Thanks for the solar heads up, energy is such a pain in the rear.

Thank you for the intel. Much Appreciate it.

uhh how?? i dont see any solar panel

This doesn't really help when it's all RNG dependent. In my last game I didn't get solar panels for over 100 years, about the same time I finally found space station level 2 and finally level 3 immediately after that. When the start for the Klingons is as punishing as it is... I can't make it 6 years, how do you get energy early?

I made the same 'discovery' as my economy improved I started upgrading every Outpost to a Starbase and throwing a solar panel up. Having a weapons system helps with pirates too, I put a Versatile array and a solar panel in every system and they haven't bothered me since. Of course this is a problem because I still haven't finished Worf's 3 successful combats, but that's a separate issue LOL.

Upgrading to Planetary power grid also improves energy levels, also check population is appropriate for the planetary building areas - otherwise it underperforms or you just cant buil or upgrade.

cheers