UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of March 2023

 

Commission File Number: 001-33107

 

 

 

CANADIAN SOLAR INC.

 

 

 

545 Speedvale Avenue West, Guelph,

Ontario, Canada N1K 1E6

(Address of principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F þ         Form 40-F ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨

 

 

 

 

 

CANADIAN SOLAR INC.

 

Form 6-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Signature
 
Exhibit Index
 
Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  CANADIAN SOLAR INC.
   
  By: /s/ Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu
  Name: Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: March 21, 2023

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit 99.1 — Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Earnings Release

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Canadian Solar Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results

 

Guelph, Ontario, March 21, 2023 – Canadian Solar Inc. (“Canadian Solar” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Fourth Quarter 2022 Highlights

 

·68% increase in solar module shipments year-over-year (“yoy”) to 6.4 GW, above guidance range of 6.0 GW to 6.3 GW.
·29% increase in revenue yoy to $1.97 billion, above guidance range of $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion.
·17.7% gross margin at the high end of guidance range of 16% to 18%.
·Net income attributable to Canadian Solar of $78 million or $1.11 per diluted share.

 

Full Year 2022 Highlights

 

·Record revenues of $7.47 billion, a 42% increase yoy.
·Record net income attributable to Canadian Solar of $240 million, or $3.44 per diluted share.
·Record solar module shipments of 21.1 GW by CSI Solar, a 45% increase yoy.
·Record utility-scale battery storage shipments of 1.79 GWh by CSI Solar, doubling last year.
·25 GWp of solar development pipeline and 47 GWh of battery storage development pipeline, as of January 31, 2023 (Global Energy).

 

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We achieved record financial results in 2022, with revenue increasing 42% and net income attributable to shareholders increasing 152%. Our company and industry are at a critical turning point as we transition towards a grid parity market where clean energy investments are attractive both economically and from a sustainability standpoint, unlocking significant global demand. In addition, as solar equipment costs reach closer to the bottom of the cost curve, volume growth is translating into both revenue and earnings growth, driven by a combination of a stabler cost structure, increasing pricing power and operating leverage. This is evident in our 2022 results and adds to our confidence in our future growth opportunities. Lastly, CSI Solar's carve-out IPO just got approved by China Securities Regulatory Commission as we speak today.”

 

Yan Zhuang, President of Canadian Solar’s CSI Solar subsidiary, said, “We achieved significant growth and profitability improvements throughout 2022. We continued to focus on strengthening our competitive advantage in technology and product leadership, positioning our brand in high-priced premium markets, building on strong customer and channel relationships, and increasing control over costs through vertical integration of manufacturing capabilities. Both material and logistical costs declined further. Looking ahead, we expect significant growth driven by our solar and battery storage offerings. In particular, we achieved over $1 billion in contracted battery storage revenues as of January 31, 2023, giving us significant visibility over our multi-year growth prospects and ability to deliver sustainable long-term value to our shareholders.”

 

Ismael Guerrero, Corporate VP and President of Canadian Solar’s Global Energy subsidiary, said, “The fourth quarter of 2022 was impacted by the timing of project sales, as expected, and adjustments in our growth strategy to hold valuable solar assets for the longer term. We continue to execute on 25 GW of solar and 47 GWh of battery storage projects (of which 13.5 GW and 11.6 GWh respectively have interconnections), one of the largest pipelines globally, and create value in our projects.”

 

Dr. Huifeng Chang, Senior VP and CFO, added, “In the fourth quarter, we achieved $1.97 billion in revenue, a 17.7% gross margin, and net income of $1.11 per diluted share. We ended the quarter with a total cash position of $2.0 billion and reduced our leverage from a net debt to EBITDA standpoint. Overall, we remain disciplined in our capital deployment and are positioned to capture long-term growth and value.”

 

Page 1

 

 

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

 

Total module shipments recognized as revenues in the fourth quarter of 2022 were 6.4 GW, up 68% yoy. Of the total, 216 MW were shipped to the Company’s own utility-scale solar power projects.

 

Net revenues in the fourth quarter of 2022 were up 29% yoy and 2% quarter-over-quarter (“qoq”) to $1.97 billion. The sequential increase primarily reflects higher solar module shipment volumes, partially offset by a small decline in module average selling price (“ASP”) and lower revenue from battery storage solutions and project sales. The yoy increase was mainly driven by the significant increase in solar module shipments.

 

Gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $349 million, up 16% yoy and down 4% qoq. Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 17.7%, compared to 18.8% in the third quarter of 2022, at the high end of the guidance range. The gross margin decline was mainly driven by lower margin contribution from project sales and lower module ASPs, partially offset by lower manufacturing costs and the depreciation of the Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar.

