be realized		30 years
Dymond polycrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Term of warranty obligation over which the assets is expected to be realized	30 years
Dymond monocrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels	30 years
PERC monocrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels				25 years
Dymond PERC monocrystalline modules
Warranty cost
Period for which the entity warrants for maintaining the performance levels				30 years
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Standard solar modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output						97.00%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Polycrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.50%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.00%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond Modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output										97.50%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond polycrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.50%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.00%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| PERC monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.50%
First year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond PERC monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								97.50%
Second year to 24th year of guaranteed performance period \| Standard solar modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module						0.70%
Second year to 24th year of guaranteed performance period \| Polycrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.70%
Second year to 24th year of guaranteed performance period \| Monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.70%
Second year to 24th year of guaranteed performance period \| PERC monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.70%
25th year of guaranteed performance period \| Standard solar modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output						80.00%
25th year of guaranteed performance period \| Polycrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								80.70%
25th year of guaranteed performance period \| Monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								80.20%
25th year of guaranteed performance period \| PERC monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								80.70%
Second year to 29th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond Modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module										0.50%
Second year to 29th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond polycrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.50%
Second year to 29th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond PERC monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.50%
Second year to sixth year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.70%
Seventh year to 29th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Percentage of decline in actual annual power output of module								0.50%
30th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond Modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output										83.00%
30th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond polycrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								83.00%
30th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond monocrystalline modules \| Maximum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								81.50%
30th year of guaranteed performance period \| Dymond PERC monocrystalline modules \| Minimum
Warranty cost
Actual power output of module as a percentage of labeled power output								83.00%

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Concentration of credit risk (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Advances to suppliers \| Supplier \| Supplier A
Concentration of credit risk
Advances to suppliers	$ 18,260	$ 18,260

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Recently issued accounting pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
Future minimum operating lease commitments		$ 110,660
Change in restricted cash		(101,985)	$ 50,585	$ (100,935)
ASU 2014-09
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
Cumulative effective adjustment, Increase in accumulated earnings	$ 1,300
ASU 2016-02
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
Future minimum operating lease commitments		$ 80,200

BUSINESS COMBINATION (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, ¥ in Millions						12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 CNY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 17, 2009
Total consideration paid
Goodwill						$ 6,248	$ 7,617
Revenue						3,390,393	2,853,078	$ 3,467,626
Net income						102,983	$ 65,275	173,316
Gaochuangte
BUSINESS COMBINATION
Ownership percentage							40.00%
Gaochuangte \| SZCC, or CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
BUSINESS COMBINATION
Ownership percentage		80.00%								40.00%
Cash consideration for acquisition of the interest	¥ 220.6	$ 33,761			$ 3,119
Percentage of additional ownership interest acquired	40.00%	40.00%
Recurrent
BUSINESS COMBINATION
Percentage of interest acquired				100.00%
Cash consideration				$ 261,400
Total consideration paid
Cash				108,400
Restricted cash				38,200
Project assets				233,500
Solar power systems, net				46,800
Other assets				40,200
Less : Long term borrowings and notes payable				165,200
Other liabilities				51,400
Total identifiable net assets				250,500
Goodwill				$ 10,900
Goodwill included in the cost of revenues with the sales of the related project assets						1,369,000	$ 0
Revenue								266,900
Net income								$ 3,500
Bank fees, legal costs and accounting costs associated with the acquisition						0	0
SSM
BUSINESS COMBINATION
Percentage of interest acquired			100.00%
Cash consideration			$ 59,000
Total consideration paid
Cash			8,100
Solar power systems, net			141,900
Intangible assets			72,000
Other assets			11,700
Less: Short-term borrowings			7,400
Long term borrowings			134,600
Other liabilities			32,700
Total identifiable net assets			$ 59,000
Bank fees, legal costs and accounting costs associated with the acquisition						0	0
Sale of business									$ 200,200
Gaochuangte
Total consideration paid
Cash		$ 21,200
Accounts receivable		20,000
Fixed assets		2,000
Other assets		25,800
Less: Accounts payable		13,100
Other liabilities		3,900
Total identifiable net assets		52,000
Less: Non-controlling interests		10,900
Less: Net assets belongs to CSI before acquisition		$ 7,300
Pro forma results of acquisitions
Pro forma revenues						3,419,421	2,873,713
Pro forma net income attributable to CSI						$ 100,007	$ 65,994
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CSI \| $ / shares						$ 1.70	$ 1.14
Gaochuangte \| SZCC, or CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
BUSINESS COMBINATION
Percentage of interest acquired		80.00%

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowances for accounts receivable, trade
Movement of allowances
Beginning of the year	$ 26,119	$ 28,156	$ 31,817
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net	5,345	(854)	(1,084)
Accounts written-off against allowances	(174)	(47)	(858)
Foreign exchange effect	1,651	(1,136)	(1,719)
Closing balance	32,941	26,119	28,156
Allowances for advances to suppliers
Movement of allowances
Beginning of the year	19,527	28,629	37,735
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net	(833)	(5,427)	1,291
Accounts written-off against allowances		(3,644)	(9,465)
Foreign exchange effect	68	(31)	(932)
Closing balance	18,762	19,527	28,629
Allowances for other receivables
Movement of allowances
Beginning of the year	9,251	3,885	830
Allowances made (reversed) during the year, net	549	5,954	3,257
Foreign exchange effect	549	(588)	(202)
Closing balance	$ 10,349	$ 9,251	$ 3,885

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
INVENTORIES
Raw materials	$ 90,299	$ 71,655
Work-in-process	59,576	22,776
Finished goods	196,217	200,940
Inventories	346,092	295,371
Inventory written down	17,820	19,467	$ 23,013
ASU 2015-11 \| Early Adoption
INVENTORIES
Inventory written down	$ 17,820	$ 19,467

PROJECT ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
PROJECT ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
PROJECT ASSETS
Project assets - Acquisition cost	$ 40,094	$ 38,298
Project assets - EPC and other cost	1,631,418	1,461,995
Total project assets	1,671,512	1,500,293
Current portion	1,523,342	1,317,902
Non-current portion	148,170	182,391
Impairment charges and write-off	$ 0	$ 2,952	$ 0

ASSETS HELD-FOR-SALE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets held-for-sale
Total assets held-for-sale	$ 182,797	$ 392,089
Liabilities held for sale
Total liabilities held-for-sale	185,872	279,272
Assets and associated liabilities in Canada and United Kingdom \| Held-for-sale
Assets held-for-sale
Cash and cash equivalents	7,714	8,921
Restricted cash - current	129	41
Accounts receivable trade, net	1,161	6,555
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,394	7,427
Solar power systems, net	165,312	290,613
Intangible assets, net		68,438
Other non-current assets	87	10,094
Total assets held-for-sale	182,797	392,089
Liabilities held for sale
Short-term borrowings	4,862	12,221
Accounts payable	100	880
Other payables	2,022	13,240
Derivative liabilities - current		3,863
Other current liabilities	918	1,537
Long-term borrowings	161,323	224,545
Derivative liabilities - non-current	4,024	16,672
Other non-current liabilities	12,623	6,314
Total liabilities held-for-sale	$ 185,872	$ 279,272

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 1,124,602	$ 717,373
Accumulated depreciation	(462,128)	(402,792)
Impairment	(7,933)	(17,601)
Property, plant and equipment, excluding construction in process, net	654,541	296,980
Construction in process	92,694	165,365
Property, plant and equipment, net	747,235	462,345
Buildings
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	340,215	187,179
Leasehold improvements
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	11,498	9,023
Machinery
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	698,150	458,624
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	50,310	44,443
Motor vehicles
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,782	4,653
Land
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, gross	18,647	13,451
Property, plant and equipment
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Depreciation expense	$ 88,931	$ 72,813	$ 80,642

SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Accumulated depreciation	$ (15,234)	$ (13,655)
Solar power systems, net	63,964	112,062
Transferred solar power systems to project assets	4,782	1,362,037	$ 114,131
Reclassified solar power systems to assets held-for-sale	42,000
Solar power systems sold from assets held for sale	40,800
Solar power systems
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Depreciation expense	5,683	16,492	$ 11,340
Solar power systems in operation
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Solar power systems, gross	74,488	120,935
Solar power systems under construction
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
Solar power systems, gross	$ 4,710	$ 4,782

