Dyson sphere apparently transparent

[TheUltimatus]

My dyson sphere has no impact on the solar energy available on the planets in the system. I can also have multiple layers of sphere stacked or a swarm around the sphere, and they produce the same amount as if they weren't blocked. A true dyson sphere takes in all of the solar energy, and should shadow the whole system. I feel like that is lost, and makes it feel like the sphere is just a swarm that looks different. The ratio is also pretty far off for how much power is generated, and I think for the same amount of resources, I could be generating 10x the power with just solar panels (I have artificial suns, so I am maximizing use of the sphere). Realizing that, and how slowly the sphere increases in generation capacity, makes building them feel pointless. With a completed sphere I'm generating about 2GW, and that's before the transmission efficiency kicks in. It just seems like the sphere isn't worth the cost, especially since you can't build on it or anything.

I really enjoy the game, but I feel like the eponymous structure should be more worthwhile. Perhaps further research advances in customizing the surfaces of the sphere could be input, like a research allowing you to platform the structure and build on it or just having it produce more energy. Right now, it's just a very expensive and big, TRANSPARENT, solar panel.

Does anyone have any thoughts on those improvements to the sphere or think it is good the way it is? Am I missing something about it?

[Immortall]

I completely agree!
Already wrote about this in another topic.

The Dyson Sphere does not look attractive enough in terms of energy production, given the cost of resources for it.
On the other hand, the main advantage of the Dyson Sphere is the ability to generate generation of several GW, while not taking up too much space on the planet.

Solar power plants on the planet itself, nevertheless, take up a lot of free space.

[TheUltimatus]

Originally posted by Immortall:

I completely agree!
Already wrote about this in another topic.

The Dyson Sphere does not look attractive enough in terms of energy production, given the cost of resources for it.
On the other hand, the main advantage of the Dyson Sphere is the ability to generate generation of several GW, while not taking up too much space on the planet.

Solar power plants on the planet itself, nevertheless, take up a lot of free space.

I did think that the critical photons are necessary for white matrices, but other than that, I don't really struggle for power or anything and can normally just spam wind turbines with planet sized factories.

[[TAG]Alblaka]

Two quick thoughts: Dyson Spheres, by design, do not necessarily provide full shadow. You have a layer of photovoltaic panels that absorb sunlight to provide power... but it's entirely possible that it doesn't convert 100% of the light. If you therefore minimize opaque surfaces behind the panel (aka, putting all electronics, cabling, structural elements) in between the panels, you could therefore have multiple layers of panels behind each other to create better coverage.
(Then again, you could as well just claim that a civilization able to turn themselves digital would have found a way to create a 100% effective solar panel anyways...)

Second thought: Keep in mind you build the Dyson Sphere to power a computer system of obscene scale (simulating the whole universe). Therefore, every part of the Dyson you construct actually powers THAT, and whatever is sent to you might just be left overs.

In the end though, there's gameplay considerations, too: Yes, you throw in more resources than building giant solar panel farms... buuuuuut you as well invest a lot less time building the Dyson once the automation is set up. So, gameplay wise, fair trade off.

Originally posted by jordantdobson:

I did think that the critical photons are necessary for white matrices

No other way to generate Anti-Matter, so yes, they are.

[TheUltimatus]

Originally posted by TAGAlblaka:

Two quick thoughts: Dyson Spheres, by design, do not necessarily provide full shadow. You have a layer of photovoltaic panels that absorb sunlight to provide power... but it's entirely possible that it doesn't convert 100% of the light. If you therefore minimize opaque surfaces behind the panel (aka, putting all electronics, cabling, structural elements) in between the panels, you could therefore have multiple layers of panels behind each other to create better coverage.
(Then again, you could as well just claim that a civilization able to turn themselves digital would have found a way to create a 100% effective solar panel anyways...)

Second thought: Keep in mind you build the Dyson Sphere to power a computer system of obscene scale (simulating the whole universe). Therefore, every part of the Dyson you construct actually powers THAT, and whatever is sent to you might just be left overs.

In the end though, there's gameplay considerations, too: Yes, you throw in more resources than building giant solar panel farms... buuuuuut you as well invest a lot less time building the Dyson once the automation is set up. So, gameplay wise, fair trade off.

Reading your comment, it made me feel like the sphere is more of a progress bar than an actual utility.

[Immortall]

I agree.
On the other hand, you can try to find some bonuses:

1. Nevertheless, the construction of wind and solar power plants is somewhat annoying. And they take up space. If you can do without them, why not.

2. It is possible not to create any own power plants at all on other planets in the same star system.