Oh yeah, that's definitely using my more optimistic numbers. But if those costs are >10% of your costs (post first year) then you should definitely rethink some

Oh yeah, that's definitely using my more optimistic numbers. But if those costs are >10% of your costs (post first year) then you should definitely rethink some things. If I shoot for high yield (10 oz), 400w @ 0.17 per kWh * (18 hrs * (7 days * 4 weeks)) + (12 hrs * (7 days * 8 weeks)) = 400w @ $0.17 per kWh * (504 hrs + 672 hrs = 1176 hrs) = 471 kWh * 0.12 = $80.02. That's with Northern Lights which would probably go for $1500 per pound, or ~$900 per plant per season. Electricity (well just light, which should be >85% of your electrical costs) would only account for 8% of the production costs. Infrastructure costs would be amortized and recovered within the first year of full scale operation but just for arguments sake you can source a secure grow inside a $5000 insulated 40' shipping container. Conduit, outlets, panels, grounding, etc. would be $3000 if hired out through Angieslist but if you DIY it, $1000 is feasible. Including a sufficient ~4hr battery UPS. HVAC can then similarly take $1000-$4000 depending on needs and necessities. Totalling out to maybe $15,000? A 40' container would comfortably do 3 seasons of 40 plants in 1 year, effectively taxing each plant $125 for the first year. The yield would be about 75 lbs @ $1500/lbs = $112,500 in year one. As such, each secure building would only cut 13% of your first years profits... or put another way, 14% of your first years plants' expense. Granted, these are just Internet numbers. I can speak more candidly and openly offline, but I reiterate -- all of your expenses should be < 10% for an indoor grow op.