Govt Tightens Solar Inverter Rules Amid China Cyber Fears

28 Jul 2025 CW Team

According to the official notification, the integration of 10 million rooftop solar systems under the scheme introduces significant challenges related to grid stability and cybersecurity. The ministry warned that inverter communication modules transmitting data to servers outside India pose risks of unauthorised control and could compromise national energy sovereignty by exposing sensitive power consumption and generation data.

“All OEMs enlisted for supplying inverters under the PM Surya Ghar scheme shall mandatorily connect their inverters directly to national servers and software managed by the ministry or any designated agency, with effect from the date to be notified,” the directive stated.

Inverters play a critical role in solar power systems by converting direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) usable by homes and businesses. They also support grid interaction, enabling the return of surplus power to the main grid.

The ministry has conducted multiple consultations with stakeholders to create a robust framework for tracking solar generation benefits. These discussions have focused on centralising rooftop solar data on a government-hosted national software platform located in India to monitor millions of inverters and safeguard grid reliability.

Additionally, the government has mandated that all inverter communication devices, including dongles and data loggers, must use machine-to-machine (M2M) SIM-based communication protocols to ensure secure and reliable data transmission.

The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, aims to install rooftop solar systems on 10 million homes and add 30 GW of solar capacity. As of 15 July, over 1.545 million households have been covered under the scheme.

The directive follows the discovery of undocumented communication components inside some Chinese-manufactured inverters in May, which triggered national security concerns.

In recent years, the government has taken several measures to reduce dependence on Chinese imports in the renewable energy sector. These include raising import duties on solar modules and cells and launching incentive schemes to boost domestic manufacturing.

Amid rising cybersecurity concerns linked to Chinese-origin components, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has made it mandatory for all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) supplying inverters under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to connect their devices directly to national servers and software platforms managed by the ministry or an authorised agency. The implementation date will be notified separately.According to the official notification, the integration of 10 million rooftop solar systems under the scheme introduces significant challenges related to grid stability and cybersecurity. The ministry warned that inverter communication modules transmitting data to servers outside India pose risks of unauthorised control and could compromise national energy sovereignty by exposing sensitive power consumption and generation data.“All OEMs enlisted for supplying inverters under the PM Surya Ghar scheme shall mandatorily connect their inverters directly to national servers and software managed by the ministry or any designated agency, with effect from the date to be notified,” the directive stated.Inverters play a critical role in solar power systems by converting direct current (DC) generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) usable by homes and businesses. They also support grid interaction, enabling the return of surplus power to the main grid.The ministry has conducted multiple consultations with stakeholders to create a robust framework for tracking solar generation benefits. These discussions have focused on centralising rooftop solar data on a government-hosted national software platform located in India to monitor millions of inverters and safeguard grid reliability.Additionally, the government has mandated that all inverter communication devices, including dongles and data loggers, must use machine-to-machine (M2M) SIM-based communication protocols to ensure secure and reliable data transmission.The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024, aims to install rooftop solar systems on 10 million homes and add 30 GW of solar capacity. As of 15 July, over 1.545 million households have been covered under the scheme.The directive follows the discovery of undocumented communication components inside some Chinese-manufactured inverters in May, which triggered national security concerns.In recent years, the government has taken several measures to reduce dependence on Chinese imports in the renewable energy sector. These include raising import duties on solar modules and cells and launching incentive schemes to boost domestic manufacturing.

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

RVNL secures Rs 1.65 billion railway bridge project from North Eastern Railway

Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from North Eastern Railway for a Rs 1.65 billion railway infrastructure project, strengthening its order book and showcasing its expertise in complex railway construction.The project involves constructing the substructure of a major railway bridge over the Gandak River, located between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations. This is part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section, aimed at improving line capacity and operational efficiency.The bridge will feature 14 spans of 61 metres each, built on double D-t..

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

Raebareli’s Modern Coach Factory rolls out 15,000th railway coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the rollout of its 15,000th railway coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said.In a press note, the ministry said that MCF has already produced 1,310 coaches in the current financial year 2025–26, reflecting sustained high output at one of Indian Railways’ most advanced passenger coach manufacturing units.Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli district, MCF was built at a cost of Rs 31.92 billion with an initial annual production capacity of 1,000 coaches. The factor..

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

RailTel wins Rs 260.88 million IT infrastructure order from VOC Port

Navratna public sector undertaking RailTel Corporation of India has secured an IT infrastructure order worth Rs 260.88 million from V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), strengthening its presence in port-led digital transformation projects.According to an exchange filing dated December 16, 2025, RailTel has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from VOC Port Authority for the implementation of advanced IT infrastructure at the port. The project is domestic in nature and is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2026.The company said the order has been awarded in the normal course of ..