A former National Security Agency analyst has raised alarms about Chinese-made solar panels containing rogue communication devices, which could be used to disrupt U.S. infrastructure. The findings were reported by Reuters, stating that these inverters have undocumented communication channels that could bypass firewalls, potentially enabling cyberattacks. Rocky Cole, the former NSA analyst, suggested that China might be inserting such hardware into American critical infrastructure to prepare for a potential conflict, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight of supply chains.
According to the sources, the undocumented communication devices, which include cellular radios, were found in batteries from multiple suppliers in China over the past nine months. This has raised concerns about the potential for these devices to be used as tools for cyber operations, especially in the event of a conflict with Taiwan or other geopolitical tensions. Cole highlighted that without strict oversight of supply chains, it becomes very difficult to certify that hardware does not contain these backdoors, which could be exploited for intelligence operations.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. issued a statement denying the allegations, asserting that China’s pursuit of development is aimed at improving the lives of its citizens and opposing the presumption of guilt under unclear facts. The embassy criticized the generalization of national security concepts and the distortion of China’s achievements in energy infrastructure. This has sparked a debate over the balance between national security and economic interests, particularly in the context of global supply chains.
The issue has also reignited discussions about the role of the United States in addressing potential threats posed by foreign technologies. With the potential for supply chain operations to be used as tools for espionage, the need for stringent regulatory frameworks and international cooperation has become increasingly apparent. As the debate continues, the implications for U.S. infrastructure security and international trade relations remain significant.