e-STORAGE's SolBank 3.0 Successfully Passes Large-Scale Fire Testing (LSFT)
- Successfully passed Large-Scale Fire Testing, demonstrating superior safety features
- Proven ability to contain thermal events within a single enclosure without propagation
- Compliance with industry-recognized safety standards (CSA C-800:25 and NFPA 855)
- Independent verification by respected agencies (CSA Group and ESRG)
- None.
Insights
Canadian Solar's e-STORAGE successfully passed critical fire safety tests for SolBank 3.0, significantly enhancing its market competitiveness and safety profile.
The successful completion of Large-Scale Fire Testing (LSFT) for Canadian Solar's SolBank 3.0 energy storage system represents a significant technological achievement in the battery energy storage system (BESS) industry. This testing validates that the system can effectively contain thermal events within a single enclosure—a critical safety feature that addresses one of the industry's most pressing concerns.
The test was conducted under the CSA C-800:25 §9.7 protocol, which aligns with NFPA 855 safety standards. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that SolBank 3.0 demonstrated its safety capabilities through passive fire containment design rather than relying on complex active fire suppression systems. This distinction is crucial for utility-scale deployments where reliability and minimal maintenance requirements are paramount.
From a technical perspective, the successful demonstration that fire didn't propagate to adjacent units addresses a fundamental safety challenge in grid-scale battery storage. Thermal runaway events have historically been a significant concern for lithium-ion battery deployments, and this validation substantially improves the risk profile of Canadian Solar's offering.
The independent verification by both CSA Group and Energy Safety Response Group adds credibility to these results. This certification will likely accelerate regulatory approvals and potentially reduce insurance costs for projects utilizing SolBank 3.0 technology, creating meaningful competitive advantages in the rapidly growing utility-scale storage market.
The test was conducted under the CSA C-800:25 §9.7 Large-Scale Fire Testing (LSFT) protocol—a rigorous, industry-recognized standard used to evaluate how a fully developed fire condition inside the enclosure of an initiating BESS unit affects propagation risk between adjacent enclosures. During the test, all doors, louvers, and structural elements on target units remained closed and intact throughout the event. The protocol is in compliance with key safety objectives outlined in NFPA 855, such as preventing cascading thermal events and containing fire within a single unit.
During the test, e-STORAGE's SolBank 3.0 energy storage system showed no fire propagation to target units and successfully passed the LSFT, confirming the robustness of SolBank 3.0's passive fire containment design.
The test was witnessed and independently verified by both CSA Group, the testing agency, and Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG), a fire safety consultant.
Josh Dinaburg, Fire Test Specialist at CSA Group, commented, "Key stakeholders in the energy storage industry have raised justifiable concerns about the ability of BESS to limit the spread of fire between units without relying on complex extinguishing systems or putting first responders at risk. The e-STORAGE system demonstrated that an aggressive fire consuming all available fuel in one unit does not ignite new fires and spread to adjacent units. This is critical performance data for the end-users and site managers, first responders, insurance adjusters, and the community at large where these systems may be installed."
Colin Parkin, President of e-STORAGE, stated, "Successfully completing the Large-Scale Fire Testing reinforces our high standard on system safety. At the same time, it once again positions e-STORAGE as a leader in delivering safe, scalable energy storage solutions—across products, projects, and markets—and our continued commitment to go beyond industry standards for operation safety."
About Canadian Solar Inc.
Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Kitchener,
About e-STORAGE
e-STORAGE is a subsidiary of Canadian Solar and a leading company specializing in designing, manufacturing, and integrating battery energy storage systems for utility-scale applications. e-STORAGE offers proprietary battery energy storage solutions, comprehensive EPC services, and innovative solutions aimed at improving grid operations. Currently, e-STORAGE operates two fully automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with an annual battery production capacity of 20 GWh. For more info, please refer to the Media&PR section of www.csestorage.com and follow our LinkedIn page.
Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including those regarding the Company's expected future shipment volumes, revenues, gross margins, and project sales 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 "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "future", "ongoing", "continue", "intend", "plan", "potential", "prospect", "guidance", "believe", "estimate", "is/are likely to" or similar expressions, the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, our expectations regarding global electricity demand and the adoption of solar and battery energy storage technologies; our growth strategies, future business performance, and financial condition; our transition to a long-term owner and operator of clean energy assets and expansion of project pipelines; our ability to monetize project portfolios, manage supply chain fluctuations, and respond to economic factors such as inflation and interest rates; our outlook on government incentives, trade measures, regulatory developments, and geopolitical risks; our expectations for project timelines, costs, and returns; competitive dynamics in solar and storage markets; our ability to execute supply chain, manufacturing, and operational initiatives; access to capital, debt obligations, and covenant compliance; relationships with key suppliers and customers; technological advancement and product quality; and risks related to intellectual property, litigation, and compliance with environmental and sustainability regulations. Other risks were described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2025. 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.
CANADIAN SOLAR INC. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT
Wina Huang
Investor Relations
Canadian Solar Inc.
investor@canadiansolar.com
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SOURCE Canadian Solar Inc.
FAQ
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