I think X-C is correct with the cost of lighting.....1kw HPS is costing us about a hundred a month in electrical, including fan, dehumid etc....OUTRAGEOUS in summer.....if you are in Bakersfield you already know that. And must be having a FINE summer indeed.

With lighting you can always add later if you don't mind everything having its own ballast. I would look around at some hydro shops and talk to some people....some are good and some are bad (hydro store owners) but I think that's where I'd start in the lighting dept.....don't know if you order stuff online; some folks do and some don't....or HomeDepot etc may have all the parts but you'd better know exactly what you are looking for if you go there.

I read JS's thread also and his whole scrog (beautiftul...beautiful) shows the ideal really of what you want......all your buds at the same height and getting the same good lighting.

I say YES...start some seeds! I bet you will surprise yourself. It gets addictive IMMEDIATELY and before you know it you're wanting more, more, MORE......