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 23,217	$ 17,315
Accumulated Amortization	(12,231)	(8,893)
Total intangible assets, net	10,986	8,422
Amortization expense	4,659	6,544	$ 2,235
Expected amortization expense of intangible assets
2018	2,800
2019	2,800
2020	2,100
2021	1,600
2022 and thereafter	1,700
Technical know-how
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Gross Carrying Amount	2,334	1,431
Accumulated Amortization	(1,371)	(1,183)
Total intangible assets, net	963	248
Computer software
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Gross Carrying Amount	20,883	15,884
Accumulated Amortization	(10,860)	(7,710)
Total intangible assets, net	$ 10,023	$ 8,174

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Recurring basis (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 GBP (£) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2015 CAD ($)	Sep. 28, 2015 USD ($)
Commodity hedge
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Term of swap contract	2 years
Derivative asset		$ 3,416,000	$ 4,230,000
Interest rate swap \| Not designated as hedging instruments
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Notional amount				$ 186.0	$ 133,900,000
Derivative liabilities		0	3,863,000
Interest rate swap \| Designated as hedging instruments \| Cash flow hedge
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Number of financial institutions \| item	2
Notional amount	£ 78,400,000.00000	96,800,000
Derivative notional amount		399,000,000.00000
Recurring basis \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		27,111,000	27,716,000
Total liabilities		6,480,000	9,625,000
Recurring basis \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Foreign exchange forward contracts
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		12,316,000	10,632,000
Total liabilities		5,121,000	3,496,000
Recurring basis \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Commodity hedge
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		3,416,000	4,230,000
Recurring basis \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Interest rate swap
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		11,379,000	12,854,000
Total liabilities		1,359,000	5,418,000
Recurring basis \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Warrants
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total liabilities			711,000
Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets \| Recurring basis
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		27,111,000	27,716,000
Total liabilities		6,480,000	9,625,000
Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets \| Recurring basis \| Foreign exchange forward contracts
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		12,316,000	10,632,000
Total liabilities		5,121,000	3,496,000
Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets \| Recurring basis \| Commodity hedge
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		3,416,000	4,230,000
Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets \| Recurring basis \| Interest rate swap
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total assets		11,379,000	12,854,000
Total liabilities		$ 1,359,000	5,418,000
Total Fair Value and Carrying Value on the Balance Sheets \| Recurring basis \| Warrants
Fair value measurements of the entity's assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total liabilities			$ 711,000

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets (Details) - Not designated as hedging instruments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset	$ 27,111	$ 27,716
Total derivatives liability	6,480	9,625
Derivative assets - current \| Foreign exchange forward contracts
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset	12,316	10,632
Derivative assets - current \| Commodity hedge
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset	3,416	1,638
Derivative assets - current \| Interest rate swap
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset	468
Derivative assets - non-current \| Commodity hedge
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset		2,592
Derivative assets - non-current \| Interest rate swap
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives asset	10,911	12,854
Derivative liabilities - current \| Foreign exchange forward contracts
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives liability	5,120	3,496
Derivative liabilities - current \| Warrants
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives liability		711
Derivative liabilities - current \| Interest rate swap
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives liability	1,001	$ 5,418
Derivative liabilities - non-current \| Interest rate swap
Effect of fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets
Total derivatives liability	$ 359

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	$ (272)	$ 27,322	$ (12,196)
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	(2,638)	4,798	(3,738)
Warrants
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	711	24,554	(8,887)
Commodity hedge
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		75	(7)
Interest rate swaption
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives		(4,335)	(107)
Interest rate swap
Effect of derivative instruments on consolidated statements of operations
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	$ 1,655	$ 2,230	$ 543

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT - Carrying value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Impairment charges for property, plant and equipment	$ 11,626	$ 22,757	$ 6,992
Carrying value of long-term borrowings	404,341	493,455
Fair value of long-term borrowings	404,341	493,455
Carrying value of convertible notes	126,476	125,569
Idle assets
Impairment charges for property, plant and equipment	$ 11,626	$ 22,757	$ 6,992

VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Details) - Variable interest entities, primary beneficiary $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Current assets	$ 226,071
Non-current assets	25,635
Total assets	251,706
Current liabilities	222,263
Non-current liabilities	6,777
Total liabilities	$ 229,040

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2013
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 414,215	$ 368,459
Gaochuangte
Other investments
Carrying Value		$ 7,049
Ownership percentage		40.00%
CSI Skypower
Other investments
Carrying Value		$ 3,749
Ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
Tranquillity
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 145,795	$ 143,951
Ownership percentage	49.00%	49.00%
Garland
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 120,247	$ 118,641
Ownership percentage	49.00%	49.00%
Roserock
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 77,053	$ 30,870
Ownership percentage	49.00%	49.00%
Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 14,129	$ 12,974
Ownership percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Pirapora Solar Holding S.A.
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 6,551	$ 13,775
Ownership percentage	20.00%	20.00%
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 23,866
Ownership percentage	14.76%
Others
Other investments
Carrying Value	$ 26,574	$ 37,450
Others \| Minimum
Other investments
Ownership percentage	21.00%	21.00%
Others \| Maximum
Other investments
Ownership percentage	49.00%	49.00%

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES - Tax equity transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Class A membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Receipt of future cash flow distributions (as a percent)				51.00%
Class B membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Receipt of future cash flow distributions (as a percent)				49.00%
Tranquillity, Garland, and Roserock
Tax equity transactions
Payment received recognized as revenue						$ 190.4
Further contribution				$ 0.0	$ 123.2
Tranquillity
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage				49.00%	49.00%
Net assets derecognized						93.9
Tranquillity \| Class A membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Percentage of interest sold			100.00%
Proceeds from sale of membership interest			$ 100.0
Tranquillity \| Class B membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage			100.00%
Garland
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage				49.00%	49.00%
Net assets derecognized						56.4
Silverlake \| Class A membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Percentage of interest sold		100.00%
Proceeds from sale of membership interest		$ 49.0
Silverlake \| Class B membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage		100.00%
Roserock
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage				49.00%	49.00%
Net assets derecognized						$ 23.5
Roserock \| Class A membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Percentage of interest sold	100.00%
Proceeds from sale of membership interest	$ 45.0
Roserock \| Class B membership interests
Tax equity transactions
Ownership percentage	100.00%					100.00%

INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES - Other investments (Details) $ in Thousands, ¥ in Millions								1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 item shares	Jun. 30, 2017 CNY (¥)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 08, 2015 USD ($) item	May 23, 2012 USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 17, 2009 USD ($) item	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 22, 2017 shares	Oct. 26, 2017 ¥ / shares shares	Oct. 07, 2016
Other investments
Cash consideration for acquisition of the entity \| $												$ 92,925	$ 124,737	$ 84,389
Common shares issued \| shares	58,496,685											58,496,685	57,830,149
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees \| $												$ 9,411	$ (4,404)	$ (643)
Canadian Solar Inc
Other investments
Common shares issued \| shares																26,895
Initial private investment \| Canadian Solar Inc
Other investments
Common shares issued \| shares																1,500
Over allotment \| Mizuho Securities Co Ltd
Other investments
Common shares issued \| shares															2,890
Gaochuangte
Other investments
Ownership percentage													40.00%
CSI Skypower
Other investments
Cash consideration for acquisition of the entity \| $					$ 3,429
Ownership percentage											50.00%		50.00%
Number of board members designated by the acquired entity											2
Number of board members											4
Cash consideration for acquisition of the interest \| $											$ 4,000
2 separate utility-scale solar power projects
Other investments
Percentage of interest sold								5.00%		95.00%
City Light
Other investments
Percentage of interest sold								5.00%	95.00%
Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Other investments
Ownership percentage	6.00%											6.00%	6.00%
Tranquillity
Other investments
Ownership percentage	49.00%											49.00%	49.00%
Roserock
Other investments
Ownership percentage	49.00%											49.00%	49.00%
Garland
Other investments
Ownership percentage	49.00%											49.00%	49.00%
Pirapora Solar Holding S.A.
Other investments
Ownership percentage	20.00%											20.00%	20.00%
Percentage of ownership interest																	20.00%
SZCC, or CSI Cells Co., Ltd. \| Gaochuangte
Other investments
Cash consideration for acquisition of the entity \| $			$ 32,351				$ 2,929
Ownership percentage		80.00%	80.00%				40.00%
Number of board members designated by the acquired entity							1
Number of board members							3
Cash consideration for acquisition of the interest		¥ 220.6	$ 33,761			$ 3,119
SZSP \| GCL-CSI (Suzhou) Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd.
Other investments
Cash consideration for acquisition of the entity \| $						$ 2,549
Ownership percentage						10.00%
SZSP \| Suzhou Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
Other investments
Number of board members designated by the acquired entity				1
Number of board members				5
Cash consideration for acquisition of the interest \| $				$ 13,860
Voting interest hold (as a percent)				6.00%
EDF \| Pirapora Solar Holding S.A.
Other investments
Percentage of ownership interest																	80.00%
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc
Other investments
Number of board members designated by the acquired entity	1
Number of board members	3
Common shares issued \| shares	182,190											182,190
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Canadian Solar Inc
Other investments
Percentage of ownership after sale transaction	14.76%
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Initial public offer
Other investments
Common shares issued \| shares																177,800
Share Price \| ¥ / shares																¥ 100,000
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Initial public offer \| Canadian Solar Inc
Other investments
Common shares issued \| shares																25,395

