In 2017 it was reported that inverters from the Chinese brand Hosola could be easily used to access homeowners’ networks. TV Drenthe covered the issue after hundreds of these inverters were installed by a housing association in Drenthe.
The type of inverter that could easily be hacked according to RTV Drenthe
What was the issue?
More and more inverters are now equipped with Wi-Fi. To configure them, they have a Wi-Fi access point. This means that when you search for available Wi-Fi networks on your smartphone, tablet, or PC, the inverter’s network will also appear.
If someone connects their PC to the inverter’s Wi-Fi network, they might be able to log into the inverter itself. Once logged in, they could potentially retrieve the Wi-Fi password and network name of the home network. With this information, they could log in to the home network and introduce malicious malware. If the inverter lacks proper separation between its access point and the home network, an intruder could directly access the home network through the inverter’s Wi-Fi.
Security
It’s important to note that the above scenario includes a lot of "ifs." Each step is only possible if proper security measures are not in place. Fortunately, high-quality inverters have strong security features.
SMA and SolarEdge
The latest generation of SMA inverters comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and a "soft access point," which allows the installer to log in and configure the settings during installation, such as country-specific settings for the Dutch grid. Once setup is complete, the inverter restricts access to the soft access point with a unique WPA2-PSK code—a 16-character key that makes it virtually impossible for hackers to gain unauthorized access.
Other Wi-Fi-enabled inverters offer different levels of security. SolarEdge inverters, for example, do not have an access point at all and can only be configured directly through the inverter’s control panel, eliminating any security risk.
Firmware Updates
Inverter manufacturers continuously monitor cybersecurity developments and improve security through firmware updates. These updates enhance protection against new threats.
If you have any concerns about the security of your inverter’s internet connection, feel free to contact our service team. We’re happy to help you keep your network safe.
