Can a Solar Inverter Be Hacked?

Like any connected device, a solar inverter can be vulnerable to cyberattacks under certain conditions. We’ll, in this guide, highlight some of the main vulnerabilities that make solar inverters susceptible to hacking, and don’t worry, some effective security measures

Why a Solar Inverter Get Hacked

Network Connectivity

Many modern solar inverters are connected to the internet, often through Wi-Fi or Ethernet, for remote monitoring and maintenance purposes. If these inverters are not properly secured, attackers can exploit open network ports or unsecured remote access protocols to infiltrate the system.

Weak Authentication

If the inverter is set up with weak passwords or default credentials, it becomes an easy target for hackers. Many manufacturers ship devices with default usernames and passwords that users often forget to change, leaving them exposed to potential brute-force or dictionary attacks.

Firmware Vulnerabilities

Solar inverters run firmware, which is software designed to control the hardware. If the firmware has vulnerabilities (e.g., outdated encryption standards, exploitable code), attackers could exploit these flaws to take control of the device. Hackers could even install malicious firmware to manipulate the inverter’s behavior or to gain a foothold in a broader home network.

Lack of Security Patches

Manufacturers sometimes fail to update the inverter firmware regularly or release patches for known vulnerabilities, leaving devices open to known exploits. An unpatched inverter can easily become the target of an attack if a vulnerability is well documented.

Insecure Communications Protocols

Inverters often use communication protocols like Modbus or Zigbee to interact with other devices (such as energy management systems or smart meters). If these protocols are not encrypted or use weak authentication, hackers could intercept and alter communications between devices. This could lead to unauthorized control over the system or the leaking of sensitive data.

Grid-Level Attacks

On a larger scale, attackers who gain control over a significant number of inverters in a geographic area could potentially disrupt power grid stability. By synchronizing these inverters to inject power at certain times or cut power suddenly, hackers could manipulate local voltage or frequency, potentially leading to larger-scale grid issues. This could lead to regional power outages or other grid management problems.

Third-Party App Vulnerabilities

Many inverters can be monitored and controlled via third-party applications or cloud services. If these applications have vulnerabilities or the cloud services they rely on are insecure, the inverter can be compromised indirectly. Hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in mobile apps or web portals to manipulate inverter settings remotely.

What’d Follow If Solar Inverters Were Hacked

You’d expect some bad situations listed as follows:

• Manipulating the flow of electricity could destabilize grid voltage or frequency, affecting local or regional power quality.
• A hacker could take control of the inverter, turning it off or manipulating the energy production to affect a household's power supply.
• Hackers might affect net metering, leading to incorrect billing, reduced income for surplus energy, or even deliberate curtailment of power production.
• Inverters collect data about power consumption and production, which may include personal information about home usage patterns. This data can be stolen and used for nefarious purposes.

How To Protect Your Solar Inverter From Hackers

For a well-protected solar inverter from hackers, you should follow several key cybersecurity practices:

• Ensure that all default usernames and passwords are replaced with strong, unique credentials that are difficult to guess.
• Add MFA to any system accounts connected to your inverter for an additional layer of security, making unauthorized access more challenging.
• Regularly update your solar inverter’s firmware and any related software to patch vulnerabilities. Enabling automatic updates ensures your device is always running the latest version.
• Connect your inverter to a segmented network (VLAN) instead of placing it on your primary home network. This helps isolate it from other devices and minimize the potential attack surface.
• Use strong encryption for any remote monitoring and data communication, such as SSL/TLS. This will prevent unauthorized interception of sensitive data.
• Set up monitoring for unusual activity like unauthorized login attempts or unexpected configuration changes. Alerts can help you react quickly to suspicious behavior.
• Turn off remote access features or network services that are not necessary. Reducing open pathways to your device minimizes the risk of exploitation.

Final Words

Solar inverters are far away from being hacked only if we use strong passwords, enable MFA, update firmware, isolate them from the main network, and disable unnecessary features. A proactive approach, we believe, will help keep your solar power system and household energy infrastructure safe from attackers.