U.S. energy officials have intensified scrutiny of Chinese-manufactured components in renewable energy infrastructure after the identification of undocumented communication devices embedded in power inverters, according to sources familiar with the ongoing investigation.
Power inverters-essential for integrating solar panels and wind turbines with electrical grids-are mostly sourced from Chinese companies and are also found in batteries, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and heat pumps.
The recent findings have prompted renewed concerns about the integrity and security of vital energy systems as the United States and other Western governments move toward decarbonization and grid modernization.
Discovery of Undocumented Components
Technical experts conducting detailed hardware inspections, or “teardowns,” of inverters connected to U.S. power grids revealed the presence of unauthorized communication modules, including cellular radios, that do not appear in official product documentation.
According to Reuters Report, these components potentially provide covert channels for remote access, which could bypass standard utility firewalls designed to prevent external interference, including connections back to China.
The scale of these findings has not been publicly disclosed, nor have the specific manufacturers involved been named.
According to cyber and energy security specialists, the existence of these channels could allow malicious actors to change inverter settings, shut down equipment, or even destabilize wide sections of the power grid.
A former NSA director underscored that the widespread use of such inverters could limit mitigation options, warning that adversaries may see value in targeting core infrastructure for potential destruction or disruption.
The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that it is actively reevaluating risk profiles associated with emerging grid technologies and emphasized the importance of full disclosure of all device capabilities through mechanisms such as a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM).
This process catalogs hardware and software components, aiming to close gaps in oversight and procurement.
While the Department did not attribute malicious intent to the undocumented devices, it highlighted the need for comprehensive transparency from suppliers to mitigate risks posed by undocumented functionalities.
Utilities and Lawmakers Weigh Response
The concerns arise amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and follow legislative initiatives aimed at reducing dependency on Chinese technologies across strategic sectors.
Earlier this year, lawmakers introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, which, if enacted, would prohibit agencies like the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from certain Chinese entities starting in 2027.
Utilities have reportedly begun sourcing inverters from non-Chinese manufacturers as precautionary measures, with companies such as Florida Power & Light already moving to limit their reliance on Chinese equipment.
Globally, China’s dominance in the inverter market is significant: firms including Huawei, Sungrow, and Ginlong Solis collectively account for more than half of global shipments, embedding Chinese technology deep within Western energy infrastructure.
Security experts warn that even partial remote access to these devices could have cascading effects, particularly as renewable capacity grows.
For example, European solar developers have raised alarms, noting that over 200 gigawatts of regional solar generation-equivalent to more than 200 nuclear reactors-are managed via Chinese inverters.
In response to these challenges, several countries are pursuing legislative or regulatory safeguards.
Lithuania has enacted laws blocking remote access to large-scale installations via Chinese equipment, while Estonia has officially recognized the potential risk of strategic blackmail posed by foreign technologies in key sectors.
The British government is conducting its own review of Chinese-supplied renewable technology, with a particular focus on inverters.
Despite the gravity of these discoveries, the U.S. government has yet to issue any formal public acknowledgement or guidance specifically addressing the presence of unauthorized communication devices in energy infrastructure.
However, regulatory momentum in allied countries-as well as parallel concerns in industries like telecom and semiconductors-suggests that further action is likely as threat assessments mature and supply chain resiliency continues to take precedence in national security planning.
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