GUELPH, Ontario, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar power companies, today announced the completion of the 1.2 MW (DC) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant at Shibushichocho, Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. Powered by Canadian Solar CS6P-255P modules, the plant will generate approximately 1,533MWh of clean, emission-less solar electricity per year. The electricity generated from the project will be purchased by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. under a 20 year feed-in-tariff contract at the rate of 40.00 yen ($0.37) per kWh.

"We are delighted to complete the construction and grid-connection of our first PV solar power plant in Japan," commented Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc., "This is an important accomplishment for our project development and EPC teams in Japan and represents another step in the successful execution of our total solar energy solutions strategy."

Canadian Solar's late stage utility-scale project pipeline in Japancurrently stands at 405MW (DC). In addition to the 1.2MW project that has just been connected to the grid, approximately 42.4MW are expected to start construction in the third and fourth quarters of 2014. Of the total 405MW late stage pipeline, approximately 150MW have full grid connection approval (Keitou Renkei Shoudakusho), and are in the construction permitting stage.

About Canadian Solar

Founded in 2001 in Ontario, Canada, Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest and foremost solar power companies. As a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and provider of solar energy solutions, Canadian Solar has an industry leading and geographically diversified pipeline of utility-scale solar power projects as well as a track record of successful solar deployment boasting over 7 GW of premium quality modules installed in over 70 countries during the past decade. Canadian Solar is committed to providing high-quality solar products and solar energy solutions to customers around the world. For more information about our company, products and projects 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 general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of solar grade silicon; demand for solar products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand in our project markets, including Canada, the U.S., Japan and China; changes in customer order patterns; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling price; delays in new product introduction; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; delays in utility-scale land development approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; failure to secure grid connection agreement, shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; trade protectionism in Europe, the U.S. and India; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2014. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors 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.