CANADIAN SOLAR ANNOUNCES PROPOSED OFFERING OF US$200 MILLION CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031

Rhea-AI Summary

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) announced a proposed private offering of US$200 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due January 15, 2031, with an initial purchaser option to buy up to an additional US$30 million within 13 days of issuance. The Notes will be senior unsecured, accrue interest semi-annually, and be convertible into common shares prior to the third business day before maturity at an initial conversion rate set at pricing.

The company plans to use net proceeds for U.S. manufacturing capacity, investments across the battery energy storage and solar value chain, and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Redemption, tax-redemption, and fundamental-change repurchase provisions are included in the terms.

Positive

• Proceeds of US$200M plus US$30M option to fund growth
• Net proceeds targeted at U.S. manufacturing and battery storage investments

Negative

• Potential dilution from conversion into common shares
• Notes are senior unsecured obligations with interest accrual
• Company may redeem notes after Jan 22, 2029 under price trigger

Key Figures

Convertible notes size US$200 million Aggregate principal amount of notes due 2031

Overallotment option US$30 million Additional aggregate principal amount of notes

Notes maturity January 15, 2031 Maturity date of convertible senior notes

Q3 2025 net revenue $1.5B Net revenue at high end of guidance in Q3 2025

Q3 2025 gross margin 17.2% Above 14–16% guidance range

Cash balance $2.2B Cash as of Sept 30, 2025

Total debt $6.4B Total debt as of Sept 30, 2025

Short interest 9.18% Short interest as share of float

Market Reality Check

$19.38 Last Close

Volume Volume 5,357,709 is 1.55x the 20-day average of 3,462,735, indicating elevated trading ahead of the offering. high

Technical Shares at $23.48 are trading above the $14.50 200-day moving average, despite a -6.75% move.

Peers on Argus

CSIQ fell -6.75%, while key solar peers were mixed: JKS -1.95%, SEDG -3.28%, SHLS +3.94%, TOYO +0.88%, ENPH +1.58%. The sharper decline suggests a company-specific reaction to the convertible notes announcement rather than a broad sector move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 24	Leadership changes	Neutral	+1.8%	Board and executive appointments to support strategic and operational focus.
Dec 17	Storage project win	Positive	+0.5%	204 MW / 408 MWh BESS EPC contract expanding Australian footprint.
Dec 02	UK project approval	Positive	-6.2%	Development Consent Order for large UK solar-plus-storage project.
Dec 01	U.S. manufacturing shift	Positive	+1.5%	Resuming direct oversight of U.S. manufacturing via CS PowerTech.
Nov 13	Q3 2025 earnings	Neutral	+0.6%	Q3 revenue and margin at/above guidance with mixed profitability.

Pattern Detected

Over the past few months CSIQ’s stock generally moved in the same direction as news tone, with one notable divergence on a large UK project announcement.

Recent Company History

This announcement follows several growth-focused updates. In Q3 2025 results, Canadian Solar reported $1.5B net revenue and a 17.2% gross margin, highlighting strength at e-STORAGE and a $3.1B backlog. Subsequent news detailed resuming direct oversight of U.S. manufacturing via CS PowerTech and securing UK and Australian solar-plus-storage projects. Leadership changes in late Dec 2025 aimed to support strategy and North American expansion. The new convertible notes offering adds a financing layer to fund U.S. manufacturing and storage value-chain investments, consistent with this build-out.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved -6.2% in the session following this news. The decline reflects typical market concerns around a US$200 million convertible notes offering with an additional US$30 million option, which can introduce both leverage and potential dilution. This follows a period where news on projects and U.S. manufacturing generally saw aligned or modestly positive reactions. Given existing debt of $6.4B versus $2.2B cash, investors may reassess balance-sheet risk and the trade-off between growth funding and shareholder dilution.