 

Total operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $213 million compared to $274 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $234 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decrease was mainly driven by lower logistics costs and a lower impairment charge related to certain manufacturing assets.

 

Depreciation and amortization charges in the fourth quarter of 2022 were $50 million, compared to $56 million in the third quarter of 2022 and $84 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The decline was mainly driven by an accelerated depreciation of a production facility that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2021 and currency translation of the Renminbi relative to the U.S. Dollar.

 

Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $11 million, compared to net interest income of $4 million in the third quarter of 2022 and net interest expense of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Net interest expense returned to a normalized level in the fourth quarter with the absence of an interest benefit generated by the anti-dumping and countervailing duty deposit refunds in the third quarter of 2022.

 

Net foreign exchange and derivative loss in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $15 million, compared to a net gain of $39 million in the third quarter of 2022 and a net gain of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The net foreign exchange loss was mainly driven by the strengthening of the Euro and the Japanese Yen against the U.S. Dollar.

 

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $78 million, or $1.11 per diluted share (“diluted EPS”), compared to net income of $78 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2022, and net income of $26 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2021.

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2022 was $397 million, compared to $68 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase in operating cash inflow was mainly driven by changes in working capital.

 

Total debt was $2,593 million as of December 31, 2022, compared to $2,713 million as of September 30, 2022, and included $684 million and $842 million of debt related to project assets as of December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022, respectively. Non-recourse debt used to finance solar power systems and project assets increased to $365 million as of December 31, 2022, from $311 million as of September 30, 2022.

 

Total project assets at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 were $824 million, compared to $911 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Project assets are projects that are developed and built for sale, as part of Global Energy’s business model.

 

The net value of solar power systems at the end of the fourth quarter of 2022 were $365 million, compared to $101 million at the end of the third quarter of 2022. Solar power systems are projects that are developed and built to hold on the Company’s balance sheet. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company determined that certain solar projects in Brazil and Italy with book value of $264 million were appropriately reclassified as solar power systems as the intention on these projects transitioned to be held on the Company’s balance sheet for the purpose of generating long-term electricity income.

 

Corporate Structure

 

The Company has two business segments: Global Energy and CSI Solar, which operate as follows:

 

The Global Energy segment carries out the Company’s global project development activities for both solar and battery storage project development, which include sourcing land, interconnection agreements, structuring power purchase agreements (PPAs) and other permits and requirements. The Global Energy segment develops both stand-alone solar and stand-alone battery storage projects, as well as hybrid solar plus storage projects. Its monetization strategies vary between develop-to-sell, build-to-sell, and build-to-own, depending on business strategies and market conditions, with the goal of maximizing returns, accelerating cash turn, and minimizing capital risk.

 

Page 2

 

 

The CSI Solar segment consists of solar module manufacturing and total system solutions, including inverters, solar system kits and EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) services. The CSI Solar segment also includes the Company’s battery storage system integration business, delivering bankable, end-to-end, turnkey battery storage solutions for utility-scale, commercial and industrial, and residential applications. These storage systems solutions are complemented with long-term service agreements, including future battery capacity augmentation services.

 

Global Energy Segment

 

Canadian Solar has one of the world’s largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development platforms, with a strong track record of originating, developing, financing, and building nearly 9 GWp of solar power plants and 3 GWh of battery storage power plants across six continents. As of January 2023, the Company had a total global solar pipeline of 25 GWp and an energy storage project development pipeline of 47 GWh.

 

The continued pipeline expansion and strong project development track record support Global Energy’s growth in three key areas:

 

1.Project sales: The Company plans to grow its volume of project sales by a compound annual growth rate of approximately 20% to 2026, while holding and accumulating assets through investment vehicles (see below) in order to better capture asset value.

 

2.Investment vehicles: The Company is optimizing its project monetization strategy by establishing local investment vehicles to help maximize the value of its project assets while retaining minority ownership in these vehicles. This approach will help the Company build and grow a stable base of long-term cash flows from contracted electricity while recycling a large portion of the capital into developing new solar projects for growth. Meanwhile, the Company expects to capture additional operational value throughout the partial ownership period, including long-term cash flows from power sales, operations and maintenance (“O&M”) and other services (see point 3). The Company currently owns a 15% stake in the Canadian Solar Infrastructure Fund (“CSIF”, TSE: 9284), the largest Japanese infrastructure fund listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and has established the CSFS Fund I, a fund of a similar nature in Italy.

