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Sunday, May 18, 2025
Outside the box.
Discovery of Secret Communication Devices in Chinese-Made Solar Panels Raises Security Concerns in the US
Engineers in America uncover unauthorized communication channels in solar power inverters, prompting worries about potential energy grid vulnerabilities.
Engineers on American solar farms have identified unauthorized communication devices embedded in Chinese-manufactured power inverters, components crucial for linking solar panels to electrical grids.
These inverters typically enable remote communication for updates and maintenance, but companies generally implement firewalls to restrict communication from China.
The presence of these covert devices introduces additional communication avenues, raising alarms about the potential for remote manipulation of power inverters, which could destabilize energy systems, compromise infrastructure integrity, and lead to widespread blackouts.
A source familiar with the situation described the devices as having the capacity to significantly endanger the stability of electrical grids.
This discovery comes amidst broader concerns regarding national security and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities linked to foreign technology supplies.
The U.S. government has not publicly commented on these findings, which were not previously reported.
A representative from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) indicated that the department continuously assesses risks related to emerging technologies, emphasizing challenges in manufacturer disclosures.
In addition to the inverters, other undisclosed communication devices, including cellular radios, have reportedly been found in batteries from various Chinese suppliers over the past nine months.
This escalation has led to heightened scrutiny about China’s role in supplying components for critical energy infrastructure in the West.
Mike Rogers, a former director of the U.S. National Security Agency, stated that there are concerns surrounding China's intentions to undermine core infrastructure.
In response, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington has criticized the characterization of China's infrastructure pursuits as unjustified and biased.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, U.S. and allied countries, including the UK, are reconsidering their reliance on Chinese-manufactured components in renewable energy systems.
The extent to which these devices are prevalent in the UK’s solar infrastructure remains unclear.
In response to these developments, UK shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie has urged a halt to the nation's transition to green energy, citing national security risks associated with relying on Chinese technology.
This follows an announcement from British energy minister Michael Shanks, advocating for the installation of solar panels on residential rooftops throughout the UK by 2027.
The implications of these findings extend globally, as renewable energy systems worldwide increasingly depend on components manufactured in China, prompting governments to reassess their energy strategies in light of potential security threats.
These inverters typically enable remote communication for updates and maintenance, but companies generally implement firewalls to restrict communication from China.
The presence of these covert devices introduces additional communication avenues, raising alarms about the potential for remote manipulation of power inverters, which could destabilize energy systems, compromise infrastructure integrity, and lead to widespread blackouts.
A source familiar with the situation described the devices as having the capacity to significantly endanger the stability of electrical grids.
This discovery comes amidst broader concerns regarding national security and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities linked to foreign technology supplies.
The U.S. government has not publicly commented on these findings, which were not previously reported.
A representative from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) indicated that the department continuously assesses risks related to emerging technologies, emphasizing challenges in manufacturer disclosures.
In addition to the inverters, other undisclosed communication devices, including cellular radios, have reportedly been found in batteries from various Chinese suppliers over the past nine months.
This escalation has led to heightened scrutiny about China’s role in supplying components for critical energy infrastructure in the West.
Mike Rogers, a former director of the U.S. National Security Agency, stated that there are concerns surrounding China's intentions to undermine core infrastructure.
In response, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington has criticized the characterization of China's infrastructure pursuits as unjustified and biased.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, U.S. and allied countries, including the UK, are reconsidering their reliance on Chinese-manufactured components in renewable energy systems.
The extent to which these devices are prevalent in the UK’s solar infrastructure remains unclear.
In response to these developments, UK shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie has urged a halt to the nation's transition to green energy, citing national security risks associated with relying on Chinese technology.
This follows an announcement from British energy minister Michael Shanks, advocating for the installation of solar panels on residential rooftops throughout the UK by 2027.
The implications of these findings extend globally, as renewable energy systems worldwide increasingly depend on components manufactured in China, prompting governments to reassess their energy strategies in light of potential security threats.
