Posted on 05/14/2025 4:43:53 PM PDT by george76
Undisclosed communication devices reportedly discovered in Chinese-manufactured solar panels and related equipment have sparked concerns among U.S. officials about the vulnerability of the nation’s power grid, according to a Reuters report.
These “rogue” devices, found over the past nine months, could potentially destabilize energy infrastructure and trigger widespread blackouts, sources familiar with the matter told the outlet.
The undocumented devices, including cellular radios, were identified in solar power inverters, batteries, electric vehicle chargers, and heat pumps produced by several Chinese suppliers.
...
The U.S. has found Trojan horse communication devices in Chinese-made solar power inverters. They are used to connect solar panels to electricity grids.
The devices could be turned out remotely to destabilize energy grids, potentially leading to massive blackouts like the recent one in Spain.
...
U.S. experts uncovered the components during security inspections of renewable energy equipment, prompting a reevaluation of the risks posed by these products.
Inverters, critical for connecting solar panels and wind turbines to the power grid, are predominantly manufactured in China, amplifying concerns about their security.
“We know that China believes there is value in placing at least some elements of our core infrastructure at risk of destruction or disruption,” said Mike Rogers, former director of the U.S. National Security Agency.
“I think that the Chinese are, in part, hoping that the widespread use of inverters limits the options that the West has to deal with the security issue,” Roger’s further urged.
Experts warn that these rogue devices could bypass firewalls, allowing remote manipulation of inverter settings or even complete shutdowns.
Such actions could disrupt power grids, damage energy infrastructure, and cause blackouts.
...
“That effectively means there is a built-in way to physically destroy the grid,” another source told Reuters.
The discovery adds to long-standing warnings from energy and security experts about the risks of relying on Chinese-made green energy products.
Concerns over espionage and sabotage have grown as the U.S. continues to integrate these technologies into its energy systems.
In December 2023, Republican officials, including former Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher and then-Senator Marco Rubio, urged Duke Energy to discontinue using Chinese-manufactured CATL batteries at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, citing surveillance risks.
“Directly following our inquiry, Duke disconnected the Chinese-manufactured systems from the grid,” Gallagher and Rubio stated in a February 2024 press release.
“Others that continue to work with CATL, and other companies under the control of the CCP, should take note,” they added.
The Department of Energy (DOE) acknowledged the issue, with a spokesperson telling Reuters that the department continuously assesses risks associated with new technologies.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The DOE is working to strengthen domestic supply chains and improve transparency through initiatives like the “Software Bill of Materials,” which inventories all components in software applications.
Wonder if they did a trial run in Spain?
Maybe this shouldn’t be broadcasted...they will just adjust their tactic.
Wouldn’t doubt it.
Who knows how much of our critical infrastructure and equipment has similar problems.
“Wonder if they did a trial run in Spain?”
Losing 15 Gigawatts of solar instantly, as happened in Spain, is the equivalent of losing 15 LARGE powerplants instantly.
Your theory is the FIRST ONE that makes any sense. No one else even has a theory as to how that happened, during the day, in perfect weather.
Maybe the Chinese could shut down air traffic control.
Or send drones buzzing all over states at night.
Or shut down modern cars with the doors locked and windows closed, unable to be restarted.
And cause atms and internet banking transactions such as credit card sales and payments to stop.
Young people always see the Chinese as mystical and spiritual and advanced beyond the crass Western values and commercialism. Were they wrong? /S
My advice: get a hybrid inverter made and engineered in the U.S. (like Sol-ark). It acts as a gateway between the solar panels, your home's electrical panels, your meter (the grid), and your battery stack (if you have one).
The feature that gives some inverters the ability to keep your house powered even when the grid goes down (because the circuit going from my inverters to my electrical panels isn't the same circuit going to the grid), also protects your electrical system and the grid from variable power coming from the solar panels.
That's not the case for cheaper and "old fashioned" inverters. With those, all incoming solar power goes directly to the electrical panels, with the excess automatically spilling onto the grid (because those inverters have just one circuit going to the electrical panels, without a separate one for to pull/push power to the grid).
I remember that some years ago something that wasn’t supposed to be there was found inside of or attached to a Chinese made substation transformer. It was a minor deal at the time, but the transformer couldn’t be used. As far as I know, no details were provided as to what was found, and the story went away.
There have been many verified shutdowns of water handling systems in towns and cities in the US. Believed to be trial runs.
“Water systems rely on automated, computer-controlled equipment for pumping, treatment, and distribution. This reliance creates vulnerabilities to cyberattacks where hackers can remotely access and manipulate these systems.
Potential for Disruption:
Hackers could potentially shut down water pumps, disrupt treatment processes, or even introduce contaminants into the water supply.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cyberattacks-on-water-systems-epa-utilities-take-action/
Dependence on China or Russia for our necessities is little
more than a suicide pact.
Here is a link to an article discussing that transformer:
https://blog.knowbe4.com/hidden-threats-in-our-power-grid-the-chinese-transformer-backdoor-scandal
This reminds of all those cell phones that Israel spiked with explosives. Only this time we are the suckers.
Just what I was thinking.
My first thought as well, or a mistaken trigger by a misclick.
No, the suckers are the Chinamen.
There was a reason the intelligence agencies started sourcing their own computer equipment back in the 1990s. They knew the risks back then.
It DOES have malicious intent. Else why is it in there?
The Chinese are waging war against the USA; thus, isn’t it time that we quietly threaten the existence of the Three Gorges dam should our grid be damaged?
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