 

3.Services: The Company currently manages over 3.7 GW of operational projects under long-term O&M agreements, and an additional 2.3 GW of contracted projects that will be operated and maintained by the Company once they are placed in operation. The Company’s target is to reach 20 GW of projects under O&M agreements by 2026.

 

Management targets to achieve the following over the next few years:

 

Global Energy Targets   2022A    2023E    2024E    2025E    2026E 
Annual Project Sales, GWp   2.0    2.8-3.3    3.5-4.0    4.0-4.5    4.3-4.8 
Operational O&M Projects, GWp   3.7    7.5    11    15    20 
Net Cumulative Projects Retained, MWp*   417    630    1,000    1,100    1,300 
Gross Cumulative Projects Retained, MWp*   1,400    2,580    3,500    4,000    5,000 

 

*Net projects retained represents CSIQ’s net partial ownership of solar projects; the gross number represents the aggregate gross size of projects, including the share which is not owned by CSIQ.

 

Project Development Pipeline – Solar

 

As of January 31, 2023, the Company’s total solar project development pipeline was 24.7 GWp, including 1.8 GWp under construction, 4.9 GWp of backlog, and 18.0 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage pipelines, defined as follows:

 

·Backlog projects are late-stage projects that have passed their risk cliff date and are expected to start construction in the next 1-4 years. A project’s risk cliff date is the date on which the project passes the last high-risk development stage and varies depending on the country where it is located. This is usually after the projects have received all the required environmental and regulatory approvals, and entered into interconnection agreements, feed-in tariff (“FIT”) arrangements and power purchase agreements (“PPAs”). Over 90% of projects in backlog are contracted (i.e., have secured a PPA or FIT), and the remaining are reasonably assured of securing PPAs.

 

·Advanced pipeline projects are mid-stage projects that have secured or have more than 90% certainty of securing an interconnection agreement.

 

·Early-stage pipeline projects are early-stage projects controlled by Canadian Solar that are in the process of securing interconnection.

 

Page 3

 

 

The following table presents Global Energy’s total solar project development pipeline.

 

Total Project Pipeline (as of January 31, 2023) – MWp* 
Region  In
Construction
   Backlog   Advanced
Pipeline
   Early-Stage
Pipeline
   Total 
North America   -    422    2,310    4,324    7,056 
Latin America   1,400**    2,397**    908    510    5,215 
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”)   89    936    3,509    2,803    7,337 
Japan   36    149    3    55    243 
Asia Pacific excluding Japan and China   -    3    135    2,058    2,196 
China   250    971**    -    1,475    2,696 
Total   1,775    4,878    6,865    11,225    24,743 

 

*All numbers are gross MWp.

**Including 645 MWp in construction and 282 MWp in backlog that are owned by or already sold to third parties.

 

Project Development Pipeline – Battery Storage

 

As of January 31, 2023, the Company’s total battery storage project development pipeline was 46.9 GWh, including 0.3 GWh under construction, 2.9 GWh of backlog, and 43.7 GWh of projects in advanced and early-stage pipelines.

 

The table below sets forth Global Energy’s total storage project development pipeline.

 

Storage Project Development Backlog and Pipeline (as of January 31, 2023) – MWh
Region  In
Construction
   Backlog   Advanced
Pipeline
   Early-Stage
Pipeline
   Total 
North America   -    -    4,098    15,382    19,480 
Latin America   -    2,300    1,650    970    4,920 
EMEA   -    110    2,620    9,999    12,729 
Japan   -    -    -    19    19 
Asia Pacific, excluding Japan and China   20    458    -    1,640    2,118 
China   300    -    -    7,300    7,600 
Total   320    2,868    8,368    35,310    46,866 

 

Projects in Operation – Solar and Battery Storage Power Plants

 

As of January 31, 2023, the Company’s solar power plants in operation totaled 574 MWp, with a combined estimated net resale value of approximately $620 million to Canadian Solar. The estimated net resale value is based on selling prices that Canadian Solar is currently negotiating or comparable asset sales.

 

Solar Power Plants in Operation – MW*
Latin America   Japan  

Asia Pacific

ex. Japan and China

    China    Total
336   140   12    86    574

 

*All numbers are net MWp owned by Canadian Solar; total gross MWp of projects is 1,027 MWp, including volume that is already sold to third parties.

 

As of January 31, 2023, the Company’s battery storage power plants in operation totaled 280 MWh, representing the 20% interest Canadian Solar retains in the 1,400 MWh Crimson standalone battery storage project in California.

 

Page 4

 

 

Operating Results

 

The following table presents select unaudited results of operations data of the Global Energy segment for the periods indicated.

