Canadian Solar’s founder on medical leave, appoints acting CEO

May 30, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Canadian Solar said that Dr. Qu was making steady progress after the accident, which occurred earlier in May, 2019. However, the company noted that it was unsure how long the recuperation period would be at this time. Image: Canadian Solar

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Canadian Solar has appointed an acting CEO, due to its founder, Dr. Shawn Qu recuperating in a hospital after being injured in an accident.

Canadian Solar said that Dr. Qu was making steady progress after the accident, which occurred earlier in May 2019. However, the company noted that it was unsure how long his recovery would take at this point in time. 

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Yan Zhuang, Canadian Solar’s senior vice president, chief commercial officer and president of Modules and System Solutions Business, has been appointed as acting CEO, while continuing in his current position, according to the company.
 
Dr. Qu said in a statement: “During my absence, I will continue to be involved in all major decisions affecting the company. I am fortunate to have assembled a strong senior management team over the past 10 years.”

“I have known Yan for 30 years,” Dr. Qu continued. “In 2006, he became a director of Canadian Solar. In 2009, he resigned as a director and joined the company as vice president of Global Sales and Marketing and was later promoted to chief commercial officer and president of the MSS Business.”

“Over the past 10 years, Yan has helped build a world-class global sales team for the company,” Dr. Qu added. “I am confident that he will provide the day-to-day leadership needed during my absence.”

The news comes ahead of the company releasing Q1 2019 financial results and earnings call with financial analysts, scheduled for today. 

13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were a sell out success and 2026 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

Premium
January 30, 2026
In an interview with PV Tech Premium, two UNSW researchers emphasise the need for enhanced UV testing for TOPCon solar cells.
January 29, 2026
The cost of Chinese solar module manufacturing will rise in the first half of 2026, though prices may fall again before the end of the year.
January 29, 2026
PV module defects are increasing as manufacturers struggle to achieve consistent quality through robust bill-of-material and process controls.
Premium
January 26, 2026
The removal of a tax rebate for Chinese PV exports is set to drive up module prices as overseas buyers rush to secure lower-priced products.
January 26, 2026
EliTe Solar has commissioned its 5GW PV manufacturing facility in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) in Egypt.
January 23, 2026
Suzhou Maxwell Technologies has secured a certified power conversion efficiency of 32.38% for a perovskite/silicon heterojunction (SHJ) tandem solar cell.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Upcoming Webinars
February 18, 2026
9am PST / 5pm GMT
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Dallas, Texas
Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA