Li Hejun is the highest-ranking debut from China on last year’s billionaires list and chairs Hanergy Holding Group.
He is the fourth richest man in China, with a net worth $10.9 Billion.
After earning his initial fortune by selling electronics products, Li built his own business by setting up a hydropower station and became rich in the process. He then shifted his business focus to the photovoltaic industry, where he invested 21 billion yuan (US$3.42 billion) to establish a base for the research and development of thin-film solar elements and two power generation stations in his hometown Heyuan, a prefecture-level city in the southern Chinese province Through a series of acquisitions, the company has become one of the world’s largest producers of thin-film solar panels and equipment.
He also owns one of the world’s largest privately held hydro-power plants, located in western China.
In mid-2013 he has formally entered the ranks of the world’s billionaires after a big run-up in the shares of his Hong Kong-listed solar energy arm.