 

Global Energy Segment Financial Results
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)
 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,
2022
   September 30,
2022
  

December 31,
2021

   December 31,
2022
  

December 31,
2021

 
Net revenues   73,650    100,925    232,418    821,525    1,124,083 
Cost of revenues   57,686    53,366    224,359    660,161    930,099 
Gross profit   15,964    47,559    8,059    161,364    193,984 
Operating expenses   17,315    20,512    22,787    81,000    96,805 
Income (loss) from operations*   (1,351)   27,047    (14,728)   80,364    97,179 
Gross margin   21.7%   47.1%   3.5%   19.6%   17.3%
Operating margin   -1.8%   26.8%   -6.3%   9.8%   8.6%

 

*Income (loss) from operations reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared by the Company’s two business segments. 

 

CSI Solar Segment

 

Solar Modules

 

CSI Solar shipped 6.4 GW of solar modules to more than 70 countries in the fourth quarter of 2022. For both the fourth quarter and full year of 2022, the top five markets ranked by shipments were China, the U.S., Brazil, Spain, and Germany.

 

CSI Solar’s 2023 solar capacity expansion targets are set forth below.

 

    Solar Manufacturing Capacity, GW* 
   

December 2022
Actual

  

June 2023
Plan

  

December 2023
Plan

 
Ingot    20.4    20.4    20.4 
Wafer    20.0    21.0    35.0 
Cell    19.8    26.0    50.0 
Module    32.2    36.7    50.0 

 

*Nameplate annualized capacities at said point in time. Capacity expansion plans are subject to change without notice based on market conditions and capital allocation plans.

 

Battery Storage Solutions

 

Within CSI Solar, the battery storage solutions team, namely CSI Energy Storage, provides customers with competitive turnkey, integrated, utility-scale battery storage solutions, including bankable and fully wrapped capacity and operating performance levels. System performance is complemented with long-term service agreements, which include future battery capacity augmentation services and bring in long-term, stable income.

 

As of January 31, 2023, CSI Energy Storage had a total project turnkey pipeline of 22.6 GWh, which includes both contracted and in construction projects, as well as projects at different stages of the negotiation process. CSI Energy Storage was also managing 2.3 GWh of projects under long-term service agreements, which are operational battery storage projects delivered by CSI Energy Storage that are under multi-year long-term service agreements and generate recurring earnings.

 

Page 5

 

 

 

The total contracted turnkey pipeline was over $1 billion, which are contractual obligations that provide significant earnings visibility over a multi-year period.

 

During 2022, CSI Energy Storage launched the SolBank, a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry-based battery storage enclosure with up to 2.8 MWh of usable energy capacity, specifically engineered for utility-scale applications. The SolBank is designed with liquid cooling and humidity control, active balancing BMS (battery management system) technologies, and complies with the latest international safety and compliance standards. CSI Energy Storage produces the SolBank on fully automated, state-of-the-art production and testing facilities.

 

The table below sets forth CSI Energy Storage’s battery storage manufacturing capacity expansion targets.

 

Battery Storage Manufacturing Capacity, GWh* 

December 2022

Actual

  

December 2023

Plan

 
SolBank   2.5    10.0 

 

*Nameplate annualized capacities at said point in time. Capacity expansion plans are subject to change without notice based on market conditions and capital allocation plans.

 

Operating Results 

 

The following table presents select unaudited results of operations data of the CSI Solar segment for the periods indicated.

 

CSI Solar Segment Financial Results*

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,
2022
   September 30,
2022
  

December 31,

2021

   December 31,
2022
  

December 31,

2021

 
Net revenues   1,976,045    1,973,163    1,343,278    6,975,612    4,371,603 
Cost of revenues   1,631,417    1,632,518    1,056,750    5,824,855    3,689,126 
Gross profit   344,628    340,645    286,528    1,150,757    682,477 
Operating expenses   192,099    243,667    204,969    806,959    608,345 
Income from operations   152,529    96,978    81,559    343,798    74,132 
Gross margin   17.4%   17.3%   21.3%   16.5%   15.6%
Operating margin   7.7%   4.9%   6.1%   4.9%   1.7%

 

*Include effects of both sales to third-party customers and to the Company’s Global Energy segment. Please refer to the attached financial tables for intercompany transaction elimination information. Income from operations reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared by the Company’s two business segments.

 

The table below provides the geographic distribution of the net revenues of CSI Solar:

 

CSI Solar Net Revenues Geographic Distribution* (In Millions of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)
   Q4 2022   % of Net
Revenues
   Full Year 2022   % of Net
Revenues
 
Asia   846    45    2,576    39 
Americas   635    33    2,480    37 
Europe and others   417    22    1,591    24 
Total   1,898    100    6,647    100 

 

*Excludes sales from CSI Solar to Global Energy.

