It has the same general functionality as the Terrain Manipulator's Mine mode; however, the differences are as follows:

The weapon's internal fuel supply is drained the same amount at all sphere sizes: 1%/tick in Survival and Permadeath game modes and 0.5%/tick in Normal mode.

Non-deposit terrain yields nothing when mined by the Solar Ray.

The Solar Ray's small/medium/large sphere sizes have a maximum yield per tick of 1/2/8 units of Liquid Sun in Survival and Permadeath game modes and 2/4/16 units in Normal mode.On flat deposits (50% sphere fill), the first tick of excavation yields 1/1/8 units of Liquid Sun in Survival and Permadeath game modes and 2/2/16 units in Normal Mode.
Catalytic elements, rather than ferrite elements, are used to recharge the weapon.

The Solar Ray only has one firing mode, allowing it to be paired with secondary weapons such as Plasma Launcher.