Reports from the United States have raised concerns over national security risks tied to Chinese-made equipment used in solar power infrastructure. According to a Reuters investigation, power inverters installed in American solar farms were found to contain cellular radio components capable of being remotely accessed or shut down. These components, described as potential “kill switches,” have prompted urgent calls for a review of renewable energy equipment in the United Kingdom as well.
Power inverters are essential to solar and wind farms. They convert the electricity generated by renewable sources into a form that can be used by the wider power grid. The devices identified in the U.S. were manufactured by unnamed Chinese companies. Officials and security experts have warned that compromising such technology could give a foreign government the ability to disrupt power supplies, potentially causing widespread blackouts.
China has dismissed the allegations, calling them unfounded. However, the claims have triggered renewed concern among lawmakers and government officials in the U.K. On Thursday, Andrew Bowie, the Shadow Energy Minister, called for an “immediate pause” in the rollout of green energy projects to assess whether British infrastructure could also be vulnerable. Bowie referenced earlier concerns raised by the Ministry of Defence regarding Chinese-built wind turbines and said the latest revelations should be taken seriously.
He said that Chinese involvement in solar energy production—especially through equipment supply—may pose a risk to energy security. “Ed Miliband’s Made in China transition – clean power at the expense of everything else – is a threat to our national security,” Bowie said, urging Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to act swiftly.
I’ve said for a decade now that the great CCP threat was “inside the gates.” Kill switches at the center of our electrical grid hidden in Chinese products are very dangerous, but only the tip of the iceberg. Xi Jinping is determined. Are we?https://t.co/FuqjXGwCGz
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) May 15, 2025
Industry representatives in the U.K. have responded to the news with caution. One source noted that British solar farms use equipment from various countries, including China, the United States, Germany, and Israel. Chris Hewett, CEO of Solar Energy UK, stated that if the inverters in question are present in the U.K., and if the security risks are confirmed, replacements could be made quickly. He also emphasized the broader importance of solar energy in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing national energy resilience.
A spokesperson for the U.K. government said that national security remains a top priority and that the energy sector is subject to strict oversight, although they did not comment on any specific equipment or suppliers.
China is a leading global manufacturer of solar energy components. According to research from Wood Mackenzie, Chinese firms produce about half of the world’s power inverters. In 2023, two Chinese companies—Huawei and Sungrow—together controlled more than 50% of the global market. The European Solar Manufacturing Council has estimated that more than 200 gigawatts of solar capacity in Europe, roughly equivalent to the output of 200 nuclear power plants, relies on Chinese-made inverters.
Experts have warned that controlling even a small portion of power capacity through compromised equipment could disrupt grid stability. Recent power outages in Spain and Portugal were reportedly triggered by the loss of just 2 gigawatts of power, underscoring the potential risks.
In one reported incident in the U.S., Chinese-made inverters were remotely deactivated in November by a supplier based in Zhejiang, prompting a dispute with a Texas-based solar company. It remains unclear whether that shutdown was intentional or related to the discovery of the hidden components. The U.S. Department of Energy was aware of the incident but had not previously made the findings public. A department spokesperson said that while the presence of such technology does not prove malicious intent, it highlights the importance of understanding the capabilities of imported equipment.
“Chinese solar panels and other electronics sold in the U.S. market may have ‘shutoff switches’ controlled by the Chinese military.”
But … they’re cheaper than U.S. made products, right? https://t.co/cpYJSUcs7M
— JDoors (@JDoors2525) May 15, 2025
This issue echoes earlier concerns about Chinese involvement in telecommunications infrastructure, especially regarding Huawei equipment. Huawei has consistently denied that its products pose a security risk. Similar questions have now been raised about Chinese firm Mingyang Smart Energy, which is supplying turbines to the Green Volt wind project off the coast of Scotland. U.K. officials have expressed concern that the contract may allow Chinese engineers access to sensitive equipment under the guise of routine maintenance.
As scrutiny increases, governments in both the U.S. and U.K. may consider new restrictions on foreign-made energy equipment to protect their critical infrastructure.