Key Terms

convertible senior notes financial

"announced the proposed offering ... of US$200 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2031"

Convertible senior notes are a type of loan that a company issues to investors, which can be turned into company shares later on. They are called "senior" because they are paid back before other debts if the company runs into trouble. This allows investors to earn interest like a loan but also have the chance to own part of the company if its value rises.

rule 144a regulatory

"to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act"

Rule 144A is a regulation that makes it easier for companies to sell private bonds to large investors without going through all the usual rules that apply to public sales. It matters because it helps companies raise money more quickly and privately, often attracting big investors looking for special deals.

qualified institutional buyers financial

"sold in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A"

Qualified institutional buyers are large organizations, like big investment firms or banks, that are allowed to buy certain types of investment opportunities not available to everyday investors. Their size and experience matter because it ensures they understand and can handle complex financial deals, making markets more efficient and secure.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

KITCHENER, ON, Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) (the "Company", or "Canadian Solar") today announced the proposed offering, subject to market and other factors, of US$200 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2031 (the "Notes"). The Notes are to be offered and sold in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Company also expects to grant the initial purchaser(s) in the proposed offering an option to purchase, for settlement within a period of 13 calendar days from, and including, the date the Notes are first issued, up to an additional US$30 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the proposed offering of the Notes for investments in U.S. manufacturing capacity, and in the value chain supporting battery energy storage and solar power solutions, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

When issued, the Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will accrue interest semi-annually in arrears. The Notes will mature on January 15, 2031, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date.

Holders of the Notes may convert all or part of their Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the maturity date. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver to such converting holders a number of the Company's common shares equal to the applicable conversion rate as of the relevant conversion date, together with a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the Notes are to be determined at the time of pricing of the Notes.

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, for cash at the Company's option at any time on or after January 22, 2029, if the last reported sale price of the Company's common shares has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect on each of 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 prior to the date the Company provides notice of redemption. In addition, the Notes will be redeemable, in whole and not in part, at the Company's option at any time following the occurrence of certain tax related events. The redemption price in the case of a tax redemption or an optional redemption will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the related redemption date.

Holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or part of their Notes in cash in the event of certain fundamental changes. The repurchase price will equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The Notes and the common shares deliverable upon conversion of the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any securities laws of any other place and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, including the Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

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 170 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Through its subsidiary e-STORAGE, Canadian Solar has shipped over 16 GWh of battery energy storage solutions to global markets as of September 30, 2025, boasting a $3.1 billion contracted backlog as of October 31, 2025. Since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected approximately 12 GWp of solar power projects and 6 GWh of battery energy storage projects globally. Its geographically diversified project development pipeline includes 25 GWp of solar and 81 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in various stages of development. Canadian Solar has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the proposed offering and the terms of the Notes, 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.

CANADIAN SOLAR INC. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT

Wina Huang
Investor Relations
Canadian Solar Inc.
investor@canadiansolar.com 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadian-solar-announces-proposed-offering-of-us200-million-convertible-senior-notes-due-2031-302655654.html

SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.

FAQ

What size convertible note offering did Canadian Solar (CSIQ) announce on January 7, 2026?

Canadian Solar announced a proposed private offering of US$200 million of convertible senior notes due 2031, with an option for an additional US$30 million.

How does Canadian Solar (CSIQ) plan to use proceeds from the US$200M convertible notes?

The company plans to use net proceeds for U.S. manufacturing capacity, investments in the battery energy storage and solar value chain, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

When do the CSIQ convertible notes mature and when can they be converted?

The notes mature on January 15, 2031, and holders may convert all or part of their notes at any time prior to the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding maturity.

What are the redemption and repurchase provisions for the CSIQ convertible notes?

The notes are redeemable at the company's option on or after January 22, 2029 if share-price conditions are met, are redeemable for tax reasons, and are subject to repurchase at 100% of principal upon certain fundamental changes.

Will the CSIQ convertible notes be registered under the Securities Act?

No; the notes and the shares issuable upon conversion have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and will be offered in a private Rule 144A placement to qualified institutional buyers.