FCC Clarifies Power Inverters Subject to Import Restrictions

The Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice clarifying the scope of power inverters subject to FCC import restrictions.

The FCC’s Covered List comprises equipment and services that have been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons. Equipment and services on this list are banned from receiving new FCC equipment authorizations, which are required prior to importation, marketing, or sale in the U.S. 

Effective July 28 the FCC added power inverters to the Covered List. The FCC defined the subject items as bi-directional power devices or systems that (1) convert DC electricity to AC electricity or vice versa (including microinverters, string inverters, central inverters, and hybrid (battery-based) inverters) and (2) contain components that enable remote communication, control, sensing, data collection, or monitoring through Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, or similar connections.

The FCC is now revising that definition to (1) clarify that power inverters that contain components with wired connectivity (not just wireless) are included on the Covered List, and (2) narrow the listing to power inverters intended for use in parallel with an electric utility to supply common loads and sometimes deliver power to the utility (i.e., utility-interactive inverters).

The FCC is also removing from the Covered List foreign-produced power inverters that are eligible for certain clean energy tax credits.