GUELPH, Ontario — Canadian Solar Inc. announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2018 ended September 30, 2018.
Third Quarter 2018 Highlights
- Net revenue was $768.0 million, compared to $650.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, and third quarter 2018 guidance in the range of $790 million to $840 million.
- Gross margin was 26.1%, compared to 24.5% in the second quarter of 2018, and third quarter guidance of 20.0% to 23.0%.
- Net income attributable to Canadian Solar was $66.5 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, compared to $15.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2018.
- During the quarter, the Company completed the sale of solar power plants totaling 103 MWp, including 64 MWp in Japan.
- Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $148 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $174 million in the second quarter of 2018.
- The Company’s portfolio of utility-scale solar power plants in operation was approximately 1.1 GWp with an estimated total resale value of approximately $1.23 billion, as of October 31, 2018. Only the value of class B shares, which the Company holds in its tax equity solar power plants in the U.S., is included in this resale value.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar, commented, “The third quarter was one of our most profitable quarters with net income of $1.09 per diluted share and a 26.1% gross margin. Our results underscore the strength of Canadian Solar’s module and system solutions business and global energy business, and our team’s continued execution. Revenue was slightly lower than expected in the third quarter, while gross margin was higher than expected, as certain project sales with lower gross margins were deferred to later quarters. As of October 31, 2018, our late-stage, utility-scale solar project pipeline reached approximately 2.9 GWp, and our portfolio of solar power projects in operation was about 1.1 GWp, with a resale value of $1.23 billion. For our module and system solutions business, the average selling price of solar modules declined in Q3, compared with Q2, primarily due to China’sMay 31st solar incentive policy change. We have successfully maintained a healthy gross margin level, despite the headwinds, through product differentiation, operating efficiencies and raw materials cost reductions.”
Dr. Huifeng Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Solar, commented, “Our gross margin, excluding the CVD reversal benefit, was above our third quarter guidance, as we benefited from a slightly higher than expected module ASP, a higher margin project sale mix and ongoing cost controls across our operations. We made further progress in monetizing our solar power project portfolio by completing sales totaling 103 MWp in Q3 and we expanded our late-stage, utility-scale project pipeline in key markets, including the U.S., China and Australia. The monetization process continues with the October sale of two solar power plants totaling 260 MWp in the U.S., and the expectation of further sales in China, India, the U.K. and Africa in the coming quarters. While it is likely our gross margin will continue to fluctuate in future quarters, our solid execution in both our module and system solutions business and our energy business reinforces our competitiveness and positions Canadian Solar for continued business success.”
Further information can be found here.
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