Moon Sweepers has a day/night cycle. At night solar power drops to zero, so machines run on their batteries and stop when the batteries are empty — guides suggest about two large solar panels per machine. To see, buy Night Vision Goggles ($350, patch 1.0.4) and press N to cycle lamp → goggles → off. The exact length of a night isn't published.
What changes at night
It gets dark — the helmet lamp switches on, and hand-cleaning is harder to see.
Solar makes 0 kW. Machines (Pressure Chamber 10 kW, Stone Press 18 kW) run off their own battery and stop when it’s empty.
J.O.O.N.A.S. keeps cleaning (since 1.0.4 it works even with no players nearby).
Keeping a factory running overnight
Fix
How
More panels
About two large solar panels per machine (Solar Twin M is 7.5 kW, Solar Post 3 kW) so batteries charge during the day
Fewer machines on one grid
Add machines only when you add panels
Use night for other jobs
Drive a vehicle, find flags, plan belts
There’s no reactor or non-solar generator yet — a common review complaint.
Seeing in the dark
Gear
Price
Notes
Helmet lamp
starting gear
Upgrades are on the supply wall (moved there in 1.0.4)
Night Vision Goggles
$350
1.0.4. Press N: lamp → goggles → off. Nights look like daytime without shadows
The developers haven't published it and we haven't found a reliable measurement — guesses online differ. It's a normal repeating cycle, so just plan power for a few minutes of darkness each cycle.
Why did my machines stop at night?
Solar panels make nothing in the dark. Machines use their battery, and when it's empty they stop until morning. Add more panels so batteries are full by dusk.
My new game started at night — is my save broken?
No. Some worlds start in the dark; wait and it gets light.
Checked against the current version on · Medium confidence — consistent community reports, not officially confirmed. Spotted something outdated? Tell us.
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