EDIT: Apparently vehicle-related calculations are supposed to be processed even when the cars aren’t on map. I guess either I misread what does “on map” mean or had a long streak of extremely unlucky coincidences. The former seems much more likely than the latter.
Even if solar panels work while you’re away, they aren’t retroactively calculated for new vehicles generated later in game (for example, if you start in winter, all new cars are in their spring condition).
If this wasn’t the case, most electric cars you stumble upon would be charged at 50% or 100%, no cars would have active engines (those would have used up all their fuel) or lights (4 panels produce about as much as 1 headlight consumes) and all blood would be washed out from the bloody windshields.
The only item I can think of that respects time outside bubble and actually does something with it is funnel. Fermenting must, growing plants etc. also respect time, but they do not depend on weather in any way. Not sure about rotting food and temperature. I just tested a live grenade - those don’t countdown either.
Making those retroactive would be a nice idea, I’ll check if it’s doable without much work.
