Cybersecurity of PV plants

This is a set of technical and organisational measures that protect the operation of photovoltaic power plants (PV plants) as digitally controlled energy systems.

A PV plant is not just a source of electricity. It is a complex technology connected to the grid, cloud monitoring and remote management. Its key component is the inverter, which acts as the central communication hub linking the different parts of the system and can also be an entry point for cyber threats. Every such connection increases the attack surface and makes securing the whole solution more demanding.

Cyberattacks on PV plants threaten individual sites and entire energy systems

In the energy sector, this is a significant risk. Coordinated attacks on a large number of installations can affect individual sites and the stability of the energy system as a whole. Real life incidents in Europe show that vulnerabilities in the communication infrastructure between generators and the distribution grid can put energy supply at risk on a large scale. PV plant cybersecurity therefore responds to the digitalisation and decentralisation of the energy sector, as well as to stricter legal requirements (such as NIS2 and the new Czech Cybersecurity Act).

Cybersecurity must be considered from the planning stage

The solution is based on designing a secure system architecture, managing access and controlling data flows. The basis is keeping connections to the minimum necessary and separating the PV plant from other systems. Standard practice is to use wired connections, to disable wireless service interfaces outside maintenance periods and to consistently manage identities and access rights.

Cybersecurity also covers how data and cloud services are handled, for example defining how data is stored and how transmission is secured (encryption, VPN). Regular firmware updates are also important, as is checking suppliers’ security standards, including their certifications and how transparently they handle data.

Typical technical features include unique login credentials for each device, auditable remote access, communication logging and the option to disconnect completely from the internet while keeping local monitoring. Modern installations also use specialised solutions that analyse network traffic in real time on site and filter suspicious communication without sending data to the cloud.

For the operator or investor, it is essential to address cybersecurity from the design and project brief stage, and to reflect these requirements in the choice of technology and suppliers. Risk analysis, supply chain management and building security requirements into contracts all play an important role. In practice, this means, for example, limiting the use of technologies of unclear origin or with a risk of data being transferred outside the EU, or setting up control mechanisms during operation.

Limitations of the Innovation

The main limitations and barriers include the greater complexity of the solution and the need to combine energy and IT expertise. A significant risk is reliance on cheaper but less secure solutions, which may have weaknesses in remote management or data transmission.

The economic limitation is the additional cost of security, monitoring and system management. These costs, however, help prevent far greater losses from a cyber incident, which could cause an outage, loss of control over the technology or a data leak. To use this innovation effectively, security requirements must therefore be built in from the start of the project and managed systematically throughout the PV plant’s life cycle.

Prepared by ICOK, 2026