The FCC seeks to ban Chinese inverters over grid disruptions concerns

The Federal Communications Commission is drafting a rule to prohibit the imports of Chinese-made solar and battery inverters over possible risks to the U.S. power grid. 

The rule, which could be published as early as this year, would apply to new foreign models of inverters, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Inverters are devices used to convert power produced by solar panels or stored in batteries into electricity for homes or businesses. 

China is the global producer of inverters, led by companies Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei. Many have raised national security concerns about China’s dominance in the technology, manufacturing, and critical mineral sectors. 

It was reported last year that U.S. experts discovered rogue communication devices inside Chinese solar power inverters after taking apart grid-connected equipment to check for security issues. 

China has also used its dominance in the mineral sector as leverage against the West. Beijing issued a series of export controls last year on rare earths, which are essential for manufacturing technology applications in defense and energy sectors. 

The Trump administration previously considered banning Chinese inverters. The White House National Energy Dominance Council last summer instructed the Commerce Department to draft an expedited ban, but the efforts were stalled, Reuters said, citing sources. 

The administration’s efforts were revived in part because of the European Commission issuing a ban in May on Chinese inverters for publicly funded energy projects. In 2024, nearly 24% of inverters imported into the U.S. came from China, according to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. 

The Department of War is prohibited from using solar photovoltaic cells, modules, or inverters manufactured by a foreign entity of concern, including Chinese companies.