Renewable Energy and Cyber Threats: Safeguarding Solar Power Systems

Solar energy systems play a significant role in sustainable energy production but face alarming risks due to cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This paper examines critical challenges, including encryption weaknesses, insecure authentication protocols, and insufficient intrusion detection mechanisms, with a specific focus on Operations Technology (OT) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Cyberattacks exploiting these systems can disrupt energy production, compromise data accuracy, and lead to severe environmental and economic consequences. The resilience of renewable energy infrastructure depends on proactive measures such as advanced encryption and real-time monitoring by stakeholders to address these cybersecurity risks. By securing these systems, stakeholders can safeguard the reliability and sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure, ensuring their continued growth in the face of evolving cyber threats.