Europe fines Huawei for photovoltaic inverters
SolarPower Europe (SPE), a leading renewable energy advocacy group based in Brussels, has removed Chinese electronics giant Huawei from its membership, citing pressure from the European Commission amid an ongoing bribery investigation. Despite remaining a member of SolarPower Europe, the Chinese company agreed not to participate in the association's activities due to EU-imposed restrictions. European trade body. . Out of cybersecurity concerns, members of the European Parliament have urged the European Commission to restrict Chinese solar inverter manufacturers from accessing the EU's energy infrastructure. China is a dominant supplier of these inverters, and Huawei is its biggest player. The decision, made on April 28, 2025, marks the first time a. . [PDF Version]FAQs about Europe fines Huawei for photovoltaic inverters
Why did the US ban on Huawei inverters?
The 2019 US ban on Huawei inverters was driven by fears that adversaries could remotely disrupt critical applications like home electricity and electric vehicle charging. Although Huawei has exited the US market, other Chinese manufacturers have filled the gap, offering cost-competitive products that continue to dominate globally.
Are China-made photovoltaic inverters a cybersecurity risk?
Europe is grappling with growing concerns over the cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese-made photovoltaic inverters, prompting discussions about restricting high-risk suppliers from connecting to its power systems.
Could Huawei inverters be tampered with by remote access?
China is a dominant supplier of these inverters, and Huawei is its biggest player. Because the inverters are hooked up to the internet, security experts warn the inverters could be tampered with or shut down through remote access, potentially causing dangerous surges or drops in electricity in Europe's networks.
What is the EU 'inverter security toolbox'?
The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) has proposed an EU "Inverter Security Toolbox," modeled after the 5G security framework, to address vulnerabilities in grid-connected inverters, particularly those from Chinese manufacturers like Huawei and Sungrow.