XML 45 R72.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
BORROWINGS (Details 4)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
USD ($)
May 20, 2013
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power project
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Solar Manufacture Inc. and Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment Due In 2019 And Thereafter
USD ($)
May 20, 2013
Tumushuke CSI New Energy Development Co., Ltd.
Dec. 31, 2014
SZCC, or CSI Cells
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement entered on October 29, 2011
Credit facility
USD ($)
Oct. 29, 2011
SZCC, or CSI Cells
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement entered on October 29, 2011
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZCC, or CSI Cells
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement entered on October 29, 2011
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZCC, or CSI Cells
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement entered on October 29, 2011
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZCC, or CSI Cells
Local Chinese commercial banks
Loan agreement entered on October 29, 2011
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Oct. 28, 2013
SZCC, or CSI Cells
State-owned trust company
Loan agreement for research of Solar Photovoltaic Technology
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZCC, or CSI Cells
State-owned trust company
Loan agreement for research of Solar Photovoltaic Technology
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Jun. 26, 2012
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on June 26, 2012
Credit facility
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on June 26, 2012
Credit facility
USD ($)
Jun. 26, 2012
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on June 26, 2012
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on June 26, 2012
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
Credit facility
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2013
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2013
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
First tranche
Feb. 28, 2013
Canadian Solar Japan K.K.
Japanese bank
Loan agreement for working capital entered on February 28, 2013
Second tranche
Repayment in each month
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
HKSI
Chinese Commercial Banks
Loan agreement for working capital entered on November 25, 2013
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
HKSI
Chinese Commercial Banks
Loan agreement for working capital entered on November 25, 2013
Credit facility
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
HKSI
Chinese Commercial Banks
Loan agreement for working capital entered on November 25, 2013
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
HKSI
Chinese Commercial Banks
Loan agreement for working capital entered on November 25, 2013
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Harvest North Star Capital
Loan agreement for financing the development of several ground-mounted solar power projects in Japan
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Harvest North Star Capital
Loan agreement for financing the development of several ground-mounted solar power projects in Japan
Credit facility
Dec. 04, 2013
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Harvest North Star Capital
Loan agreement for financing the development of several ground-mounted solar power projects in Japan
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Harvest North Star Capital
Loan agreement for financing the development of several ground-mounted solar power projects in Japan
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Canadian Solar International Project 1 Limited
Harvest North Star Capital
Loan agreement for financing the development of several ground-mounted solar power projects in Japan
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Aug. 28, 2013
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Minimum
CNY
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
SZSP
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due thereafter
USD ($)
Nov. 14, 2013
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Nov. 14, 2013
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI Photovoltaic Energy (Sihong) Inc.
China Development Bank, Suzhou Branch
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due thereafter
USD ($)
Jun. 25, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
item
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
USD ($)
Jun. 25, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Credit facility
Repayment Due In 2019 And Thereafter
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
First tranche
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
First tranche
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
CSI-GCL (Yancheng) Solar Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Jiangsu Haixin Energy Development Co.
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects and production lines
Second tranche
Repayment due in 2017
USD ($)
Feb. 25, 2014
Glenarm LP,2172839 Ontario Corp
Dec. 31, 2014
Glenarm LP,2172839 Ontario Corp
Netixis Bank
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Feb. 25, 2014
Glenarm LP,2172839 Ontario Corp
Netixis Bank
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Glenarm LP,2172839 Ontario Corp
Netixis Bank
Loan agreement for construction of solar power projects
Credit facility
Repayment due in 2015
USD ($)
BORROWINGS                                                                                                                                            
Percentage of ownership interest                           100.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_TumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember		                                           100.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalProjectOneLimitedMember		                           100.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember		                                 100.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_GlenarmLp2172839OntarioCorpMember		      
Maximum borrowing capacity       $ 760,604,494us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		     $ 36,035,300us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		                 $ 73,165,550us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSICellsCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredOn29October2011Member		       $ 1,143,978us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSICellsCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_StateOwnedTrustCompanyMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForResearchOfSolarPhotovoltaicTechnologyMember		       $ 267,191us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn26June2012ForWorkingCapitalMember		     $ 435,855us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		                       $ 40,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalProjectOneLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_HarvestNorthStarCapitalMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForFinancingDevelopmentOfSeveralGroundMountedSolarPowerProjectsMember		       $ 7,517,568us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                 $ 5,229,613us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		               $ 44,124,857us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		       $ 24,513,809us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_FirstTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		   $ 19,611,048us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_SecondTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		     $ 585,630us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_GlenarmLp2172839OntarioCorpMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_NetixisBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		  
Repayment of credit facility                 3,186,795us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		 3,105,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2016Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		 3,105,083us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		 3,268,508us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		 23,369,831us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2019AndThereafterMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		       11,524,759us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSICellsCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredOn29October2011Member		 25,229,613us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
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/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2016Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredOn29October2011Member		 24,886,419us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSICellsCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredOn29October2011Member		   1,148,124us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2016Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_StateOwnedTrustCompanyMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForResearchOfSolarPhotovoltaicTechnologyMember		       267,191us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn26June2012ForWorkingCapitalMember		     389,765us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
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/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		 46,090us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		   32,480us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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= csiq_SecondTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueInEachMonthMember
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		     19,400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn25November2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		 9,700,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn25November2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		         17,676,744us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
