Unauthorized Chinese communication devices discovered in American solar power equipment could allow Beijing to disable portions of the U.S. power grid with the flip of a switch.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. energy officials have discovered unauthorized communication devices, including cellular radios, inside Chinese-made solar power inverters installed across America’s power grid.
- These rogue devices create undocumented communication channels that could bypass security firewalls, potentially allowing for surveillance, infiltration, or sabotage of critical infrastructure.
- Former NSA analyst Rocky Cole warns that China likely intends to use these backdoors to access American infrastructure during times of conflict.
- Nearly 50 vulnerabilities, many classified as high or critical severity, have been identified in solar power systems from Chinese manufacturers.
- Chinese companies are legally required to assist China’s intelligence agencies, making any Chinese hardware in U.S. critical infrastructure a significant national security concern.
Hidden Threats Inside America’s Energy Infrastructure
U.S. energy officials are conducting urgent investigations into Chinese-manufactured devices integrated into America’s renewable energy infrastructure after discovering suspicious communication equipment hidden inside. The focus centers on power inverters, critical components that connect solar panels and wind turbines to electricity grids. These devices, predominantly manufactured in China, have been widely deployed across American solar farms and residential installations as part of the nation’s green energy transition, creating an inadvertent security vulnerability at the heart of our power grid.
Security researchers have uncovered undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, embedded within Chinese solar power inverters and batteries. These unauthorized components create communication channels that can potentially bypass security measures, providing remote access to critical infrastructure systems. The discoveries have raised alarm within national security circles, particularly as these devices could be activated during times of conflict to disrupt essential services and commerce, effectively holding portions of America’s power grid hostage to foreign control.
Unknown communication devices were found in Chinese-made solar inverters, batteries, EV chargers, and heat pumps. Experts say these rogue components could remotely shut down or damage U.S. power grid systems. The devices were discovered during routine security inspections over…
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China’s Pattern of Infrastructure Infiltration
The discovery of these hidden communication devices aligns with broader concerns about Chinese cyber operations targeting American critical infrastructure. Security experts have identified sophisticated threat groups like Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon, linked to Chinese state-sponsored actors, actively infiltrating U.S. systems. Salt Typhoon has already successfully penetrated broadband networks, while Volt Typhoon targets both information technology and operational technology environments, threatening both digital networks and physical components of critical systems.
“While this functionality may not have malicious intent, it is critical for those procuring to have a full understanding of the capabilities of the products received,” stated a spokesperson from The Department of Energy.
Rocky Cole, a former NSA analyst, has expressed serious concerns about these discoveries, suggesting they represent a deliberate strategy by China to establish backdoor access to American infrastructure. “What we’re uncovering is a pattern of infiltration that perfectly aligns with China’s documented cyber warfare doctrine,” Cole warned. The threat becomes particularly concerning given that Chinese law requires all Chinese companies to assist the country’s intelligence agencies when requested, effectively making any Chinese-manufactured hardware in critical infrastructure a potential tool for foreign intelligence operations.
Widespread Vulnerabilities in Solar Systems
A comprehensive study by Forescout Research’s Vedere Labs has identified nearly 50 vulnerabilities in solar power systems from major Chinese manufacturers including Huawei, Sungrow, and SMA Solar Technology. Many of these vulnerabilities are classified as high or critical severity, creating potential attack vectors that could be exploited to disrupt power grids and even compromise connected smart-home devices. The sheer number and severity of these vulnerabilities demonstrates the significant risks associated with integrating foreign technology into America’s critical infrastructure without proper security vetting.
The Chinese Embassy has predictably denied these allegations, emphasizing China’s development goals rather than addressing the specific security concerns. However, security experts remain unconvinced, pointing to the growing body of evidence suggesting deliberate infiltration of American infrastructure. Cole and other national security professionals advocate for strict oversight of supply chains to ensure hardware security, emphasizing that the current situation represents a clear and present danger to America’s national security interests. Without immediate action to address these vulnerabilities, America’s power grid remains exposed to potential foreign manipulation.
