** Shares of renewable energy firm Canadian Solar CSIQ.O down 8.7% at $20.10 in extended trading as it seeks capital raise

** CSIQ announces private offering of $200 mln 5-yr convertible bonds

** Co says plans to use net offering proceeds for investments in U.S. manufacturing capacity, and in the value chain supporting battery energy storage and solar power solutions, and for working capital and general corporate purposes

** With ~67 mln shares outstanding, CSIQ has roughly $1.5 bln market cap, per LSEG data

** Shares closed down 6.2% at $22.02 on Weds. Stock has gained 54% over the past three months

** Of 12 analysts covering the CSIQ shares , recommendation breakdown is 3 "strong buy" or "buy", 4 "hold" and 5 "sell" or "strong sell"; median PT of $20 up from $11 on Nov 7 - LSEG

(Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)

((lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380))