Re:US is working on ban targeting Chinese energy inverters, ...
by 4d4m on Tuesday June 30, 2026 @02:44PM
(#48737410)
Where are most US based inverters manufactured? If someone is off grid or hybrid, what is the concern, outside of power-feedback into the grid? This seems more like an admission that going off-grid or hybrid is becoming attractive enough to matter. It's already not up to code to connect a non-UL listed inverter to the grid.
Real, actual concerns:
-Lack of security
-Password defaults left on device during setup
-Aluminum transformers in inverters don't last more than 4-5 years at rated wattage
Re:US is working on ban targeting Chinese energy inverters, ...
by pseudohadamard on Wednesday July 01, 2026 @07:26AM
(#48745042)
It has nothing to do with security: It's hard to push through a ban on evil radical-left solar in favour of nice clean coal, but much easier to ban the Chinese inverters that are required for the solar to work, in the name of good patriotic notional security.
Re:US is working on ban targeting Chinese energy inverters, ...
by pseudohadamard on Wednesday July 01, 2026 @07:39AM
(#48745149)
My house is currently powered from US-made inverters that have radios in them, and at least three different known remote-access mechanisms that the manufacturer can use to get in and control things. Probably some others that aren't known.
I'd actually feel a lot safer if I was running Chinese-made gear.
Re:US is working on ban targeting Chinese energy inverters, ...
by lenerdenator on Tuesday June 30, 2026 @01:17PM
(#48735937)
Would appreciate a non-paywalled source.
As for the subject... I generally don't have a problem with this. Handing over any part of your energy infrastructure to a country with a long and storied history of hacking your companies is generally not smart.
I've purchased two inverters: one is a 3000w "Energizer"-branded one, while the other is a 1200w Victron unit. The Victron's quieter on RF, from what I can tell, is designed in the Netherlands, and is made in India.
Real, actual concerns: -Lack of security -Password defaults left on device during setup -Aluminum transformers in inverters don't last more than 4-5 years at rated wattage
Normally I’d believe this administration is just knee-jerk banning because China and solar, but in this case there was an actual reason.
Was it an actual backdoor? Or an intended service config?
I'd actually feel a lot safer if I was running Chinese-made gear.
As for the subject... I generally don't have a problem with this. Handing over any part of your energy infrastructure to a country with a long and storied history of hacking your companies is generally not smart.
I've purchased two inverters: one is a 3000w "Energizer"-branded one, while the other is a 1200w Victron unit. The Victron's quieter on RF, from what I can tell, is designed in the Netherlands, and is made in India.