Finding the Original Panel Location
Solar panels in RimWorld are stored in the colony's power grid as a single, multi‑tile structure. When a panel is destroyed or removed, its tiles are left empty, but the power node remains. To reinstall, first locate the original Solar Panel building in the colony's Power menu. If it was destroyed by fire, a Broken Solar Panel icon will appear in the list; selecting it restores the building to its former tiles, provided the terrain is still suitable.
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Repairing a Damaged Panel
If the panel is damaged but not destroyed, open the Repair window from the building's menu. Assign a colonist with a high Construction skill and enough Power resources. The repair cost equals the panel's hit points divided by 10, rounded up. Once repaired, the panel will automatically resume generating power, assuming the colony's power grid is active.
Reinstalling After a Power Grid Reset
When a colony's power grid is reset—such as after a major disaster or manual reset—solar panels lose their connection to the grid. Reinstalling requires the following steps:
- Confirm the grid is active by checking the Power Grid icon in the top right.
- Use a colonist with a construction skill of 3 or higher to place a new panel on a flat, unobstructed tile.
- Connect the new panel to the grid by ensuring at least one adjacent tile is part of the existing power network.
Once connected, the panel will start producing power at a rate of 2.5 MW per hour, scaled by the colony's solar efficiency modifier.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even after reinstalling, panels may fail to produce power. Check the following:
- Sky state: Panels only generate during daylight and clear weather.
- Obstruction: Trees or structures directly above a panel block sunlight.
- Power demand: If the colony's power demand exceeds supply, the panel will still produce, but excess power may be wasted if the grid is overloaded.
Use the Power Grid overlay to visualize connections and identify bottlenecks.
Optimizing Panel Efficiency
Several factors influence panel output. The table below summarizes key attributes and their impact.
| Attribute | Effect on Output |
|---|---|
| Solar Efficiency Modifier | +10% per +1 skill level in Engineering |
| Weather | Clear skies give full output; overcast reduces by 50% |
| Panel Placement | Panels on higher elevation receive 5% more output |
Best Practices for Long‑Term Reliability
Regular maintenance, strategic placement, and grid expansion are essential for sustaining power during colony growth. Keep panels away from heat‑generating structures to avoid overheating, and consider adding a backup generator to bridge gaps during bad weather.