Build Solar Array

Solar Array

The Solar Array makes energy from sunlight. PV Modules connected to a Solar Array Controller form one array of any shape; only modules with open sky produce. It needs no fuel and no maintenance and is a good first source of steady daytime power.

• Output: 6 E/t per PV Module in full sun (solarModuleOutput, times generatorOutputMultiplier).
• Sun: follows the vanilla sky brightness: full at clear noon, less in the morning, evening and in rain or thunder, nothing at night. Dimensions without sky light give nothing.
• Open sky: a module counts only if the sky above it is free. The controller checks this when the array forms and every 200 ticks.
• Buffer: 200,000 E. The controller pushes energy into all six neighbors; cables can also pull it from any side.

The example below is a Solar Array Controller at the edge of a 5 x 4 field of PV Modules: 20 modules, 120 E/t at clear noon.

Rules

• Shape: any shape. Every PV Module that touches the controller or another module of the array face to face belongs to it.
• Limits: at most 256 modules (maxSolarModules), all within 32 blocks of the controller on every axis.
• Ports: none. Energy leaves directly from the controller block.
• No casing, no walls.
• Required: at least 1 PV Module.

Running it

Place the controller, lay modules next to it and connect a cable to the controller. The array has no buttons. Its screen shows the status, energy, PV modules, how many are under open sky, sunlight, output and peak output.

• Keep the field free of overhangs: a module under a roof or overhang produces nothing.
• A Capacitor Bank, Battery Hall or Energy Cell behind the array carries the night.
• Modules connect through each other, so one controller serves a large field; only face contact counts.
• The array has no incidents.

CC: Tweaked: readings powerOutput(), energyStored(). No commands.

Common error messages

Message	What to do
Missing parts: solar_panel	Place at least one PV Module touching the controller.
Too many modules (limit (limit)) near (position)	Use fewer modules per controller or raise maxSolarModules; split a big field into several arrays.
Part of the structure is not loaded (position)	Load the chunks of the whole array.

Step by step

The example below is 6 wide, 1 high and 4 deep. The example forms as shown (checked in the game when the pictures were taken).

All parts of the example:

	Key	Block	Count
	B	PV Module	20
	A	Solar Array Controller	1

Step 1: Controller

Parts in this step: Solar Array Controller (A) ×1

Step 2: Modules next to each other

Parts in this step: PV Module (B) ×20

Finished