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kirstieisbored's avatar
5 years ago

[ECO] Off the grid: Windmill+Solar Panels produce no electricity

Product: The Sims 4
Platform:PC
Which language are you playing the game in? English
How often does the bug occur? Every time (100%)
What is your current game version number? 1.77.131.1030
What expansions, game packs, and stuff packs do you have installed? All expansions; all game packs except batuu, outdoor retreat and strangerville; stuff packs I own are tiny living, nifty knitting, movie hangout stuff, vintage glamour, perfect patio, kids room, laundry day
Steps: How can we find the bug ourselves? create an off the grid lot in Henford-on-Bagley
What happens when the bug occurs? I was doing rags to riches and scrounged together one turbine and one solar panel from Eco L (the ground ones not the roof ones). I had no other electronics (not even lights, I ended up turning them off to try to fix the issue), all I had was a mini fridge from Discover U. The turbine and panel (totalling about $1600) were not enough to power one small fridge (totalling about $250). The fridge would be off all day and turn on for about 30 mins of in-game time over night before turning off again. also, I have made sure I am "storing" electricity and that the panel and turbine are functional and don't need repairng.
What do you expect to see? A panel and a wind turbine should be more than enough to power a mini fridge and a couple of lights. I would also like some clarification in-game about power consumption- why does a mini fridge have a rating of 1 but all lights have a rating of 10? How does this correlate to the bills?
Have you installed any customization with the game, e.g. Custom Content or Mods? Not now. I've removed them.
Did this issue appear after a specific patch or change you made to your system? Neutral/Not Sure 

no additional info

Edit By Crinrict: Added Tag to Title, Adjusted Title

14 Replies

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  • Harleee95's avatar
    Harleee95
    Rising Novice
    4 years ago

    I’m having a similar issue. I’ve tried multiple lots over different real life days and in game days… no matter where I am my solar panels, wind turbines or any water collection units won’t store anything!! I’ve had one lot with 15 dew collectors and the water storage on lot bills information tab was still grey over an in game week. I don’t understand what’s going on. 

    I play on console (PS5) and never had this issue until about 2-4 days ago. I only noticed it yesterday properly but think it’s been happening for a few days. 

    the photo attached is the current lot I’m trying. I have 5 solar panels and 3 wind turbines and it’s been 4 in game days and the storage level has not had any bit of green or the bills haven’t gone down… nothing!

  • Necroing this as I just encountered in a mod usage game. 
    (mods AFAIK are not power use, but still...  they are mods.. highly likely they are the issue.)
    QUICK FIX was to go into build mode, remove "OFF THE GRID" trait.
    Exit mode to live and see pop up you left off the grid.
    Return to build mode, reactivate OFF THE GRID.
    Exit to live, and poof. 
    All items and usage is now normal. If you have any items that pull passive power ensure they are not on auto on (Like lights or a non ice box fridge etc. ) REMEMBER, power does not instantly amp up or store up! 🙂
    Lights are as discussed.. major power eaters, so is your laptop if sims are using it. ( I lock mine up behind a family only door :P )

    I have tested this on two lots. Both were instant issue fix.

  • ceunon20's avatar
    ceunon20
    Seasoned Ace
    2 years ago

    I had a similar issue for a long time but for some reason my game auto fixed while playing...

    I WAS NOT playing with Off the Grid challenge but I was expecting my bills to decrease by using the 5x windmills and 5x solar panels...but it didn't work. I was constantly having a 7k bill every week in a 30x20 house with a fridge and a TV. Basically none of it was producing electricity. 

    Things I tried:

    - I placed a new lot to test if this would fix...but the bills kept the same

    - Turned off and on the Off the Grid challenge...nothing

    It all changed after I changed my lot to HAUNTED RESIDENTIAL and I got the first haunt, then it was fixed. 

    I know it's weird but it seems the issue gets fixed when something mess with the electricity 🤔

  • ZoeHillo's avatar
    ZoeHillo
    2 years ago

    I’ve had similar issues with my off the grid lots. I tried using a turbine and a solar panel to power my small cottage, but I noticed the same problem with my laptop, fridge, and lights not getting enough power. It’s really frustrating when you're trying to play Rags to Riches. Also, I have solar panels in real life and thank God they work great, haha. You just want to install good ones like from solar panels dublin. Hope EA fixes this soon!

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