 

Page 6

 

 

Business Outlook

 

The Company’s business outlook is based on management’s current views and estimates given factors such as existing market conditions, order book, production capacity, input material prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, anticipated timing of project sales, and the global economic environment. This outlook is subject to uncertainty with respect to, among other things, customer demand, project construction and sale schedules, product sales prices and costs, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical conflicts. Management’s views and estimates are subject to change without notice.

 

For the first quarter of 2023, the Company expects total revenue to be in the range of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion. Gross margin is expected to be between 18% to 20%. Total module shipments recognized as revenues by CSI Solar are expected to be in the range of 5.9 GW to 6.2 GW, including approximately 133 MW to the Company’s own projects.

 

For the full year of 2023, the Company reiterates its prior outlook for CSI Solar’s total module shipments to be in the range of 30 GW to 35 GW. CSI Solar’s battery storage shipments are expected to be in the range of 1.8 GWh to 2.0 GWh, representing this year’s transition from white label to own manufactured product. The Company’s total revenue is expected to be in the range of $8.5 billion to $9.5 billion.

 

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, “Our strategy remains to focus on profitable growth and investing to improve our long-term competitive advantage. The first quarter of the year is always seasonally softer and thus we expect an acceleration in end market demand through the year as the large global pipeline of customer projects are executed. Margins are taking a turn for the better as we continue to deliver on our vertical integration and cost reduction programs, further helped by lower raw material input costs. On the operating profit side, we expect to achieve operating leverage this year from the significant volume growth, especially given the decline in unit logistics costs. Overall, we continue to position our business competitively and drive value for our shareholders.”

 

Recent Developments

 

Global Energy

 

On March 7, 2023, Canadian Solar announced three solar power projects in Japan totaling 42 MWp reached commercial operation. The three projects are powered by Canadian Solar bifacial BiHiKu modules, and the energy generated is being purchased by grid operators in their respective areas under Japan’s feed-in-tariff program for approximately 19 years at the rates of JPY32 (US$0.24), JPY14.49 (US$0.11), and JPY14.25 (US$0.10) per kWh.

 

On March 6, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that six solar power projects totaling 685 MW in Spain received favorable Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) from the Spanish regulatory authorities. The EIA assess the direct and indirect impacts of a power project based on a range of environmental factors, including the impacts on the local community, biodiversity, land, soil, water, air, climate, landscape, and cultural heritage. The EIA procedures ensure environmental protection and consideration are considered from the very beginning of project development activities. The process also fosters public engagement and provides transparency in the decision-making process.

 

On February 27, 2023, Canadian Solar announced Canadian Solar EMEA Capital Markets, S.A.U., an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar incorporated in Spain (part of Global Energy), registered its €100 million medium term note program in the MARF (a Spanish multilateral trading facility). The notes may qualify as “green bonds” pursuant to the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Green Bond Principles and the Green Financing Framework approved by the Company. Canadian Solar’s Green Financing Framework received a favorable third-party opinion from Sustainalytics. The note program provides Canadian Solar a framework that can allow the Company to quickly access the capital markets and raise capital in a series of issuances, increasing its sustainable investment footprint and using the proceeds to finance the development and acquisition of new solar PV and battery storage projects.

 

On January 31, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that its Global Energy business signed an agreement to sell 30% of the preferred units of the Company’s first Italian alternative investment fund (CSFS Fund I) to Gardant Investor SGR. CSFS Fund I is a closed-ended, real-estate reserved alternative investment fund managed by Finint Investments SGR. CSFS Fund I's perimeter includes a portfolio of seven solar power projects with a total capacity of 124.2 MWp, located in Italy. These projects are currently under construction and expected to reach commercial operation between March and December of 2023. Canadian Solar developed these projects and will provide the operations and maintenance services once they are completed.

 

On November 17, 2022, Canadian Solar announced that its Japan flagship mega-project, the 100 MWp Azuma Kofuji solar project located in the Fukushima Prefecture, had reached commercial operation. The Azuma Kofuji project is Canadian Solar's largest project in Japan and Fukushima Prefecture’s largest operational solar project to date. The energy generated by Azuma Kofuji plant is being purchased by the Tohoku Electric Power Company at the rate of JPY36 (U$0.26) per kWh under Japan’s feed-in-tariff program for over 18 years. Canadian Solar’s local subsidiary will perform the long-term operations and maintenance of the power plant.

