Got bored, so I made up a set of hydroponics rules for people setting up a colony with the Worldbuilders' Handbook.
TL 8+ only.
Start with an Agricultural Capital of the appropriate TL.
Good part:
Land usage drops to .1, and it can be any type of land.
Hydroponics can produce up to 2* the number of Rations.
Hydroponics can produce food all year round (so no half-year growing cycle, then half-year fallow)
Bad part:
Resource usage doubles
Hydroponics Capital costs 3* AC.
Uses 1 kW per Ration produced.
Comparison:
TL 11 Agricultural Capital:
Cost: 24,200 Cr
Land: 1.1 km^2
Resources: 14
Rations produced: 45
TL11 Hydroponic Capital
Cost: 72,600 Cr
Land: .1 km^2
Resources: 28
Power needed: 90 kW
Rations produced: 90
1 Ration means basic sustenance for 1 person for 1 month, not fancy foods, etc.
Thoughts?