A recent discovery involving unlisted communication components in Chinese-manufactured solar inverters is reigniting concerns over foreign threats to America’s energy grid—and prompting swift calls for legislative action.
The suspicious devices, uncovered during a teardown of imported solar equipment, have drawn sharp scrutiny from officials and technologists alike. A Reuters investigation revealed that some Chinese-exported solar inverters—devices essential for converting solar-generated electricity for use on U.S. power grids—contained rogue communication modules not disclosed in product documentation.
The revelations have provoked bipartisan concern, particularly in states where renewable energy initiatives are rapidly expanding. In New Jersey, a state known for embracing green energy policies, Republican State Senator Doug Steinhardt is sounding the alarm over what he views as a pressing national security issue.
“The discovery of unauthorized communication devices in foreign-made inverters exposes a chilling vulnerability in our energy infrastructure,” Steinhardt said. “New Jersey’s leadership cannot afford to be asleep at the switch. The time to act is now.”
A former chair of the state GOP, Steinhardt is sponsoring three new bills aimed at addressing the risk. One would ban the use of technology from companies owned or controlled by foreign adversaries. Another proposal mirrors Florida’s restrictions on foreign land ownership near critical infrastructure—policies inspired by high-profile land acquisitions linked to the Chinese Communist Party, including a contentious 380,000-acre deal near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
At the heart of the issue are solar inverters, the devices that link renewable energy systems like solar panels and wind turbines to the power grid. While these systems typically include cybersecurity protections, the discovery of undocumented communication components raises concerns about potential foreign backdoor access to U.S. electrical networks.
“We can’t afford to let foreign adversaries—especially those with hostile intentions—gain access to our strategic infrastructure, whether it’s our energy systems, food supply, or defense assets,” Steinhardt emphasized.
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are echoing those concerns. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have introduced the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, a bipartisan measure designed to prevent the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from countries deemed national security risks—chiefly China.
“Our national security should not depend on components produced by hostile regimes,” Hassan said. “This bill is a practical step to protect our critical supply chains and ensure the technology used to protect Americans is secure.”
Senator Scott, a vocal critic of Chinese influence, warned that the threat extends well beyond batteries. “It’s terrifying that the Chinese Communist Party could have any level of control over our grid,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “They are a ruthless, authoritarian regime bent on undermining our national security, stealing our technology, and disrupting our economy.”
Scott also announced plans to reintroduce the Protect American Power Infrastructure Act, aimed at further restricting foreign access to U.S. energy systems.
As the United States continues its transition toward renewable energy, lawmakers are urging vigilance and decisive action to ensure that the nation’s power grid does not become a conduit for foreign exploitation. The debate underscores a growing recognition that national security now extends well beyond the battlefield—to the solar panels, batteries, and software embedded in the very systems powering American homes and businesses.