BORROWINGS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
BORROWINGS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
BANK BORROWINGS
Bank borrowings	$ 2,043,974	$ 1,960,893
Analysis as:
Short-term	829,035	902,348
Long-term, current portion	860,954	675,857
Subtotal for short-term	1,689,989	1,578,205
Long-term, non-current portion	353,985	382,688
Borrowings from non-banking institutions	318,122	132,595
Analysis as:
Short-term	270
Long-term, current portion	267,496	21,828
Subtotal for short-term	267,766	21,828
Long-term, non-current portion	50,356	110,767
Total	2,362,096	$ 2,093,488
Secured short-term borrowings	1,582,100
Secured long-term borrowings	266,133
Carrying value of property, plant and equipment that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	206,689
Carrying value of inventories that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	111,437
Carrying value of prepaid land use rights that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	52,513
Carrying value of equity that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	789,204
Carrying value of restricted cash that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	219,377
Carrying value of accounts receivable that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	253,164
Carrying value of project assets and solar power systems that serve as collateral for short-term and long-term borrowings	1,546,819
Credit facility
Analysis as:
Maximum credit facilities granted	3,477,650
Available amount of credit facilities	455,507
Non-binding bank credit facilities
Analysis as:
Maximum credit facilities granted	$ 485,869

BORROWINGS - Short term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
BORROWINGS - Short term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	$ 1,957,755	$ 1,600,033
Long-term borrowings due within one year	860,954	675,857
Subtotal for short-term	1,689,989	1,578,205
Long-term borrowings from non-banking financial institutions due within one year	267,496	21,828
Short-term borrowings from non-banking financial institutions	270
Borrowings from non-banking financial institutions	267,766	21,828
Short-term Debt, Total	$ 1,957,755	$ 1,600,033
Average interest rate on short term borrowings (as a percent)	3.31%	3.45%
Borrowings secured by restricted cash
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	$ 267,507	$ 266,685
Short-term Debt, Total	267,507	266,685
Borrowings secured by inventories
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	7,652	46,408
Short-term Debt, Total	7,652	46,408
Borrowings secured by prepaid land use rights and property, plant and equipment
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	248,502	211,263
Long-term borrowings due within one year	8,313	16,919
Short-term Debt, Total	248,502	211,263
Borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	2,700	82,079
Long-term borrowings due within one year	690,283	630,696
Short-term Debt, Total	2,700	82,079
Borrowings secured by project assets
BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings from non-banking financial institutions due within one year	205,873	2,640
Short-term borrowings from non-banking financial institutions	270
Borrowings secured by equity
BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings due within one year	151,000	18,765
Unsecured
BORROWINGS
Short-term bank borrowings	302,674	295,913
Long-term borrowings due within one year	11,358	9,477
Long-term borrowings from non-banking financial institutions due within one year	61,623	19,188
Short-term Debt, Total	$ 302,674	$ 295,913

BORROWINGS - Long term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
BORROWINGS - Long term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
BORROWINGS
Subtotal for long-term	$ 353,985	$ 382,688
Long-term borrowings from non-banking institutions	50,356	110,767
Long-term borrowings from non-banking institutions	$ 50,356	$ 110,767
Average interest rate on long-term borrowings (as a percent)	3.06%	3.75%
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
2018	$ 1,128,450
2019	332,956
2020	42,775
2021	12,873
2022	5,637
Thereafter	10,100
Total	1,532,791
Less: future principal repayment related to long-term borrowings, current portion	(1,128,450)
Total long-term portion	404,341	$ 493,455
Unsecured
BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings from non-banking institutions	50,356	61,000
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
Total long-term portion	87,852
Borrowings secured by project assets and solar power systems
BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings from non-banking institutions		49,767
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
Total long-term portion	24,640	27,100
Borrowings secured by property, plant and equipment
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
Total long-term portion	83,329	15,588
Borrowings secured by equity
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
Total long-term portion	150,000	$ 340,000
Borrowings secured by inventories
Future principal repayment on the long-term borrowings loans
Total long-term portion	$ 8,164

BORROWINGS - Long term narrative and interest expense (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2017	Nov. 25, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 13, 2017	Sep. 28, 2016	Mar. 23, 2016	Jan. 28, 2016	Jan. 06, 2016	Dec. 11, 2015	Jun. 25, 2014	Aug. 28, 2013	Jun. 20, 2013
Interest expense
Interest capitalized - project assets				$ 13,274	$ 47,881	$ 102
Interest capitalized - solar power systems					3,113	23,328
Interest capitalized - property, plant, and equipment				1,010	819	912
Interest expense				117,971	69,723	54,148
Total interest incurred				132,255	$ 121,536	$ 78,490
Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 3,477,650
Credit facility \| Minimum
BORROWINGS
Floating interest rate (as a percent)				0.00%
Credit facility \| Maximum
BORROWINGS
Floating interest rate (as a percent)				7.485%
Syndicated loan agreement arranged by Credit Suisse \| Senior secured term loan
BORROWINGS
Debt term			2 years
Maximum number of common stock could be purchased by Warrants			1,348,040										940,171
Exercise price of warrant (in dollars per share)			$ 24.48										$ 28.08
Canadian Solar New Energy (Tumushuke) Co. Ltd.
BORROWINGS
Percentage of ownership interest																100.00%
Canadian Solar New Energy (Tumushuke) Co. Ltd. \| China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch \| Loan agreement for payment of the project costs \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity																$ 41,312
Outstanding balance of credit facility				$ 24,946
SZSP \| China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity															$ 7,652
Outstanding balance of credit facility				3,826
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity														$ 64,277
Outstanding balance of credit facility				52,924
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2018
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				19,944
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2019
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				26,093
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2020
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				6,887
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. \| International Finance Corporation ("IFC") \| Loan agreement for construction of company's solar cell and module production facilities \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2018
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				5,008
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. \| International Finance Corporation (IFC) \| Loan agreement for construction of company's solar cell and module production facilities \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity											$ 60,000
Outstanding balance of credit facility				15,025
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. \| International Finance Corporation (IFC) \| Loan agreement for construction of company's solar cell and module production facilities \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2019
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				5,008
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc. and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd. \| International Finance Corporation (IFC) \| Loan agreement for construction of company's solar cell and module production facilities \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2020
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				5,009
CSI Cells Co, Ltd \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity										$ 47,290
Outstanding balance of credit facility				24,512
CSI Cells Co, Ltd \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2018
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				15,923
CSI Cells Co, Ltd \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2019
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				2,813
CSI Cells Co, Ltd \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2020
BORROWINGS
Repayment of credit facility				5,776
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity												$ 9,182
Outstanding balance of credit facility				8,446
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. \| Ping An International Financial Leasing Co \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 2,619
Outstanding balance of credit facility				1,660
Debt term	2 years
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. \| Ping An International Financial Leasing Co \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2018
BORROWINGS
Outstanding balance of credit facility				1,319
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc. \| Ping An International Financial Leasing Co \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2019
BORROWINGS
Outstanding balance of credit facility				341
Canadian Solar Projects K.K \| Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity									$ 87,852
Outstanding balance of credit facility				87,852
Canadian Solar Japan K.K. \| Local Chinese state-owned company (companies) \| Loan agreement for long-term working capital financing \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity												$ 8,164
Outstanding balance of credit facility				8,164
Canadian Solar Sun Energy (Suzhou) Co [Member] \| Bank of Jiangsu \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power project \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity							$ 21,426
Outstanding balance of credit facility				9,183
Canadian Solar Sun Energy (Suzhou) Co [Member] \| Bank of Jiangsu \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power project \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2018
BORROWINGS
Outstanding balance of credit facility				3,306
Canadian Solar Sun Energy (Suzhou) Co [Member] \| Bank of Jiangsu \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power project \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2019
BORROWINGS
Outstanding balance of credit facility				3,306
Canadian Solar Sun Energy (Suzhou) Co [Member] \| Bank of Jiangsu \| Loan agreement for construction of solar power project \| Credit facility \| Repayment due in 2020
BORROWINGS
Outstanding balance of credit facility				2,571
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. \| Syndicate Of Banks \| Syndicated Loan Agreement \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity								$ 210,000
Outstanding balance of credit facility				67,215
Recurrent \| Ping An Bank \| Loan agreement for project development and operation \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 150,000
Outstanding balance of credit facility				$ 150,000
Recurrent \| CSI Solar Power Inc. \| Loan agreement for project development and operation \| Credit facility
BORROWINGS
Loan secured percentage		100.00%

SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SHORT-TERM NOTES PAYABLE
Short-term notes payable	$ 572,631	$ 296,663

SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER (Details) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands					12 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2016 CNY (¥)	Sep. 23, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 05, 2016 CNY (¥)	Sep. 05, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 23, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 05, 2016 USD ($)
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER
Net proceeds from issuance of commercial paper							$ 134,311
Commercial paper maturing on September 2017
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER
Face amount			¥ 400,000						$ 60,000
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)			5.50%						5.50%
Debt term			1 year	1 year
Net proceeds from issuance of commercial paper			¥ 398,400	$ 59,900
Amortization of financing costs					¥ 1,092	$ 160
Interest expense					15,008	2,199
Commercial paper maturing on June 2017
SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER
Face amount	¥ 500,000							$ 74,800
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	5.30%							5.30%
Debt term	9 months	9 months
Net proceeds from issuance of commercial paper	¥ 498,500	$ 74,700
Amortization of financing costs					961	140
Interest expense					¥ 12,560	$ 1,826

ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ACCRUED WARRANTY COSTS
Beginning balance	$ 61,139	$ 65,193	$ 54,644
Warranty provision	19,793	9,817	15,876
Warranty costs incurred	(26,552)	(13,663)	(3,872)
Foreign exchange effect	1,279	(208)	(1,455)
Ending balance	$ 55,659	$ 61,139	$ 65,193

RESTRICTED NET ASSETS (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
Minimum percentage of the profit after tax to be appropriated to the general reserve	10.00%
Restricted net assets	$ 461,800

CONVERTIBLE NOTES (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 18, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) D item $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes			$ 2,782
Convertible notes		$ 126,476	125,569
2014 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from initial issuance of convertible notes	$ 130,000
Period of option for additional issuance	30 days
Proceeds from additional issuance of convertible notes	$ 20,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		4.25%
Conversion rate		22.2222
Conversion price (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares		$ 45.00
Sales price of common stock as percentage of conversion price for redemption at Company's option		130.00%
Number of trading days that threshold percentage exceeds stock price for trigger of redemption at Company's option \| item		20
Period of consecutive trading days that the threshold of trading days must fall within for trigger of redemption at Company's option \| D		30
Redemption prices as percentage of outstanding principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest following occurrence of certain tax related events		100.00%
Convertible notes		$ 126,476	125,569
Unamortized issuance costs		$ 1,024	1,931
Effective interest rate (as a percent)		4.96%
Amortization of financing costs		$ 907	898	$ 810
Interest expense		5,419	5,642
2014 Notes \| Other payables
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accrued interest		$ 2,008	$ 2,008

INCOME TAXES - Provision for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	$ 143,934	$ 83,251	$ 222,828
Current tax
Current tax	(38,261)	119,875	138,353
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	79,212	(101,899)	(88,841)
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	40,951	17,976	49,512
Canada
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(30,524)	57,922	79,631
Current tax
Current tax	346	610	71,002
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	(6,464)	6,366	(44,548)
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	(6,118)	6,976	26,454
United States
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	(33,205)	(74,002)	(14,183)
Current tax
Current tax	(54,482)	96,172	40,567
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	67,426	(74,562)	(45,024)
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	12,944	21,610	(4,457)
PRC
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	173,266	152,588	174,201
Current tax
Current tax	(7,383)	29,181	20,154
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	23,452	(31,731)	7,305
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	16,069	(2,550)	27,459
Japan
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	28,164	7,981	14,284
Current tax
Current tax	31,266	3,381	5,388
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	(4,499)	361	58
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	26,767	3,742	5,446
United Kingdom
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	403	(25,781)	(7,536)
Current tax
Current tax		(206)	419
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	(353)
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	(353)	(206)	419
Others
Income before income taxes
Income before income taxes	5,830	(35,457)	(23,569)
Current tax
Current tax	(8,008)	(9,263)	823
Deferred tax
Deferred tax	(350)	(2,333)	(6,632)
Total income tax expense
Total income tax expense	$ (8,358)	$ (11,596)	$ (5,809)

INCOME TAXES - Domestic federal statutory tax rates (Details) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 CNY (¥) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Income Taxes
Federal and provincial income tax rate (as a percent)	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Amount of interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits		$ 3,083	$ 2,747
Changes to the company's liabilities for uncertain tax positions
Beginning balance		5,684	9,490	$ 10,844
Addition for tax positions related to the current year		1,376	1,376	196
Reductions for tax positions from prior years/Statute of limitations expirations		(1,094)	(5,436)
Foreign exchange effect				(1,550)
Foreign exchange effect		215	254
Ending balance		$ 6,181	$ 5,684	$ 9,490
Canada
Income Taxes
Federal and provincial income tax rate (as a percent)	26.50%	26.50%	26.50%	26.50%
Canada \| Canadian Solar Solutions Inc.
Income Taxes
Federal and provincial income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
United States \| Canadian Solar (USA) Inc.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	38.61%	38.61%	37.69%	38.56%
United States \| Canadian Solar Energy Acquisition Co.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	38.32%	38.32%	43.63%	40.75%
Japan \| Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	32.02%	32.02%	35.15%	35.64%
Germany \| Canadian Solar EMEA GmbH
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	33.00%	33.00%	33.00%	33.00%
Vietnam \| Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)				10.00%
Reduced income tax rate from 2020 to 2028 (as a percent)	5.00%	5.00%
Thailand \| Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)				20.00%
Number of Board of Investment certificates for tax exemption \| item	2	2
Hong Kong \| HKSI
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	16.50%	16.50%	16.50%	16.50%
PRC
Income Taxes
Period of statute of limitations	3 years	3 years
Period of statute of limitations under special circumstances	5 years	5 years
Threshold for underpayment of income tax liability that is listed as a special circumstance \| ¥	¥ 100
Period of statute of limitations for transfer pricing related adjustment	10 years	10 years
PRC \| CSI Solartronics (Changshu) Co., Ltd
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
PRC \| CSI Solar Technologies Inc.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
PRC \| SZCC, or CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%
PRC \| Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
PRC \| SZSP
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
PRC \| Suzhou Sanysolar Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Income Taxes
Income tax rate (as a percent)	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%	15.00%

INCOME TAXES - deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued warranty costs	$ 17,945	$ 23,228
Bad debt allowance	7,288	8,058
Investment in affiliates under tax equity transactions	24,859	54,187
Inventory write-down	3,283	4,564
Future deductible expenses	17,652	13,321
Depreciation and impairment difference of property, plant and equipment and solar power systems	13,333	29,668
Accrued liabilities related to countervailing and antidumping duty deposits	59,983	111,021
Deferred tax assets relating to sales of solar power systems	2,721	996
Net operating losses carry-forward	52,007	48,678
Unrealized foreign exchange loss and capital loss	3,888	3,278
Others	17,912	4,450
Total deferred tax assets, gross	220,871	301,449
Valuation allowance	(65,399)	(71,469)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	155,472	229,980
Deferred tax liabilities:
Derivative assets	2,742	3,315
Depreciation difference of property, plant and equipment	243	468
Insurance recoverable	21,420	16,727
Others	4,833	2,838
Total deferred tax liabilities	29,238	23,348
Analysis as:
Non-current deferred tax assets	131,796	229,980
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	(5,562)	(23,348)
Net deferred tax assets	126,234	$ 206,632
Accumulated net operating losses	229,708
Accumulated net operating losses subject to expiration between 2018 and 2037	$ 111,392

