Best way to make solar array?

[Venge]

What is teh best way to apply solar panels in terms of designing them to be adjustable so you can tune them into the sun properly? Is there a good way (or a reason) to include batteries into the array? Any suggestions on building solar arrays for a base platform would be appreciated :)
Thanks ahead of time for any help.

[Khorannus]

I found the best way to get a solar aray pointing directly at the sun is to make a two part rotor arm. (This is for a station) Extend one arm toward the direct of the sun as best as you can. Then place a rotor faceing upwards. Build another arm ontop of the rotor pad heading in the sam direction as the first. Then adjust the new arm so its pointing even closer or directly to the direction of the sun.

The arm may still need to point up or down from there. Thats when you add a rotor to either side of the arm. There you can either attach solar panels staright to the rotor pad or add a block then attach the panels. I suggest that you attach one panel each first and then adjust the panels so they rotate up or down to point directly at the sun. If you attach a whole wack load its to much wieght for the rotors and you run into trouble. Build as many as you like after adjusted and your are set. I can add photos of my set up if this is unclear.

As to adding batteries to the array I would say no reason. I would place the batteries in your station and the rotors will transfer the power from the panels and charge your batteries as needed.

[Hades]

Yep definitely 2 rotors is the way to go.

[EvilTarium]

theres a crazier option. you move the station.

you convert to ship, reorient the station, and dock it to a station block + merge block.

or when your building a station you reorient the first block in line with the sun. block rotate keeys work now.

[xx]

Station blocks snap to grid, so you cannot align a station purfectly to the sun.

[AndreasB]

Originally posted by xx:

Station blocks snap to grid, so you cannot align a station purfectly to the sun.

Yes you can, using your imagination and tools available.

[Venge]

Awesome info everyone, thanks! Not into moving the station just yet so will have a go at the double rotor setup. Makes sense now that I have read Khorannus's instructions. More or less make a rotor that points along a X-axis and then a second rotor that points along a Y- axis type thing. If I am picturing it correctly in my head that would give movement to adjust it to a fine degree.
Thanks again :)

[Maxis010]

Double Rotor is the way forward, just sit at a cockpit making small changes and watching the solar output, when you find a sweet spot lock the rotor there by setting the min and max to the same value

Oh and don't do this Multiplayer, it will be fine at first, then one day you will log in to a rotor and a half + all your panels missing

[Thomas Croft]

m8 check this one this is my world in survival im producing 60 MW power with a solar farm
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=292794776

[Darkaiser]

I agree, two rotors works best. I built a test panel to get the angle tight, then added to it. Note: A long arm of light blocks (or even just frames) with a Gyro on the end can help to steady it as the array gets bigger. I had one start occilating on me and nearly shake apart.I also like to build panels in groups of about 8-16 on a rotor set and make more sets rather than try to put 40 panels on one rotor pair. If there's a problem you tend to lose fewer panels at a time.

[Kanasterstuhl]

the best way I ever saw is this ; http://steamcommunity.com/id/MomitoriKawabashiri/myworkshopfiles/?appid=244850

[Thomas Croft]

thats pointless for a station and also take too much space so not effective. maybe for a ship but only turns vertical so total useless

[Tal Maru]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=293836179


http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=293836212
Station Based solar array
Rotated to face the sun
All pannels are at 4 lights

[AndreasB]

Wow that looks so unrealistic.
10 points for creativity
3 points for design

Originally posted by Thomas Croft:

m8 check this one this is my world in survival im producing 60 MW power with a solar farm
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=292794776

[TheSneakinSpider]

I feel that a script could be made that could use the sensor like a solar panel where if in shadow is true it will move until that is false I would like to see this but I cant code.. yet

[SpetS]

just curious, is this revamping threads from the deep cold ded space thing on purpose or what?
edit; I mean this could be just searching and not looking at the date... but... who knows...