Solar panel or efficiency module?

[MBas]

Hello everyone.

Solar panels are quite good in the middle phase of the game. It brings you free electricity with no material consumption nor pulution generation. It could help you in question of defence, bitters are less agresive and you will have a plenty of time to do something more important than placing tons of turrets and walls (you can go for cofee for example).

But lets fous on main question. I try to compare difference between one solar panel and one efficiency module 1. Lets see...

Solar panel vs. Efficiency module 1

Power generation: 42kW vs. 45kW at assembly 2, 63kW at chem plant, 126kW at rafinery, 27kW at mining drill or pumpjack.
Matrial cost: 15 green circuits + 5 steel + 5 copper vs. 5 green circuits + 5 red circuits

Another specification of modules: You dont need to place it anywhere extra. Its just placed at already builded machines. Modules also reduce polution and dont need to be supported with bateries which consumes another resources and space.

So placing eff modules at early game (after adv. electronics research) seems to be very good step how to manage your energy. Rafinery is an ideal spot. Drills sems to be not very popular, however its base polution is 9 so if you have problem with frequent assaults, you can place modules even there. Anyway, each 60kW is also equal to 1 pullution generation at steam engines oriented power generation.

Later use of efficiency module:
It is also handy to place 3×efficincy module 3 and 1×speed module 3 at assembly machine 3 where is impossible to place productivity modules. This setup set energy consuption to minilal 20% at also boost speed a bit (i dont recomend to place full speed module anywhere instead of just multiplying your factory)