I use 'surface shields' flag quite extensively.
Remember to use $Shield Regeneration Rate, or else your shields may charge too quickly/slowly. Also, for a warship, turn $Power Output down - I once made the mistake of turning it up into the billions - and as soon as the ship started losing hull integrity, I believe the AI put more G/S/E power to the shields. The regeneration rate went so high, the ship was virtually invulnerable.
Also, you know those huge lateral claw things on the sides of the lucifer, that seemingly should be beam turrets, but aren't? The ToD (Tides of Darkness) mod has a Lucifer with those, working as turrets - and with more such lateral beams. Puts the total beam hardpoints at eight - two forward-facing, three lateral on each side.