Unidentified Communication Modules Detected in Chinese Inverters

U.S. Energy Authorities Reassess Risks from Chinese Devices in Renewable Infrastructure

U.S. energy authorities are once again examining the risks associated with Chinese-manufactured devices used in renewable energy infrastructure, following the discovery of unidentified communication modules in some of the equipment. According to Reuters, citing anonymous sources, these devices—crucial to the operation of solar and wind installations—may pose a threat to energy security.

Inverters, mostly produced in China, are widely used not only in solar and wind power plants but also in energy storage systems, heat pumps, and EV chargers. While they are designed to allow remote software updates, some have been found to contain undocumented communication devices that could potentially bypass firewalls and enable external interference.

Security analysts reviewing the hardware warn that the discovered components—such as cellular modems—could allow for remote configuration changes or even shutdowns. “This implies the presence of mechanisms that could physically damage the power grid,” one source emphasized.

Growing Strategic Risk

Rising tensions between the U.S. and China have prompted Washington and other Western nations to reassess their dependence on Chinese technology in strategic sectors. Former NSA director Mike Rogers has warned that China is intentionally seeking influence over the West’s critical infrastructure.

The issue is not limited to the U.S. Estonia and Lithuania have already imposed restrictions on the use of Chinese inverters. The UK is currently conducting a security review of its renewable infrastructure, including Chinese-made devices. NATO has also raised concerns about growing dependence on China in the context of critical infrastructure.

Inverters as a New Front in Tech Tensions

Huawei, the world’s largest inverter manufacturer, accounted for 29% of global shipments in 2022. In Europe, the company is increasingly excluded from new projects, including by German developer 1Komma5, which cites security risks.

In the U.S., the matter is becoming more political. In February 2025, U.S. senators introduced a bill restricting the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing batteries from Chinese producers such as CATL, BYD, Envision, and Gotion High-Tech.

Sources familiar with the issue say some U.S. utilities, like Florida Power & Light, have already scaled back purchases of Chinese inverters. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Energy acknowledges that manufacturers do not always fully disclose device functionalities, making risk assessment more difficult.

Europe’s Dependence on Chinese Devices

According to the European Solar Industry Council, over 200 GW of installed capacity in Europe is connected to Chinese inverters—that’s more than 200 nuclear power plants. In the event of a large-scale cyberattack or remote interference with a significant number of home inverters, the consequences for the power grid could be disastrous.

“Ten years ago, shutting off Chinese inverters wouldn’t have had serious consequences. But today, their presence in Europe and the U.S. is enormous,” says Philipp Schroeder, CEO of 1Komma5.

What’s Next?

It remains unclear how many manufacturers are involved and how widespread the issue of undocumented communication channels is. Although the U.S. Department of Energy has not officially disclosed details, the issue is gaining importance in both industrial policy and national security discussions.

The debate over strategic autonomy—previously focused on semiconductors and telecommunications—is now extending to the renewable energy sector. Dependence on Chinese technology may not only impact grid stability but also limit countries’ ability to shape their own energy policies independently.

Source: reuters.com