 

Page 7

 

 

CSI Solar

 

On February 23, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, CSI Solar, was selected to provide 487 MWh of SolBank energy storage products to Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, to support Aypa Power’s 487 MWh standalone energy storage project in Southern California. The standalone energy storage project is expected to be operational by the first half of 2024.

 

On February 15, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, CSI Solar, would launch the EP Cube, its residential all-in-one energy storage solutions in Europe, following the successful launch in North America in September 2022. The EP Cube allows users to increase the efficiency of their self-consumption solar PV installations by storing, managing, and using the electricity generated with their own PV system. EP Cube is a flexible and smart solution that optimizes costs and reduces users' reliance on the electrical grid, at a time of elevated electricity prices.

 

On January 30, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that a wholly-owned subsidiary of its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar entered into a multi-year investment agreement with the municipal government of Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province, China. Under the agreement, CSI Solar plans to add vertically integrated high efficiency wafer, cell, and module capacity, as well as battery system manufacturing capacity, in Yangzhou's clean energy manufacturing industrial park. The project plan will be carried out in three phases, with phase I being 14 GW of wafer and cell capacity. Phase I is expected to commence production in the second half of 2023, while the implementation of phase II and III is subject to change, at the Company's discretion, based on market conditions and the Company's assessments.  

 

On January 4, 2023, Canadian Solar announced that CSI Energy Storage, which is part of its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar, has been selected to provide up to 550 MWh of SolBank energy storage products to Pulse Clean Energy ("Pulse") to be used in various UK-based projects. Under the agreement, CSI Energy Storage will also provide commissioning services for the products, in addition to long-term warranties and performance guarantees.

 

On December 15, 2022, Canadian Solar announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, CSI Solar, will start mass production of high efficiency N-type TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar modules in the first quarter of 2023. Canadian Solar's TOPCon modules are best in class and have a power output of up to 690W, and a cell conversion efficiency of around 25.0%, which is 1.5% higher than the average cell efficiency of the mainstream products in the market.

 

On December 5, 2022, Canadian Solar announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, CSI Solar, signed a 256 MW solar module contract with SOLA Group, a Cape Town-based independent power producer. The 256 MWs will supply the first two largest utility-scale solar power projects in South Africa, which are based on private power purchase agreements.

 

On November 21, 2022, Canadian Solar announced that CSI Energy Storage, which is part of its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar, has been selected to provide up to 2.6 GWh of battery solutions over the next few years for the build-out of energy storage projects managed by UBS Asset Management's Real Estate & Private Markets business in North America.

 

Conference Call Information

 

The Company will hold a conference call on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Hong Kong) to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2022 results and business outlook. The dial-in phone number for the live audio call is +1-877-704-4453 (toll-free from the U.S.), 800-965-561 (toll-free from Hong Kong), 400-120-2840 (local dial-in from Mainland China) or +1-201-389-0920 from international locations. The conference ID is 13736481. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations section of Canadian Solar’s website at www.canadiansolar.com.

 

A replay of the call will be available 2 hours after the conclusion of the call until 11:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 (11:00 a.m., April 5, 2023, in Hong Kong) and can be accessed by +1-844-512-2921 (toll-free from the U.S.), or +1-412-317-6671 from international locations. The replay pin number is 13736481. A webcast replay will also be available on the investor relations section of Canadian Solar’s website at www.canadiansolar.com.

 

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About Canadian Solar Inc.

 

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered around 88 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built and connected around 8.8 GWp in over 20 countries across the world. Currently, the Company has approximately 574 MWp of projects in operation, 6.7 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 18 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage pipeline. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

 

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this press release, including those regarding the Company’s expected future shipment volumes, revenues, gross margins and project sales are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business, regulatory and economic conditions and the state of the solar and battery storage market and industry; geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including impasses, sanctions and export controls; volatility, uncertainty, delays and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain disruptions; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., China, Brazil and Europe; changes in effective tax rates; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; changes in corporate responsibility, especially environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) requirements; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in or failure to timely adjust average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features that customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange and inflation rate fluctuations; uncertainties related to the CSI Solar carve-out listing; litigation and other risks as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2022, as amended on October 18, 2022. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

 

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

 

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The following tables provide unaudited select financial data for the Company’s CSI Solar and Global Energy businesses.

