coyote61hunter: may I suggest using rechargeable batteries. AA rechargeables (Pure Energy) sold at most WalMarts are not that expensive, around $5.00 for a package of 4 in Canada before tax. These come fully charged. In colder weather Lithium batteries are highly recommended. These test out as follows: Lithium Ultimate 1.69 volt, Lithium 7X 1.79 volt and Lithium 8X 1.83 to 1.85 volt. These sell for approximately $15.00 for a pack of 4 before tax in Canada.
Solar panels have to be mounted in the open facing the sun to function. Solar panels require a diode which prevents the panel from discharging the camera battery or a battery coupled to the camera by remote. Some panels have this feature built in. If you have lots of cloudy days like what happened in my area in the spring of 2011, the panel is useless. Lots of farmers complained here. They were using solar panels to power remote water wells etc.
If you did purchase the solar panel and were not satisfied with it, the panel would be harder to sell due to its small size. Being the solar panel has to be mounted in the open, it would be more suseptable to theft: (panel, camera etc.). Moultrie has given me good customer service when emailing for information etc.
From my personal experience, I won't be purchasing any more trail cameras that use "C" batteries: 1)the cost of the "C" batteries compared to "AA", 2)the extra size of the camera, 3)putting the large camera in a bear safe or security box makes it that much larger and harder to conceal. I started out using top grade alkaline batteries and soon switched over. I even used the external 12 volt batteries for cameras that had the 12 volt external port but again once one has accumulated several cameras, this gets very costly.
If you do decide to use batteries, do not let them get below 1.0 to 1.2 volt as the camera will not function properly, or not at all. My batteries are randomly checked with a digital meter when I swap out my SD cards. New batteries, fresh out of the package are also checked. I have found a low or faulty one, once in a while. For cameras I am using 7ea. of the 2009 model Bushnell Trophy Trail camera, 2 ea. of the Moultrie M100. Excellent service from these cameras. Also using 3 Moultrie D55-IR and 2 SpyPoint IRB which use "C" batteries. All the cameras are set for video and have good battery life.
Good luck in your choice. All the best in the New Year.