Kathrine Frich
If exploited, they could be used to remotely shut down or reconfigure inverters, leading to widespread disruptions.
If exploited, they could be used to remotely shut down or reconfigure inverters, leading to widespread disruptions.
Unexplained Hardware Triggers National Security Alarm
U.S. Department of Energy officials have discovered unauthorized communication devices embedded in solar inverters manufactured in China, prompting a serious reassessment of cybersecurity risks tied to the nation’s energy infrastructure.
According to sources speaking to Reuters, the devices were described as “inexplicable” and capable of bypassing standard safety protocols.
The Hidden Threat Inside Clean Energy Tech
The suspicious devices were found in solar power inverters, which are key components that connect solar panels to the electric grid.
Some Chinese-made inverters reportedly contained undocumented communication tools, including cellular radios, that could enable remote access, outside of official firewalls, with potentially devastating effects.
What’s the Risk?
Experts warn that these devices, if exploited, could be used to remotely shut down or reconfigure inverters, leading to widespread disruptions.
“The consequences could be catastrophic,” a source told Reuters.
They could destabilize power grids, cause blackouts, or even damage critical infrastructure, similar to the April 28 outage that hit parts of Spain and Portugal.
No Names Released Yet
The DOE has not publicly disclosed which manufacturers produced the compromised inverters, nor how many devices have been found.
But the discovery is intensifying scrutiny on Chinese-made energy tech, particularly in sectors like solar, batteries, and EV charging stations.
Huawei and Other Giants Dominate the Market
Globally, Huawei remains the largest solar inverter supplier, accounting for 29% of international shipments, followed by Sungrow and Ginlong Solis, all based in China.
Huawei pulled out of the U.S. inverter market in 2019 but still leads across Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia.
According to Wood Mackenzie, these three firms dominate global inverter sales, in a market increasingly entangled with geopolitical tensions.
90% of Europe’s Solar Panels Come From China
The Carbonomics report from Goldman Sachs highlights how reliant Europe has become on Chinese renewables:
90% of all solar panels installed across Europe are Chinese-made.
This dependence raises fresh concerns about foreign hardware embedded deep within critical infrastructure, from heat pumps to EV chargers and grid batteries.
What Do Inverters Actually Do?
Inverters are essential devices that convert direct current (DC) from solar panels or wind turbines into alternating current (AC) for homes and grids.
They’re also used in backup batteries, heat pumps, and EV charging systems, making them a crucial point of control for renewable energy networks.
If compromised, inverters could become tools for sabotage or surveillance.
U.S. Now Reassessing Supply Chain Security
The revelations come as the U.S. steps up efforts to secure its clean energy supply chain.
With the rise of cyber threats and state-backed industrial espionage, officials are calling for more rigorous hardware audits, domestic production incentives, and tighter regulation of imported critical tech.
The stakes are no longer just economic, they’re increasingly geopolitical.