HOME / hidden communication devices found in chinese made inverters
In a discovery that has sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community, U.S. energy officials have found undocumented "rogue" communication devices hidden inside solar power inverters imported from China.
Some, like Florida Power & Light Company, are reportedly reducing their reliance on Chinese inverters, although the utility declined to comment. “Ten years ago, if you switched off the Chinese inverters, it would not have caused a dramatic thing to happen to European grids,” said Philipp Schroeder, CEO of German solar developer 1Komma5.
A team of engineers in the U.S. took apart a solar power inverter. It looked like any other—sleek, compact, humming with the promise of sustainability. But buried deep inside, they found something that wasn't supposed to be there. It wasn't in the manual. It wasn't listed in any documentation.
Solar inverters are the unsung heroes of renewable energy—often called the "brain" or "heart" of solar power systems. They convert direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) that powers our homes and feeds into the electrical grid.
The news agency claims US energy officials are reassessing the risk posed by Chinese-made devices according to two unnamed sources. This follows discovery of rogue communication devices not listed in product documents in some Chinese solar inverters, according to Reuters. The number of devices investigated was also not disclosed.
Inverters include remote access capabilities to enable updates and maintenance, and they are also used in a range of appliances, including wind turbines, batteries, heat pumps and vehicle chargers. Up to 95 percent of inverters available in Korea are made in China, but they are shipped to Korea and sold under the brands of domestic companies.
However, rogue communication devices not listed in product documents have been found in some Chinese solar power inverters by U.S experts who strip down equipment hooked up to grids to check for security issues, the two people said.
In November, solar power inverters in the U.S. and elsewhere were disabled from China, highlighting the risk of foreign influence over local electricity supplies and causing concern among government officials, three people familiar with the matter said.
Last Updated on May 26, 2025 by Jim Brazil is one of the countries that plays an important role in the renewable energy world. With the growing consumer demand for clean, green energy, Brazil has become home of one of the leading inverter manufacturers.
Solis's New Models for Brazil Solis has launched two advanced inverter models for Brazil: the S6-EH3P (30-50)K-H and the S6-EH2P (5-8)K02-SV-YD-L. These new models will bring significant improvements to energy storage and power management for residential and commercial customers.
Inovacare Solar specializes in photovoltaic energy generation products, highlighting their commitment to high durability and long-term performance. They operate throughout Brazil, promoting solar energy as a sustainable solution, making them a relevant player in the solar inverter market.
As one of the largest economies in Latin America, Brazil is highly reliant on hydropower, which can be volatile during droughts, leading to power shortages and higher energy costs. However, Brazil has a huge solar potential, especially in sunny areas, which makes it one of the preferred places to utilize solar energy.
Get technical specifications, product datasheets, and installation guides for our industrial cabinet solutions.
ul. Przemysłowa 45
61-003 Poznań, Poland
+48 61 853 23 47
Monday - Saturday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM CET