MUNICH, Germany, August 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company", "we" or "Canadian Solar") (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar companies, today announced that the Company is now the official exclusive sponsor of German top-league soccer teams Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nuremberg. By this commitment, Canadian Solar will become part of one of Germany's oldest sports, rich in tradition. Both new partnerships were arranged by SPORTIVE.
Canadian Solar is proud to join Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nuremberg as their official sponsor starting in the 2011/2012 season through to the end of the 2013/14 season. In return, Canadian Solar will receive dedicated marketing, hospitality and advertising privileges. Among other activities, Canadian Solar's logo will be prominently displayed on stadium signage, interview boards, the official team photo and other advertising spaces at all top league home games.
"Soccer is one the world's most dynamic and most popular sports. The sport is clearly number one in Germany, which guarantees high visibility for our brand. Canadian Solar is active in the north and in the south of Germany, and we are proud to be associated with two leading professional teams representing both parts of the country," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.
Ranking fourth in the 2010/2011 top league season, Hannover 96 delivered its best season in the club's history positioning it to return to the European soccer theater after 19 years. Their successful and inspired game has delighted the entire Hannover region. "Canadian Solar is a good match to Hannover 96: modern, innovative and creative as well as competitive and market-oriented. I am pleased about this partnership, which reveals how important and attractive the brand Hannover 96 is for nation-wide operating companies," said Martin Kind, General Manager of Hannover 96.
Canadian Solar will also support the traditional 1. FC Nuremberg soccer club as its exclusive sponsor. Having achieved 47 points and ranked 6 in the country, the "Club" is celebrating its second-best season since 1988. "The partnership with Canadian Solar proves that the 'Club' is also a good advertising medium for international companies. Canadian Solar expands our sponsor family and makes a valuable contribution to the further establishment of the Club in Germany's top-league," said Ralf Woy, Executive Board Member, Finance & Operations, of 1. FCN.
Worldwide Sponsoring Activities
In addition to the commitment to support two top-league German soccer teams, Canadian Solar has supported other pro league sports teams over the years. Also in Germany, Canadian Solar sponsors the top league EHC Munich hockey club. In Italy, Canadian Solar is the sponsoring partner of the Italian basketball team Virtus Bologna. In North America, Canadian Solar is a partner of both the New York Yankees and of the San Francisco Giants.
About Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ)
Canadian Solar Inc. is one of the world's largest solar companies. As a leading vertically integrated provider of ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules and other solar applications, Canadian Solar designs, manufactures and delivers solar products and solar system solutions for on-grid and off-grid use to customers worldwide. With operations in North America, Europe and Asia, Canadian Solar provides premium quality, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar solutions to support global, sustainable development. For more information, 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 the risks regarding the previously disclosed SEC investigation as well as 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 Germany; 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; 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 May 17, 2011. 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. You 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.