INCOME TAXES - Movement of the valuation allowance (Details) - Allowance - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Movement of allowances
Beginning of the year	$ 71,469	$ 55,959	$ 52,985
Additions (Reversals)	(5,361)	14,486	(944)
Addition from acquisition of Recurrent			4,949
Foreign exchange effect	(709)	1,024	(1,031)
Closing balance	$ 65,399	$ 71,469	$ 55,959

INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation between the provision for income tax computed by applying Canadian federal and provincial statutory tax rates to income before income taxes and the actual provision and benefit for income taxes
Combined federal and provincial income tax rate (as a percent)		27.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Effect of permanent difference (as a percent)		(18.00%)	(16.00%)	1.00%
Effect of different tax rate on earnings in other jurisdictions (as a percent)		(7.00%)	(18.00%)	(3.00%)
Effect of tax holiday (as a percent)		(2.00%)	(4.00%)
Unrecognized tax provision (as a percent)			4.00%
Change in valuation allowance (as a percent)		(6.00%)	32.00%
Effect of change in tax rate		39.00%
Others (as a percent)		(5.00%)	(3.00%)	(3.00%)
Actual income tax rate (as a percent)		28.00%	22.00%	22.00%
Additional disclosure
Withholding income tax rate on dividends distributed by foreign invested enterprises (as a percent)		10.00%
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries and affiliates considered to be permanently reinvested		$ 353,400
Provision for withholding income tax on dividend		$ 0
Preferential withholding tax rate (as a percent)		5.00%
Corporate tax rate		35.00%
Aggregate amount and per share effect of the tax holiday
The aggregate amount (in dollars)		$ 2,850	$ 3,343
Per share effect - basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.05	$ 0.06
Per share effect - diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.05	$ 0.06
Forecast
Additional disclosure
Corporate tax rate	21.00%
Minimum
Additional disclosure
Unrecognized deferred tax liabilities		$ 17,600
Withholding tax rate (as a percent)		5.00%
Maximum
Additional disclosure
Unrecognized deferred tax liabilities		$ 35,300
Withholding tax rate (as a percent)		10.00%

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Computation of basic and diluted gain (loss) per share
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc. - basic (in dollars)	$ 99,572	$ 65,249	$ 171,861
Dilutive effect of interest expense of convertible notes	4,649		5,275
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc. - diluted	$ 104,221	$ 65,249	$ 177,136
Denominator for basic calculation - weighted average number of common shares - basic	58,167,004	57,524,349	55,728,903
Diluted effects of share number from share options and RSUs	547,821	534,714	1,343,162
Diluted effects of share number from warrants			20,658
Dilutive effects of share number from convertible notes	2,833,333		3,333,333
Denominator for diluted calculation - weighted average number of common shares - diluted	61,548,158	58,059,063	60,426,056
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 1.13	$ 3.08
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.69	$ 1.12	$ 2.93
Share options and RSUs
Computation of basic and diluted gain (loss) per share
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share, total	372,743	476,043	115,017

RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS (Details) ¥ in Thousands, ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 JPY (¥) item	Dec. 31, 2017 CNY (¥) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Amount due from related party											$ 26,102		$ 19,082
Amount due to related party											6,023		19,912
Revenue from sale of solar products						$ 168,465		$ 247,743		$ 104,352
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Number of solar power plants sold \| item				13	13	13
Percent of units purchased	14.76%
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Asset management service
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Revenue from providing development services				¥ 303,772		$ 2,699
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| O & M Service
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Revenue from providing development services				32,119		285
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Revenue
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Revenue from sale of solar products				18,426,754		163,155
Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund, Inc \| Other operating income or expense
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Revenue from sale of solar products				¥ 3,148,648		27,879
Gaochuangte
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Trade receivable from affiliate													$ 1,446
Membership interests owned (as a percent)							40.00%						40.00%
Trade payable to affiliate													$ 19,912
Revenue from sale of solar products					¥ 11,352	1,648			¥ 39,922	6,508
Purchase from related party					¥ 44,271	$ 6,430	¥ 54,891	8,274	¥ 175,272	28,159
Percentage of ownership after sale transaction				80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
CSI Skypower
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Membership interests owned (as a percent)							50.00%						50.00%
Prepayments for bidding to affiliate													$ 1,897
Tranquility, Garland, and Roserock (49% owned affiliates)
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Amount due from related party											0		0
Trade receivable from affiliate													$ 15,739
Membership interests owned (as a percent)							49.00%						49.00%
Revenue from providing development services								48,711		$ 69,712
Pilipinas Newton Energy Corp (40% owned affiliate)
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Cash funding from affiliate											$ 921
Membership interests owned (as a percent)					40.00%						40.00%
O & M Service
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Receivables from affiliate											$ 199
Membership interests owned (as a percent)					14.76%						14.76%
Suzhou iSilver Materials Co
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Membership interests owned (as a percent)					15.00%						15.00%
Trade payable to affiliate											$ 5,096
Purchase from related party					¥ 331,958	$ 49,113	¥ 53,271	$ 8,030
Suzhou Kzone Equipment Technology Co., Ltd
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Membership interests owned (as a percent)												32.00%
Payable for equipment purchase												$ 927
Purchase from related party					¥ 29,704	$ 4,395
Dr. Shawn Qu
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Loan from related party			$ 35,000
Rate of interest (as a percent)		4.25%	4.25%
Repayment of interest amount of loan from related party		$ 21
Dr. Shawn Qu \| One-year loan facilities \| Chinese Commercial Banks
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Maturity term of credit facility				1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year	1 year
Maximum borrowing capacity					¥ 1,346,000		¥ 896,000		¥ 896,000		206,000
Amounts drawn down											135,225		$ 79,558	$ 78,225
Dr. Shawn Qu \| Three-year loan facilities \| Chinese Commercial Banks
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Maturity term of credit facility									3 years	3 years
Maximum borrowing capacity														$ 150,000
Tranquillity \| Recurrent
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Unconditionally buyer payment guarantees for payable balances due by related party											0		0
Roserock
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Trade receivable from affiliate											$ 13,930
Membership interests owned (as a percent)					49.00%						49.00%
Garland
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Cash funding from affiliate											$ 11,052
Membership interests owned (as a percent)					49.00%						49.00%
Garland \| Recurrent
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Unconditionally buyer payment guarantees for payable balances due by related party											$ 0		$ 11,100
Roserock and Garland
RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Revenue from sale of solar products								$ 247,743		$ 28,132

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Lease commitments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Lease commitments
Rental expenses	$ 19,765	$ 17,116	$ 15,451
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease agreements
2018	10,230
2019	8,884
2020	8,025
2021	6,889
2022	4,965
Thereafter	71,667
Total	$ 110,660
Minimum
Lease commitments
Remaining terms for various operating lease agreements	1 month
Maximum
Lease commitments
Remaining terms for various operating lease agreements	402 months

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Capital lease commitments (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Maximum
Capital lease commitments
Remaining term of capital lease (in years)	4 years

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Future minimum obligation using market prices under all supply agreements
2018	$ 1,187,834
Property, plant and equipment purchase commitments
Property, plant and equipment purchase commitments
Commitments	$ 201,577

