The only drawback I could forecast for the solar powered device is that it might not have enough reserve capacity to keep the enclosure warm enough for the camera to function correctly during cold times - especially at night.
As for the tanks behind the gas station -- yeah, those'd probably be fine. The blinking light tower had power going to it in the past -- to make the light flash. I don't know if it still does. I'm sure you're right that it'd be very easy to get power to the top of the tanks, and that they'd be high enough above ground level to show some worthwhile information. Weather station with a tipping bucket? Great idea even if, indeed, the rain gauge wouldn't be on the salt per se. It's still give some information that can be useful.
I guess now that I've put my foot in my mouth that I'd best start working up some kind of equipment list and costs. I'll get with Mike Crawford, too, even though way out there is not his (city) property, I assume. But he's in the know enough that maybe he can point me to some wheels that would need greasing.
