The most practical use, I think, would be to run fans (HAF, vent - depending on whether you can get fans with 12VDC motors, 120VAC motors would require an inverter with the subsequent losses), vent opener motors (I am building a set of these for my GH that use 12VDC power window motors), pumps for irrigation/misting. Harbor Freight sells some 32W compact florescent lamps that could be used to light the garden for night watering, etc. Any of these applications is going to need some kind of battery/charge controller that also includes a float charger from the power line for cloudy days. There are a number of DIY solar sites that offer plans (and sometimes kits) for chargers, panel positioners, etc. HF has a 400W inverter on sale for around $40. This would be good for a motor up to about 1/4 horsepower. Think loads that have to run periodically for a short period of time with long "recovery" periods.

For a 10x12, you'd need several (I'd guess at least 4) HF Solar Fans to cool your GH. Plus shade-cloth. I've discovered that my one HF fan is only 85% efficient for my 6x8. And, honestly, 85% efficiency ain't good! (although I've got it down to I'm "on the fence" as far as to whether the HF Solar Fan was such a good purchase (Hubbie loves it - but he's a "Techie-Geek!"). The panels are rather cumbersome and don't put out all that much amperage (compared to the 'real estate' they require). And, like I said, one fan just isn't enough! Solar lighting: Easy to do. Relatively inexpensive, too. There're lots of options out there - just don't expect anything too bright. We've got a solar-powered light in our shed, and it's *just* bright enough to keep you from stubbing your toe on something when you walk in (still need a flashlight if you want to find anything!!!). It's definitely not bright enough to sustain plant life! Still... Not a bad idea - and "OK" Bang-for-the-Buck. Solar-powered Heating: Forget it. Heaters require far too much amperage for a 12V system. But there are other options, I'm sure (and tons of threads on GW if you search "heating greenhouse"). Me: I'm just gonna deal w/the extension cord and a 120V heater (and X-Mas Lights) when the temps drop below freezing. Another alternative energy source is wind power to charge a 12V system. But you'd have to be out in the boonies (w/consistent wind, of course). Unfortunately wind-generators are mondo-expensive. And definitely not practical in my locale (Suburbia - w/zoning restrictions, etc.). Wind power seems very under-utilized IMHO. I really wish there were more options available. But I'm going off on a tangent, aren't I?!! (Oh, well!) I lived on a boat for 6 yrs - hence my interest in 12V systems. One of my 'neighbors' had a wind generator rigged up on his trimaran. Downside: It was kinda noisy (whirring) - but his boat wasn't next-door to mine! Upside: Our marina was nicknamed "Hurricane Gulch" - so I think it's safe to assume his batteries were topped off ALL the time! He wasn't a liveaboard, so I never had a chance to ask him what he thought of (or what he paid for!) the system, but it looked like a cool set-up! Just my $0.02 - Keep the Change! :-) -Nancy Here is a link that might be useful: My HF Solar Fan Adventures...

150W Halogen - are you lighting a playing field? But a Cree LR24 has 3200 lumens vs 3000 for a 150W halogen (and for 44 watts). Life expectancy is 50,000 hours or 25 years at 2000 hours a year (which is 40 hours a week). I'm not saying a LR24 is as small as a 150W halogen and a quick check of price puts it at $350 (but that is a whole fixture not just a bulb). But there are adequate LED bulbs for a lot of applications. I've never used a 150W halogen personally and I'm curious in what residential application you would want that much light from a pinpoint source - better not look directly at it. My hew house doesn't have a fixture that could take 150W and I don't own a single lamp that is rated that high. So I don't think you can honestly say that 150W halogen is within the realm of what most people have in their house except perhaps in special applications. It is ok for a basement in a keyhole light as a really cheap way of lighting a big space ... but don't look up. I don't even have 100W bulbs - I think 75 is the most.

Everything I've read about slate indicates it carries special installation and has maintenance issues when placed outdoors. I am getting mixed reading on how frost resistant it is--I gather this is more a question of grouting that is necessary for tiling but of course not in nature. I don't know whether those criticism are well-founded or not, but porcelain tiles definitely are low maintenance in comparison. Like Anglophilia, though, I hesitate at the idea of faux stone and would rather something not trying to look like nature when it isn't. I found this frost resistant 13 x 13 porcelain tile while researching this weekend and am wondering whether it would be crazy to go in this direction: