The FCC just banned approval of all foreign-made inverters. Here's what that means for anyone doing DIY solar right now.
Read Eric's full article with primary government sources: FCC Bans Foreign-Made Solar Inverters: DIY Solar Guide
On July 28, the FCC ruled that no new foreign-made inverter can receive FCC certification unless 65% of its component value is US-sourced. If you already own an inverter with an FCC ID, you're fine. But new models, hardware revisions, and anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular communication may never reach the US market.
We break down the actual ruling text from FCC.gov, talk about who's affected (EG4, Victron, SMA, SRNE, and every power station brand), and share our predictions for what comes next: communication-less inverters, a boom for Solar Assistant, and a possible component-based workaround via Victron's Cerbo GX.
Plus: Adam's 12000XP is finally running, Rodney drove a Tesla Model Y Performance, the Sunshine Report hits 2 megawatts, and we answer viewer questions about solar yield reporting, adding a second FlexBOSS 21, and dongle setup on the V2 12000XP.
Chapters:
- 0:00 Welcome and what's happening this week
- 2:40 Rodney test-drove a Tesla Model Y Performance
- 4:09 Adam's 12000XP is running (6000XPs are out)
- 7:14 The FCC inverter ban: how we found out
- 8:12 TL;DR: what the ruling actually says
- 10:00 65% US-made requirement and who's affected (Victron too)
- 12:30 The DJI drone ban parallel
- 15:30 Existing inverters are safe, but what about updates?
- 18:25 Chat Q: What does FCC have to do with solar?
- 19:07 The Wi-Fi dongle workaround idea
- 20:08 Reading the actual FCC ruling text
- 25:00 Wireless vs. wired: where's the line?
- 28:30 Power stations (EcoFlow, Anker) are affected too
- 29:00 We're going to RE+ 2026
- 30:00 Predictions: communication-less inverters and Solar Assistant
- 31:00 Victron's Cerbo GX loophole
- 38:48 Tangent: Flock cameras and surveillance
- 39:10 Sunshine Report: community solar production
- 45:25 Mid-show recap and podcast reminder
- 52:22 1984 and George Orwell
- 53:54 Q&A: How to read your solar yield
- 55:15 Eric shares screen: 12000XP solar yield (43.9 kWh)
- 57:17 Q: Orient Power battery settings on Mac vs PC
- 58:52 Q: Adding a second FlexBOSS 21 and dongle setup
- 1:01:12 What's coming up next
- 1:02:08 Adam: Starlink 1-year review, FCC video, EV side-by-side 90 days
- 1:04:50 Rodney: Bluetti charge controller testing
- 1:05:31 Sign-off
Watch us live every Thursday at 8 Eastern on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unpluggedsolar
Watch and follow the Unplugged crew:
Want to share your own solar setup? Send pictures to live@unplugged.solar with the subject "Unplugged".
Affiliate links:
Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, Unplugged may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Safety note: DIY solar, batteries, transfer switches, generator interlocks, inverters, and backup-power wiring can involve dangerous voltages, fire risk, fuel/CO risk, and code requirements. Consult qualified professionals and follow local code.
