Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) has signed an agreement with Saferay GmbH to sell 81 MW of solar modules at a fixed price for projects in Germany. Canadian Solar has already begun delivery and expects to complete the full quota of 81 MW before the end of the third quarter 2011.
Recently, Canadian Solar entered into another agreement with GP Joule to supply 97 MW high performance solar modules before December 31, 2011.
Canadian Solar is committed to render products of a high quality with comparable customer service. It continues to expand its presence in the developing markets as well as entrench its position in the already established solar markets like Germany. The widely-recognized Canadian Solar brand with its commitment to innovation, competitive pricing and service is well positioned for further growth.
Canadian Solar is a low-cost, vertically-integrated solar module producer with predominantly China-based manufacturing assets. The prospects for Canadian Solar look favorable given the company’s geographically-diverse customer base, ongoing capacity expansion programs, improving operating efficiencies and material cost savings through its vertically-integrated production structure.
However, in the near term, Canadian Solar’s shipments were impacted by higher solar cell prices that put margins under pressure. Additionally, the benefits of its ongoing cost reduction program were offset by higher wafer prices, vis-à-vis expectations, on the spot market, higher polysilicon prices and higher non-silicon materials costs, including silver paste. The company presently retains a short-term Zacks #5 Rank (Strong Sell). We have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
In May this year, Canadian Solar reported an adjusted EPS of 44 cents in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents. Canadian Solar generated revenues of $443.4 million, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $424 million. Solar module shipments in the reported quarter totaled 244 MW versus 185 MW in the first quarter of 2010.
Canadian Solar is a vertically-integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers, cells, solar modules (panels) and custom-designed solar power applications. With operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Canadian Solar provides premium quality, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solar solutions to support global, sustainable development. The company mainly competes with Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (STP) and Westinghouse Solar Inc. (WEST).
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