Canadian Solar, an Ontario-based firm, announced today it will sponsor the New York Yankees, a surprising move in a region dominated by New Jersey solar companies. Canadian Solar (NASDAQ: CSIQ), one of the world's largest solar companies, joins the Yankees’ sponsors list and will be providing in-stadium signage.

Jill Hansen, Canadian Solar’s senior marketing manager, said the company aims to connect to specific markets in baseball.

“We also sponsor the San Francisco Giants,” she said. “We’ve really been positioning ourselves as a sponsor to America’s favorite pastime. We’re focusing on America’s solar markets.”

Shawn Qu, chairman and chief executive officer of Canadian Solar, said, “Canadian Solar is proud to become an official sponsor of the iconic New York Yankees. By joining with the New York Yankees, we can now leverage one of the world's most powerful, global brand-building platforms to further expand awareness of Canadian Solar.”

Since its opening in 2009, Yankee Stadium has established several programs for raising environmental awareness, like ensuring the efficiency of all its equipment. Last season, more than 35 percent of Yankee Stadium's trash went to recycling and composting rather than landfills.

“We are extremely pleased about our new relationship with Canadian Solar,” said Michael J. Tusiani, Yankees senior vice president of corporate sales & sponsorships. “We hope its in-stadium signage will strengthen the importance of environment attentiveness, which is a significant platform for our organization.”

“We were looking for a sports sponsorship that would make sense,” Hansen said. “New York Yankees fans are passionate. And we’re passionate; we’re passionate about solar.”

Image courtesy of NJMonthly.com.