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Undocumented Modules in Chinese Solar Inverters Raise Security Concerns

US and European authorities respond to findings of covert communication devices capable of bypassing firewalls, as China denies allegations.

Solarmodule auf einem Firmendach (Symbolbild): Kann China uns per Fernsteuerung den Strom abschalten?
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Overview

  • US engineers discovered undocumented communication modules in Chinese-made solar inverters that could bypass firewalls and enable remote shutdowns.
  • The German cybersecurity agency BSI has called for EU-wide certification and the exclusion of non-trusted manufacturers from the European market.
  • China's government denies the allegations, calling them defamatory, while concerns grow over the strategic dependence on Chinese renewable technology.
  • Over 200 GW of Europe's solar capacity relies on Chinese inverters, with Huawei holding a 29% share of the global inverter market in 2022.
  • US utilities are preparing for potential restrictions on Chinese inverters, following Lithuania's November 2024 ban on Chinese firms in energy infrastructure.