Canadian Solar – which carries out the bulk of its production in China – foresees module shipments of 1.6-1.8GW in 2013 compared to the 1.54GW it managed last year.

That includes modules provided to its Total Solutions business, the full-service PV operation which it is relying on to steer it into more profitable downstream areas of the industry.

Like many of its peers Canadian Solar had a miserable 2012, posting a full-year loss of $195.5m