The US widened its block on new foreign-made grid inverters to cover wired connections, with a carve-out for 45X makers
The FCC added foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List on 28 July 2026. An August update extends it to grid-tied inverters with wired as well as wireless remote connectivity, and treats inverters eligible for the Section 45X credit as not foreign-produced. Previously authorised models can still be sold.
Every commercial solar array and battery talks to the grid through an inverter. In the US, which inverters can get new approvals just narrowed again.
The FCC added foreign-produced power inverters to its Covered List in a public notice dated 28 July 2026, which bars new equipment authorisations for covered devices. ESS News reported on 24 August that an update extends the listing to inverters with wired as well as wireless remote connectivity, and treats inverters eligible for the Section 45X manufacturing credit as not foreign-produced.
Models authorised before the listing can still be sold. ESS News notes the rule reaches battery power conversion systems used in commercial and industrial storage.
Analogy: the gatekeeper has stopped issuing new passes to one group of visitors. Anyone already holding a pass can still walk in.
Good: a clear US-made route through the 45X carve-out, and existing approved models stay on sale.
Bad: future models from foreign makers face a closed door. Buyers who rely on a specific brand may find newer versions unavailable.
Ugly: rules on inverters are now coming from several directions at once, and the detail moves month to month. Lock the exact model and its approval status into the contract.
Source: FCC, DA 26-786, 28 Jul 2026 - Covered List update; ESS News, 24 Aug 2026 - FCC ban updates.