Why the EU sees Chinese solar tech as a major security risk

"The commission's funding ban is focused on solar inverters, which are often described as the brain of a solar power system. These solar inverters are the devices that convert solar energy into usable electricity. They are connected to the internet and can often be accessed remotely for maintenance and software updates. In a worst case scenario, hackers or hostile state actors could exploit those remote connections to disrupt electricity supplies."

""All inverter companies, they do have something like a kill switch," Christoph Podewils, secretary general of the European Solar Manufacturing Council, told DW. A kill switch and other remote connections are normally used for safety or grid stabilization. But cybersecurity experts warn that, in a worst case scenario, hackers or hostile state actors could exploit those remote connections to disrupt electricity supplies."

""The worst-case scenario is large-scale blackouts across Europe," cybersecurity expert Swantje Westphal told DW. Inverters are connected to the internet and can often be accessed remotely for maintenance and software updates. Remote access features and kill switch functions can be used for safety or grid stabilization, but they could also be leveraged to interfere with electricity supply."

"In 2024, 61% of all inverters imported into Europe came from China, according to Geneva-based research group Loom. Huawei and Sungrow are the two inverter producers dominating not just European, but global markets. A handful of Chinese manufacturers have already provided hardware for more than 220 gigawatts of Europe's installed solar capacity. "To put that in perspective, controlling roughly 10 gigawatts would already be sufficient to trigger major disruptions to Europe's electricity grid," Podewils said."

The European Commission blocked EU funding for Chinese-made solar technology over security concerns for Europe’s power grid. The ban targets solar inverters, which convert solar energy into usable electricity and connect to the internet for remote maintenance and software updates. Inverters can include remote access features and “kill switch” functions used for safety and grid stabilization. Cybersecurity experts warn that hostile actors could exploit remote connections to disrupt electricity supplies, with a worst case involving large-scale blackouts across Europe. In 2024, 61% of inverters imported into Europe came from China, and major suppliers include Huawei and Sungrow. Chinese manufacturers have provided hardware for more than 220 gigawatts of Europe’s installed solar capacity.

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