ESMC calls for restriction of remote access to PV inverters from China

May 1, 2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The ESMC called for the development of an EU ‘Inverter Security Toolbox’ akin to 5G with telecommunications. Image: BayWa r.e.

The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC), which represents the continent’s solar manufacturers, has called for a restriction of remote access to PV inverters in Europe from ‘high-risk’ manufacturers, mainly those in China.

The trade association calls for the development of an EU ‘Inverter Security Toolbox’ akin to the one made in telecommunications with the 5G cellular network technology.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Among the propositions suggested in the toolbox are the creation of a comprehensive risk assessment process for inverter manufacturers; that high-risk vendors are not to be permitted to maintain an online connection to European electricity systems; the consideration of an outright ban for such vendors connecting to the grid and replicating legislation from Lithuania across all European Union members.

Lithuanian lawmakers adopted in November 2024 a legislation designed to limit the ability of Chinese inverter manufacturers to remotely access the country’s solar and wind power plants.

“Today, over 200GW of European PV capacity is already linked to inverters manufactured in China—the equivalent of more than 200 nuclear power plants,” said Christoph Podewils, the ESMC secretary general. “This means Europe has effectively surrendered remote control of a vast portion of its electricity infrastructure.”

This is not the first time the ESMC called for more efforts on cybersecurity. Last year it published a recommendation paper soon after the EU passed the Net Zero Industry Act.

ESMC also mentions the a report from consultancy firm DNV – and commissioned by trade association SolarPower Europe – on cybersecurity, which highlighted how an attack made on just 3GW of inverter capacity could have “significant implications” for Europe’s power grid. A report that highlights how nearly 70% of all the PV inverters installed globally in 2023 came from Chinese manufacturers.

At this year’s Intersolar Europe event, Solar Media will host a panel discussion on European manufacturing at 3:30pm on Wednesday 7 May in hall A2, booth 159. Speakers include Gaëtan Masson of the Becquerel Institute and Edd Crossland of Oxford PV. Interested attendees can register to attend the panel for free here.

2 December 2025
Málaga, Spain
Understanding PV module supply to the European market in 2026. PV ModuleTech Europe 2025 is a two-day conference that tackles these challenges directly, with an agenda that addresses all aspects of module supplier selection; product availability, technology offerings, traceability of supply-chain, factory auditing, module testing and reliability, and company bankability.
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

Sponsored
October 23, 2025
Tongwei's rooftop-focused TNC 2.0 G12R-48 module will be among the products on show at All Energy Australia next week.
October 23, 2025
Solar PV technology has maintained its leading position as the most cost-competitive power generation source in 2025, according to analyst Wood Mackenzie.
Sponsored
October 22, 2025
LONGi vice president Dennis She discusses the value logic behind the company's strategic focus on back contact technology.
Premium
October 21, 2025
PV Tech Premium spoke with academic and industry experts about the rising tide of cybersecurity concerns in Europe's solar energy sector.
October 20, 2025
Details of tariffs on US imports of polysilicon products may be announced as early as the end of this month, according to a note from investment bank Roth Capital.
October 13, 2025
Two Chinese state-owned energy enterprises have signed cooperation agreements on PV and wind power projects with Saudi companies, with the total contract value exceeding RMB30 billion (US$4.2 billion). 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany