City and Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure officials, along with Canadian Solar executives, are attributing the location choice in large part to Guelph's Community Energy Initiative—Guelph's ambitious and internationally recognized plan to use less energy in 25 years than it does today, consume less energy per capita than comparable Canadian cities, and produce less greenhouse gas per capita than the current global average.

Businesses have traditionally been drawn to Guelph for its highly educated work force, established economic base and high quality of life. The Community Energy Initiative is another powerful draw for companies in the environmental technologies sector. Indeed, it’s part of what’s drawn Canadian Solar Inc.

“We chose Ontario and Guelph because of the province’s and city’s strong research and development, and the local and provincial governments’ commitment to investing in a low carbon economy,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman, President and CEO of Canadian Solar Inc. “The site selection for the new facility spread across Ontario, but in the end Guelph was chosen over several major cities as a result of its commitment to making sustainability the hallmark of the community through the Community Energy Initiative.”

With cities around the world watching Guelph’s innovative model, today’s announcement is an example of the Community Energy Initiative in action; government, business, investors, and citizens working together to build sustainable communities as a way to address the most serious ecological challenge of our time: climate change.

"Guelph has been named one of the safest, smartest and most caring communities in Canada with a quality of life amongst the best in the country,” said Mayor Karen Farbridge at this morning's announcement. “Quality of life is important in the new economy. By making sustainability a hallmark of our community, we’re attracting jobs and investment that will allow us to thrive while managing our energy use in our own community.”

Since the adoption of the Plan on which Guelph’s Community Energy Initiative was based, the Province of Ontario has implemented the Green Energy Act, helping to spawn a very active solar energy market.

“Guelph is another example of Ontario’s success in attracting clean energy investment and jobs,” said Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “Canadian Solar’s decision to locate its first North American manufacturing plant in Guelph is a great vote of confidence in the city, the province, and the Green Energy Act.”

Canadian Solar Inc.’s Guelph facility will bring up to 500 jobs to Guelph, and the first phase of operations is expected to begin later this year. At full capacity the facility’s total output will generate solar-based power that exceeds the entire current electrical demand of the Guelph community. The Guelph facility will be Canadian Solar Inc.’s first outside of China.