Solar Panel Module
A Solar Panel Module produces power while exposed to space and light.
During flight, the module continuously produces 60W.
When grounded, the module acts similarly to a Solar Panel, with its power output depending on the amount of light it receives. It reaches peak production at 41667 Lux per tile[1] (or a total of 125000 Lux absorbed over the three tiles).
Unlike a Solar Panel, the module does not fully block light, but instead reduces light passing through by 10% while grounded.
Usage
In addition to using it as rocket power generation, it may also be used to supplement (and improve) existing solar power generation on the ground by connecting the rocket's battery to the existing power grid.
A tower of up to seven Solar Panel Modules may be built on top of an existing Solar Panel to increase solar power generation for the same amount of horizontal space. For 20'000 lux a setup with 7 Solar Panel Modules on top of a Solar Panel generates ~237W whereas a Solar Panel on its own would generate ~148.5W.
This setup also allows for a perpetuum mobile with a ceiling lamp.
Notes
- ↑ They are affected by their own light-reduction factor of 0.9, and are coded as 75% as efficient as normal Solar Panels. So given that normal Solar Panels reach peak production at 50000 Lux, this gives 50000 * 0.75 / 0.9.