US FCC Bans Sales of Foreign-Made Power Inverters and Robots on Security Grounds
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has banned new sales of foreign-made internet-connected power inverters and mobile robots, citing national security risks to critical infrastructure and potential for espionage.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially banned the sale of new foreign-made internet-connected power inverters and mobile robots, citing significant national security risks. This decision, driven by an interagency review including national security agencies, aims to protect the U.S. electric grid from potential shutdowns and prevent foreign adversaries from conducting surveillance and espionage.
Inclusion on the FCC's "Covered List" prohibits these devices from receiving agency authorization for sale within the domestic market. While the ban applies to all foreign countries, manufacturers can seek exemptions through a "conditional approval" process, which typically requires a commitment to establish or expand manufacturing operations within the United States. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr welcomed the move, emphasizing the importance of securing critical infrastructure against evolving threats.
Power inverters, crucial components in solar energy systems, have been identified as a growing risk to grid stability. Cybersecurity experts and international governments have flagged these devices due to their potential for remote exploitation. Analysis has shown that security shortcomings in leading solar inverters could allow hackers to disrupt solar energy production and destabilize power grids. The interagency body highlighted that over 46 gigawatts of power on the U.S. grid rely on these inverters, making them a critical target.
The interagency report detailed how the increasing sophistication of inverters introduces new vulnerabilities. Malicious actors could exploit these flaws through cyberattacks or supply chain manipulation, potentially enabling foreign firms to disable inverters, exfiltrate data, or facilitate remote access and surveillance by foreign government actors. The FCC cited a U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission report that specifically mentioned internet-connected inverters as a tool for China to potentially compromise critical energy infrastructure in other nations.
While the ban is politically neutral and affects any inverter with 35% of its components by value produced in a foreign country, the context of U.S. dependency on foreign manufacturing, particularly from China, is significant. The report noted that American reliance on such products could allow Beijing to exert coercive influence, disrupt, or destabilize energy systems. This move aligns with growing global concerns about the security of supply chains for critical technologies.
Concerns about advanced robotics also played a role in the ban. The interagency determination noted that two-legged and four-legged robots could be used to collect sensitive data, enabling foreign adversaries to conduct espionage and surveil American citizens. This broader scope reflects a growing awareness of the potential misuse of advanced technologies beyond traditional IT infrastructure.
The FCC official clarified that the ban is not specifically targeting China but rather a neutral restriction based on foreign component percentages. The U.S. power inverter industry, bolstered by recent legislative incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, is now reportedly capable of meeting domestic demand, with domestic companies expressing strong support for the ban on foreign devices. This regulatory action signals a proactive approach to securing critical infrastructure against emerging technological threats.