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

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

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

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. 

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 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
July 2, 2025
ANALYSIS: China's leading PV manufacturers are locked in a new round of competition, aiming to outpace each other through record-breaking feats.
June 30, 2025
Australian module manufacturer Tindo Solar has secured a 30MW solar module supply agreement to power Australia's first "net zero pipeline”.
June 27, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Premier Energies has commissioned its 1.2GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing line at Fab City, Hyderabad, Telangana.
June 26, 2025
A group of minority shareholders in Norwegian silicon firm REC Silicon has triggered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of the company’s US polysilicon production site.
June 26, 2025
PV solar cell manufacturer Halocell Energy has launched its first perovskite-based product called the Halocell Ambient Modules.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK