Key Points
- Algae is a requirement to unlock new research tiers at the Tradebot station.
- Later on, you will require Algae for crafting late-game items.
- Algae are mostly found in water bodies and the shorelines of these water bodies.
With all the resources available in Solarpunk, it would take some time to track all of them down. Algae will be a huge requirement to craft some of the late-game items, but unfortunately, you cannot grow algae at your base.
Read More: Solarpunk – How to Craft Seeds
Solarpunk – Algae Overview
| Location | Worm Island |
| How to get | Find it along the shoreline of the lake |
| Uses | Used in crafting and unlocking research tiers |
How to Find Algae
Algae does grow in the wild, but it is quite rare to find. I would recommend upgrading your ship by 2 levels, as there is one island where you are certain to find algae. Once you have your ship upgrades unlocked, check your map to find Worm Island in the southeast area. Make your way over there and explore the island until you find a stream. Check the shoreline carefully to find floating grass-like items that can be picked up.
If you go further up the stream, you might find a couple more near the shoreline. While these are the only guaranteed spots that I found algae in, you could try other islands and discover more algae along water bodies. They might respawn in the same locations after a few in-game days, but for now, you can visit the Tradebot to turn in whatever algae you have collected.
How to Use Algae
Algae is a requirement to unlock research tiers at the Tradebot’s research desk. To unlock Tier 4, you will require 1x Algae. Use it to unlock the tier, after which you will discover a new item to craft: the Algae Drone. Shell out one Blueprint to unlock the drone and head straight to your Energy Crafting Bench to craft the drone. Crafting the Algae Drone will require the following:
- 10x Iron
- 10x Silicon
- 10x Copper
- 10x Cobalt
How to Use the Algae Drone
Once crafted, visit any water body on any island and set the device down on the water. You will also need a battery and a connector wire to generate electricity and power up the drone. After doing all that, the drone will start moving on the surface of the water body and collect algae.
It will return to the charging port after the drone has filled up its inventory space. After that, pick out all the algae from its inventory and store it away. You can also set up a transport drone to pick up the algae from the algae drone, too.
Read More: Solarpunk – How to Get & Use Sprinklers
FAQs
What other uses does algae have?
Algae is required to craft circuitboards, which are a very important late-game crafting material.
Can I fish for algae?
Yes, if you have crafted the fishing rod, you can use it to fish for algae that’s far out of reach.
Can I grow algae?
Right now, there isn’t a reliable way to grow algae in your farmland, as it is only found within water bodies.
