Washington, D.C. — American energy officials have identified suspicious communication components embedded in solar inverters and batteries imported from China, prompting concerns about the vulnerability of critical renewable energy infrastructure.
At the center of the concern are power inverters — key devices used to connect solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers to the electrical grid. These inverters typically include remote access features for firmware updates and maintenance. However, U.S. utilities usually implement firewalls to prevent unauthorized connections from foreign networks.
Recent investigations into grid-connected systems uncovered undocumented safety switches and hidden communication channels within certain Chinese-manufactured solar inverters. These features were not listed in the official product documentation and could potentially be used to bypass cybersecurity protections, creating pathways for remote interference.
Potential Threats to Grid Security
According to federal security assessments, covert components found in some batteries and inverters—including portable radios and embedded communication modules—could allow malicious actors to access and manipulate critical systems remotely. This raises the risk of grid destabilization, infrastructure damage, and even large-scale blackouts.
Security analysts have expressed particular concern over the discovery of these devices across multiple suppliers from China over the past nine months. The presence of such unauthorized hardware suggests an intentional effort to compromise foreign infrastructure through widely deployed clean energy technology.
Escalating Cybersecurity Concerns
National security officials have highlighted the strategic risks posed by widespread deployment of potentially compromised equipment. Some argue that the prevalence of these devices could restrict Western nations’ ability to respond effectively to cybersecurity threats, especially as renewables become more integral to national grids.
“There is a real and growing threat to our critical infrastructure,” said one U.S. official. “Whether through cyberattacks or remote access to solar and battery inverters, the risk of intentional disruption must not be underestimated.”
Others warn that these hidden communication channels could serve as “built-in kill switches,” enabling attackers to remotely disable parts of the power grid in a coordinated manner.
The findings have triggered renewed scrutiny of supply chain dependencies in the U.S. clean energy sector and calls for stricter vetting of foreign-made energy components.