 

   Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Global Energy 
   Three Months Ended December 31, 2022
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)
 
   CSI Solar   Global Energy   Elimination and
unallocated
items (1)
   Total 
Net revenues   1,976,045    73,650    (78,099)   1,971,596 
Cost of revenues   1,631,417    57,686    (66,136)   1,622,967 
Gross profit   344,628    15,964    (11,963)   348,629 
Gross margin   17.4%   21.7%       17.7%
Income (loss) from operations (2)   152,529    (1,351)   (15,416)   135,762 

 

   Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Global Energy 
   Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)
 
   CSI Solar   Global Energy   Elimination and
unallocated
items (1)
   Total 
Net revenues   6,975,612    821,525    (328,527)   7,468,610 
Cost of revenues   5,824,855    660,161    (279,542)   6,205,474 
Gross profit   1,150,757    161,364    (48,985)   1,263,136 
Gross margin   16.5%   19.6%       16.9%
Income from operations (2)   343,798    80,364    (68,101)   356,061 

 

   Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Global Energy 
   Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)
 
   CSI Solar   Global Energy   Elimination and
unallocated
items (1)
   Total 
Net revenues   1,343,278    232,418    (46,977)   1,528,719 
Cost of revenues   1,056,750    224,359    (53,684)   1,227,425 
Gross profit   286,528    8,059    6,707    301,294 
Gross margin   21.3%   3.5%       19.7%
Income (loss) from operations (2)   81,559    (14,728)   594    67,425 

 

   Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Global Energy 
  

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

 
   CSI Solar   Global Energy   Elimination and
unallocated
items (1)
   Total 
Net revenues   4,371,603    1,124,083    (218,517)   5,277,169 
Cost of revenues   3,689,126    930,099    (251,368)   4,367,857 
Gross profit   682,477    193,984    32,851    909,312 
Gross margin   15.6%   17.3%       17.2%
Income from operations (2)   74,132    97,179    19,070    190,381 

 

(1)Includes inter-segment elimination, and unallocated corporate costs not considered part of management’s evaluation of business segment operating performance.
(2)Income (loss) from operations reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared by the Company’s two business segments.

 

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   Select Financial Data - CSI Solar and Global Energy 
  

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2022

  

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2022

  

Three Months Ended

December 31, 2021

 
             
   (In Thousands of U.S. Dollars) 
CSI Solar Revenues:               
Solar modules   1,642,144    1,578,695    1,060,303 
Solar system kits   157,845    139,091    79,085 
Utility-scale battery storage   48,992    81,100    88,430 
Residential battery storage   686         
China energy/EPC (incl. electricity sales)   20,933    4,058    55,051 
Others   27,346    28,610    13,432 
Subtotal   1,897,946    1,831,554    1,296,301 
Global Energy Revenues:               
Solar and battery storage projects   58,504    84,725    218,509 
O&M and asset management services   8,087    9,996    8,730 
Others (incl. electricity sales)   7,059    6,204    5,179 
Subtotal   73,650    100,925    232,418 
Total net revenues   1,971,596    1,932,479    1,528,719 

 

   Select Financial Data
- CSI Solar and Global Energy
 
  

Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2022

  

Twelve Months Ended

December 31, 2021

 
         
   (In Thousands of U.S. Dollars) 
CSI Solar Revenues:          
Solar modules   5,534,379    3,328,301 
Solar system kits   538,157    302,133 
Utility-scale battery storage   440,030    222,655 
Residential battery storage   686     
China energy/EPC (incl. electricity sales)   35,711    178,830 
Others   98,122    121,167 
Subtotal   6,647,085    4,153,086 
Global Energy Revenues:          
Solar and battery storage power projects   761,677    1,064,178 
O&M and asset management services   33,776    35,334 
Others (incl. electricity sales)   26,072    24,571 
Subtotal   821,525    1,124,083 
Total net revenues   7,468,610    5,277,169 

 

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Canadian Solar Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2022   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net revenues  $1,971,596   $1,932,479   $1,528,719   $7,468,610   $5,277,169 
Cost of revenues   1,622,967    1,569,913    1,227,425    6,205,474    4,367,857 
Gross profit   348,629    362,566    301,294    1,263,136    909,312 
                          
Operating expenses:                         
Selling and distribution expenses   126,313    165,751    129,463    558,926    398,650 
General and administrative expenses   89,207    102,192    89,663    342,129    308,942 
Research and development expenses   20,607    17,885    19,306    69,822    58,407 
Other operating income, net   (23,260)   (11,929)   (4,563)   (63,802)   (47,068)
Total operating expenses   212,867    273,899    233,869    907,075    718,931 
                          
