Dr. Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu
Dr. Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu is the Founder, Executive Chairman, and Chief Technology Officer of Canadian Solar Inc., a Canadian-founded global solar technology and renewable energy company headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario. He founded the company in 2001 and led its development from an early Ontario start-up into a publicly listed global enterprise on Nasdaq and a major integrated platform spanning solar modules, battery energy storage solutions, and utility-scale project development. In recent years, Dr. Qu has led Canadian Solar through a major next phase of growth, extending the company beyond its global solar module foundation into a broader clean energy platform with growing strength in battery energy storage, project development, and localized North American manufacturing. Under his leadership, Canadian Solar has delivered nearly 180 GW of solar modules globally over 25 years, shipped over 23 GWh of battery energy storage solutions through e-STORAGE, and built a contracted energy storage backlog of $3.5 billion as of June 30, 2026. The company has also advanced one of the most significant clean energy manufacturing footprints in North America, including module manufacturing in Mesquite, Texas; HJT solar cell manufacturing in Jeffersonville, Indiana; and battery manufacturing in Shelbyville, Kentucky, while continuing to strengthen its Canadian roots through its Kitchener headquarters and proposed Energy Technology Hub. A scientist and technology leader by training, Dr. Qu holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Tsinghua University, a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Manitoba, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science from the University of Toronto. He has received the Engineering Hall of Distinction Award from the University of Toronto, holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Manitoba, and has been a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering since 2019. His technical background in semiconductor materials and solar technology continues to shape Canadian Solar’s innovation agenda. Before founding Canadian Solar, Dr. Qu worked in the power, automation, and photovoltaic technology sectors, including roles with Ontario Hydro, now Ontario Power Generation, ATS Automation Tooling Systems in Canada, and Photowatt International in France. That combination of research, manufacturing, and international business experience helped inform Canadian Solar’s early commercialization strategy and its later expansion into global solar manufacturing and project development. In May 2026, Dr. Qu transitioned from Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, placing greater emphasis on long-term technology strategy, R&D, sustainability, and next-generation growth platforms. He was named to the TIME100 Climate list in 2024 as an innovator among leaders driving business climate action.