Kathrine Frich
Analysts warn that dependence on a single supplier can become a strategic risk.
Modern power grids are increasingly shaped by new technologies, global supply chains and the transition to cleaner energy.
As solar power expands across the United States, questions about the security of foreign-made components are gaining urgency.
Vulnerabilities in solar infrastructure
A review highlighted by the Washington Post shows that many major US solar installations rely on Chinese-made inverters.
These devices convert energy produced by photovoltaic panels into electricity compatible with the national grid.
Research by Strider Technologies found that more than 85 percent of installations examined use inverters built by manufacturers with links to China’s government or military.
Cybersecurity specialists say these components can be targeted by hackers, potentially triggering widespread outages.
Chinese officials deny that the concerns have merit, but researchers cited in the report noted that some engineers in China have studied weaknesses in US grid systems.
Thomas Fanning, former chairman and CEO of Southern Company, warned that if the inverters were compromised, “other critical systems, including finance and communications, could be compromised.”
“The capability is there”
A US congressional investigative committee described the devices as a potential weapon, stating they pose “a vulnerability with serious consequences for national security.”
The report followed earlier concerns, including the shutdown of several inverters by Ningbo Deye Technology in 2024 during a commercial dispute.
Greg Levesque, chief executive of Strider, told the Washington Post:
“The capability is there and the gun is loaded. Now, we’re debating whether the Chinese government will pull the trigger and what the impact will be.”
Some officials fear that disabling a few large solar plants could create cascading failures. One US official said:
“You don’t have to shut down the entire Western power grid to create panic in society.”
Energy transition pressures
Solar power is expected to make up roughly 90 percent of this year’s new electricity generation capacity in the US.
Despite warnings from technical teams in the Department of Energy, early efforts to address dependence on Chinese inverters were limited, according to the Washington Post.
Current DOE officials say they are committed to reducing reliance on overseas supply chains, but experts note that alternatives remain scarce.
Cybersecurity specialist Patrick Miller explained: “We don’t have the option to buy them from elsewhere at this point.”
Removing all Chinese inverters immediately, he added, would leave the US without enough generating capacity to meet demand.
Strategic tensions and past intrusions
The congressional report warns that Beijing could restrict the sale of inverters to the US during a geopolitical crisis. Robert M. Lee, chief executive of Dragos, said:
“If we have a conflict with China, especially in Taiwan and the South China Sea, then anything that we depend on them for will be removed from the supply chain.”
Officials also point to earlier incidents such as Operation Volt Typhoon, which the FBI and Homeland Security described as an attempt to gain access to US critical infrastructure networks in anticipation of future conflict.
Sources: Washington Post, Digi24, Reuters.
