Smart Technology

Smart home systems can talk to solar inverters, home batteries, and EV chargers over your home Wi-Fi network, allowing them to share data and coordinate — for example, charging your car or running appliances when your solar panels are producing the most power. This connectivity is what makes a "smart" clean energy setup possible, but it also means these devices are now part of your home network and need to be treated with the same care as any other connected device.

Any device connected to the internet can be a potential entry point if it isn't set up securely — this includes thermostats, solar monitoring apps, and battery systems, not just cameras and locks. The risk isn't the technology itself, but how it's configured. A smart thermostat with a weak or default password is far more vulnerable than one set up with basic security practices in mind.

It's not strictly necessary, but many security-conscious households set up a separate Wi-Fi network (sometimes called a guest or IoT network) just for smart devices. This way, if one device is compromised, it's harder for an attacker to reach your main computers, phones, or personal files.

Look for devices that support regular software updates, use encrypted connections (usually indicated by the manufacturer), and let you set a strong, unique password rather than relying on a factory default. Reputable manufacturers will also be transparent about how your energy usage data is collected and stored.

It's possible, though rare for individual households, and it usually depends on how the device was set up rather than a flaw in the technology itself. Devices left with default passwords, outdated firmware, or unnecessary remote access enabled are the most common targets — which is why basic security habits matter more than most people realize.

Three habits go a long way: change default passwords on every device, keep firmware and apps updated, and only give devices the permissions they actually need. These three steps address the majority of real-world smart home security issues without requiring any technical expertise.