I remember crouching under a half-built roof while the generator coughed its last breath — and realizing my farm’s future rested on a single research table. You’ve felt that itch: more space, better tools, a plan that actually grows into something. I’ll walk you through every blueprint and research step so you stop improvising and start planning like someone who owns the map.
All research and unlockables in Solarpunk
On a real-world farm, a missing tool can cost a season; in Solarpunk, a missing recipe costs momentum.
I’ve played enough hours and traded with enough NPCs to separate the noise from the must-have items. Research in Solarpunk runs on a clear ladder: Research Table Tier 1 through Tier 6. You begin at Tier 1 and must meet simple material requirements to move up — each tier expands what you can craft and place on your land. Research feels like a ladder built from planks you must scavenge: every step matters.
Research Table Tier 1
You start here. Your first priorities should be shelter, storage, and basic water management — those bite you first if ignored.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Bed | One ClothTwo WoodTwo Sticks |
| Beehive | Two Wood |
| Chest | Two Wood |
| Well | Three StoneTwo WoodTwo Sticks |
| Rain Collector | Two Wood |
Research Table Tier 2
To reach Tier 2 you’ll need a Build‑Hammer and Beeswax; that gate keeps the midgame focused.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Deco Plants Pack | Two BricksThree Leaf |
| Deco Tables and Chairs | Two SticksFive Wood |
| Furnace | Three Stones |
| Bottle | Two Glass |
| Map | Two Cloth |
Research Table Tier 3
Tier 3 opens when you hand over an Iron Bar — the midgame staples arrive here.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Airship Dock | Five ClothFive Iron Five Wood |
| Storage Shelves | Three WoodTwo Sticks |
| Signs and Map Markers | Five Wood |
| Magnetic Fishing Rod | One StickOne IronOne Cloth |
| Deco Couches and Carpets | Two WoodTwo ClothFour Cotton |
| Deco Plants Pack (Small) | Two LeafOne Brick |
| Wax Briquette | One Copper |
Research Table Tier 4
Copper gets you here. If you care about better tools and glass, this is where you turn raw materials into lifestyle upgrades.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Basic Home Decor | Two WoodTwo Cloth |
| Deco Shelves and Dressers | Five Wood |
| Deco Outdoor Bushes and Plants | Four |
| Farming and Animal Decoration | Two WheatFive Wood |
| Glass Materials | Sixteen WoodFive Glass |
| Iron Tools | One PickaxeFive Iron Bars |
Research Table Tier 5
A single Wheat moves you into Tier 5; this tier leans hard into animals and aesthetic craft.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Animals Basic Pack | Five Wheat |
| Decorative Books | Five Cloth |
| Deco Plants Pack (Large) | Ten LeafFive Bricks |
| Foodbasket | One EggOne TruffleOne Sheep’s Milk |
| Trashcan | One StickOne Wood |
Research Table Tier 6
Tier 6 asks for a Sunflower and folds in farming tech and better animal care.
| Unlockable | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Growbox | Two Wood |
| Cooking | Two IronFive BrickTwo Sticks |
| Decorative Plates, Pots, and Pans | One BrickOne StickTwo Iron |
| Deco Outdoor Furniture | Five WoodFive Cloth |
| Better Animal Feed | One Animal FeedTwo Sunflower |
| Pig Shelter | Five WoodFive Carrot |
| Seedspack | One RaspberryOne WheatOne CottonOne SunflowerOne Carrot |
All blueprint trades and research via Tradebot
At the market stall — or Tradebot — deals feel like small bets that scale; every trade shifts your options.
Blueprint research runs on tiers too. You find Blueprints by trading with the Tradebot or by progressing your airship. Treat blueprints like seeds: some sprout immediate returns, others require more space and time before they pay off.
How do I get blueprints in Solarpunk?
You get Blueprints mostly through Tradebot trades; some appear when you upgrade the Airship. Tradebot accepts resources you gather (cotton, beeswax, silicon, etc.) and returns blueprints or materials. If you use Steam or follow creators on Moyens I/O and Cyberwave, you’ll spot trade patterns faster because community posts often list exact Tradebot rotations.
How do research tiers work in Solarpunk?
The tier system is straightforward: each research tier requires a specific item to access (Iron Bar for Tier 3, Copper for Tier 4, Wheat for Tier 5, Sunflower for Tier 6). Once you meet the requirement, the table gives you access to a new set of recipes and decorations — more options, more complexity, more reasons to plan your farm layout around what you need next.
What can I trade with Tradebot?
Tradebot takes many craftables and returns blueprints or upgrades. Here’s the live list of trades you can use for blueprints or progression:
- Four Watermelon (Unlocks Tier 1)
- 12 Cotton
- 20 Beeswax
- 10 Watermelon
- 32 Copper (Upgrade your Airship to Level 2)
- Five Silicon (Unlock Tier 2 by spending one more Silicon)
- 10 Wheat
- 20 Cloth
- 10 Bread
- Six Egg (Upgrade your Airship to Level 3)
- 20 Carrot
- 20 Sunflower
- 20 Cobalt
- 32 Glass
- Two Raspberry Muffins
Note: Trades that explicitly upgrade your Airship sometimes don’t return blueprints directly but they unlock access to new tiers and vendors. I monitor Steam community threads and Moyens I/O posts for rotation tips; developers and players on those platforms often flag when an item reappears.
Practical checklist before you research
In the real world, I make three lists before spending: materials, space, and who benefits.
- Prepare materials for the specific tier you want to hit next (Iron, Copper, Wheat, Sunflower).
- Use the Tradebot deliberately — don’t trade rare silk for cosmetics if you need silicon to move to Tier 2.
- Plan where new structures will sit: Airship Dock and Energy Workbench need room and clear logistics.
I’ve shared the full tables and the Tradebot roster so you can trade with purpose and scale your farm without guesswork — but which upgrade will you chase first to flip your midgame from fragile to steady?