We don't use much electricity, so we don't need anything too heavy-duty. I would like to run our cabin on solar electricity, but am having trouble getting help as far as what size battery, inverter, solar panel I will need. I know I also need a regulator, but don't know anything about them either. From start to finish, what do I need and where can I get all he parts I need at a reasonable price? Is it cost-effective to buy an already put together solar generator?

Try http://www.solarelectricsupply.com/

The stuff they sell seems to more or less live up to the specifications.

If you decide to buy discounted panels be a little careful. It was my experience that the specifications overstated the performance by 50% to 100%

BTW - the best investment you can make is a good recent book on the subject. Anything copyright before 2007 is probably obsolete.

Good luck