Building off that idea, winter intensity could be a startup setting like cliffs. A challenge, but an optional one.
But I really like the idea of needing heat to run buildings during the winter. Maybe it should be more relaxed than Aquilo, though: heat pipes could have a 10-block area of effect so your factories can more or less look the same, or maybe only a few specific buildings need heat. Or maybe instead, you just dial up power consumption, and assume that Nauvis winter is warm enough that buildings can run their own internal heaters, but require, say, 50% more electricity.
I think you should lean into some of the real-world seasonal considerations. Running electricity-hungry industry is more expensive in winter, because electricity demand is higher. Manufacturing related to petroleum is strongly affected, demand for heating oil/natural gas rises and can outbid plastics industry. Nuclear reactors work great in the winter, because base load is higher and variation is proportionally lower, plus the solar guys barely supply anything.
Solar panels becoming less productive (by half or more) should DEFINITELY be included. Very excited about where this mod could go.
