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.

Solar array locations

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.

• 

  Aft Solar Array

• 

  Port Solar Array

• 

  Starboard Solar Array

Solar Panel Control

The solar panel control is set to automatically track by default. 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, which means it's best to leave it on the default settings unless you want to babysit the arrays.

SMES input

The SMES input should be set to Auto with a value no higher than the power registered on the solar panel control. It won't charge if it is set higher than what the arrays are producing. Power will fluctuate based on the sun's position. A lower input setting than the highest you've seen on the solar panel control will charge more often. A setting which is very close to the solar panel control'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.

SMES output

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, and it can be set lower than the other SMES.

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.