FCC restricts new foreign-made power inverters over national security concerns

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List, preventing new foreign-manufactured inverter models from receiving the equipment authorization required to be marketed, imported, or sold in the United States. The action, announced on July 28, 2026, is part of the federal government’s broader effort to strengthen cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure.

The decision follows national security determinations by executive branch agencies that certain foreign-produced power inverters pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. communications networks and the electric grid. The FCC said the restriction applies to new equipment authorizations only and does not affect inverter models that had already received FCC approval before the rule took effect. Existing products can continue to be imported, sold, installed, and operated.

Modern solar and battery inverters often include wireless communication features that enable remote monitoring, firmware updates, and grid management. Federal officials have expressed concerns that connected devices manufactured overseas could present cybersecurity vulnerabilities if exploited by foreign adversaries. The FCC’s action expands the agency’s Covered List, which previously included telecommunications equipment from companies deemed to pose national security risks.

The new policy affects a broad range of inverter technologies, including microinverters, string inverters, central inverters, and hybrid battery inverters equipped with wireless communications. Manufacturers seeking to introduce new foreign-produced inverter models will no longer be eligible for standard FCC equipment authorization unless they qualify under a separate approval process established by federal authorities.

Industry analysts say the immediate impact on the U.S. solar market is expected to be limited because existing inverter models remain authorized for sale. However, the policy could have longer-term implications for product innovation and supply chains, as manufacturers will eventually need to introduce next-generation inverter models that require new FCC approvals. Utility-scale solar developers may face the greatest challenges because a significant share of large-scale solar inverters currently comes from manufacturers with production facilities outside the United States. Residential solar is expected to be less affected, as much of that market is supplied by companies with established U.S. manufacturing or previously authorized product lines.

The FCC’s decision is the latest in a series of U.S. actions aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign technologies in critical infrastructure. It follows increased scrutiny of imported energy equipment and broader federal efforts to enhance cybersecurity protections for the nation’s electric grid.

Sources:

• FCC – FCC Adds Foreign-Produced Power Inverters to Covered List (Federal Communications Commission)
• Canary Media – Trump administration bans new foreign-made inverters (Canary Media)