Updates & insights from the field

News on projects, products and developments at REFU – based on real-world applications and everyday use.

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APRIL 2026

EU excludes high-risk inverters from funding

The European Commission is tightening the rules for energy projects.
Inverters from high-risk countries will be excluded from funding going forward.

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APRIL 2026

Secure PV infrastructure starts with control

Power without control is a risk.
With REFU, you can manage, monitor and secure your PV systems centrally – from power control to data sovereignty.

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MARCH 2026

NIS2 and PV systems: New requirements for system control

With the NIS2 directive, requirements for PV system operators are increasing – especially in monitoring and system control.

MARCH 2026

Optimized PV systems start with the right planning

A well-founded system design determines performance, efficiency and long-term operational reliability.

APRIL 2026

EU excludes high-risk inverters from funding

The European Commission has decided to exclude inverters from so-called high-risk countries from EU funding.
The regulation applies immediately to new projects and particularly affects funded energy infrastructure across Europe.

For project developers and operators, this marks a clear shift:
The selection of security-critical components is becoming increasingly important – alongside origin, transparency and regulatory compliance.

REFU Elektronik views this decision as an important step towards strengthening Europe’s energy infrastructure and a clear direction for future market requirements.

APRIL 2026

Why Europe is rethinking inverters

The EU is sharpening its focus on critical energy infrastructure.
A recent report by Der Spiegel shows that funding programs for inverters are being reassessed – particularly in the context of dependencies and system security.

This marks a fundamental shift in the role of inverters.

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Why many PV systems can pose a security risk

The report makes one thing clear: inverters are no longer just hardware – they are part of a connected infrastructure.
And this is exactly where the risk lies.

 

Modern PV systems are:

  • digitally controllable
  • integrated into grid structures
  • accessible via interfaces
  • part of critical energy infrastructure

 

This creates a new attack surface – not through the system itself, but through a lack of control over it.

When energy infrastructure becomes an attack surface

Concerns about cyberattacks are not theoretical.
They result from the system architecture itself:

  • centralized control of power output
  • access via communication interfaces
  • integration into higher-level systems
  • dependency on external technologies

If these components are not fully controlled, a structural risk emerges.

For operators, this means: not just generating energy, but securing systems.

The real issue: lack of system transparency

Many existing systems operate technically without issues.

However:

  • data flows are not fully traceable
  • control logic is not transparent
  • access rights are difficult to verify
  • system boundaries are not clearly defined

 

This creates a black box within critical infrastructure – and this is increasingly being questioned in the current political context.

Why control is now critical

The decision at EU level shows a clear direction: security is becoming a prerequisite.

For operators, this means:

  • full control over power regulation
  • transparent communication structures
  • clear data sovereignty
  • integration into secure system architectures

Control is no longer optional. It is the foundation for operation.

A new benchmark for technology

The market is changing. No longer decisive on its own:

  • efficiency
  • price
  • availability

 

Instead:

  • system control
  • security architecture
  • regulatory compliance
  • independence

 

Technology is becoming a strategic decision.

MARCH 2026

NIS2 and PV systems: New requirements for monitoring and system control

With the NIS2 directive, requirements for operators of energy infrastructure are increasing significantly.
PV systems, especially in the utility sector, are now more strongly in focus of regulatory responsibility.

Existing monitoring structures are reaching their limits

Monitoring, access control and data security are becoming essential for safe system operation.


However, many existing PV systems still rely on legacy structures:

  • separated systems
  • paid legacy portals
  • limited access management
  • lack of transparency in system access

 

This not only complicates operations but also becomes a risk in the context of new regulatory requirements.

Why NIS2 matters for PV operators

With NIS2, requirements are increasing for:

  • traceable system access
  • clear role and rights management
  • secure communication structures
  • transparent monitoring systems

Monitoring is no longer an add-on – it becomes a central component of critical infrastructure.

Modern system architecture as a foundation

A future-proof PV infrastructure requires a clear system architecture:

  • centralized control and monitoring
  • secure communication between components
  • integrated monitoring and control systems

REFUlink acts as the interface between inverters, grid requirements and monitoring.

Central integration and transparent system control

With REFUlink and REFUview, systems can be:

  • centrally monitored and controlled
  • seamlessly integrated into existing systems
  • fully documented and traceable

REFUview is hosted on European servers and supports GDPR-compliant data processing.

This creates a secure and controllable system environment.

Review your system’s monitoring structure

Many existing systems can be upgraded to a modern monitoring and communication structure with manageable effort.

MARCH 2026

Optimized PV systems start with the right planning

Planning plays a decisive role in the long-term performance of a PV system.
Key decisions are made early – from system design to later operation.

Why many PV systems fail to reach their full potential

Many systems do not achieve the desired performance because critical aspects are considered too late:

 

  • system design not optimally aligned
  • inverters incorrectly sized
  • monitoring and control integrated too late

 

Mistakes in the planning phase directly impact operation and profitability.

Planning as the foundation for stable and efficient systems

A well-structured system design considers early on:

  • inverter sizing
  • system architecture
  • monitoring and communication structures
  • grid requirements and control concepts

 

This ensures a stable and scalable system from the very beginning.

Simulation and structured system design

Simulations make it possible to realistically model and evaluate future system behavior.

This enables:

  • early identification of optimization potential
  • avoidance of typical planning errors
  • better sizing of all components

 

Planning becomes a key lever for performance and efficiency.

Higher efficiency and long-term operational reliability

A well-founded system design ensures:

  • higher system performance
  • improved cost-efficiency
  • reduced adjustments during operation
  • greater planning reliability

 

The result is a stable, efficient and future-proof PV system.

Set up your project right from the start

A well-planned system is the foundation for the long-term success of your PV project.