oilpainter, I found both solar flood and spot lights on Amazon but wondering if anyone has used them to see how much light they really do put out. I really don't want a lot of illumination as we are rural, just enough to show the name and image somewhat in the dark of the evening. I will also think about your idea of a group of lights around the stone (which I hadn't considered) as that might be a very nice effect. Thanks.

. NYSERDA ( paid for through our electric / gas bills ) offers incentives on installed PV systems in NY state. The key here is INSTALLED . . and that also means by a company CERTIFIED by NYSERDA to do so . . then and ONLY then can you qualify for those incentives. When I put my system in; it was $4 per watt of PV panel installed . . . that was over $ 11k . . . the state tax credit is in addition to that . . as is the federal one. Part of the reason that NYSERDA only offers incentives on INSTALLED systems; is to not only do good energy wise by promoting such stuff; but ALSO to stimulate existing / new businesses that DO the installations. There are several ones that have been around a while; and some newer "start-ups" as well; all serving various and wide parts of NY state. They are well-versed in all the nuances of doing such stuff; and the particular aspects of them here in NY state as well. Sounds like they are going to be a "middle man" for such systems; using local places to do the work. They basically HAVE to; or the incentives are not applicable. So, the only thing you've done is throw one more "layer" into the chain of command so to say. I can't imagine anything they can do to add any value to such a system; the local people that install it already know best what works here. Why not deal with them directly in the first place ? ? ? I dealt with a "local" place ( woman owned / run too ) when I had my system put in; and I couldn't be happier . . . with the system, the people that put it in, anything. They also have a much better handle on dealing with the local utility and codes . . they're right here dealing with it every day. The incentives were handled by taking them right off the top . . no paying for it and then waiting to get reimbursed. There is a bunch of good equipment out there; putting it together well is more than just picking stuff out of a catalog by the numbers / specs. There's experience too . . . and that counts a LOT in these systems . . . and these people also have to guarantee the entire systes for 5 years as part of being able to take advantage of the incentives . . . THEY want a system that will work well and reliably . . they indeed have a stake in it. If you're seriously considering doing such a system; start now . . . and do it through a "local" place . . . they wil benefit from it, and so will you. They may also have some things to suggest about building that will be FAR easier to incorporate now, than later. I found all of them I talked to willing to come look, ask, etc . . . that's something you only get in person, face-to-face. I've had my system about 1 1/2 years now; and it's darn nice to know that when a little somehting went wrong; that you could call and talk to the person that put it in . . . and that they have a vested interest in getting it fixed or whatever. I've had only a few, small issues . . and just paid for electricity for the first time since March . . used a screaming $5 worth of it in November. I'll be happy to point you towards some "local" places that do this type of stuff, or share my system / details / performance if you'd like . . . . Bob

. Joel . . Right around 30 . . . This is for a 2.8 kWh system, the whole shooting match including back-up batteries, and installation. Throw in incentives / tax credits; you're about 20 or so. I did not do it for financial reasons; and right now as a strictly financial decision it doesn't fly. I'm doing a good thing for everyone first of all. Secondly, in power faliures I will not have one . . . . and in fact will not even know it. The money I get from selling back to the grid will help offset the basic monthly charges you pay JUST to be connected. As laws change, and prices go up; it will be increasingly closer to being a viable financial decision. There are other parts of the world; and I believe the state of Maine; which currently require that juice generated by people like me will be reimbursed at MORE than going rates; instead of a fraction thereof. This is due to it being considered "green" power. . . . again; legislation can make a huge difference . . . . Bottom line: It is NOT currently a viable financial choice unless you are building somewhere that you have to run power lines / poles to get to. It WILL be so in the future . . . when will that be ? Dunno . . . . how fast will energy prices rise, legislation go through, supply of PV panels ease up ? . .. . . Bob

Here's a shot of the post and hanger. Hose goes on the other side. I'm thinking maybe do the stained glass hummingbird one. I looked around some more at some local home and garden shops and all the solar lanterns look rather flimsy to me. I don't need more broken junk around. The stained glass one is the same size as my other lantern, 6x6x11+. On the plus side of that one is I can fill the lantern box with a battery powered light set if the solar one goes bust. I have a set of small battery powered lights that I use for an outside wreath at Christmas. Also it will look good during the day when not lit. Plus I like the idea of a hummingbird. I could hang an actual hummingbird feeder there, I've tried that, but the hummingbird that inhabits our yard is so aggressive it will chase any other hummers away from anything in both the front and back yards. I know they say if you space them you will avoid this and I've seen other places awash with hummers. We just happen to have a particularly badass hummingbird I think . . . so we have our feeder in the back where we can watch it almost all the time. I tried one in the front and one in the back. I could see that hummingbird swoop over the roof to chase any other hummingbirds that were thinking about coming around right out of the yard. On the downside, it might be too busy with the rabbit and the bird and all the designs. I think it might be OK though . . . I'm open to other designs. I think a cut painted steel one would be too close to the cast iron look. That might even be a worse pattern overload.