One of the few Chinese solar chief executives who did not found his company, Fang joined JA Solar just two years ago, and since then has presided over a major expansion and shift in its direction.
Previously focused only on cells, JA Solar has moved rapidly into module production, offering contract manufacturing and branded panels to global customers.
The module ramp-up was so fast — from zero in early 2010 to generating more than 3bn yuan ($475m) in revenues by the end of the year — that it aroused the suspicion of customs officials, who came to investigate how the company had increased its exports so quickly, laughs Fang.
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