Europe cuts off funding for Chinese solar inverters

The European Commission froze funding for solar energy projects that use crucial components from Chinese companies such as Huawei, due to cybersecurity fears.

The European Union’s executive body said Monday it will limit Chinese inverters, the devices that convert solar panels’ direct current output into alternating current for long-distance transmission. The decision affects projects being funded by the European Investment Bank and other partner banks, at a time of significant new investment in alternative energy, sparked by a growing energy crisis driven by the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.

Commission officials during a Monday briefing cited the “particular urgency” of the situation, even as lawmakers consider a proposed revision to the EU Cybersecurity Act that would achieve similar aims (see: Europe Readies Law to Eject Chinese Equipment From Telecoms).

Read more at Gov Info Security