Back to supply chains
Where does Canadian Solar / CSI Solar source its components?
China. Supply chain mapped to 34 inputs across 6 countries.
Federal screeningUnder Review
Uncertain. Canadian Solar (CSI Solar) is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List), but its FEOC status is unresolved and depends on ownership or component-level analysis. Is Canadian Solar / CSI Solar a Foreign Entity of Concern?
Upstream sourcing exposure
High90% weighted
29 in covered nations - 3 elevated, of 34 nodes.
Where inputs are mined and refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company -- see the federal list screening above.
Refining chokepoint
5 of 5 processing/refining steps in covered nations
Producer1
Component14
Processing / Refining5
Raw Material7
Mine / Extraction7
designated covered nation elevated no known factor not assessed
Loading chain view...
Sourcing Concentration by Country
Covered NationAllied NationOther
Sourcing risk across the graph
Where each input is mined or refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company.
0
Designated (0%)
29
Covered nation (85%)
3
Elevated (9%)
2
No known factor (6%)
Legend
Node Types
Producer
Supplier
Component
Processing / Refining
Raw Material
Mine / Extraction
Logistics
Sourcing risk
Federally designated - named on a restricted-party list
Covered nation - sited in China, Russia, Iran or North Korea
Elevated - documented concentration risk, no federal listing
No known risk factor - not a compliance clearance
Not assessed - no sourcing judgement was made
Relationships
Transformation - manufactures / assembles
Refining - midstream processing (FEOC chokepoint)
Supply handoff - supplies / sources from
Arrows point in the direction material flows (input to product).
Every mapped input in the Canadian Solar / CSI Solar supply chain
34 nodes, grouped by supply-chain tier. Sourcing risk describes where an input is mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for Canadian Solar / CSI Solar.
Producer (1)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Solar / CSI SolarSuzhou, Jiangsu, China (HQ); module fabs in Jiangsu, Thailand | China | Covered nation | Vertically integrated PV module + battery storage maker. Named in polysilicon forced-labor reports; Xinjiang-linked upstream silicon exposure makes it a flagged FEOC entity. |
Component (14)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline Silicon PV ModuleCSI Solar module assembly, Jiangsu / Thailand | China | Covered nation | Finished mono-PERC/TOPCon module. Assembly of cell string + glass + frame + encapsulant + backsheet + junction box. |
| SolBank LFP Battery Storage Systeme-STORAGE self-manufactured, ~20 GWh capacity | China | Covered nation | Utility-scale LFP battery (314 Ah cells). Self-manufactured cathode/anode chain overwhelmingly Chinese. |
| Solar Cell (mono-Si wafer cell)CSI Solar cell lines, China | China | Covered nation | Silver-metallized cell diffused/passivated from mono wafer. Core of the module. |
| Ultra-Clear PV Front GlassSupplied by Xinyi Solar / Flat Glass Group, China | China | Covered nation | Low-iron tempered AR-coated solar glass. Chinese suppliers dominate (~90% of PV glass). |
| Anodized Aluminum FrameExtruders in Jiangsu/Guangdong/Fujian, China | China | Covered nation | 6005/6063-series aluminum extrusion; China dominates frame supply and primary aluminum smelting. |
| Silver Metallization PasteChinese paste makers (e.g. DK, Monocrystal supply) | China | Covered nation | Front/rear conductive Ag paste; ~30% of module cost. Silver powder + glass frit + organics. |
| EVA / POE Encapsulant FilmChinese film converters | China | Covered nation | EVA/POE/EPE encapsulant. POE resin partly imported; film conversion in China. |
| Polymer BacksheetChinese converters; fluoropolymer layers vary | China | Covered nation | PVDF/PET/PVF backsheet. Fluoropolymer film sourcing mixed (some Western), converted in China. |
| Junction Box + Copper RibbonChina | China | Covered nation | Contains copper interconnect ribbon and bypass diodes. |
| Monocrystalline Silicon WaferCSI Solar / GCL wafer plants, China | China | Covered nation | Ingot pulled (Czochralski) then wire-sawn. GCL long-term wafer supply agreement. |
