Canadian Solar's Modules Achieve Highest Ratings Under TUV Rheinland and DLG Ammonia Resistance Testing

ONTARIO, Canada, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ), (the "Company", "we" or "Canadian Solar"), one of the world's largest solar companies, has achieved the highest ratings possible in the two most significant standard tests for ammonia (NH3) resistance of solar modules. The modules were tested in the IEC 62716 draft C ammonia corrosion test by TUV Rheinland and also in the DLG standard test for solar modules in agricultural environments. The tests included power loss, visual inspection and the insulation resistance.

Approximately 20 percent of PV installations in Germany are located on agricultural land. Due to the partially high ammonia concentrations found in the air of animal stables, the resistance of modules is of particular relevance for maintaining PV power output in agricultural businesses. Both the test by TUV Rheinland and the one by DLG test solar modules for their resistance against NH3 corrosion, allowing for a maximum power loss of 5 percent. The solar modules made by Canadian Solar passed both tests without showing any performance degradation. TUV Rheinland certified the modules CS6P-P and CS6P-M, CS5A-M and CS5A-P, CS6X-P and CS6X-M, CS6A-P and CS6A-M, CS5P-M and CS5P-P, CS6C-M, CS6C-P and CS5C-M-made by Canadian Solar. The DLG test included Canadian Solar's CS6P-P-module.

"We pride ourselves in our R&D and innovations, as we are able to provide customers and partners with superior PV products. The ammonia tests are the latest to underscore the suitability of our panels in real world applications in Germany and worldwide," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.

No power loss, even under high ammonia exposure

In the ammonia corrosion test by TUV Rheinland the modules are exposed to extreme conditions for a 20-day test cycle, being exposed to 6,667 ppm of ammonia (NH3), under 8 hours of 140° F (60° C) with 100 percent relative humidity, then 16 hours of drying in standard atmosphere without ammonia under 73°F (23° C) and a maximum of 75 percent relative humidity. This cycle repeats 20 times. The Canadian Solar modules tested showed less than 0.8 percent power loss and achieved the TUV certificate for ammonia corrosion resistance.

The DLG NH3 resistance test checks the modules' performance under ammonia exposure by exposing the modules to 750 ppm of ammonia clouds at 158 °F (70° C) for 1,500 hours. This test simulates a 20 year lifetime. The Canadian Solar modules tested showed less than 1.3 percent power loss during the test, and have been able to convince the auditors in all aspects.

About Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) is one of the world's largest solar companies. As a leading vertically integrated provider of ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules and other solar applications, Canadian Solar designs, manufactures and delivers solar products and solar system solutions for on-grid and off-grid use to customers worldwide. With operations in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, Canadian Solar provides premium quality, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar solutions to support global, sustainable development. For more information, please visit www.canadiansolar.com.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release 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 "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include the risks regarding the previously disclosed SEC investigation as well as general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Germany; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 27, 2012. 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. You 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.

SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.