Hi Tim,
I'm putting together a smaller system as a backup power generator to use during power outages. I have 4 x 100w renogy monocrystalline panels, a 30 amp renogy solar controller, 100 w inverter, and one 50 ah 12 v sealed la battery. It's enough to to charge phones and tablets and laptops, and power these diodes LED lights I just installed from ikea.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00119424/#
I just snipped off the plug inverter and rewired with a switch to my controller.
Eventually I will buy more panels and batteries, and upgrade to a larger mppt controller, but for now I get to tinker and learn the basics for under 1000$. I've probably got about 700$ in my system right now.
I'm also in maine, just have the panels on my roof, south facing.