FCC bans new foreign inverter imports

The Federal Communications Commission has banned new imports of foreign-made power inverters, the devices that convert energy from solar panels or batteries into electricity your home can use. The agency added these inverters to a list of products it considers a security risk, citing concerns that foreign-made units could be remotely shut off or used to collect data without permission.

If you already have a solar or battery system installed, this doesn't change anything. The FCC says inverters already purchased, already approved, or already in operation are not affected. Older inverter models can still be imported going forward. The ban only applies to new inverter models seeking entry into the U.S. market, which will now need FCC approval before they can be imported.

For homeowners currently planning a solar or battery installation, this could eventually affect which inverter brands and models are available, since manufacturers will need to get new products approved by the FCC before they can sell them here. It's not yet clear how quickly that approval process will move or whether it will cause delays or price changes for upcoming projects. Notably, this comes several months after a Department of Energy review of Chinese-made inverters found no malicious software in the units it tested. For now, the ban is in effect, but its practical impact on inverter selection and project timelines is still unfolding.