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ESMC Urges EU to Curb Chinese Solar Inverters Over Cybersecurity Concerns

The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has called for restrictions on solar inverters with remote-control capabilities from "high-risk non-European manufacturers," particularly Chinese firms such as Huawei and SunGrow. Citing cybersecurity threats, ESMC warned that internet-connected inverters pose risks of deliberate interference or mass shutdowns, compromising the security of Europe’s power infrastructure.

ESMC Secretary General Christoph Podewils stated that over 200 GW of European capacity—equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants—is now dependent on inverters from China. The council projects this number could exceed 400 GW by 2030, intensifying the vulnerability. Huawei, one of the dominant players, is already banned in several nations' 5G sectors and faces corruption investigations in Belgium.

To address the risks, ESMC proposed an “Inverter Security Toolbox” and urged EU-wide adoption of Lithuania’s model legislation, which includes banning Chinese inverters and online access by high-risk vendors. The council emphasized that Europe must act swiftly to avoid a crisis similar to its previous gas dependency on Russia.

India, too, has recognized these risks. Its Ministry of Power issued cybersecurity guidelines in 2021 to enhance resilience in the power sector through a cyber assurance framework and early warning mechanisms.