Solar Equipment Vulnerable to Hacking

A report published in November 2018 suggests that hackers can and will target internet-connected solar equipment in their efforts to compromise the electric grid.  And, according to the report, the risk is growing due to the overall growth of the solar energy industry – in fact, the report predicts that U.S. solar capacity will double in the next 5 years.

How Solar Equipment Can be Compromised

The weak link in solar equipment is the inverter, which is the component that converts solar power into a form of energy that can be transmitted to electric utilities.  These inverters interface with utility systems over the internet, and, according to the report from Ridge Global LLC, can serve as something akin to a back door into utility systems for someone with system hacking on their mind.

Adding to this growing problem is the lack of standardized regulatory requirements.  This is an issue that applies to all types of distributed generation – whether it’s microgrids, wind, or solar equipment, there is no standard certification or requirement that raises the bar on safety and quality.

Despite the findings, some solar equipment manufacturers have refuted the report, saying that most solar sources are not connected to the internet. But this seems like a temporary reality, because everything is increasingly connected thanks to Iot technologies, and I can’t see why solar equipment would be any different.

The bottom line is that solar equipment hacking is a legitimate risk that electric utilities must be aware of, and develop plans to mitigate.  Failure to do so is like rolling the dice.