Overview

• US engineers discovered hidden communication modules in Chinese-manufactured solar inverters, raising fears of remote access vulnerabilities.
• Experts warn these modules could bypass firewalls, enabling remote shutdowns or manipulation of energy grids, potentially leading to widespread outages.
• The US Department of Energy is reassessing risks and emphasizing the need for transparency in product capabilities, while European regulators push for stricter certifications.
• China denies the allegations, calling them distortions, as its manufacturers dominate the global market for solar inverters, with Huawei holding a 29% share in 2022.
• Over 200 gigawatts of Europe’s solar capacity depend on Chinese inverters, highlighting strategic vulnerabilities in critical energy infrastructure.