Simutrans 111.3 r5774, pak128 2.1.0 on Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit.
See the screenshot. This just spontaneously built, but I can't connect this to the power grid because I can't locate the transformer adjacent to the "tanks", they're surrounded. I also can't demolish one of the parabolic reflectors because "not enough fields would remain around this farm".
Edit: I see if I leave it, it grows enough that I can demolish a path to the "tanks". Moderator, delete this thread if you feel it's unwarranted. Thanks.
I finally realized what was wrong!
1) Fields always spawn closest possible to building.
2) Minimal fields always get spawned.
3) For 1x1 central building, there are 8 neighbours.
4) Of the 8. a corner is filled first and last (in ideal conditions).
5) Corner transformer connections do not exist.
6) Therefore leaving one (8-7=1) tile empty was useless as it was nearly guaranteed to be a corner!
Let's see how it goes with 6 fields (r1161) :)
Heh heh thanks VS, I forgot all about this!
So did I :P
you can also build the transformer under ground.