Brussels says internet-connected inverters could be exploited by hackers or hostile states to disrupt grids; Chinese firms supplied 61% of Europe's imported inverters in 2024.
Existing Chinese inverters can stay in use, but the move fits a wider EU push to curb reliance on Chinese clean-tech imports and boost European manufacturing despite slightly higher costs.
Is Europe's ban on Chinese inverters a necessary security move or a costly green-transition roadblock?
As Europe builds its digital wall against Chinese tech, who will ultimately pay the €368 billion bill?
How the EU's 2027 Ban on Chinese and High-Risk Solar Inverters Aims to Secure Energy Infrastructure
Overview
Starting April 2027, the EU will ban funding for solar and battery storage projects using critical components like inverters from high-risk countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This decision responds to serious cybersecurity risks linked to the EU's heavy reliance on Chinese inverters, which are vulnerable to attacks that could disrupt the power grid or cause physical damage. While the ban may cause short-term delays and slightly higher costs, it aims to diversify supply chains by promoting trusted partners and boosting European manufacturing. Ultimately, this strategy seeks to strengthen the EU's energy security and build a more resilient clean energy future amid geopolitical tensions.