Solar Logic Circuits Guide

2023-09-30T14:12:40Z

99.110.77.59: The Daylight Sensor doesn't need to face North, the important bit is the relative orientation between it and the Solar Panels. Since I found myself with a solar panel array already laid out the "wrong" way around, I've added what to do in that situation.

[[Category:Tutorials]]
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== Disclaimer ==

Due to the frequency of game updates, all solutions are subject to change and may or may not be functional.

The designs on this page are valid as of v0.2.3304.16432 (2022-06-06)

== Geometry Of Solar Panels and Daylight Sensors ==

<gallery>
daylight sensor horizontal.png|Geometry of values measured by daylight sensor in horizontal (yaw) mode
daylight sensor vertical.png|Geometry of values measured by daylight sensor in vertical (pitch) mode
solar panel yaw-Horizontal setting.png|Effect of setting horizontal rotation of a solar panel
solar-horiz-formulas.svg|Equations relating horizontal sensor measurements from various orientations to solar panel horizontal rotation
</gallery>

==Solar tracking using Logic Chips ==
=== Two-chip single-axis tracking ===
This is the most basic solar tracking available, and is all you need on the Moon. It even works reasonably well on Mars.

'''What you need:'''
* Kit (Logic I/O) x2
* Kit (Sensor) > Daylight Sensor

Place the Daylight Sensor on a vertical surface (e.g a wall) facing sunrise or sunset (doesn't matter which), with the Data Port facing north or south.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Chip''' !! '''IN''' !! '''VAR''' !! '''OUT'''
|-
| Logic Reader || Daylight Sensor || Vertical/Solar Angle ||
|-
| Batch Writer || Logic Reader || Vertical || Solar Panel
|}

[[File:2022-10-02 One-axis solar tracking.png|Accurate one-axis solar tracking]]

Hand-crank the panels to face the sunrise, and they will do their thing.

=== Six-chip dual-axis tracking ===
To get a "100%" accurate solar tracker on planets with an offset solar arc, you need to include the Horizontal component to the solar angle.

'''What you need:'''
* Kit (Logic I/O) x4
* Kit (Logic Processor)
* Kit (Logic Memory)
* Kit (Sensor) > Daylight Sensor

Place the Daylight Sensor facing up, with the Data Port facing north.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Horizontal'''
|-
! '''Chip''' !! '''Chip label''' !! '''IN''' !! '''VAR''' !! '''OUT'''
|-
| Logic Reader || Horizontal Reader || Daylight Sensor || Horizontal ||
|-
| Batch Writer || Horizontal Writer || Horizontal Reader || Horizontal || Solar Panel
|-
! '''Vertical'''
|-
! '''Chip''' !! '''Chip label''' !! '''IN''' !! '''VAR''' !! '''OUT'''
|-
| Logic Reader || Vertical Reader || Daylight Sensor || Vertical ||
|-
| Batch Writer || Vertical Writer || Vertical Correction Math || Vertical || Solar Panel
|-
! '''Chip''' !! '''Chip label''' !! '''Value'''
|-
| Logic Memory || Vertical Correction Memory || 90
|-
! '''Chip''' !! '''Chip label''' !! '''IN 1''' !! '''IN 2''' !! '''OUT'''
|-
| Logic Math || Vertical Correction Math || Vertical Reader || Vertical Correction Memory || Add
|}

[[File:2022-10-02 Two-axis solar tracking.png|Accurate two-axis solar tracking]]

The panels should align themselves to the sun if you make sure to put the Power Port on the panels facing east (90 degrees). If you've already built the panels and logic with the Power Port facing west, swapping the direction of the sensor so that its Data Port faces south will allow the setup to work with no additional changes.

== Solar tracking using Integrated Circuits ==
This is the most powerful way to track the sun, but the implementation might be a bit daunting at first.

'''What you need:'''
* Integrated Circuit (IC10)
* Kit (IC Housing)
* Kit (Sensor) > Daylight Sensor

And if you don't already have one set up:
* Kit (Computer)
* IC Editor Motherboard

Place the Daylight Sensor facing up, note which direction the Data Port is facing, and which direction the solar panel Power Port is facing. These two directions are needed in the code. The Daylight Sensor is connected to the d0 screw, that's all you need.

A simple code example can be found here: https://stationeering.com/tools/ic/_2FpmwojGnBq<br>
This code is considered "inefficient" since it's hard-coded to spam all types of solar panels, even if you don't have them.

A better code example can be found here: https://stationeering.com/tools/ic/_2FpoBEcd3QK<br>
It targets the solar-panel types on d2 and (optionally) d3, so it's less spammy. It also has an option for a display (Kit (Console)) on d1 that shows the sum of power output from both types of panels

Stationeers Community Wiki - User contributions [en]

Solar Logic Circuits Guide