| LFP Cathode Material (LiFePO4)Chinese cathode makers | China | Covered nation | LFP cathode produced almost exclusively in China. Made from iron phosphate + lithium carbonate. |
| Iron Phosphate Precursor (pCAM)Chinese precursor plants | China | Covered nation | FePO4 precursor from iron sulfate + purified phosphoric acid; China-made. |
| Graphite Anode (spherical/coated)Chinese anode makers | China | Covered nation | Coated spherical graphite anode; China controls ~99% of spherical graphite processing. |
| LFP Battery Cell (314 Ah)e-STORAGE self-manufactured cell lines | China | Covered nation | Prismatic LFP cell integrating cathode, anode, separator, copper/aluminum foils, electrolyte. |
Processing and refining (5)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Refiner (China)Chinese precious-metal refineries | China | Covered nation | Even allied-mined silver refined/converted to battery-grade powder in China is a FEOC chokepoint. |
| Alumina Refinery + Aluminum SmelterChinese alumina refineries + primary Al smelters | China | Covered nation | China smelts ~55% of world primary aluminum; coal-powered. Refining/smelting is the FEOC chokepoint. |
| Copper Refiner / Smelter (China)Chinese copper smelters (~48% of refined Cu) | China | Covered nation | Allied-mined copper concentrate refined into cathode/foil in China = flagged chokepoint. |
| Lithium Refiner (spodumene->carbonate, China)Chinese lithium chemical plants | China | Covered nation | >80% of Australian spodumene shipped to China for conversion. FEOC chokepoint even for allied ore. |
| Spherical Graphite Refiner (China)Chinese spheronizing/purification plants | China | Covered nation | Flake purified + spheronized + coated in China (~90% of graphite refining). Definitive FEOC chokepoint. |
Raw material (7)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar-Grade PolysiliconDaqo / GCL / Tongwei, incl. Xinjiang | China | Covered nation | Historic GCL supply; UFLPA-listed producers (Daqo, GCL, East Hope) dominate. China refines ~93% of polysilicon. |
| Metallurgical-Grade Silicon MetalHoshine (Xinjiang/Yunnan), East Hope | China | Covered nation | MGS = precursor to polysilicon. Xinjiang Hoshine is world's largest maker and on UFLPA list; contaminates nearly whole PV chain. |
| Refined Silver PowderChinese silver refiners / powder atomizers | China | Covered nation | High-purity Ag powder; refined and atomized in China even when ore is mined abroad. |
| Aluminum Billet (6xxx alloy)Chinese billet casters | China | Covered nation | 6005/6063 billet cast then extruded into frame. |
| Refined Copper (ribbon/foil)Chinese copper refiners / ribbon makers | China | Covered nation | Tinned copper interconnect ribbon (module) + battery copper foil. China refines ~48% of world copper. |
| Purified Phosphoric Acid / Phosphate RockChinese phosphate refiners | China | Covered nation | Battery-grade purified phosphoric acid from phosphate rock; ~9% of LFP cost. |
| Battery-Grade Lithium CarbonateChinese lithium converters | China | Covered nation | ~75% of LFP cathode cost. China refines ~70% of world lithium chemicals. |
Mine and extraction (7)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quartz / Silica Rock (Silicon ore)Chinese quartz quarries (also imports high-purity quartz) | China | Covered nation | Silica rock reduced with carbon in electric arc furnaces to make silicon metal. |
| Low-Iron Silica Sand (glass)Chinese silica sand mines | China | Covered nation | Ultra-clear low-iron sand melted for PV glass. Domestic + some imports. |
| Silver Ore (mine)Mexican / Peruvian silver mines | Mexico | No known risk factor | Mexico + Peru are top silver producers; often a byproduct of copper mining. Mine itself allied. |
| Bauxite Ore (mine)Guinea / Australia bauxite mines | Guinea | Elevated sourcing risk | Bauxite mined in Guinea/Australia; much exported to China for alumina/aluminum. |
| Copper Ore (mine)Chilean / Peruvian copper mines | Chile | No known risk factor | Chile is world's #1 copper miner; allied. Concentrate largely exported. |