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Contingencies (Details) ¥ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, € in Millions									1 Months Ended											3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 23, 2018 GW	Mar. 03, 2017	Oct. 19, 2015 CNY (¥) item	Oct. 19, 2015 USD ($) item	Jul. 14, 2015	Jun. 03, 2015 ¥ / W	Jan. 21, 2015	Nov. 07, 2012	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	May 31, 2017 CNY (¥)	Jul. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2011 EUR (€)	Apr. 30, 2010 item	Jun. 30, 2008 item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Contingencies
Loss contingency accruals																					$ 25,682					$ 22,654
Forecast
Contingencies
Term of tariff rate quota on import of CSPV cells and modules	4 years
Number of gigawatts \| GW	2.5
Over-quota tariff rate on import of CSPV cells (as a percent)	30.00%
Tariff rate on import of CSPV modules (as a percent)	30.00%
Annual decline in percentage points (as a percent)	5.00%
Tariff Rate on import of CSPV cells and modules in second year (as a percent)	25.00%
Tariff Rate on import of CSPV cells and modules in third year (as a percent)	20.00%
Tariff Rate on import of CSPV cells and modules in fourth year (as a percent)	15.00%
Class Action Lawsuits Filed in New York
Contingencies
Number of subpoenas \| item																								2
Number of lawsuits filed \| item																								6
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation
Contingencies
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)					9.67%		30.06%	13.94%			13.07%			8.52%							13.07%
Cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)					20.94%		38.43%	15.24%	33.58%	18.30%			20.94%
Estimated cash deposit rate for countervailing duty on CSPV cells imported from China (as a percent)																					13.72%
Antidumping margin (as a percent)																					1.07%
Cash deposits for module imported from China																					$ 7,600
Cash deposit charged into cost of sales																					7,300
Cash deposit charged into inventories																					$ 300
Anti-dumping and countervailing measures period on CSPV modules and key components (i.e., cells) originating in or consigned from China		18 months
Canadian Solar-specific subsidies rate (RMB per Watt) \| ¥ / W						0.014
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation \| Minimum
Contingencies
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV imported from Taiwan (as a percent)																					3.56%
Countervailing and anti-dumping duties investigation \| Maximum
Contingencies
Cash deposit rate for anti-dumping duty on CSPV imported from Taiwan (as a percent)																					4.20%
Third Administrative Review of Solar 1
Contingencies
Amount of provision reversed																					$ 42,600
First Administrative Review of Solar 2
Contingencies
Amount of provision reversed																					15,000
Purchase commitment \| Deutsche Solar AG
Contingencies
Period of supply agreement																									12 years
Amount not accrued due to take-or-pay provision of agreement which are void under the German law																								$ 21,144
Amount of damages that plaintiff can claim \| €																	€ 148.6
Reclassification of provision for accrued losses on firm purchase commitments reserve to loss contingency accrual																							$ 27,862
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments																							$ 17,409
Loss contingency accruals																					$ 25,682
Purchase commitment \| LDK
Contingencies
Period of supply agreement																									3 years
Amount of bad debts allowance against the balance of advance payments																											$ 9,798
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements entered into by the Company \| item																			2
Number of long-term supply purchase agreements terminated by the Company \| item																		2
Litigation settlement or awarded amount			¥ 132,700	$ 20,800								¥ 58,500				¥ 248,900
Court expenses \| ¥												¥ 800
Arbitration expenses awarded to counterparty \| ¥																¥ 2,320
Non-cash provision related to arbitration decision																				$ 8,600
True up provision																				$ 8,600
Number of silicon wafers committed to purchase \| item			64,300,000	64,300,000
Period of purchase commitment															3 years
Settlement paid and recognized as General and administrative expenses																						$ 20,800

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item
SEGMENT INFORMATION
Number of principal reportable business segments \| item	2		3
Revenues and gross profit generated from each segment
Net revenues	$ 3,390,393	$ 2,853,078	$ 3,467,626
Cost of revenues	2,752,795	2,435,890	2,890,856
Gross profit	637,598	417,188	576,770
Operating segment \| Module
Revenues and gross profit generated from each segment
Net revenues	2,850,859	2,825,270	2,675,999
Cost of revenues	2,390,686	2,429,207	2,278,805
Gross profit	460,173	396,063	397,194
Operating segment \| Energy
Revenues and gross profit generated from each segment
Net revenues	677,470	106,432	975,937
Cost of revenues	473,453	66,955	778,050
Gross profit	204,017	39,477	197,887
Eliminations
Revenues and gross profit generated from each segment
Net revenues	(137,936)	(78,624)	(184,310)
Cost of revenues	(111,344)	(60,272)	(165,999)
Gross profit	$ (26,592)	$ (18,352)	$ (18,311)

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Different geographic locations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	$ 3,390,393	$ 2,853,078	$ 3,467,626
Total long-lived assets	1,049,004	813,871
Europe
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	356,140	411,165	333,383
Germany
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	94,066	132,185	75,912
Netherlands
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	51,357	36,732	12,859
United Kingdom
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	48,295	73,274	98,800
Turkey
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	24,833	9,544	7,547
Spain
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	13,471	22,516	8,246
Others
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	76,049	103,280	111,869
Australia
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	48,069	33,634	18,150
The Americas
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	1,108,162	1,103,509	1,750,000
United States
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	628,815	863,500	903,748
Total long-lived assets	71,761	67,652
BRAZIL
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	388,554	33,002
Canada
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	52,194	193,790	747,100
Total long-lived assets	8,827	7,308
Others
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	38,599	13,217	99,152
Total long-lived assets	193,452	136,457
Asia
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	1,926,091	1,338,404	1,384,243
PRC
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	874,559	585,296	402,180
Total long-lived assets	675,291	434,989
Japan
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	476,946	373,396	578,173
Total long-lived assets	99,673	167,465
India
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	336,468	292,234	262,536
Singapore
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	97,483	7,615	24,131
U.A.E
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	91,991	5,391
Others
Revenues generated by geographic location of customers' headquarter
Total net revenues	$ 48,644	$ 74,472	$ 117,223

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Each product or service (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	$ 3,390,393	$ 2,853,078	$ 3,467,626
Solar power products
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	2,551,509	2,573,685	2,303,287
Solar system kits
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	84,598	86,794	93,406
Solar power projects
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	632,256	22,665	557,995
EPC and development services
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	2,925	11,990	385,882
Electricity
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	29,236	68,789	32,059
O&M services
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	6,938	4,128	3,310
Others
Revenues generated from each product
Total net revenues	$ 82,931	$ 85,027	$ 91,687

MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
MAJOR CUSTOMERS (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Major Customers
Number of customers with the largest receivable balances \| item	3
Accounts receivable \| Accounts receivable balances \| Customer one
Major Customers
Concentration risk (as a percent)	12.00%	9.00%
Accounts receivable \| $	$ 34,468	$ 43,218
Accounts receivable \| Accounts receivable balances \| Customer two
Major Customers
Concentration risk (as a percent)	4.00%	6.00%
Accounts receivable \| Accounts receivable balances \| Customer three
Major Customers
Concentration risk (as a percent)	4.00%	4.00%

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Employer's contribution (as a percent)	20.00%
Defined contributions schemes expense	$ 9,412	$ 7,186	$ 6,189
Percentage of applicable salaries contributed by the employer for medical insurance benefits	10.00%
Percentage of applicable salaries contributed by the employer for housing funds	8.00%
Percentage of applicable salaries contributed by the employer for unemployment benefits	2.00%
Percentage of applicable salaries contributed by the employer for other statutory benefits	2.00%
Amount of contribution by the employer for medical insurance benefits, housing funds, unemployment and other statutory benefits	$ 10,447	$ 9,128	$ 8,193

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - Options to Employees (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Maximum aggregate number of shares to be issued	2,330,000
Annual percentage increase in authorized shares on the first day of each of 2007, 2008 and 2009 prior to the year of amendment for awards other than incentive option shares	1.00%
Annual percentage increase in authorized shares on the first day of each calendar year from the year of amendment for awards other than incentive option shares	2.50%
Number of shares to be granted after expiration		0
Expiry term of share options		10 years
Number of Options
Granted (in shares)		0	0	0
Options
Options to Employees
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to share-based compensation awards		$ 0
Recognized compensation expense		$ 0	$ 44	$ 355
Term for which the entity is listed					7 years
Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted
Dividend yield (as a percent)		0.00%
Number of Options
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)		466,286
Exercised (in shares)		(97,113)
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)		369,173	466,286
Options vested or expected to be vested at the end of the period (in shares)		369,173
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)		369,173
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 14.52
Exercised (in dollars per share)		9.03
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		15.97	$ 14.52
Options vested or expected to be vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		15.97
Options exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)		$ 15.97
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Terms
Options outstanding at the end of the period		2 years	3 years
Options vested or expected to be vested at the end of the period		2 years
Options exercisable at the end of the period		2 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at the end of the period		$ 2,068	$ 1,081
Options vested or expected to be vested at the end of the period		2,068
Options exercisable at the end of the period		$ 2,068
Weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$ 605	$ 2,643	$ 3,422

