Solar PV & Wind Step-Up Transformers — IEC 60076-16 Specs

Renewable Energy Guide

Solar PV & Wind Step-Up Transformers

Engineering specification manual for solar PV inverter step-up transformers, wind farm collector transformers, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) transformers. Built to IEC 60076-16 inverter duty standards with dual/quad LV windings and C5-M anti-corrosion protection.

Solar power generation introduces unique electrical and environmental stresses compared to traditional grid transformers. Solar step-up transformers (IEC 60076-16) must operate under continuous high ambient temperatures, process high-frequency inverter harmonics, withstand DC voltage bias, and endure severe daily thermal expansion cycles.

XinHuan solar transformers step up low voltage from central solar inverters (0.6kV, 0.69kV, 0.8kV, 1.1kV) directly to medium-voltage collector grids (11kV, 20kV, 33kV, 35kV) with maximum efficiency and minimum lifetime losses.

1. Solar PV Step-Up Transformer Technical Specification Table

Guaranteed performance parameters according to IEC 60076-16 at 50°C solar ambient rating. Available in Dyn11, Dy11y11 (Dual LV), or Dy11y11y11 (Quad LV) vector configurations.

Rated Capacity (kVA) HV Voltage (kV) LV Voltage (V) LV Winding Config No-Load Loss (W) Load Loss (W) Impedance Uk (%) Cooling Method
1000 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 600 / 690 / 800 Single or Dual LV 1,120 8,450 6.0 / 6.5 ONAN / ONAF
1600 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 600 / 690 / 800 Single or Dual LV 1,580 12,200 6.5 / 7.0 ONAN / ONAF
2000 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 600 / 690 / 800 Dual LV (Dy11y11) 1,890 14,800 7.0 / 8.0 ONAN / ONAF
2500 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 690 / 800 / 1100 Dual LV (Dy11y11) 2,280 18,100 8.0 ONAN / ONAF
3150 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 690 / 800 / 1100 Dual LV (Dy11y11) 2,760 21,900 8.0 / 9.0 ONAN / ONAF
4000 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 800 / 1100 Quad LV (Dy11y11y11) 3,450 27,200 9.0 / 10.0 ONAN / ONAF
5000 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 800 / 1100 Quad LV (Dy11y11y11) 4,180 33,500 10.0 ONAN / ONAF
6300 kVA 11 / 20 / 33 / 35 800 / 1100 Quad LV (Dy11y11y11) 5,120 41,000 10.0 / 12.0 ONAN / ONAF

2. Dual & Quad LV Winding Isolation (Inverter Duty)

Modern solar farms utilize multiple high-capacity central inverters connected to a single transformer to lower balance-of-plant (BOP) balance sheet costs.

Galvanic Isolation Between Inverters

XinHuan solar transformers feature split low-voltage windings (Dy11y11 vector group). Each LV winding is galvanically isolated from the other, preventing circulating currents between separate inverter modules and eliminating harmonic interference across solar arrays.

DC Bias & Electrostatic Shielding

PV inverters can inject slight DC offset currents into transformer windings, causing magnetic core saturation. XinHuan designs feature oversized magnetic cores with reduced flux density and grounded electrostatic copper shields between HV and LV windings to divert high-frequency switching noise.

3. Harsh Outdoor Environment & C5-M Anti-Corrosion Paint System

Solar farms are predominantly constructed in desert regions with extreme UV radiation and dust storms, or coastal saline environments with aggressive salt spray.

  • C5-M Heavy Marine Paint System: Zinc-rich epoxy primer, intermediate epoxy glass-flake coating, and UV-resistant polyurethane topcoat for 25-year corrosion protection in desert or coastal salt spray environments.
  • High Ambient Temperature Headroom (50°C / 55°C): Standard transformers are rated for 40°C ambient. XinHuan solar transformers feature custom thermal calculation models designed for 50°C to 55°C ambient temperatures without thermal derating.
  • Hermetically Sealed corrugated Oil Tank: Eliminates oil-to-air contact, preventing moisture absorption, oxidation, and oil degradation in remote un-monitored solar farm sites.

4. Integrated Solar Skid Prefabricated Package (Inverter + Transformer + RMU)

To streamline utility-scale solar farm installation, XinHuan supplies factory-assembled Solar PV Skid Substations (Containerized Power Stations):

Central PV Inverters

Pre-wired connections to 1.25MW–3.125MW central solar inverters.

IEC 60076-16 Transformer

Multi-winding step-up transformer (0.8kV -> 33kV / 35kV).

33kV Switchgear RMU

SF6 or Solid-insulated Ring Main Unit with VCB protection.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (Solar & Wind Step-Up)

Solar PV and wind step-up transformers are governed by IEC 60076-16 (Power transformers - Part 16: Transformers for wind turbine applications and solar PV inverter duty). This standard addresses DC current bias, non-sinusoidal harmonic heating, and cyclic solar thermal expansion.

Dual or quad low-voltage (LV) windings allow multiple central solar inverters (e.g., 2 x 1.25 MW or 4 x 625 kW) to connect to a single step-up transformer while maintaining galvanic isolation between inverter channels. This prevents cross-inverter circulating currents and reduces harmonic interference.

XinHuan solar transformers feature C5-M or C5-I heavy marine anti-corrosion paint, high-ambient temperature thermal design (up to 55°C ambient), UV-resistant sealing gaskets, and hermetically sealed corrugated oil tanks or conservator tanks with desiccant breathers.
solar panels on green field
Solar Plant Visual Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash

Engineering Calculators

Calculate kVA load sizing or evaluate IEC loss cost lifecycle savings for your solar project.

kVA Load Sizing Tool → IEC Loss Calculator →

Request Solar Spec & Quote

Multi-winding solar step-up transformers, compact PV skids, and fast 24h drawing delivery.

Get Solar Quote →

Quality & Compliance

Certified B2B Manufacturing & Laboratory Performance

Every transformer, compact substation, and switchgear unit is engineered under audited ISO quality management systems and type-tested according to IEC 60076 and ANSI C57 international standards.

IAF / CNAS Accredited

ISO 9001:2015 Quality System

Certified Quality Management System covering design, coil winding, vacuum drying, oil filling, and routine testing of 10kV–35kV distribution transformers.

Environmental System

ISO 14001:2015 Environmental

Environmental Management System certifying low-loss eco-designed core assemblies, zero PCB insulation oil, and environmentally safe production controls.

Occupational Health

ISO 45001:2018 Safety System

Occupational Health and Safety Management System ensuring safety containment in high-voltage testing bays and factory assembly protocols.

CNAS Lab Type Tests

IEC 60076 & GB Type Tests

Complete routine and type test records (temperature rise, impulse voltage withstand, short-circuit withstand) conducted at CNAS-accredited national research institutes.

SGS Audited Supplier

SGS Verified Manufacturer Audit

On-site factory audit certificate by SGS / Made-in-China, verifying manufacturing premises, export capacity, assembly lines, and legal qualification.

≥180 Units/Yr Export

International Delivery Certificate

Verified annual supply performance and delivery certificate for overseas power grid EPC and industrial infrastructure projects (Mozambique, Nigeria, Kenya, SEA).