Canadian Solar Prices Offering of US$200 Million Convertible Senior Notes

Rhea-AI Summary

Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ) has announced the pricing of a US$200 million offering of convertible senior notes due in 2025. The notes carry an interest rate of 2.50% and will mature on October 1, 2025. Proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including expanding manufacturing capacity and solar project development. The company has an option for an additional US$30 million in notes. The offering is expected to close by September 15, 2020, subject to customary conditions.

Positive

• Successfully raising US$200 million through convertible senior notes strengthens cash position.
• Interest rate set at 2.50% is relatively low for corporate debt.
• Funds are earmarked for expansion of manufacturing capacity and solar project development, potentially driving future growth.

Negative

• Offering may lead to dilution of existing shares if converted.
• Interest payments could increase financial burdens if cash flow does not meet expectations.

GUELPH, ON, Sept. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) (the "Company", or "Canadian Solar"), one of the world's largest solar power companies, today announced pricing of its previously announced offering of US$200 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2025 (the "Notes") that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Company has granted the initial purchasers in the offering a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional US$30 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the expansion of manufacturing capacity, development of solar power projects and working capital.

The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the Company. The Notes will accrue interest at an annual rate of 2.50%. Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning April 1, 2021. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2025, unless repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date. The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to October 6, 2023 unless certain tax-related events occur. On or after October 6, 2023, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the Notes, at its option, if the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect on each of at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately prior to the date the Company provides notice of redemption. In the event of certain fundamental changes, holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or part of the Notes in cash, subject to certain conditions. In addition, if a make-whole fundamental change occurs prior to the maturity date or the Company redeems the Notes, the Company will, under certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate for holders who convert Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change or redemption.

The Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders at any time prior to the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 27.2707 common shares of the Company, per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$36.67 per common share and represents a conversion premium of approximately 32.50% above the NASDAQ last reported sale price of the Company's common shares on September 10, 2020, which was US$27.675 per common share). The conversion rate for the Notes is subject to adjustments upon the occurrence of certain events. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver to such converting holders, a number of the Company's common shares equal to the applicable conversion rate as of the relevant conversion date, together with a cash payment in lieu of any fractional share.

The Notes have been offered in the United States to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes and the common shares deliverable upon conversion of the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other place, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

The Company expects to close the offering on or about September 15, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

This press release contains information about the pending offerings of the Notes, and there can be no assurance that any of the offerings will be completed.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world's largest solar power companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and provider of solar energy solutions and has a geographically diversified pipeline of utility-scale solar power projects in various stages of development. Over the past 19 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 46 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers in over 150 countries. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar industry, having been publicly listed on NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or 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 general business and economic conditions and the state of the solar industry; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., India and China; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange rate fluctuations; litigation and other risks as described in the Company's SEC filings, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 28, 2020. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the 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.

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SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Canadian Solar's US$200 million convertible senior notes offering?

The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including expansion of manufacturing capacity and solar project development.

What interest rate will the Canadian Solar convertible senior notes carry?

The notes will have an interest rate of 2.50%.

When do Canadian Solar's convertible senior notes mature?

The notes will mature on October 1, 2025.

What additional option does Canadian Solar have regarding the convertible senior notes?

Canadian Solar has granted initial purchasers a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional US$30 million aggregate principal amount of the notes.

When is the expected closing date for the Canadian Solar notes offering?

The offering is expected to close on or about September 15, 2020.