#Canada #Renewable Energy #Canadian Solar #Kitchener #Low Carbon

Canadian Solar's Breakthrough in Sustainable Solar Technology

Canadian Solar Inc., a leading player in the renewable energy market, has announced an exciting development in solar technology with the introduction of its next-generation Low Carbon (LC) modules. This significant innovation sets a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing practices within the solar industry.

What are Low Carbon Modules?

The LC modules integrate cutting-edge advancements in wafer and heterojunction (HJT) cell technologies. Designed primarily for utility-scale and commercial/industrial applications, these modules offer an impressive output of up to 660 Wp while achieving module efficiency rates of up to 24.4%. Importantly, they've achieved a remarkable carbon footprint of just 285 kg CO₂eq/kW, which positions them among the lowest carbon emissions of any silicon-based solar modules available globally.

Technological Innovations Behind the Modules

Canadian Solar's dedication to reducing carbon emissions is evident in several key innovations selected for the production of their Low Carbon modules:

1. Higher Ingot Utilization Rate: By increasing the ingot utilization rate by approximately 20%, emissions are lowered by about 9.7% (or around 30 kg CO₂ per kWp).

2. Thinner Wafers: The wafers are now 110 μm thick (compared to the previous 130-135 μm standard), which diminishes silicon usage by 4.5%–5.5% (equivalent to 14–19 kg CO₂ per kWp).

3. Optimized HJT Cell Manufacturing: Streamlining the production process to just four steps (down from 10-13 for alternative cells) and lowering operating temperatures to under 230 °C significantly cuts energy consumption by 4.2%–5.7% (or 14–21 kg CO₂ per kWp).

4. Lower Total Energy Consumption: The overall energy required to produce these LC modules stands around 105.62 MWh/MW, resulting in energy savings of 8.8%–10.7% compared to typical TOPCon and BC solar module production processes.

These improvements not only enhance operational efficiency but also reduce the carbon payback time of the LC modules by roughly 11% when compared to conventional N-type silicon-based solar modules available today.

Benefits for Customers

Customers can enjoy the dual advantage of employing one of the most efficient high-power modules while simultaneously minimizing the carbon footprint of their solar energy systems. The LC modules are completely compatible with Canadian Solar's inverter portfolio, such as the 350-kW utility inverter lineup, which maximizes bifacial gain and ensures excellent performance even in high temperatures reaching 45 °C.

Company Vision and Future

Thomas Koerner, Corporate Senior Vice President of Canadian Solar, expressed pride in launching these low-carbon modules, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable solar manufacturing. According to Koerner, this state-of-the-art product exemplifies their mission to reduce the environmental impact of solar energy while preserving the reliability and efficiency that Canadian Solar is celebrated for.

The Low Carbon modules will be on display at the upcoming RE+ 2025 event in Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 9 to 11, 2025. Attendees are encouraged to visit Canadian Solar’s booth V10031 for a deeper insight into this innovative product.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canadian Solar is one of the world's foremost solar technology companies. With nearly 165 GW of solar modules delivered globally, they are not just manufacturers but also providers of solar energy and battery storage solutions, owning and operating utility-scale solar projects. The company has developed around 12 GWp of solar projects and 6 GWh of battery energy storage projects worldwide and maintains a diverse project development pipeline comprised of 27 GWp of solar and 80 GWh of battery energy storage projects at various stages of development.

As a publicly-traded entity on NASDAQ since 2006, Canadian Solar continues to position itself as a leading light in the renewable energy sector while prioritizing sustainable practices attractive to future-minded investors and clients.