Canadian Solar is a global renewable energy company that manufactures solar modules and battery storage systems, and develops utility-scale clean energy projects worldwide. Founded in Canada in 2001, it serves residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale energy markets.
Your interest in solar power began while you were studying materials science in Toronto, long before the industry became mainstream. What gave you the conviction to back solar so early?
I studied physics for my bachelor's degree, then theoretical and solid-state physics, before focusing on semiconductor materials during my master's and PhD. My entire academic background was in semiconductors, which is why Ontario Hydro offered me a position in 1996 when it decided to establish a solar research lab. Canada had signed the Kyoto Accord years earlier but hadn't done much, and they needed someone with a semiconductor background. I had just completed my PhD in material science, so I joined the team.
I actually entered the solar industry almost by accident because it was the first reasonable job offer I received. Within six or seven months, I realised it was a fascinating industry. At the time, annual global solar installations were less than 100 megawatts. Last year, they reached 600 gigawatts—roughly 6,000 times larger in 30 years. I've watched solar grow from its infancy into the largest annual addition of electricity generation capacity in the world, and I'm proud that Canadian Solar helped put Canada on the global map of renewable energy.
The solar industry has rarely followed a straight line, experiencing repeated cycles of political support, market oversupply and company failures. What does it take to stay the course through that kind of volatility?
Solar is like every other technology industry in that it goes through cycles, whether it's the internet, memory chips or solar itself. But solar is also influenced by two additional factors: energy markets and policy. When energy prices rise or there is a crisis, people pay more attention to alternative energy and energy security. Policy also plays a major role because solar has evolved from a sustainability-driven technology into a significant part of the electricity system. The so-called duck curve shows how large-scale solar generation can affect electricity prices and grid stability, which is why energy storage has become so important.
To navigate those cycles, you have to watch both the cycle and the long-term trend. For Canadian Solar, the first ingredient has been conservatism. In a growing industry, you have to prepare for downturns, avoid commitments you cannot afford and manage growth step by step rather than through huge jumps. But conservatism alone helps you survive, not grow. Internationalisation and diversification have also been critical. We are headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, but operate across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, with more than 10,000 employees globally. Being close to local markets and supporting local economies has been an important growth formula. The third component is technology. We've continued to innovate in solar modules and energy storage, often introducing products and designs that others later adopted. Canadian Solar has been a leader in solar module development for 25 years and was also an early mover in lithium battery energy storage. Conservatism, diversification and innovation have been central to our growth.
Canadian Solar's business today spans multiple geographies and parts of the energy value chain. As you look ahead to 2026, what are the priorities occupying most of your time and attention?
From a technology perspective, solar and energy storage remain our two major focus areas, but we're increasingly integrating other technologies because solar is no longer a marginal power source. Customers want complete energy solutions. In some markets, solar and battery storage alone may not be enough, so we're expanding into broader clean power solutions. That's why we recently launched CS PowerTech in the United States.
Geographically, North America will be my primary focus for the next several years. We committed US$2 billion to manufacturing in the United States and have already spent more than US$1 billion. We've contracted another US$600–700 million and are close to committing a further US$400 million. Those manufacturing projects in the United States and North America, alongside technology and manufacturing initiatives in Canada, are major focuses for us.
Canada has renewed its focus on advanced manufacturing and strengthening its industrial base. What would need to change for Canadian Solar to make a more significant manufacturing commitment in Canada?
Canada is a middle-power country with a large land mass, but a relatively small population. The Canadian market alone is not large enough to support a company the size of Canadian Solar, which is one reason we're investing US$2 billion in manufacturing in the United States. Our business is global, and to remain competitive, we need access to multiple markets rather than relying on a single country.
That said, Canada has important advantages. Around Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, there is a strong concentration of software, firmware and electronics talent. We see Canada playing a key role in power electronics, software and power-management technologies. Our plan is to continue developing Canada as a centre for innovation, development and manufacturing in those areas. Canada's greatest advantage for us is its talent, technology and innovation ecosystem.
Canada has no shortage of clean energy ambitions, but execution can be a challenge. What do you think Canada needs to do differently to capture more of the economic value created by the energy transition?
Support for R&D is very important, and by R&D I don't just mean university research. I also mean support for early-stage product development and the first deployment of major technologies. Support for innovation at that stage, as well as support for exports, is critical. Canadian Solar operates globally, and one market alone is never enough to make us competitive.
Governments can also help by breaking down trade barriers. We encounter trade barriers in different markets, and many international companies face the same challenges. Canada can play an important role in advocating for Canadian companies internationally. There are only a few global superpowers; most countries are middle powers, and that's where Canada can make a meaningful contribution by helping its companies compete globally.
As Canadian Solar enters its next chapter, what do you want the company to be known for?
The first word would be local. We want Canadian Solar to be part of the communities where we operate. We want people to see us as a local company, a local employer and a local community member.
The second is being a trusted provider of clean power solutions. We want people to know that we can provide comprehensive, reliable and adaptable clean energy solutions. The third is accessibility. After a spinal cord injury in 2019, I've spent the last several years in a wheelchair, and that experience has made accessibility an important part of our mission. We want our factories and power plants to be accessible, and we want to help people with disabilities return not only to society but also to work. To me, being part of society means having a place in the workplace and in everyday life.
Looking ahead, our vision is to lead the next phase of the global energy transition through innovation, integration, and long-term investment in clean energy. As the industry evolves, success will not be defined by scale alone, but by our ability to deliver value—through advanced technologies, resilient domestic supply chains, and intelligent energy solutions that seamlessly combine solar generation with energy storage. At Canadian Solar, we are committed to accelerating this transition by continuing to invest in cutting-edge R&D, expanding localized manufacturing, and strengthening our global project development platform. We see a future where clean energy is not only the most sustainable choice, but the most reliable and economically competitive foundation for growth. Our goal is simple but ambitious: to power more communities around the world with affordable, low-carbon energy, while building a stronger, more secure energy ecosystem for our customers and partners. By aligning technology innovation with disciplined investment, we will continue to shape a cleaner, more resilient, and more globally competitive energy future.
