Solar Panel (Subnautica)
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Energy |
| Tab | Exterior Modules |
| Description | Powers habitat oxygen generation and other modules. Converts available sunlight into low power electrical energy. |
| Debug Spawn | solarpanel |
The Solar Panel is a generator crafted with the Habitat Builder that converts sunlight into Energy. It is the only power generator available by default and is best used on Seabases close to the surface, being relatively ineffective in deeper biomes. It will not convert the bioluminescence of deep sea life forms to energy, even one as large and bright as the Giant Cove Tree.
It is constructed with the Habitat Builder and can be placed on any surface at any angle. It can also be damaged and destroyed by striking it with the Survival Knife three times.
One solar panel is enough to power a Seabase with basic energy needs. More solar panels or another kind of generator is required to power other equipment, such as the Water Filtration Machine and Moonpool.
A Solar Panel can transfer power up to 20 meters to a Seabase or Power Transmitter only with a direct line of sight. It can store up to 75 energy.
Energy Collection Rate
Day and Night cycle
Subnautica simulates a day and night cycle. Twenty-four hours in-game correspond to about 20 minutes of real time.
During the day the Solar Panel receives the most sunlight and charges the most. During the evening it decreases in charge since it receives less light as the sun goes down. At midnight there is no charge at all. However, since the Solar Panel stores energy, it has some ability to maintain power at night.
Depth
Solar Panel efficiency decreases with depth, at a rate that is dependent on biome.
Recipe
The Solar Panel is crafted using the Habitat Builder.
- 2x Quartz
- 2x Titanium
- 1x Copper Ore
Data Bank Entry
Solar power is the most prevalent power source in the galaxy, and so it is no accident that the standard solar panel is the default means of powering a habitat. A power source is a requirement of habitat oxygen generators and other onboard modules.
- Provides limited power for small outposts and survival habitats
- May be mounted on or near the habitat itself, or placed remotely and connected via power transmitters
- Power rate relative to sunlight exposure
Gallery
Front of the Solar Panel
The back of the Solar Panel
Solar Panels connected to a Seabase
Model from Sketchfab
Trivia
- The player used to be able to place Solar Panels on top of the Cyclops. This was removed to encourage the player to go deeper.
