The Power Electronics MV Skid Compact is a skid-mounted medium-voltage station that couples a HEMK central inverter with its step-up transformer and a medium-voltage switchgear with a breaker, with no building or container. The Twin Skid Compact does the same with two HEMK units. The GEN3 generation is ordered by reference, such as MVS05260H040 or MVT08780H031, where the suffix indicates the medium voltage, from 20 to 36 kV. The transformer comes with a pressure, temperature and gas relay, and the datasheet states IEC 62271-212.
What it is and where it is used
Power Electronics, a Spanish manufacturer headquartered in Llíria (Valencia), offers its HEMK central inverters integrated into medium-voltage transformer stations called MV Skid Compact (one inverter) and Twin Skid Compact (two inverters). The manufacturer presents them as a turnkey solution for medium and large photovoltaic plants.
It is the central inverter architecture inside the station, but the concept differs from a container. The step-up transformer, the medium-voltage switchgear and the inverter are mounted on an outdoor metal skid, coupled to each other: the medium-voltage bridge between the transformer and the switchgear arrives pre-wired from the factory. That is why the standard the datasheet states is IEC 62271-212 (compact assemblies for distribution substations) and not IEC 62271-202 for prefabricated substations with an enclosure; the guide to the compact medium-voltage substation explains the difference. The station delivers to the collector network, which ends at the plant’s step-up substation.
Variants: MV Skid Compact and Twin Skid Compact (GEN3)
| Reference | Application | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| MVS05030Hxxx | MV Skid Compact, one HEMK | 5030 kVA at 30 °C; LV 660 V; 20 to 36 kV |
| MVS05240Hxxx | MV Skid Compact, one HEMK | 5240 kVA at 30 °C; LV 660 V (20–22 kV) or 690 V |
| MVS05260Hxxx | MV Skid Compact, one HEMK | 5260 kVA at 30 °C; LV 690 V; 20 to 36 kV |
| MVT05730Hxxx | Twin Skid Compact, two HEMK | 5730 kVA at 40 °C; LV 600 V |
| MVT06300Hxxx / MVT08400Hxxx | Twin Skid Compact | 6300 and 8400 kVA at 40 °C; LV 660 V |
| MVT08780Hxxx | Twin Skid Compact | 8780 kVA at 40 °C; LV 690 V; 50 or 60 Hz; up to 34.5 kV (H031) |
The voltage suffix is the same in both families: H100 = 20 kV, H080 = 22 kV, H050 = 30 kV, H040 = 33 kV, H020 = 35 kV, H010 = 36 kV and, in the Twin, H031 = 34.5 kV. On the product page, Power Electronics states for the MV Skid Compact a range of 1910 to 5260 kVA and 6.6 to 36 kV, so configurations outside these tables exist.
Main features
According to the datasheets of the MV Skid Compact (V 2.0.2) and the Twin Skid Compact (V 1.1.3):
- Transformer: ONAN cooling (KNAN optional), Dy11y11 vector group, losses according to IEC (Tier 2 optional) and IP54 degree of protection. Oil retention pit in galvanized steel with a hydrocarbon filter as an option.
- Transformer’s own protection: protection relay for pressure, temperature (two levels) and gas or dielectric level, plus PT100 probes.
- Medium-voltage switchgear: double-line (2L) configuration plus protection with a breaker (V) for the transformer. Short-circuit rating of 16 kA 1 s (20 kA 1 s, 20 kA 3 s or 25 kA 1 s as an option). Internal arc IAC A-FLR 16 kA 1 s (20 or 25 kA as an option). SF6-free version available as an option.
- Insulation: impulse withstand voltage of 125, 170 or 185 kV depending on the collector voltage.
- Auxiliary services: low-voltage cabinet for the user and a 3 kVA UPS as options; interlock system and fire suppression for the oil pit as options.
- Environment: from −25 °C to 60 °C, with derating above 30 °C (MV Skid) or 40 °C (Twin); up to 1000 m (optionally up to 4000 m).
