FCC Bars Foreign Networked Power Inverters From US Market
US energy, renewable and grid infrastructure operators, plus inverter importers, must immediately adjust supply chains as the FCC’s new Covered List ban blocks all foreign-produced networked power inverters from the US market.
The FCC has formally added foreign-produced networked power inverters to its Covered List of prohibited communications equipment, barring all such devices from import, sale or use in US energy and grid systems. The ban takes effect immediately for new shipments, with no grandfathering for inventory already in the US market. Affected parties may apply for a conditional approval waiver via the Department of Energy or Department of Homeland Security if they can prove no viable domestic alternative exists for their use case. Energy and renewable project developers should immediately audit current and planned inverter supply chains to identify compliant alternatives, and adjust project budgets and timelines to account for potential cost increases and lead time delays.