I grow hot peppers outdoors in a NW area that gets 12-14 hours of sunlight, in a raised bed. Love them. we also grow Avocado's, Lemons, Peaches, Seedless Mandarin Oranges,(the BEST), seedless navel oranges, apricots, carrots, Artichokes, Blackberries, Summer squash, Tomatoes,and many herbs. For my herbs, I set up a vegetative room tent(4'x2'x5') and a Flower Tent(4x4x6.5) on an outdoor terrace. Weather can be difficult as can managing heat and humidity, high winds and rain, must be managed. Make double sure you are 20% under maximum wattage, all connections all set up safely, strips and/or boxes dry and secure, working in an outside grow tent is challenging, and I am in So. Cal! I learned many lessons the hard way, and continue to learn daily. Growing is chess, not Checkers, plan days and weeks in advance, anticipate and map out your grow set up. Do not forget circulation. Hydro or soil, outdoor grow areas all have the advantages/disadvantages of working with, or against, mother nature, heat, rain, sudden showers and wind can rise to red alert status. I have a large 470 CFM Air Scrubber, inline fan. I run it all day, 12/12 in sync, then for 20 minutes every 1-1 1/2 hours from 7pm until 7am. this solved a large outdoor grow problem. . . HEAT!!! The heat got to 113, RH stayed 40-55%, without the scrubber, it was and often 98-100 with 82-85 or lower ambiant temps. i run two clip on fans to keep the ladies dancing but the exhaust system has dropped the temps by 10-15 degrees!! What used to create 102 degree heat in the tent is now 86-88 and the plants love it!! As for hydro, not my expertise. I am a PC and a dirt guy. I do but enjoy using rock wool for clones and would try a clay pellet/bucket type of system. I almost bought this one. . .
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Bucket-Water-Bubbler-System/dp/B0047PO26M/ref=pd_sbs_lg_4
or this one
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Bucket-Water-Hydroponic-System/dp/B003QRBZ6M/ref=pd_sbs_lg_2
I think these would work best outdoors, again, not my area.
My girls: