Cogmap1/Solar Arrays
The solar arrays provide a great deal of power once properly configured. This task can be handled by the AI in the first few minutes of any given round, which is great when the Engineers have no clue how to do their job. They're also a single wire snip away from sabotage so they should not be relied on completely in lieu of the Thermo-Electric Generator.
Each Solar Array has a corresponding control computer and SMES unit. There is a pair above the kitchen, above the bridge and to the right of the escape wing. The computer is set to automatically track by default, but it can be changed to keep the arrays stationary or to rotate them by time. The sun will always be moving in relation to the station, so it's best to leave it on the default settings unless you want to babysit the arrays.
The SMES input should be set to Auto with a value no higher than the power registered on the computer. It won't charge if it is set higher than what the arrays are producing. Power will fluctuate based on the sun's position, so a lower input setting than the highest you've seen on the computer will charge more often. A setting which is very close to the computer's peak will wait longer before it starts charging, but it will charge a lot more once it kicks in. 60,000 is a conservative, safe setting if you don't want to optimize, but it won't leave much reserve power for the output to draw on if something unforeseen happens.
The SMES output should be set to Online and have a value lower than the Input in order to build up some reserve power for when the SMES is not charging. The station's power consumption is largely the same each round, but can vary if there's a lot of activity in rooms with fabricators and teleporters. Somewhere between 30,000 to 40,000 out on the Starboard and Port Solar SMES units will generally be enough. The Aft Solar SMES only powers the bridge and security, so it can be set lower.
The Aft Solar Array room also doubles as an atmospherics department. Should the air in the surrounding departments go bad for whatever reason, fresh air can be piped in from here.
Pictures
Aft Solar Array
Port Solar Array
Starboard Solar Array
