**How Distributed Solar Can Help Extend the Life of Aging Distribution Transformers**
When it comes to the infrastructure powering our homes and businesses, distribution transformers play a crucial role. These devices step down the high-voltage electricity traveling through utility lines to the lower voltages used in homes and commercial buildings. However, many of these transformers in the U.S. are aging, with an estimated half of the country’s 60 to 80 million units being over 33 years old. As energy demand rises and electrification advances, the strain on these transformers could accelerate failures. This is where distributed solar comes in—not only as a sustainable energy solution but as a potential lifesaver for the electrical grid.
### Why Distribution Transformers Are Under Pressure
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) paints a clear picture: aging transformers, coupled with increasing thermal loads, are nearing their limits. Electrification of transportation, heating, and even the rise of data centers all contribute to this growing stress. Additionally, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, further taxing these critical components of the grid.
Despite this, assessing the actual stress levels on distribution transformers is a complex process. Data from utilities varies widely, with some reporting an average loading of 80% while others report peak loading
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/01/07/half-of-distribution-transformers-are-approaching-end-of-life/
