1. CSIQ's Q1 2025 solar module shipments rose 9.4% year-over-year to 6.9 GW. 2. Net revenues of $1.2 billion met guidance; gross margin exceeded expectations at 11.7%. 3. e-STORAGE pipeline expanded to 91 GWh with a $3.2 billion contracted backlog. 4. CSIQ faced challenges with softer storage shipments impacting overall profitability. 5. Management maintains a focus on profitability amid global pricing volatility and policy uncertainties.
The company met or exceeded almost all guidance metrics, indicating solid operational performance. Historically, when companies outperform guidance, their stocks tend to perform positively shortly after such announcements.
The financial results and guidance directly address operational success, impacting share price and investor sentiment significantly.
The positive earnings report and guidance boosts investor confidence in the near term, potentially lifting share prices in the upcoming quarters.
Canadian Solar Inc. ("Canadian Solar" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: CSIQ) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, "We started 2025 facing many of the same challenges that defined 2024, with module prices reaching historic lows and geopolitical complexities persisting. Despite these headwinds, Canadian Solar delivered results at or above guidance across shipments, revenue, and gross margin—a testament to our disciplined execution. With a long history of navigating policy developments and market cycles, we are strategically balancing near-term challenges with long-term opportunities. While we strictly control operating expenses and capital expenditures, we maintain tailored strategies across our business. We will continue to manage module volumes with a focus on profitability, accelerate growth in our margin-accretive energy storage business, and advance Recurrent Energy's transition toward a partial IPP model."
Yan Zhuang, President of Canadian Solar's subsidiary CSI Solar, said, "In the first quarter of 2025, CSI Solar maintained profitability despite ongoing challenges in the solar market and softer storage shipments. We achieved further manufacturing cost reductions through efficiency improvements in Asia and the progressed ramping of our U.S. module facility. While e-STORAGE faces near-term uncertainty, our record 91 GWh pipeline and contracted backlog underscore the segment's structural growth potential. As policy clarity emerges, we continue to be well-positioned to capitalize on growing robust demand for storage solutions globally."
Ismael Guerrero, CEO of Canadian Solar's subsidiary Recurrent Energy, said, "Recurrent Energy's first quarter results reflected lower margins from sales of legacy projects in Latin America. With 1.2 GWp of solar and 1.4 GWh of battery energy storage projects under construction in our IPP markets, our business model transformation continues at pace. To address geopolitical risks, we are proactively developing mitigation strategies for all major IPP projects, including safe harboring equipment. Finally, we strengthened our financial flexibility with a $415 million multi-currency credit facility—a scalable solution tailored to our global growth strategy."
Xinbo Zhu, Senior VP and CFO, added, "For the first quarter of 2025, we delivered $1.2 billion in revenue with a gross margin of 11.7%. We reported a positive HLBV impact of $26 million or $0.38 per share. The impact of tariffs combined with lower storage contribution, Recurrent Energy's ongoing transformation, and intracompany eliminations weighed on profitability, resulting in a net loss to shareholders of $34 million or $0.69 per diluted share. Our assets totaled $13.9 billion, driven by growth in project assets and solar power systems, setting the stage for long-term value generation. We concluded the quarter with a cash position of $2.0 billion."
Total module shipments recognized as revenues in Q1 2025 were 6.9 GW, down 16.0% quarter-over-quarter ("qoq") and up 9.4% yoy. Of the total, 413 MW were shipped to the Company's own utility-scale solar power projects.
Net revenues were $1.2 billion in Q1 2025, down 21.3% sequentially and 10.0% year-over-year, mainly due to lower sales of battery energy storage systems and solar modules.
Gross profit was $140 million, compared to $217 million in Q4 2024 and $253 million in Q1 2024. Gross margin was 11.7%, compared to 14.3% and 19.0%, respectively. Seasonally lower battery energy storage system sales volumes and trade-related duties impacted the current quarter.
Operating expenses were $195 million, down from $344 million in Q4 2024 and $204 million in Q1 2024. The decrease primarily reflects nil impairment charges in the current quarter and lower shipping and handling costs. Operating expenses represented 16.3% of revenue, compared to 22.6% in Q4 2024 and 15.3% in Q1 2024.
Net loss attributable to Canadian Solar in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") in Q1 2025 was $34 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $34 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, in Q4 2024, and net income of $12 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in Q1 2024.
Adjusted net loss attributable to Canadian Solar Inc. (non-GAAP) was $60 million, and adjusted loss per share - diluted was $1.07 per share in Q1 2025, compared to a net loss of $99 million or $1.47 per share in Q4 2024, and a net income of $12 million or $0.19 per share in Q1 2024. Adjusted net loss attributable to Canadian Solar Inc. and adjusted loss per share - diluted in Q1 2025 and Q4 2024 exclude the recognition of income using hypothetical liquidation at book value ("HLBV") method. The Company uses the HLBV method to attribute income and loss to its tax equity investors.
Net cash flow used in operating activities in Q1 2025 was $264 million as a result of higher working capital, compared to net cash flow provided by operating activities of $66 million in Q4 2024 and net cash flow used in operating activities of $291 million in Q1 2024.
Total debt, including financing liabilities, was $5.7 billion as of March 31, 2025, including $2.4 billion, $3.0 billion, and $0.3 billion related to CSI Solar, Recurrent Energy, and convertible notes, respectively. Total debt rose from $5.1 billion as of December 31, 2024, mainly due to new borrowings for capacity investment, working capital, and development of projects and operational assets. Total non-recourse debt as of March 31, 2025, was $1.3 billion.
