Just wondering, I'm getting my feet wet with a 45w Harbor Freight kit, may expand it later.
$179 kit came with 3-15w panels, a charge controller, wiring, 2-12v 5w CFLs.
I have a 12x20 tool shed out at the back of my property and it would cost me a fortune in copper to run power out there, so I was looking for a fairly inexpensive alternative to running the Honda generator so at night I could see when digging around in a tool box or loking for something.
My current "getting my feet wet" system consists of 3 x 15w panels, a charge controller, a deepcycle battery(adding more later to have more reserve), an inverter for 110v power, and two forms of lighting(a string of 3 110v 100w incandescents, or 2 12v 5w CFLs). I can choose how much light I really need, but I was surprised at the light from the 12v 5w bulbs. Currently, I can run a small refridgerator, small 110v appliances, 110v wire welder, etc. Up front it cost me around $300, but it was fun to set up and I didn't have to dig a long trench and fill it with expensive large copper wire.
$180 for the kit, $80 for the battery, $50 for the inverter(but I already had the battery and inverter from my camper - $130), Probably another $30+/- for some 12/3 romex and 3 lamp sockets.