The US government is pursuing measures to restrict imports of foreign-made power inverters, key equipment that connects solar power facilities and energy storage systems (ESS) to the power grid. The move comes amid concerns that China could disrupt the US power grid.
Reuters reported June 30, citing government sources, that "the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing regulations to ban imports of new foreign-made inverter models," and that "related measures could be announced as early as this year."
A power inverter is a device that converts direct current (DC) electricity from solar panels or batteries into alternating current (AC) electricity used in homes, factories, and power grids. China is the world's largest producer of inverters, with Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei leading the market in first and second place, expanding their share in Western markets through price cuts.
The European Commission recently decided to ban the use of Chinese inverters in energy projects funded by public financing, and the US is reported to have reviewed related policies again in response. Earlier, the US Department of Defense (War Department) also banned the procurement of solar cells, modules, and inverters manufactured by foreign entities of concern, which included Chinese companies.
