Unable to modify the Solar-Panel property during runtime

[jinx13]

Is there a way to modify the properties of an entity during runtime.

Example:

I have created a new research to increase the output of the solar panel by 5% per level.

I have the research working.
But I am not able to increase the production value of the solar panel.

I have this code in control.lua

Code: Select all

script.on_event(defines.events.on_research_finished, function(event)
  local research = event.research
  -- Check if the finished research is related to solar panel efficiency
  if research.name == "solar-panel-efficiency" then
    -- Calculate the new power output based on the level of efficiency researched
    local level = research.level
    local new_output = 0.06 * (1 + (level * 0.1)) -- Base output is 60kW, which is 0.06MW, each level adds 10%
    -- Update the production of all solar panels
    for _, surface in pairs(game.surfaces) do
      for _, panel in pairs(surface.find_entities_filtered{type="solar-panel"}) do
        panel.production = new_output .. "MW" --Getting an error on this line.
      end
    end
  end
end)

I have this code in data-updates.lua which works. But I wanted this to be a researched effect instead.

Code: Select all

data.raw["solar-panel"]["solar-panel"].production= "0.6MW" --For testing

If you are interested, here is the technology research code.

Code: Select all

data:extend({
  {
    type = "technology",
    name = "solar-panel-efficiency",
    icon_size = 256,
    icons = util.technology_icon_constant_stack_size("__base__/graphics/technology/solar-energy.png"),
    effects = {},
    prerequisites = {"solar-energy"},
    unit =
    {
      count_formula = "((L*100)^2)",
      ingredients =
      {
	{"military-science-pack", 1},
        {"automation-science-pack", 1},
        {"logistic-science-pack", 1},
        {"chemical-science-pack", 1},
        {"production-science-pack", 1},
        {"utility-science-pack", 1},
        {"space-science-pack", 1}
      },
      time = 30
    },
    upgrade = true,
    max_level = "infinite",
    order = "a-h-a"
  }
})

[FuryoftheStars]

Is there a way to modify the properties of an entity during runtime.

No. The power produced by an entity is not modifiable at runtime. Best you could do is define separate entities for each tech research and then swap them out as you go.

Take a look through the API docs some. Properties of entities and the like that can be changed at runtime are marked as RW (read/write).

There's also a defined list of things that can be improved directly via research in the TechnologyPrototype effects.

[jinx13]

Thank you.
I always wondered why nobody ever made such a mod.