Section
Grid Edge
Operations, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, retrofits, microgrids and grid integration. This section covers the work of keeping operating assets productive and connecting them to the network.
Study raises alarm over cybersecurity of solar PV systems
A new study by the European Commission’s Smart Energy Expert Group identifies critical cybersecurity risks in solar PV systems, including vulnerabilities in inverters and potential state-sponsored backdoors. This matters to professionals because the report highlights how internet-connected installations can cause grid imbalances and power outages, urging strict traffic controls and supply chain restrictions to ensure system security.
Italy: After Refrigerators, Will Solar Power Systems Be the Next Target?
A cyber intelligence analysis highlights that solar inverters and related OT devices share the same vulnerability profile as recently compromised industrial refrigeration units, with a demonstrated exploit achieving root access in under 30 minutes. This matters to solar and energy-storage professionals because unpatched, internet-reachable OT assets pose an immediate risk of physical damage, production loss, and potential grid instability.
Emergency Backstop Mechanism: Slamming The Brakes On Your Solar
New South Wales is set to introduce an Emergency Backstop Mechanism to manage grid security risks from uncontrolled rooftop solar generation. This development is critical for professionals as it defines new operational protocols and inverter tripping standards to maintain system stability during high solar penetration events.
Czechia: Czech grid data reveal a small share of solar connections drives most
An analysis of 156,000 solar connection applications in the Czech Republic reveals that 93 percent of low-voltage projects required no new grid investment, while a small minority drove nearly all reinforcement spending. This data helps energy professionals understand how connection costs are distributed across the grid and informs strategies for managing network reinforcement budgets.
France: Reflex: Learning New Risks to Connect More Solar Energy, Faster (2/7)
Enedis has generalized the Reflex mechanism to accelerate solar connections by offering capacity that exceeds standard substation sizing in exchange for occasional curtailment. This approach is critical for solar professionals as it addresses grid bottlenecks and provides a framework for managing the trade-off between connection speed and energy injection limits.
Brazil: Brasol warns that thefts are the main threat to the profitability of solar power plants
Brasol reports that equipment theft is the primary threat to the profitability of distributed solar assets, noting that recovery time and insurance deductibles significantly impact revenue. This highlights the critical importance of robust asset protection and operational security strategies for solar operators managing large-scale distributed portfolios.
Nearly 2,000 Hungarian solar power devices are exposed on the internet
A study by Tamás Kocsis found that 1,916 Hungarian solar devices are exposed on the open internet with critical vulnerabilities. This highlights the urgent need for operators to implement network protection and regular updates to secure operational technology.
Spain tops European list of internet-exposed solar systems: one in three located here
A study by Modat found that Spain hosts one in three of the 8,547 solar and wind systems exposed to the public internet across Europe. This highlights the critical need for operators to secure control interfaces to prevent remote shutdowns of grid-connected renewable assets.