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= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
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= csiq_HarvestNorthStarCapitalMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForFinancingDevelopmentOfSeveralGroundMountedSolarPowerProjectsMember		 16,658,271us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2016Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalProjectOneLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_HarvestNorthStarCapitalMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForFinancingDevelopmentOfSeveralGroundMountedSolarPowerProjectsMember		       1,143,978us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 1,143,978us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2016Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 1,143,978us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 1,143,978us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 2,941,656us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueThereafterMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		       702,729us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 751,757us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
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/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 751,757us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
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/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
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/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 784,442us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		 2,238,928us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueThereafterMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		       6,201,647us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		 2,228,175us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2018Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		 4,456,349us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2019AndThereafterMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		             585,630us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_GlenarmLp2172839OntarioCorpMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_NetixisBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember
Outstanding balance of credit facility         521,811,874us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2015Member		 36,035,300us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		                 61,640,791us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSICellsCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredOn29October2011Member		               267,191us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn26June2012ForWorkingCapitalMember		     435,855us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		           29,100,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn25November2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		         34,335,015us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalProjectOneLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_HarvestNorthStarCapitalMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForFinancingDevelopmentOfSeveralGroundMountedSolarPowerProjectsMember		         7,517,568us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                 5,229,613us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		               12,886,171us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		                 585,630us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_GlenarmLp2172839OntarioCorpMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_NetixisBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		    
Floating rate of borrowing (as a percent)           6.55%csiq_LineOfCreditFacilityFloatingRateAsPercentageOfBaseInterestRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		                                                                                                                                
Number of tranches                                                                                                                   2csiq_NumberOfTranches
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		                        
Repayment period of credit facility                                                                                                                     3 years                      
Maximum liabilities to assets ratio           75.00%csiq_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLiabilitiesToAssetsRatio
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarManufactureIncAndTumushukeCSINewEnergyDevelopmentCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_LocalChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectMember		                                                                       80.00%csiq_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLiabilitiesToAssetsRatio
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                 75.00%csiq_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLiabilitiesToAssetsRatio
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                                      
Maturity term of credit facility               5 years                           36 months                                                                                                
Fixed rate (as a percent)                                               0.90%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn26June2012ForWorkingCapitalMember		           1.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_FirstTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarJapanKKMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JapaneseBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn28February2013ForWorkingCapitalMember		               12.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalProjectOneLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_HarvestNorthStarCapitalMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForFinancingDevelopmentOfSeveralGroundMountedSolarPowerProjectsMember		       6.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                 6.878%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIPhotovoltaicEnergySihongIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                                 3.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_GlenarmLp2172839OntarioCorpMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_NetixisBankMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		    
Basis of interest rate                                                                 LIBOR                                                                          
Reference rate to compute the variable rate (as a percent)                                                                 1.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CanadianSolarInternationalLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChineseCommercialBanksMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementEnteredIntoOn25November2013ForWorkingCapitalMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		                                                                          
Required consolidated revenue                                                                                       5,000,000,000csiq_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedRevenues
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSISolarPowerChinaIncMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_ChinaDevelopmentBankSuzhouBranchMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsMember		                                                    
Draw downs                                                                                                                                 6,684,524us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_FirstTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		 6,201,647us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_SecondTrancheLineOfCreditMember
/ csiq_DebtInstrumentRepaymentPeriodAxis
= csiq_RepaymentDueIn2017Member
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= csiq_CSIGCLYanchengSolarManufacturingCoLtdMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= csiq_JiangsuHaixinEnergyDevelopmentCoMember
/ csiq_TypeOfAgreementAxis
= csiq_LoanAgreementForConstructionOfSolarPowerProjectsAndProductionLinesMember		        
Interest expense                                                                                                                                            
Interest capitalized - project assets 10,304,555csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedProjectAssets 17,292,847csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedProjectAssets 4,631,569csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedProjectAssets                                                                                                                                      
Interest capitalized - property, plant, and equipment 203,067csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipment 347,791csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipment 670,374csiq_InterestCostsCapitalizedPropertyPlantAndEquipment                                                                                                                                      
Interest expense 48,905,848us-gaap_InterestExpense 46,244,456us-gaap_InterestExpense 53,304,640us-gaap_InterestExpense                                                                                                                                      
Total interest incurred $ 59,413,470us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurred $ 63,885,094us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurred $ 58,606,583us-gaap_InterestCostsIncurred