Officials are reportedly reassessing the risk posed by Chinese-made devices found in solar panels that are capable of damaging the energy infrastructure, destabilizing the power grid and triggering widespread blackouts.

The rogue devices, described as “ghost machines,” were found in inverters produced by a major Chinese manufacturer, whose products are widely used in solar energy systems across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Inverters are critical components that convert solar panel-generated direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) for use in homes and grids.

Researchers identified that these devices were capable of transmitting data to remote servers without the knowledge or consent of the system operators.

According to the report, the devices were embedded in the inverters’ firmware and hardware, allowing them to bypass standard security protocols.

They were programmed to communicate intermittently, making detection difficult. The data transmitted included operational details of the solar systems, as well as potentially sensitive information about the broader energy grid.

Security and Espionage Concerns

The presence of these devices has sparked fears of industrial espionage and sabotage.

Experts warn that unauthorized access to energy infrastructure could allow malicious actors to manipulate power distribution, disrupt grid stability, or gather intelligence on energy consumption patterns.

Given the increasing reliance on renewable energy, such vulnerabilities pose significant risks to national security and economic stability.

A cybersecurity analyst involved in the investigation, speaking anonymously, stated, “These devices could act as a backdoor into critical infrastructure.

The fact that they were embedded at the manufacturing stage suggests a deliberate attempt to create a hidden network.”

The discovery has triggered swift responses from governments and regulatory bodies. In the United States, the Department of Energy and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have launched a joint probe to assess the extent of the issue and identify affected systems.

The European Union has called for an emergency review of solar equipment supply chains, while countries like Australia and Canada are considering stricter regulations on imported energy hardware.

The Chinese manufacturer named in the report has denied any knowledge of the rogue devices, attributing the issue to a potential third-party supplier.

In a statement, the company said, “We are fully cooperating with authorities and conducting an internal investigation to ensure the integrity of our products.”

The incident has reignited debates over the security of global supply chains, particularly for critical infrastructure components sourced from China, which dominates the solar equipment market.

Industry experts are calling for greater transparency, mandatory third-party audits, and the diversification of supply chains to reduce reliance on single manufacturers.

Solar energy providers are now scrambling to inspect and secure their systems. Utilities in several countries have begun auditing inverters in their networks, and some have temporarily suspended the use of affected models pending further investigation.