Aircraft Parts Supplier Chooses Canadian Solar Modules to Offset More Than Half Its Electricity Costs with Clean Solar Energy

ONTARIO, Canada, March 23, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Canadian Solar Inc. ("the Company," "Canadian Solar" or "we") (Nasdaq: CSIQ), one of the world’s largest solar companies, today announced its Canadian Solar CS6P-M 6" high-efficiency silicon cell modules have been installed and activated in two 119 kW solar electric systems at Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. distribution warehouses. Aircraft Spruce is utilizing more than 1,000 of the Canadian Solar high quality photovoltaic (PV) solar modules in Corona, Calif., and Peachtree, Ga. These 230-watt CS6P modules are among the highest rated by PV USA (PTC) rankings, an indicator of the quality and performance for which Canadian Solar modules are known. Together, the two solar electric systems are harvesting approximately 332,264 kilowatt-hour (kW/h) per year at peak capacity, offsetting the Aircraft Spruce’s annual electric costs by more than 65 percent. The systems are also curtailing the release of more than 5,634 tons of carbon dioxide a year.

"Aircraft Spruce’s investment in solar energy to power their distribution warehouses is a leading example of a company conducting business in an environmentally conscious manner," said Mike Miskovsky, U.S. general manager of Canadian Solar, Inc. "The Aircraft Spruce solar electric installations will yield great financial savings for the company and will greatly offset its power requirements with use of the world’s most abundant, free source of power, the sun. We applaud the company’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable business practices, and are pleased to be supplying our high quality PV modules."

The Corona warehouse is a 518-module roof-mounted PV system with an estimated annual production of 165,812 kW/h per year at peak capacity. The Peachtree warehouse — the second largest solar electric system in Georgia — is a 540-module ballast-mounted PV electric system located on the roof. It is estimated to produce 166,452 kW/h per year at peak capacity. Together, the two Aircraft Spruce systems will result in massive electrical savings of approximately 7,117,868 kW/h over the 25-year life of the systems. The environmental impact is comparable to roughly 132,448 newly planted trees or taking 936 cars completely off the road.

"We are excited to be producing our own clean, renewable energy with the use of Canadian Solar’s high quality PV modules," said Jim Irwin, President of Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Company. "We have always strived to be an environmentally responsible company and these installations are a great stride for us. Canadian Solar has helped enable us to receive the most power production and efficiency from our investment, and realize significant cost savings."

Aircraft Spruce was able to take advantage of generous federal and state credits and incentives, and will realize return on investment for the systems in roughly three to four years. Aliso Electric, Inc. of Laguna Hills, Calif., contracted and installed the solar electric systems for Aircraft Spruce, and PV Powered, Inc., a leader in solar inverter reliability, performance and serviceability, supplied the commercial inverters that were installed at the warehouses.

"The high quality, efficiency and affordability of Canadian Solar’s modules were imperative elements to the success of the Aircraft Spruce installations and its subsequent power production," said Karla Martinez, project coordinator of the Solar Division at Aliso Electric, Inc. "As our company moves further into the solar installation business with success, Canadian Solar’s strong, long-standing warranty and vast solar expertise makes them the perfect choice for this and other pivotal solar electric projects."

Aircraft Spruce Corona Warehouse Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

In honor of Aircraft Spruce’s solar energy success, Canadian Solar, Aliso Electric Inc., Aircraft Spruce, the Corona Chamber of Commerce and PV Powered are coming together for the ribbon-cutting dedication of the solar electric system at the Aircraft Spruce distribution warehouse in Corona on March 23, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. PDT. For more information about the event, please call Karla Martinez at 949-598-0359 or email info@alisoelectric.net. Local news channels interested in a tour of the system, please call before the event takes place to coordinate.

About Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ)

Canadian Solar Inc. is one of the world’s largest solar companies. As a leading vertically integrated provider of ingot, wafer, solar cell, solar module 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 and Asia, Canadian Solar provides premium quality, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar solutions to support global, sustainable development. For more information, visit http://www.canadiansolar.com .

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