From concept to deployment
Solid-state transformers (SSTs) were long a laboratory technology. They are now becoming products with shipment records. Weiguang Energy (为光能源), a Baiyun Electric subsidiary, has exceeded 100 cumulative shipments of its SiC-SSTs—a figure also stated in Infineon's technical news, providing confirmation from the device-supply side. The company has secured more than 40GW of capacity across its Kunshan and Changzhou sites. As lead times for conventional transformers lengthen from 50 to 120 weeks, the fact that the equipment intended to replace part of that chain is entering deployment matters.
What SSTs replace
An SST directly converts medium-voltage AC, the distribution voltage, to 800VDC. Conventional data-center supply uses a long chain: step down with a transformer, pass through a UPS, then convert through multiple stages inside the rack. SSTs replace the front end with power semiconductors, specifically SiC, and compress the number of conversion stages. They sit upstream of the ±400V/800V HVDC architecture led by NVIDIA; as the transition to 800VDC advances, the room for SST deployment grows.
The market is still at an early stage and remains a fraction of conventional-transformer markets. What matters, however, is that demand-side conditions—the AIDC transition to 800VDC—and technology-side conditions—higher-voltage SiC and module integration—are beginning to align at the same time. Deployment is leading, with market statistics following later.
Actual shipments and orders—Chinese suppliers move first
Chinese suppliers lead in shipments. Weiguang Energy (为光能源) officially cites more than 100 cumulative SiC-SST shipments and more than 40GW of capacity across two sites. Orders are also being reported. According to industry media, Xi'an XD Power Electronics received an order for four 13.8kV AC/800V DC SSTs for overseas data centers, while Hongjing Intelligent and Nanjing Huasu have accumulated projects across data centers, ultra-fast charging, and energy storage. Industry media also estimates that more than 32 companies had announced SST products as of July 2026.
Western majors are beginning to line up products too
Product launches by major suppliers are also becoming clear. Delta's SST is officially positioned to deliver MW-class power in only 1m² of footprint, reducing installation area by more than 50% versus conventional approaches. Eaton offers MV SST 2.0 at 2.5MW and 278kW/m², positioning direct conversion from medium voltage to low-voltage AC/DC for data centers, EV charging, and energy storage. According to media reports, Chinese industrial-equipment suppliers including Keda Intelligent, Zhdrive, and Shandong Taikai have also announced specifications such as efficiency above 98% and 10MW-class single units; demand for upstream SiC modules for SSTs, including Jingneng Micro's R2C series, is also said to be emerging.
Shipment records now exist
Weiguang Energy's SiC-SST shipments have exceeded 100 units, as also noted in Infineon technical news. It has secured more than 40GW of capacity across two sites.
Western majors are entering
Delta announced an SST with MW-class output in 1m² and more than 50% space savings. Eaton offers MV SST 2.0 at 2.5MW and 278kW/m².
The wider field is media-reported
Industry media count more than 32 companies announcing products. Orders and prototypes are reported, but only some claims can yet be confirmed in official announcements.
Business implications and points to confirm
Long transformer lead times are a major bottleneck for data-center construction, and SSTs are gaining attention as an alternative path. Points to confirm are: (1) compatibility between the intended power architecture, including whether it will move to 800VDC, and the SST; (2) operating records of candidate equipment—only a limited number of companies can confirm shipment volumes and operation through official announcements, so reported specifications must be distinguished from official information; and (3) sourcing of medium-voltage, high-capacity SiC modules—if SST demand rises, 3.3kV-class SiC supply may become a new constraint. The choice is whether to wait for transformers or replace part of the path. The latter option is beginning to appear with shipment records.