The techlevel doesn't really control anything important like in older C&C games, where it controlled at which mission / multiplay level stuff became available. RA2 doesn't have that system anymore, but tech level still has a function (apart from obviously setting it to -1 to make a unit unbuildable), even though it's somewhat different from other C&C games.
The TechLevel setting controls in which order the icons in the sidebar appear. In other C&C's the icons just appeared in the order they became available, so, in TS, if you built a radar (for SAMs) before a Hand of Nod (for Laser Turret), then the SAM icon would come before the Laser icon. If you built the HoN first, the Laser would come first in the list.
In RA2, the icons are ordered by techlevel. Low-tech stuff comes first, and high-tech last. Anything above 10 can't be built. If multiple units that go in the same "tab" share a tech level, then the cheapest units are listed first. That's why if you're Allied and you capture a Soviet War Factory, your tanks (all level 2) are listed in the order of Robot Tank (600), Grizzly Tank (700), Rhino Tank (900).
Some special stuff goes for the vehicle tab, because it contains ships and aircraft too. The rule is that any vehicles come first (which are then ordered by techlevel), then aircraft and ships last. The game recognises anything that has Naval=yes as a ship, and it also considers airborne "vehicles" such as airships, nighthawks etc. as aircraft.
Soylent is more easier to explain. It sets the credits a player gets when he sells the unit/building by any means. Selling buildings is obvious, but vehicles and infantry can also be sold (in a Grinder for example).
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