FCC updates foreign power inverter ban and definitions

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented two updates to its foreign power inverter ban following input from the US Department of War.

First, the FCC revised the definition of domestically produced inverters. Power inverters that comply with Section 45X and are eligible for domestic production tax credits will now be considered domestically produced. This follows a determination by the Department of War that certain foreign-produced inverters eligible for these credits do not pose unacceptable risks to US national security or safety.

Second, the FCC updated the technical definition of a power inverter. The new guidance clarifies that inverters designed to accept components for remote communication, control, sensing, or data collection through Ethernet or similar connections pose the same risks as those with wireless connectivity, bringing them under the scope of the existing ban.