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION - RSUs to Employees (Details) - RSUs - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Shares granted to employees	1,033,001	868,036	574,488
Total compensation cost at the date of grant	$ 13,300	$ 12,100	$ 13,200
Total recognized compensation cost	9,314	$ 7,713	$ 5,611
Total unrecognized share-based compensation costs	$ 21,867
Weighted-average period of recognition of compensation expense	2 years 7 months 24 days
Number of Shares
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,402,859
Granted (in shares)	1,033,001	868,036	574,488
Vested (in shares)	569,423
Forfeited (in shares)	(134,390)
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	1,732,047	1,402,859
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 17.27
Granted (in dollars per share)	13.11
Vested (in dollars per share)	14.49
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	20.89
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 15.42	$ 17.27
Total fair value of shares vested	$ 12,091	$ 7,271	$ 4,641
Minimum
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Vesting period	1 year
Maximum
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Vesting period	4 years

WARRANTS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 11, 2015	Oct. 26, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
WARRANTS
Fair value of Warrants		$ 16,378
Fair value change of the Warrants included in earnings				$ 24,554
Fair value assumptions and methodology for Warrants
Exercise price (per share)	$ 28.08	$ 24.48
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	0.935%	0.672%
Dividend yield (as a percent)			0.00%
Time to maturity (in years)	2 years	2 years
Expected volatility (as a percent)	65.13%	67.24%
Beginning balance			$ 711
Expiration of the Warrants			$ (711)
Ending balance				$ 711
Minimum
Fair value assumptions and methodology for Warrants
Exercise price (per share)				$ 24.48
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)				0.85%
Time to maturity (in years)				9 months 26 days
Expected volatility (as a percent)				53.99%
Maximum
Fair value assumptions and methodology for Warrants
Exercise price (per share)				$ 28.08
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)				0.875%
Time to maturity (in years)				11 months 9 days
Expected volatility (as a percent)				59.21%
Senior secured term loan \| Syndicated loan agreement arranged by Credit Suisse
WARRANTS
Face value of the loan		$ 180,000
Loan term (in years)		2 years
Maximum number of common stock could be purchased by Warrants	940,171	1,348,040
Exercise price of warrant (in dollars per share)	$ 28.08	$ 24.48

CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
CAPITAL LEASES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Capital lease of assets
Loss on transaction		$ 6,500
Finance leasing contract term	2 years
Finance leasing contract carrying amount	$ 23,000
Future minimum lease payments required under non-cancelable capital lease agreements
2018		59,340
2019		33,300
2020		14,231
2021 and thereafter		3,425
Total minimum lease payments		110,296
Less: Amount representing interest		6,982
Present value of net minimum lease payments		103,314
Current portion		59,942
Non-current portion		43,372
Machinery
Capital lease of assets
Leased assets gross		131,624	$ 17,206
Accumulated deprection		(46,727)	(6,473)
Leased assets net		$ 84,897	$ 10,733
Minimum
Capital lease of assets
Lease terms		2 years
Maximum
Capital lease of assets
Lease terms		4 years

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) - Subsequent event £ in Millions, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) item	Feb. 28, 2018 GBP (£)	Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018 item
Photon Energy NV \| 1.14 Gigawatt Peak (GWP) five utility-scale solar power project
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Number of utility developed				5
Greencoat Solar II LP \| 142 Megawatt (MWp) solar power plants
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Sale proceeds		£ 191.2	$ 267.7
Distribution cost		£ 3.8	$ 5.3
Korea Electric Power Corporation \| 309 Megawatt (MWp) three solar power plants
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Sale proceeds \| $	$ 720.0
Number of solar power plants sold	3

Financial Statement Schedule I (Details)	12 Months Ended
Financial Statement Schedule I (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Additional Information - Financial Statement Schedule I
Restricted net assets of the entity's consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries not available for distribution	$ 461,800
Threshold percentage of restricted net assets of the entity's consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries	25.00%

Financial Statement Schedule I - BALANCE SHEETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 561,679	$ 511,039	$ 553,079	$ 549,543
Restricted cash	617,761	487,516
Accounts receivable trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,007 and $3,642 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	358,091	400,251
Inventories	346,092	295,371
Amounts due from related parties	26,102	19,082
Derivative assets - current	16,200	12,270
Advances to suppliers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,225 and $5,222 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	61,399	29,312
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	296,084	266,826
Total current assets	4,085,303	3,790,763
Deferred tax assets - non-current	131,796	229,980
Other non-current assets	143,130	117,245
TOTAL ASSETS	5,889,627	5,406,606
Current liabilities:
Short-term bank borrowings	1,957,755	1,600,033
Accounts payable	402,964	440,116
Amounts due to related parties, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $272 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	6,023	19,912
Derivative liabilities - current	6,121	9,625
Other current liabilities	201,903	171,070
Total current liabilities	4,108,012	3,721,066
Accrued warranty costs	55,659	61,139	65,193	54,644
Convertible notes	126,476	125,569
Long-term borrowings	404,341	493,455
Derivative liabilities - non-current	359
Liability for uncertain tax positions	9,264	8,431
TOTAL LIABILITIES	4,829,852	4,507,216
Equity:
Common shares - no par value: unlimited authorized shares, 57,830,149 and 58,496,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	702,162	701,283
Additional paid-in capital	417	(8,897)
Retained earnings	383,681	284,109
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(54,034)	(91,814)
Total Canadian Solar Inc. shareholders' equity	1,032,226	884,681
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	5,889,627	5,406,606
Parent Company
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	16,957	21,348	$ 34,206	$ 3,455
Accounts receivable trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,007 and $3,642 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	6,207	103
Amounts due from related parties	375,843	419,075
Derivative assets - current		2,425
Advances to suppliers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,225 and $5,222 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	60
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11,490	4,871
Total current assets	410,557	447,822
Investment in subsidiaries	1,005,176	789,633
Deferred tax assets - non-current	9,185	22,609
Other non-current assets	67,940	64,903
TOTAL ASSETS	1,492,858	1,324,967
Current liabilities:
Short-term bank borrowings	151,000	10,000
Accounts payable	3	3
Amounts due to related parties, including consolidated variable interest entities of nil and $272 as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	139,091	73,053
Derivative liabilities - current		1,914
Other current liabilities	36,914	10,952
Total current liabilities	327,008	95,922
Accrued warranty costs		2,950
Convertible notes	126,476	125,569
Long-term borrowings		190,000
Derivative liabilities - non-current	524	20,054
Liability for uncertain tax positions	6,625	5,791
TOTAL LIABILITIES	460,633	440,286
Equity:
Common shares - no par value: unlimited authorized shares, 57,830,149 and 58,496,685 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively	702,162	701,283
Additional paid-in capital	417	(8,897)
Retained earnings	383,680	284,109
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(54,034)	(91,814)
Total Canadian Solar Inc. shareholders' equity	1,032,225	884,681
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 1,492,858	$ 1,324,967

Financial Statement Schedule I - BALANCE SHEETS Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements
Accounts receivable trade, allowance	$ 32,941	$ 26,119
Common share, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common shares, shares issued (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149
Common shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements
Accounts receivable trade, allowance	$ 3,642	$ 3,007
Advances to suppliers, allowance for doubtful	$ 5,222	$ 5,225
Common share, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common shares, shares issued (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149
Common shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	58,496,685	57,830,149