| Spodumene (lithium ore, mine)Greenbushes / Pilbara hard-rock mines, WA | Australia | Elevated sourcing risk | Australia mines ~47% of world spodumene; Greenbushes co-owned by Tianqi (China) + Albemarle/IGO. |
| Flake Graphite Ore (mine)Balama mine, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique (Syrah) | Mozambique | Elevated sourcing risk | World's largest graphite mine; bulk of flake exported to China. Some anode also synthetic (petroleum coke). |
Material flow (34 relationships)
- Canadian Solar / CSI Solar manufactures Crystalline Silicon PV Module (Crystalline silicon PV module)
- Canadian Solar / CSI Solar manufactures SolBank LFP Battery Storage System (SolBank LFP battery storage system)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles Solar Cell (mono-Si wafer cell) (Solar cell string)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles Ultra-Clear PV Front Glass (Front glass)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles Anodized Aluminum Frame (Aluminum frame)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles EVA / POE Encapsulant Film (Encapsulant film)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles Polymer Backsheet (Backsheet)
- Crystalline Silicon PV Module assembles Junction Box + Copper Ribbon (Junction box + ribbon)
- Solar Cell (mono-Si wafer cell) supplies Monocrystalline Silicon Wafer (Mono silicon wafer)
- Solar Cell (mono-Si wafer cell) supplies Silver Metallization Paste (Silver metallization paste)
- Monocrystalline Silicon Wafer supplies Solar-Grade Polysilicon (Polysilicon)
- Solar-Grade Polysilicon refines Metallurgical-Grade Silicon Metal (Metallurgical-grade silicon)
- Metallurgical-Grade Silicon Metal refines Quartz / Silica Rock (Silicon ore) (Quartz / silica rock)
- Ultra-Clear PV Front Glass sources from Low-Iron Silica Sand (glass) (Low-iron silica sand)
- Silver Metallization Paste supplies Refined Silver Powder (Refined silver powder)
- Refined Silver Powder refines Silver Refiner (China) (Silver refining)
- Silver Refiner (China) sources from Silver Ore (mine) (Silver ore)
- Anodized Aluminum Frame supplies Aluminum Billet (6xxx alloy) (6xxx aluminum billet)
- Aluminum Billet (6xxx alloy) refines Alumina Refinery + Aluminum Smelter (Alumina + primary aluminum)
- Alumina Refinery + Aluminum Smelter sources from Bauxite Ore (mine) (Bauxite ore)
- Junction Box + Copper Ribbon supplies Refined Copper (ribbon/foil) (Refined copper ribbon)
- Refined Copper (ribbon/foil) refines Copper Refiner / Smelter (China) (Copper refining/smelting)
- Copper Refiner / Smelter (China) sources from Copper Ore (mine) (Copper ore/concentrate)
- SolBank LFP Battery Storage System assembles LFP Battery Cell (314 Ah) (LFP battery cell)
- LFP Battery Cell (314 Ah) supplies LFP Cathode Material (LiFePO4) (LFP cathode)
- LFP Battery Cell (314 Ah) supplies Graphite Anode (spherical/coated) (Graphite anode)
- LFP Battery Cell (314 Ah) supplies Refined Copper (ribbon/foil) (Copper foil (anode current collector))
- LFP Cathode Material (LiFePO4) supplies Iron Phosphate Precursor (pCAM) (Iron phosphate precursor)
- LFP Cathode Material (LiFePO4) supplies Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate (Lithium carbonate)
- Iron Phosphate Precursor (pCAM) supplies Purified Phosphoric Acid / Phosphate Rock (Purified phosphoric acid)
- Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate refines Lithium Refiner (spodumene->carbonate, China) (Lithium conversion)
- Lithium Refiner (spodumene->carbonate, China) sources from Spodumene (lithium ore, mine) (Spodumene ore)
- Graphite Anode (spherical/coated) refines Spherical Graphite Refiner (China) (Spherical graphite processing)
- Spherical Graphite Refiner (China) sources from Flake Graphite Ore (mine) (Flake graphite ore)
Sources and methodology
Research-based supply-chain map compiled from public sources - not an audited bill of materials. Tiers reflect the standard industry structure for this product. Sourcing risk on a node describes where that input is typically mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for Canadian Solar / CSI Solar, and it is not a screening result for the node itself unless a federal listing is cited against it. Verify against primary documentation before making a compliance determination.
