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7h ago

Hidden Communication Devices in Chinese Solar Equipment Raise Global Security Concerns

U.S. officials and global governments reassess risks after discovering undocumented hardware in Chinese-made inverters and batteries capable of bypassing firewalls.

Solar panels fields on the green hills stock photo
Solar panels are arrayed on Earth Day in Northfield, Massachusetts, U.S., April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
Plants grow through an array of solar panels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S., May 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
High-voltage power lines and an electricity pylon next to a group of wind turbines are pictured in Barranco de Tirajana, in the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, May 11, 2022. REUTERS/Borja Suarez/File Photo

Overview

  • U.S. experts uncovered undocumented communication devices in Chinese-made solar inverters and batteries, potentially enabling remote manipulation of energy infrastructure.
  • The Department of Energy is addressing disclosure gaps with Software Bill of Materials requirements and encouraging domestic manufacturing for secure supply chains.
  • Legislation in the U.S., including the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, seeks to limit reliance on Chinese energy equipment by 2027.
  • European nations like Lithuania have already enacted laws restricting remote access to Chinese-made renewable energy systems to safeguard critical infrastructure.
  • Huawei, the global leader in inverter shipments, and other Chinese firms face scrutiny due to legal obligations to cooperate with state intelligence, raising concerns over their dominance in renewable energy markets.