Financial Statement Schedule I - STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements
Net revenues	$ 3,390,393	$ 2,853,078	$ 3,467,626
Cost of revenues	2,752,795	2,435,890	2,890,856
Gross profit	637,598	417,188	576,770
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	156,032	145,367	149,710
General and administrative expenses	230,998	203,789	168,025
Research and development expenses	28,777	17,407	17,056
Other operating (income) loss	(47,554)	(42,539)	(5,392)
Total operating expenses, net	368,253	324,024	329,399
Loss from operations	269,345	93,164	247,371
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(117,971)	(69,723)	(54,148)
Interest income	10,477	10,236	16,831
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	(272)	27,322	(12,196)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	(23,449)	25,406	22,882
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		2,782
Investment income (loss)	(3,607)	(1,532)	2,342
Other income (expenses), net:	(134,822)	(5,509)	(23,900)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated investees	134,523	87,655	223,471
Income tax (expense) benefit	(40,951)	(17,976)	(49,512)
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	9,411	(4,404)	(643)
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	99,572	65,249	171,861
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements
Net revenues	35,011	13,748	23,302
Cost of revenues	29,542	9,657	15,850
Gross profit	5,469	4,091	7,452
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	2,221	3,727	3,309
General and administrative expenses	18,390	17,167	29,124
Research and development expenses	645	589	450
Other operating (income) loss	1,173
Total operating expenses, net	22,429	21,483	32,883
Loss from operations	(16,960)	(17,392)	(25,431)
Other income (expenses):
Interest expense	(20,078)	(29,032)	(17,241)
Interest income	42,191	44,666	34,471
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives	(7,134)	30,988	(13,571)
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	(18,110)	(3,810)	1,324
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		2,782
Investment income (loss)	(11,944)
Other income (expenses), net:	(15,075)	45,594	4,983
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and unconsolidated investees	(32,035)	28,202	(20,448)
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,686	(6,599)	(1,231)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	130,048	43,596	193,813
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated investees	(127)	50	(273)
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	$ 99,572	$ 65,249	$ 171,861

Financial Statement Schedule I - STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements
Net income	$ 102,983	$ 65,275	$ 173,316
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax of nil):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	39,305	(41,786)	(75,687)
Comprehensive income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	137,352	33,291	91,948
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements
Net income	99,572	65,249	171,861
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax of nil):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	37,780	(31,958)	(79,913)
Comprehensive income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.	$ 137,352	$ 33,291	$ 91,948

Financial Statement Schedule I - STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 102,983	$ 65,275	$ 173,316
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	99,273	95,849	94,217
Impairment loss of investment	3,686	0	0
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivatives	272	(27,322)	12,196
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		(2,782)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	7,265	(280)	3,673
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated investees	(9,411)	4,404	643
Share-based compensation	9,314	7,757	5,966
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(49,024)	(50,557)	50,821
Accounts receivable trade	46,337	(33,060)	(63,352)
Amounts due from related parties	(10,089)	(4,230)	(99,893)
Advances to suppliers	(15,990)	(30,609)	7,967
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(49,813)	(135,426)	36,745
Other non-current assets	(23,795)	(1,308)	(6,093)
Accounts payable	(27,758)	61,157	(23,975)
Advances from customers	(44,985)	19,710	(30,123)
Amounts due to related parties	33,908	(43,774)	47,522
Accrued warranty costs	(6,726)	(3,847)	12,004
Other liabilities	(18,774)	(995)	56,542
Liability for uncertain tax positions	833	(6,037)	(1,111)
Deferred taxes	84,939	(95,629)	(112,263)
Net settlement of derivatives	(1,460)	(1,922)	24,878
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	203,920	(278,073)	413,658
Investing activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(101,985)	50,585	(100,935)
Investment in subsidiaries	(92,925)	(124,737)	(84,389)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(276,978)	(286,722)	(90,905)
Net cash used in investing activities	(341,215)	(1,042,557)	(999,104)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	1,646,910	1,841,808	1,436,950
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(2,068,069)	(2,243,003)	(1,308,235)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	690,841	1,076,332	487,228
Proceeds from issuance of warrant			16,378
Investment on non-controlling interest			(927)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares		23,864
Issuance costs paid for common shares offering		(456)
Payments for repurchase of convertible notes		(19,667)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	879	707	1,867
Net cash provided by financing activities	165,283	1,299,823	619,483
Effect of exchange rate changes	21,444	(12,312)	(30,501)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	49,432	(33,119)	3,536
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	511,039	553,079	549,543
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	561,679	511,039	553,079
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	113,513	70,827	49,619
Income taxes paid	45,483	187,876	87,348
Parent Company
Operating activities:
Net income	99,572	65,249	171,861
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33	32	32
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries	9,559
Impairment loss of investment	3,686
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of derivatives	7,134	(30,988)	13,571
Gain on repurchase of convertible notes		(2,782)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,666	(844)	1,535
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(130,048)	(43,596)	(193,813)
Equity in loss (earnings) of unconsolidated investees	127	(50)	273
Share-based compensation	9,314	7,757	5,966
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Inventories		146	296
Accounts receivable trade	(6,739)	3,010	2,189
Amounts due from related parties	57,539	21,731	228,284
Advances to suppliers	(60)	226	(226)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(5,715)	6,955	(7,106)
Other non-current assets	1,016	(2,039)	(14,710)
Accounts payable		(4)	3
Advances from customers	(1,069)	(1,413)	1,352
Amounts due to related parties	66,038	(129,307)	103,348
Accrued warranty costs	(10,639)	(12,381)	(2,941)
Other liabilities	23,505	(297)	4,484
Liability for uncertain tax positions	833	(7,413)	(1,111)
Deferred taxes	(6,106)	199	1,451
Net settlement of derivatives	(6,358)	17,043	(3,950)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	114,288	(108,766)	310,788
Investing activities:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash		6,512	(6,513)
Investment in subsidiaries	(64,185)		(116,840)
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries	61,749
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(26)
(Funding) repayment of loans to subsidiaries	(74,458)	299,578	(550,776)
Net cash used in investing activities	(76,920)	306,090	(674,129)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from short-term borrowings			10,000
Repayment of short-term borrowings	(49,000)	(190,000)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings			364,680
Proceeds from issuance of warrant			16,378
Investment on non-controlling interest			(918)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares		23,864
Issuance costs paid for common shares offering		(456)
Payments for repurchase of convertible notes		(19,667)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	879	707	1,867
Net cash provided by financing activities	(48,121)	(185,552)	392,007
Effect of exchange rate changes	6,362	(24,630)	2,085
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,391)	(12,858)	30,751
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	21,348	34,206	3,455
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	16,957	21,348	34,206
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (net of amounts capitalized)	$ 18,375	$ 29,288	$ 15,299

Appendix 1 - Major Subsidiaries of CSI (Details)	12 Months Ended
Appendix 1 - Major Subsidiaries of CSI (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Amount of Restricted Net Assets for Consolidated and Unconsolidated Subsidiaries	$ 461,800
CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	3.23%
Interest held as general partner	0.17%
CSI Changshu Manufacturing
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Interest held as general partner	0.07%
CSI Solartronics (Changshu) Co., Ltd
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI Solar Technologies Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI New Energy Holding Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Luoyang) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Changshu) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar (USA) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Solutions Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly named/known as "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.")
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly named/known as "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") \| CSI Cells Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	37.33%
CSI Solar Power Group Co., Ltd. (formerly named/known as "CSI Solar Power (China) Inc.") \| CSI Changshu Manufacturing
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	14.93%
Canadian Solar EMEA GmbH
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar (Australia) Pty Limited
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar International Limited
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar O and M (Ontario) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Suzhou Sanysolar Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	75.324%
Canadian Solar South East Asia Pte. Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar South Africa Pty., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Brazil Commerce, Import and Export of Solar Panels Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Middle East Limited
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Construction (USA) LLC
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Project K.K.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI&GCL Solar Manufacturing (Yancheng) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	80.00%
Canadian Solar UK Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar UK Projects Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Changsu Tegu New Material Technology Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	90.00%
Changshu Tlian Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Trading (Changshu) Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Recurrent Energy Group Inc.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Recurrent Energy, LLC
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
PT. Canadian Solar Indonesia
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	67.00%
Canadian Solar Manufacturing Vietnam Co., Ltd
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Energy Private Limited
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar MSS (Australia) Pty Ltd (formerly named/known as "Canadian Solar Australia 1 Pty Ltd.")
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Energy Holding Company Limited
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	99.99992%
Canadian Solar Sunenergy (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Energy Holding Singapore 1 Pte. Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
Canadian Solar Sunenergy (Baotou) Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	100.00%
CSI Cells (Yanchang) Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	96.77%
CSI Modules (DaFeng) Co., Ltd.
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	96.00%
CSI Modules (DaFeng) Co., Ltd. \| CSI Changshu Manufacturing
Major Subsidiaries of CSI
Attributable Equity Interest Held (as a percent)	4.00%