Primary sources (1) - government, filings, standards bodies
Secondary sources (28) - trade press, analysts, reference works
- canadiansolar.com canadiansolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Ex-1-2024-Supply-Chain-Report-2025-05-29-FINAL.pdf
- pv-tech.org pv-tech.org/canadian_solar_gcl_ink_long-term_polysilicon_wafer_supply_deals/
- investors.canadiansolar.com investors.canadiansolar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/canadian-solar-and-gcl-silicon-announce-supply-contracts
- kharon.com kharon.com/brief/polysilicon-from-xinjiang-permeates-global-supply-chains-prohibited-from-entering-united-states
- pv-tech.org pv-tech.org/chinese-firms-nine-top-ten-polysilicon-manufacturers-2024/
- minespider.com minespider.com/blog/know-the-source-the-polysilicon-supply-chain
- thebreakthrough.org thebreakthrough.org/issues/energy/sins-of-a-solar-empire
- washingtonpost.com washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/24/china-solar-forced-labor-imports-custom/
- bernreuter.com bernreuter.com/newsroom/polysilicon-news/article/new-report-reveals-the-pv-industry-s-deep-ties-to-forced-labor/
- news.metal.com news.metal.com/newscontent/101004671/hoshine-silicon-to-add-800000-mtyear-silicon-metal-capacity-in-yunnan/
- xinyisolar.com xinyisolar.com/en/SolarPvGlass/index.aspx
- firstglassgroup.com firstglassgroup.com/top-photovoltaic-glass-supplier-in-china/
- targray.com targray.com/solar/conductive-paste/silver-paste
- enfsolar.com enfsolar.com/directory/material/frame
- alcircle.com alcircle.com/news/top-five-pv-aluminium-frame-manufacturers-of-2017-26940
- pv-magazine.com pv-magazine.com/tag/silver-paste/
- taiyangnews.info taiyangnews.info/opinion/solar-encapsulation-backsheets-adapting-to-a-shifting-market
- investors.canadiansolar.com investors.canadiansolar.com/news-releases/news-release-details/canadian-solars-e-storage-launches-solbank-30-higher-density-and
- csestorage.com csestorage.com/solbank-3-0/
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery
- sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378775325018774
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_mining_in_Australia
- csiro.au csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2025/March/Spodumene-Australias-lithium-mineral-hero
- benchmarkminerals.com benchmarkminerals.com/glossary/what-is-graphite
- zdnaturalgraphite.com zdnaturalgraphite.com/top-7-global-natural-graphite-mines-ranked-by-capacity/
- investingnews.com investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/precious-metals-investing/silver-investing/top-silver-producing-countries/
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_mining_in_Chile
- investingnews.com investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/base-metals-investing/copper-investing/copper-production-country/
Common questions
- Where does Canadian Solar / CSI Solar source the inputs in this product?
- This map traces 34 inputs across 6 countries, including 12 mines and refiners. It is compiled from public sources and is not an audited bill of materials.
- How much of the Canadian Solar / CSI Solar supply chain sits in a covered nation?
- 29 of 34 mapped inputs are sited in a covered nation (China, Russia, Iran or North Korea) or named on a federal restricted-party list. A further 3 carry elevated sourcing risk without either basis.
- Is Canadian Solar / CSI Solar itself a Foreign Entity of Concern?
- Uncertain. Canadian Solar (CSI Solar) is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List), but its FEOC status is unresolved and depends on ownership or component-level analysis. Sourcing risk in this map describes where inputs are mined and refined and is a separate question from the company's own federal screening.