- Stated standards: IEC 62271-212, IEC 62271-200, IEC 60076 and IEC 61439-1.
One data point to review in the project: most of the references in these datasheets are given at 50 Hz, and the 60 Hz one appears in the Twin MVT08780. For each project, the frequency and the collector voltage are confirmed with the manufacturer when ordering the equipment.
Protection of the transformer switchgear
The switchgear breaker (V) receives the trip from the station overcurrent relay and from the transformer’s own protections. The relay functions are not detailed in the datasheet: they are defined in the project, normally with phase and ground overcurrent coordinated with the collector network feeder. Anti-islanding and the utility’s requirements remain at the plant’s point of connection.
The compact distribution assembly is explained in compact assembly CEADS, with its enclosure classes by temperature rise from 5 to 30 K.
Communications and integration
Skid supervision is done through the HEMK inverter and the plant control system. Power Electronics offers its PPC PRO software for plant control and supervision, which distributes the setpoints. If SCADA must command the switchgear breaker, the project has to provide for motorization and signals.
What is checked at commissioning
In general terms: inspection of the skid and its grounding. Transformer tests. Verification that the pressure, temperature and gas relay trips the switchgear breaker. Secondary injection to the switchgear relay. Interlocks and, if applicable, gas pressure. Auxiliary services. Communications. Energization from the collector network and start-up of the HEMK.
Frequently asked technical questions
- Dimensions: they depend on the reference and the options (oil pit, user cabinet); they are taken from the manufacturer’s drawing for each order.
- SF6 or SF6-free: the SF6-free switchgear is an order option; it changes the gas monitoring, not the function of the switchgear.
- GEN3: it is the current generation of the HEMK and its skids in the 2026 datasheets.
How we can help
At Tiza Group we carry out the testing and commissioning of medium-voltage stations and of the complete plant: transformer and its pressure, temperature and gas relay, switchgear and relay, communications and energization, in Colombia or elsewhere on request. See the scope in solar plant testing and commissioning. For the coordination of the switchgear relay and the engineering, see engineering design and studies. To request a quotation, write to us through contact.
Related guides
- Solar transformer station (skid): what it is and its parts
- Central or string inverter in solar plants: architecture
- Compact medium-voltage substation
- Step-up substation of a solar plant
- Solar plant commissioning tests
- Ingeteam INGECON SUN FSK C Series: solar power station
- Compact assembly for distribution substations (CEADS)
References
- Power Electronics, MV Skid Compact GEN3 datasheet (V 2.0.2, 2026).
- Power Electronics, Twin Skid Compact GEN3 datasheet (V 1.1.3, 2026).
- Power Electronics, MV Skid Compact product page.
- IEC 62271-212, compact equipment assemblies for distribution substations.
- IEC 62271-200, AC metal-enclosed switchgear and controlgear.
- IEC 60076, power transformers.
Frequently asked questions
What does the reference MVS05260H040 of the MV Skid Compact mean?
In the Power Electronics datasheets, MVS identifies the MV Skid Compact and the number is the power (05260 = 5260 kVA at 30 °C). The H suffix indicates the medium voltage: H100 = 20 kV, H080 = 22 kV, H050 = 30 kV, H040 = 33 kV, H020 = 35 kV and H010 = 36 kV. In the Twin Skid Compact (MVT), H031 corresponds to 34.5 kV.
Does the MV Skid Compact use IEC 62271-202 or IEC 62271-212?
The GEN3 datasheet states IEC 62271-212, the standard for compact equipment assemblies for distribution substations, together with IEC 62271-200, IEC 60076 and IEC 61439-1. It is different from IEC 62271-202, which covers prefabricated substations with an enclosure; the skid is an outdoor assembly with no common enclosure.
What protection does the Power Electronics MV Skid transformer have?
The datasheet states a protection relay for pressure, two-level temperature and gas or dielectric level, plus PT100 probes. The medium-voltage switchgear is a double-line (2L) type with a breaker (V) for the transformer. The switchgear relay and its settings are defined by the protection study of the project.