Solar Panel

Generates energy from sunlight. Reduced output at night or in deep water.

Silicon photovoltaic cells transform sunlight into energy. Although less efficient than modern quantum dot cells, these entry-level panels can be fabricated with basic materials like quartz.

—Basic power supply for surface habitats

—Automatic sun tracking

—Reduced efficiency at night (depending on non-sun light sources)

—Reduced efficiency at depth, falling off to zero

Larger panel arrays combine more cells into a single rack.

Solar panels are philosophically attractive because they allow the colonist to function as an autotroph, creating their own energy directly from the sun instead of relying on other living or nonliving processes.

Do not attempt to power your habitat with a spotlight aimed at a solar panel. The universe forbids it.