CSIQ

Energy

Canadian Solar Inc. · Solar · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
23.4
Poor

Canadian Solar Inc. scores 23.4/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Energy Sector
CSIQ
23.4
Sector avg
43.5
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Neutral

What is Canadian Solar Inc.?

Canadian Solar is a global solar energy company that manufactures solar modules and develops utility-scale solar and battery storage projects across multiple continents.

The company operates two segments: CSI Solar, which manufactures and sells solar modules, battery storage products, and system kits; and Global Energy, which develops, builds, and operates utility-scale solar power plants while also providing engineering, maintenance, and asset management services to project owners.

Incorporated in 2001 and headquartered in Guelph, Canada, Canadian Solar has grown into one of the larger vertically integrated solar players worldwide.

  • Solar modules and system kits
  • Battery storage solutions
  • Solar project development and EPC services
  • Operations and maintenance (O&M) services

Is CSIQ a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CSIQ as Poor overall.

Valuation is the standout pillar for CSIQ, rating Good — meaning the stock may be priced attractively relative to its fundamentals compared to sector peers.

Quality, Moat, and Risk all rate Weak, reflecting structural challenges common in commodity solar manufacturing, including thin margins and intense global competition.

Sign up to see the full pillar breakdown and detailed financial metrics behind the CSIQ rating. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CSIQ pay dividends?

No — Canadian Solar Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

Canadian Solar does not currently pay a dividend. Capital is directed toward project development, manufacturing capacity, and global expansion rather than shareholder distributions — typical for growth-oriented solar companies competing in a capital-intensive industry.

When does CSIQ report earnings?

Canadian Solar reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with US-listed equities.

Results have reflected the pressures facing the broader solar manufacturing sector, including pricing headwinds and shifting demand across geographies. The Global Energy segment's project pipeline adds variability to quarterly outcomes.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Canadian Solar's investor relations page directly.

CSIQ Price History

-68.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Canadian Solar Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$2,885
That's a -71.2% total return, or -22.0% annualized.

Based on Canadian Solar Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Canadian Solar do?

Canadian Solar designs and manufactures solar modules, battery storage products, and system kits. It also develops, builds, and operates utility-scale solar power plants globally, offering EPC and O&M services to project owners and developers.

Does CSIQ pay dividends?

No, Canadian Solar does not pay a dividend. The company reinvests available capital into project development and manufacturing operations rather than returning cash to shareholders through distributions.

When does CSIQ report earnings?

Canadian Solar follows a standard quarterly reporting cadence. For confirmed dates and the latest results, check the investor relations section of the Canadian Solar website.

Is CSIQ a good stock to buy?

The UQS Score rates CSIQ as Poor overall. While Valuation rates Good, the weak Quality, Moat, and Risk scores highlight meaningful structural concerns. Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown to form their own assessment.

Is CSIQ overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, CSIQ rates Good — suggesting the stock is not considered overvalued relative to its fundamentals. However, valuation alone does not offset weaknesses in other pillars.

What is CSIQ's market cap bracket?

Canadian Solar is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a bracket where liquidity and volatility can differ meaningfully from large- or mega-cap peers in the energy sector.

Is CSIQ a long-term quality indicator?

As a long-term quality indicator, CSIQ's Poor UQS Score — driven by Weak ratings in Quality, Moat, and Risk — suggests investors should weigh structural durability carefully. The Good Valuation rating may offer some offset, but the full picture warrants close review.

What sector does CSIQ belong to?

Canadian Solar operates in the Energy sector, specifically within solar energy manufacturing and renewable power project development — a segment subject to policy shifts, commodity pricing, and global competition.

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Pro Analysis

CSIQ — Score History

1520253035Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 22 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202623.44.010.053.24.057.5-0.3
May 22, 202623.74.010.053.24.059.4-0.3
May 21, 202624.04.010.053.24.061.7-0.2
May 20, 202624.24.010.053.24.063.1+0.3
May 19, 202623.94.010.053.24.060.8+0.2
May 17, 202623.74.010.053.24.059.8-0.5
May 16, 202624.24.010.053.24.063.30.0
May 15, 202624.24.010.053.24.062.9+0.5
May 14, 202623.74.010.053.24.059.6-0.1
May 13, 202623.84.010.053.24.060.5+0.1

CSIQ — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

4.0/100 (25%)

Canadian Solar Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsWeak

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

53.2/100 (20%)

Canadian Solar Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

4.0/100 (15%)

Canadian Solar Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

57.5/100 (15%)

Canadian Solar Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

10/100 (25%)

Canadian Solar Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CSIQ.

Score Composition

Quality
4.0×25%1.0
Growth
53.2×20%10.6
Risk
4.0×15%0.6
Valuation
57.5×15%8.6
Moat
10.0×25%2.5
Total
23.4Poor

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CSIQ UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Canadian Solar Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Canadian Solar Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Canadian Solar Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.