Income from operations   135,762    88,667    67,425    356,061    190,381 
Other income (expense):                         
Interest expense   (20,195)   (19,060)   (15,532)   (74,266)   (58,153)
Interest income   9,287    22,900    2,713    40,615    11,051 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of derivatives, net   (27,071)   12,189    13,485    (44,489)   23,785 
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net   11,610    26,884    (12,937)   77,689    (47,234)
Investment income (loss), net   2,628    (3,230)   9,327    858    18,634 
Total other income (expense)   (23,741)   39,683    (2,944)   407    (51,917)
                          
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates   112,021    128,350    64,481    356,468    138,464 
Income tax expense   (21,850)   (28,955)   (26,516)   (73,353)   (35,844)
Equity in earnings of affiliates   8,653    2,847    1,647    15,440    7,256 
Net income   98,824    102,242    39,612    298,555    109,876 
                          
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests   20,990    23,777    13,648    58,587    14,628 
                          
Net income attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.  $77,834   $78,465   $25,964   $239,968   $95,248 
                          
Earnings per share - basic  $1.21   $1.22   $0.41   $3.73   $1.55 
Shares used in computation - basic   64,505,398    64,494,260    63,470,059    64,324,558    61,614,391 
Earnings per share - diluted  $1.11   $1.12   $0.39   $3.44   $1.46 
Shares used in computation - diluted   71,307,345    71,402,769    70,506,025    71,183,135    68,872,102 

 

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Canadian Solar Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   December 31,  

December 31,

 
   2022   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net Income  $98,824   $102,242   $39,612   $298,555   $109,876 
Other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax):                         
Foreign currency translation adjustment   73,310    (104,581)   22,013    (150,127)   (26,296)
Gain on changes in fair value of available-for-sale debt securities   306    369        904     
Gain on changes in fair value of derivatives   34    332    59    716    59 
Share of gain on changes in fair value of derivatives of affiliates   1,499    2,255        3,754     
Comprehensive income   173,973    617    61,684    153,802    83,639 
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests   30,631    6,547    18,281    34,345    10,296 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Canadian Solar Inc.  $143,342   $(5,930)  $43,403   $119,457   $73,343 

 

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Canadian Solar Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $981,434   $869,831 
Restricted cash   978,116    560,633 
Accounts receivable trade, net   970,950    651,372 
Accounts receivable, unbilled   57,770    37,244 
Amounts due from related parties   48,614    73,042 
Inventories   1,524,095    1,192,374 
Value added tax recoverable   158,773    125,882 
Advances to suppliers, net   253,484    225,879 
Derivative assets   17,516    7,286 
Project assets   385,964    594,107 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   267,941    434,177 
Total current assets   5,644,657    4,771,827 
Restricted cash   9,953    3,818 
Property, plant and equipment, net   1,826,643    1,401,877 
Solar power systems, net   364,816    108,263 
Deferred tax assets, net   229,226    236,503 
Advances to suppliers, net   65,352    34,239 
Prepaid land use rights   68,094    71,011 
Investments in affiliates   115,784    98,819 
Intangible assets, net   17,530    18,992 
Project assets   438,529    433,254 
Right-of-use assets   35,506    35,286 
Amounts due from related parties   33,489     
Other non-current assets   187,549    174,453 
TOTAL ASSETS  $9,037,128   $7,388,342 

 

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Canadian Solar Inc.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
Current liabilities:          
Short-term borrowings  $1,443,816   $1,592,870 
Accounts payable   805,300    502,995 
Short-term notes payable   1,493,399    881,184 
Amounts due to related parties   89    143 
Other payables   853,040    667,854 
Advances from customers   334,943    135,512 
Derivative liabilities   25,359    2,622 
Operating lease liabilities   9,810    12,185 
Other current liabilities   248,772    242,783 
Total current liabilities   5,214,528    4,038,148 
Accrued warranty costs   76,677    45,146 
Long-term borrowings   813,406    523,634 
Convertible notes   225,977    224,675 
Liability for uncertain tax positions   5,730    7,448 
Deferred tax liabilities   66,630    48,150 
Loss contingency accruals   5,000    15,148 
Operating lease liabilities   25,714    23,215 
Financing liabilities       53,641 
Other non-current liabilities   296,772    282,699 
TOTAL LIABILITIES   6,730,434    5,261,904 
Equity:          
Common shares   835,543    835,543 
Additional paid-in capital   1,127    (19,428)
Retained earnings   1,275,520    1,035,552 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (170,551)   (50,584)
Total Canadian Solar Inc. shareholders’ equity   1,941,639    1,801,083 
Non-controlling interests   365,055    325,355 
TOTAL EQUITY   2,306,694    2,126,438 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY  $9,037,128   $7,388,342 

 

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