The Company operates in two reportable segments: CSI Solar, focused on solar modules and battery energy storage manufacturing and products, and Recurrent Energy, focused on utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage project development and operation.
As of March 31, 2025, Recurrent Energy held a leading position with a total global solar project development pipeline of approximately 27 GWp and a battery energy storage project development pipeline of 76 GWh.
The business model consists of three key drivers:
As of March 31, 2025, Recurrent Energy's total solar project development pipeline was 26.9 GWp, including 1.9 GWp under construction, 4.5 GWp of backlog, and 20.5 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage development.
While the magnitude of the Company's project development pipeline is an important indicator of potential expanded power generation and battery energy storage capacity as well as potential future revenue growth, the development of projects in its pipeline is inherently uncertain. If the Company does not successfully complete the pipeline projects in a timely manner, it may not realize the anticipated benefits of the projects to the extent anticipated, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The Company applies the HLBV method to account for its contractual relationships with tax equity investors in U.S. solar energy and battery energy storage projects. This method allocates income or loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests reflects the changes in the amounts that tax equity investors would hypothetically receive upon liquidation at the beginning and end of each reporting period, after considering any capital transactions, such as contributions or distributions, between our subsidiaries and tax equity investors.
The following table presents Recurrent Energy's total solar project development pipeline.
*All numbers are gross MWp.
Region
As of March 31, 2025, Recurrent Energy's total battery energy storage project development pipeline was 75.7 GWh, including 9.8 GWh under construction and in backlog, and 65.9 GWh of projects in advanced and early-stage development.
CSI Solar shipped 6.9 GW of solar modules and solar system kits to more than 70 countries in Q1 2025. The top five markets ranked by shipments were China, the U.S., Pakistan, Spain, and Brazil.
On May 6, 2025, Canadian Solar announced the launch of its new N-type high power TOPBiHiKu CS6.2 module series for both utility and C&I systems. Based on the latest TOPCon cell technology, the module delivers a maximum power output up to 660 Wp and a conversion efficiency of up to 24.4%. Canadian Solar will commence global deliveries starting in August 2025.
On May 6, 2025, Canadian Solar announced the official launch of its cutting-edge SolBank 3.0 Plus battery energy storage product at Intersolar Europe. SolBank 3.0 Plus is e-STORAGE's next technological advancement in its successful SolBank battery solutions product line offering, using enhancements to the Lithium-Ion Phosphate (LFP) battery cell manufacturing processes to bring the battery performance to a new level over the already successful SolBank 3.0.
On April 29, 2025, Canadian Solar announced its residential energy storage system, EP Cube, had won the prestigious 2025 iF Design Award and Gold at the 2025 MUSE Design Awards. Both awards highlight the innovative and outstanding design of EP Cube, which stood out among tens of thousands of submissions from over 60 countries. EP Cube is designed by Eternalplanet, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar.
On April 23, 2025, Canadian Solar announced the signing of a contract with Colbún, one of Chile's leading power generation companies, to supply a 228 MW/912 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) for the Diego de Almagro Sur project in Chile's Atacama Region. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2025, and the project is expected to reach commercial operation in December 2026.
On April 1, 2025, Canadian Solar announced a partnership with Flow Power, one of Australia's fastest growing energy retailers, to deliver the first Flow Power solar project featuring Canadian Solar's anti-hail modules. This marks the first deployment of Canadian Solar's innovative anti-hail technology in Australia.
The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Hong Kong) to discuss the Company's first quarter 2025 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 (from Hong Kong), +86 400 120 2840 (local dial-in from Mainland China) or +1-201-389-0920 from international locations. The conference ID is 13753335. 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 after the conclusion of the call until 11:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 29, 2025 (11:00 a.m. May 30, 2025, in Hong Kong) and can be accessed by dialing +1-844-512-2921 (toll-free from the U.S.) or +1-412-317-6671 from international locations. The replay pin number is 13753335. A webcast replay will also be available on the investor relations section of Canadian Solar's website at www.canadiansolar.com.
Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, the Company is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules; provider of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions; and developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects. Over the past 24 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered nearly 157 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Through its subsidiary e-STORAGE, Canadian Solar has shipped over 11 GWh of battery energy storage solutions to global markets as of March 31, 2025, boasting a $3.2 billion contracted backlog as of March 31, 2025. Since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected approximately 11.6 GWp of solar power projects and 4.5 GWh of battery energy storage projects globally. Its geographically diversified project development pipeline includes 27 GWp of solar and 76 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in various stages of development. 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.
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 "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "future", "ongoing", "continue", "intend", "plan", "potential", "prospect", "guidance", "believe", "estimate", "is/are likely to" or similar expressions, the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, our expectations regarding global electricity demand and the adoption of solar and battery energy storage technologies; our growth strategies, future business performance, and financial condition; our transition to a long-term owner and operator of clean energy assets and expansion of project pipelines; our ability to monetize project portfolios, manage supply chain fluctuations, and respond to economic factors such as inflation and interest rates; our outlook on government incentives, trade measures, regulatory developments, and geopolitical risks; our expectations for project timelines, costs, and returns; competitive dynamics in solar and storage markets; our ability to execute supply chain, manufacturing, and operational initiatives; access to capital, debt obligations, and covenant compliance; relationships with key suppliers and customers; technological advancement and product quality; and risks related to intellectual property, litigation, and compliance with environmental and sustainability regulations. Other risks were described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2025. 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.
Wina Huang
Investor Relations
Canadian Solar Inc.
contact@canadiansolar.com
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW