Summary of Key Points
In 2025, most photovoltaic companies faced substantial losses (with companies like Longi, Jinko, and Tongwei incurring billions in losses), yet Canadian Solar still managed to achieve a net profit of 1 billion yuan. In response to inquiries from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the company explained that its declining performance was due to imbalances in industry supply and demand and falling prices. However, its profitability was supported by growth in the energy storage business and its presence in high-price overseas markets. To address the U.S. "Big and Beautiful Act" (which requires companies with more than 25% Chinese ownership to lose certain tax benefits), Canadian Solar adjusted its business model in the U.S.: it formed a joint venture with its controlling shareholder (holding 24.9% of the shares) to avoid the restrictions of the act, and by leasing its U.S. manufacturing assets, it was able to retain profits.
Detailed Analysis
Why Did Canadian Solar Succeed Despite Industry-wide Losses?
- The Energy Storage Business Stabilized Performance: Revenue from energy storage amounted to 10.847 billion yuan (a 11.39% increase), with a high gross margin of 28.6%. Global demand for energy storage surged (with 315 GWh of new installations, a 50% increase). Projects previously established by Canadian Solar in Canada, the U.S. (Aypa Power), and Australia (Terang) began to generate revenue. Although the unit price of energy storage systems decreased by 8%, the increase in sales volume offset this reduction.
- Profitability from High-Price Overseas Markets: Canadian Solar has established strong channels in overseas markets such as Europe and Latin America, where it can sell products at higher prices, which helped maintain its profitability.
The New U.S. Act Forced a Creative Business Strategy
The "Big and Beautiful Act" signed by President Trump stipulates that Chinese-owned companies with more than 25% stake will lose tax benefits for manufacturing in the U.S. Canadian Solar's response was clever:
- It formed a joint venture with its controlling shareholder, holding only 24.9% of the shares to meet the threshold.
- It leased its U.S. manufacturing assets to the joint venture and received rent (including a variable component), allowing it to benefit from the rental income. Additionally, it earned dividends from the joint venture and had the option to transfer some non-U.S. factory assets for a one-time profit.
Is Energy Storage the Key to Future Growth?
Canadian Solar has positioned energy storage as its second growth driver:
- In 2025, energy storage revenue accounted for 27% of total sales (10.8 billion yuan out of 40.2 billion yuan), with a gross margin several times higher than that of its photovoltaic business (due to the lower prices in the photovoltaic sector).
- For 2026, the company expects to ship 14-17 GWh of energy storage products, a 40%-70% increase from 2025 (assuming around 10 GWh shipped in 2025), indicating its confidence in this segment.
Revenue and Risk After Business Adjustments
In terms of revenue, Canadian Solar will receive three sources of income: rent from U.S. manufacturing assets, dividends from the joint venture, and a one-time profit from the transfer of non-U.S. factories.
- The main risk lies in the approval process for the sale and lease of its Thai slicing factory; however, other business adjustments are progressing smoothly. This issue should be resolved soon.
Separating Markets to Avoid Competition
To prevent the joint venture from competing with itself, Canadian Solar and its controlling shareholder have clearly defined their roles:
- The controlling shareholder focuses on the U.S. market, while Canadian Solar targets non-U.S. markets (Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East).
- Both parties use separate customers, channels, and pricing strategies. Moreover, since U.S. factories are more expensive, they cannot compete with products from other regions.
In Summary
Canadian Solar survived the tough year in the photovoltaic industry thanks to its energy storage business and its presence in overseas markets. By forming a joint venture and leasing its assets in the U.S., it cleverly complied with the new regulations. Its strategy for leveraging energy storage as a growth driver shows a clear vision for the future—what a smart and effective approach.