Hidden communications devices found in Chinese solar power inverters spark security alarm
Share this @internewscast.com

U.S. energy officials are reevaluating the threat of Chinese-manufactured devices critical to renewable energy systems after discovering unexplained communication equipment inside some units, according to two informed individuals.

Chinese-produced power inverters, essential for linking solar panels and wind turbines to global electricity grids, also appear in batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers.

Although inverters are designed to enable remote updates and maintenance, utility firms usually implement firewalls to block any direct communication back to China.

Chinese companies are required by law to cooperate with China’s intelligence agencies, giving the government potential control over Chinese-made inverters connected to foreign grids, experts said.

While Huawei decided to leave the U.S. inverter market in 2019 – the year its 5G telecoms equipment was banned – it remains a dominant supplier elsewhere.

Huawei declined to comment.

In Europe, exercising control over just 3 to 4 gigawatts of energy could cause widespread disruption to electricity supplies, experts said.

The European Solar Manufacturing Council estimates over 200 GW of European solar power capacity is linked to inverters made in China – equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants.

At the end of last year, there was 338 GW of installed solar power in Europe, according to industry association SolarPower Europe.

“If you remotely control a large enough number of home solar inverters, and do something nefarious at once, that could have catastrophic implications to the grid for a prolonged period of time,” said Uri Sadot, cybersecurity program director at Israeli inverter manufacturer SolarEdge.

Strategic Dependencies

Other countries such as Lithuania and Estonia acknowledge the threats to energy security. In November, the Lithuanian government passed a law blocking remote Chinese access to solar, wind and battery installations above 100 kilowatts – by default restricting the use of Chinese inverters.

Energy minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said this could be extended to smaller rooftop solar installations.

Estonia’s Director General of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Kaupo Rosin, said the country could be at risk of blackmail from China if it did not ban Chinese technology in crucial parts of the economy, such as solar inverters.

Estonia’s Ministries of Defense and Climate declined to comment when asked if they had taken any action.

In Britain, the government’s review of Chinese renewable energy technology in the energy system – due to be concluded in the coming months – includes looking at inverters, a person familiar with the matter said.

In November, solar power inverters in the U.S. and elsewhere were disabled from China, highlighting the risk of foreign influence over local electricity supplies and causing concern among government officials, three people familiar with the matter said.

Reuters was unable to determine how many inverters were switched off, or the extent of disruption to grids. The DOE declined to comment on the incident.

Undocumented communication devices discovered in Chinese-manufactured solar power inverters

Plants grow through an array of solar panels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 6, 2022. (Reuters/Brian Snyder/File Photo)

The incident led to a commercial dispute between inverter suppliers Sol-Ark and Deye, the people said.

“Sol-Ark does not comment on vendor relationships, including any relationship with Deye, nor does it have any control over inverters that are not branded Sol-Ark, as was the case in the November 2024 situation you referenced,” a Sol-Ark spokesperson said.

Deye did not respond to requests for comment.

The energy sector is trailing other industries such as telecoms and semiconductors, where regulations have been introduced in Europe and the U.S. to mitigate China’s dominance.

Security analysts say this is partly because decisions about whether to secure energy infrastructure are mostly dictated by the size of any installation.

Household solar or battery storage systems fall below thresholds where security requirements typically kick-in, they said, despite now contributing a significant share of power on many Western grids.

NATO, the 32-country Western security alliance, said China’s efforts to control member states’ critical infrastructure – including inverters – were intensifying.

“We must identify strategic dependencies and take steps to reduce them,” said a NATO official.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
US sanctions Cuban President Díaz-Canel and other officials for human rights violations

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Cuban President Díaz-Canel and Officials Over Human Rights Abuses

On Friday, the United States government declared that it was placing sanctions…
Carabinieri at a car accident scene.

Heartbreaking Image Surfaces After Airline CEO’s Wife Allegedly Hits Babysitter, 24; Lawyer Denies Her Fleeing the Scene

Heartbreaking images have surfaced from the devastating crash involving a CEO’s wife,…
Furious mother-daughter duo viciously attacks driver for moving trash cans reserving parking spot: video

Irate Mother and Daughter Assault Driver for Shifting Trash Cans Saved for Parking: Watch the Video

Two people were taken into custody in New York City last week…
A man placing a USB drive into a bicycle's seat post.

Russian Spy Suspected of Hiding USB Drive in Bike Seat to Leak Grant Shapps’s Confidential Information

This is the incident where a man, suspected of being a Russian…
Jennifer Aniston gets back massage from Jim Curtis on yacht

Jennifer Aniston Enjoys a Relaxing Yacht Massage from Jim Curtis

That escalated quickly. Jennifer Aniston was recently seen receiving a massage and…
Justice Dept. fires more lawyers, support staff involved in Trump prosecutions

Justice Department Dismisses Additional Lawyers and Support Staff Involved in Trump Cases

The firings are part of a broader wave of terminations that have…
It's no surprise the Trump DOJ confirmed Jeffrey Epstein killed himself — the twisted financier had lost everything

It’s unsurprising the Trump DOJ affirmed that Jeffrey Epstein’s death was a suicide— the disgraced financier had lost it all.

“It’s hard to believe that not so long ago people actually thought…
Russia's Lavrov warns US against 'exploiting' alliances as he meets with Kim Jong Un in North Korea

Russia’s Lavrov Cautions US on ‘Abusing’ Alliances During Meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the “invincible fighting brotherhood” between Russia…
Hamas working to 'sabotage' Trump-backed aid group with 'fake news': Israeli official

As US-supported group provides 70 million meals, UN and NGOs work to undermine competing Gaza aid organization

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has…
George Retes, disabled vet and US citizen, taken during Camarillo, California immigration raid at Glass House Farms: family

Disabled Veteran George Retes Detained in Immigration Raid at Glass House Farms, Camarillo, California, Says Family

Family members are in a state of distress seeking information after a…
Rotting toe found in box on Washington beach

Decaying Toe Discovered in Box on Washington Shoreline

A Tacoma, Washington, man found a gift-wrapped severed human toe while celebrating…
DOGE sprouts in red states, as governors embrace the cost-cutter brand and make it their own

Red States Adopt DOGE as Cost-Saving Measure, Endorsed by Governors

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — During the tumultuous early days of President Donald…