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Games / Subnautica 2 / Photovoltaic Charger

1 Why Solar Power Changes Exploration

☀

Photovoltaic Charger

★★☆☆☆ — Solar Recharge
Early Game

The Photovoltaic Charger slowly recharges your Tadpole's Power Cell whenever you're near the surface during daytime. It's free, unlimited power — park your Tadpole at 50m during the day and watch the battery fill up without spending a single resource.

★ What This Means for You

This module effectively removes the range anxiety of early-game exploration. Combined with Engine Efficiency, you can explore indefinitely during the day. Park near the surface, grab a snack IRL, come back to a fully charged sub.

2 Crafting Recipe

Final Craft

Photovoltaic Fragment x2 → @ Scanner = Blueprint
Quartz x2 + Copper Wire x1 + Titanium x2 → @ Vehicle Modification Station = Photovoltaic Charger

Complete Materials List

MaterialQtySourceLocationRate
Photovoltaic Fragment2Scan fragmentsSafe Shallows Wreck (~40m) / Kelp Forest (~60m)100% (scan)
Quartz2Quartz nodesCaves in Safe Shallows / Kelp Forest100% (node)
Copper Wire1Craft2 Copper @ Fabricator—
Titanium2Limestone OutcropsSafe Shallows / Kelp Forest~40%

3 Materials & Locations

Each material with exact location, drop rate, and farming tips.

⚒ Photovoltaic Fragment

Source: Scan fragments
Location: Safe Shallows Wreck (~40m) / Kelp Forest (~60m)
Drop Rate: 100% (scan)

⚒ Quartz

Source: Quartz nodes
Location: Caves in Safe Shallows / Kelp Forest
Drop Rate: 100% (node)

⚒ Copper Wire

Source: Craft
Location: 2 Copper @ Fabricator
Drop Rate: —

⚒ Titanium

Source: Limestone Outcrops
Location: Safe Shallows / Kelp Forest
Drop Rate: ~40%

4 Optimal Collection Route

Follow this order to minimize backtracking and maximize efficiency.

① Scan Fragments + Gather

Both fragments in shallow wrecks (40-60m). While there, grab Quartz from nearby caves and Copper from Limestone Outcrops. This is the easiest vehicle upgrade.

② Install

Craft at Vehicle Mod Station → Install
FREE SOLAR POWER

5 ⚠ Gotcha Tips — Don't Waste Your Time

Read this BEFORE you start.

⚠ Only works near surface during DAY

Must be above ~80m depth and it must be daytime. Doesn't work at night or deep. Plan your recharging stops accordingly.

6 🎁 Free Benefits — Loot Along the Way

Don't leave empty-handed.

🎁 Safe Shallows wreck

Usually contains starting supplies, data logs, and sometimes unlocked storage with free batteries/food.