Using solar for powering a fan is a good idea, especially if your generator container is thermally conductive. No good if you are using PVC, but awsome if your applying Stainless or Glass.
I was also toying with the idea of an experiment using a solar charged battery for winter months. I would want to run a small ammount of current into my genny and let the gas slip off into the air, not the engine. This would keep it from freezing over while at work or over nite.
"You don't always have to know ALL the answers, but you do need to know where to find them."