Revision 1

The energy system is the central mechanic in Solarpunk. Every powered device on the player's islands, from automated sprinklers to transport drones, requires electricity generated from renewable sources. Players must build, connect, and manage a power grid that adapts to changing weather conditions.

Energy sources

There are three categories of renewable energy generation available in the game:

Because rain reduces solar panel output and nighttime eliminates it entirely, players who rely solely on solar power will face energy shortages. Wind turbines continue working in all weather conditions, making them a reliable complement. Diversifying across multiple source types is a design requirement, not just an optimization.

Power distribution

Generators connect to machines and devices through cables. The cable system draws comparison to Astroneer's connection mechanics: physical lines run between objects, forming a visible power network across the island. Power can also be distributed wirelessly in certain configurations, reducing cable clutter for larger bases.

Batteries

Batteries store surplus energy for later use. During sunny daytime hours, solar panels may generate more power than the base consumes. That excess charges batteries, which then discharge at night or during storms when generation drops. Proper battery sizing is part of base planning. Too few batteries and the base goes dark overnight; too many and resources are wasted on storage that never fills.

Sensors

Sensors add conditional logic to the energy grid:

• Day/night sensors detect the time of day and can automatically toggle devices. The primary use case is turning lights on at sunset and off at sunrise.

• Rain sensors detect precipitation and disable devices that are unnecessary during rain. The main application is shutting off sprinklers when rain is already watering crops, saving energy.

These sensors connect into the cable network like any other device. Combining sensors with the right generators and batteries creates a self-regulating system that responds to environmental changes without manual intervention.

What energy powers

Nearly every advanced system in Solarpunk draws from the energy grid:

• Sprinkler systems for automated crop watering

• Transport drones for gathering resources

• Automatic drills for mining ore deposits

• Magnet fishers for collecting algae from water

• Lighting systems controlled by day/night sensors

• The Airship Dock that powers the player's airship for island travel

• Base infrastructure including various crafting and processing stations