| Solar Panel | |
|---|---|
| |
| Category: | Energy Source |
| Status: | Functional |
| Function: | |
| Uses sunlight to produce energy | |
| Fits small ship | |
| Mass: | 52.2 kg |
| Power: | 40 kW |
| Fits large ship and station | |
| Mass: | 471.4 kg |
| Power: | 160 kW |
| Data Controls: | [edit] [purge] (?) |
The 
Solar Panel uses natural sunlight to produce power. They are a cheap source of power in space and in daylight on planets/moons, at the cost of being unwieldy and fragile.
Solar Panels appear on some Pre-Built Ships, most prominently the commercial types which are generated with large solar arrays at the fore. For a shape variant, see Colorable Solar Panel.
Requirements[]
In order for a solar panel to produce energy, its surface must be exposed to direct sunlight. Solar Panels produce energy depending upon the angle of exposure to the sun, and (in atmosphere) also depending upon the weather. The current efficiency of the panel is indicated by a series of green bars at the side of each panel. When all of the bars are lit, the panel is at or very near the maximum efficient position of a 90 degree angle.
Objects can block sunlight from reaching the panel. The shadow of ships and asteroids can potentially render the panels useless, while glass panels will only partially reduce solar exposure.
Power Production[]
The power grid gives priority to use of solar power, therefore any reactors on the same ship or station can remain active, but will only consume uranium once the power draw exceeds the capacity of both the solar panels and the discharging Batteries.
A Solar Panel attached to a large ship produces a maximum of 160 kW when aimed directly at the sun. The small ship version can reach only 40 kW. The maximum output listed in the control panel indicates its potential output at the current angle, as it takes a short time for them to warm up.
One Solar Panel with full production will produce enough energy to supply a Medical Room, meaning that you are theoretically independent from uranium in order to survive. One Assembler, one Refinery and one Gravity Generator will use up to 1,687.13 Kw of energy, requiring 11 Solar Panels to use all 3 with a maximum production of 160 kW per panel.
Status Lights[]
- Red: The Solar Panel is turned off or damaged.
- Yellow: The block is turned on, but there is no sunlight
- Green: There is sunlight, it's producing power, the intensity is represented by 1 to 4 green lights
Tips[]
Solar panels can transfer power through mechanical blocks such as hinges, rotors, and pistons. This means you can build foldable or retractable solar arrays in case you need to protect them during a fight or meteor storm. It is also a good idea to build solar arrays on rotors (and/or hinges) that slowly rotate 360 degrees in one in-game day (2 real-life hours using the default World Settings) such that the panels always face the sun. This can be up manually or with scripts, but you can also use a 
Custom Turret Controller configured to track the sun.
On planets and moons, the sun will always get blocked by the ground for half of the day cycle, which will prevent solar panels from generating any power. If you are relying on solar power, make sure to build enough 
batteries to last the night, and enough solar panels to charge the batteries during the day.
Recipe[]
| Solar Panel | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component | Large Ship/Station Required | Large Ship/Station Optional | Small Ship Required | Small Ship Optional |
 Bulletproof Glass | — | 4 | — | 1 |
 Solar Cell | 32 | — | 8 | — |
 Computer | 4 | — | 1 | — |
 Girder | 12 | — | 4 | — |
 Construction Comp. | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
 Steel Plate | 4 | — | 2 | — |
Gallery[]
