Canadian Solar Expands US Manufacturing Capacity in 2026
GUELPH, ONTARIO – In a significant move to bolster the domestic solar supply chain, Canadian Solar has announced major expansions to its U.S. manufacturing operations set for 2026. The company plans to double the capacity of its Texas solar module factory and is advancing a new, multi-gigawatt solar cell facility, signaling a strong commitment to the American market despite what executives call a prolonged “solar downturn.”
The company’s solar module manufacturing facility in Mesquite, Texas, which currently operates with a 5 GWp capacity, is slated for a major upgrade. According to company statements, the plant’s capacity will be doubled to 10 GWp, with the expansion expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
In parallel, Canadian Solar is ramping up its U.S. solar cell production. The company has initiated trial production for the first phase of its new cell manufacturing plant, which will have an initial capacity of 2.1 GW. Commercial operations for this first phase are targeted to begin in July 2026. A planned second phase is set to add another 4.2 GW of capacity, which will bring Canadian Solar’s total U.S. solar cell nameplate capacity to an impressive 6.3 GW upon completion.
This strategic expansion comes at a challenging time for the global solar industry. Canadian Solar acknowledged market headwinds, with module shipments falling to 2.5 GW in the first quarter of 2026. The company’s updated revenue guidance for the second quarter of $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion also fell below consensus estimates, reflecting the tough market conditions.
While tighter regulations and market uncertainty have led some international clean-tech firms to scale back or scrap planned U.S. manufacturing investments, Canadian Solar is pushing forward. The company’s North American expansion is not limited to the U.S.; it is also making significant investments at home, such as the planned $250M Gigafactory in Ontario, demonstrating a broader strategy to localize production.
By the end of 2026, these initiatives will position Canadian Solar as a key player in the U.S. domestic solar manufacturing landscape, with 10 GWp of module capacity and a growing 6.3 GW of cell capacity aimed at meeting increasing demand for locally sourced renewable energy components.
Sources for Canadian Solar US expansion
- Canadian Solar Temporary Tariff Windfall Can’t Stop Massive Post …
- Canadian Solar Q1 2026 Revenue Reaches $1.1 Billion
- Canadian Solar managing ‘solar downturn’ that has lasted ‘longer …
- Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ:CSIQ) Q1 2026 Earnings Call …
- Canadian Solar Reports First Quarter 2026 Results and Announces
- Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ) Announces Earnings Results
- Are US manufacturers accelerating their protectionist stance?
- Chinese clean-tech firms scrap $2.8bn in US manufacturing plans
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