RobG

I bit the bullet and bought the Steco 7.5 Silent inverter generator in January 2026.

With City Power not allowing solar users to go pre-paid it seems the only alternative is to go off grid completely.

My solar system comprises of:

6250w of PV 3800w fixed on tile roof and 2400w bifacial PV on a solar tracker ( generates 25 kw/h on good days in summer 22 in winter)

2x 5KVa Axpert inverters paralleled

5x Pylontech 3000C 17.5kw/h

200L solar geyser

20L/hour gas geyser back-up

Gas stove

Airfryer oven.

Fridge, washing machine, dishwasher

10L 220V hot water kitchen geyser

I work from home recording studio, have 750w swimming pool pump runs for 8 hours a day

Rainwater harvesting pump 1000w used about 20 minutes a day to water vegetables and garden

We use about 30kw/h over 24 hours and generally have 40% battery in the morning

In January I generated 33 kw/h and used 18L of fuel which is about R380.

I run the genny at 75-80%, charging @ 4.7kw per hour

I am still on post paid and after using no utility power in January I received the bill for R1600 just for being connected to the grid!

To go off grid they charge crazy amounts to remove the service.

Another rip off by the corrupt City of JHB!

I bit the bullet and bought the Steco 7.5 Silent inverter generator in January 2026.

With City Power not allowing solar users to go pre-paid it seems the only alternative is to go off grid completely.

My solar system comprises of:

6250w of PV 3800w fixed on tile roof and 2400w bifacial PV on a solar tracker ( generates 25 kw/h on good days in summer 22 in winter)

2x 5KVa Axpert inverters paralleled

5x Pylontech 3000C 17.5kw/h

200L solar geyser

20L/hour gas geyser back-up

Gas stove

Airfryer oven.

Fridge, washing machine, dishwasher

10L 220V hot water kitchen geyser

I work from home recording studio, have 750w swimming pool pump runs for 8 hours a day

Rainwater harvesting pump 1000w used about 20 minutes a day to water vegetables and garden

We use about 30kw/h over 24 hours and generally have 40% battery in the morning

In January I generated 33 kw/h and used 18L of fuel which is about R380.

I run the genny at 75-80%, charging @ 4.7kw per hour

I am still on post paid and after using no utility power in January I received the bill for R1600 just for being connected to the grid!

To go off grid they charge crazy amounts to remove the service.

Another rip off by the corrupt City of JHB!

I bit the bullet and bought the Steco 7.5 Silent inverter generator in January 2026.

With City Power not allowing solar users to go pre-paid it seems the only alternative is to go off grid completely.

My solar system comprises of:

6250w of PV 3800w fixed on tile roof and 2400w bifacial PV on a solar tracker ( generates 25 kw/h on good days in summer 22 in winter)

2x 5KVa Axpert inverters paralleled

5x Pylontech 3000C 17.5kw/h

200L solar geyser

20L/hour gas geyser back-up

Gas stove

Airfryer oven.

Fridge, washing machine, dishwasher

10L 220V hot water kitchen geyser

I work from home recording studio, have 750w swimming pool pump runs for 8 hours a day

Rainwater harvesting pump 1000w used about 20 minutes a day to water vegetables and garden

We use about 30kw/h over 24 hours and generally have 40% battery in the morning

In January I generated 33 kw/h and used 18L of fuel which is about R380.

I run the genny at 75-80%, charging @ 4.7kw per hour

I am still on post paid and after using no utility power in January I received the bill for R1600 just for being connected to the grid!

To go off grid they charge crazy amounts to remove the service.

Another rip off by the corrupt City of JHB!

With an Axpert it is better to stay within specifications. I would not oversize the array with 1000 watt. 
The Axpert 5kva units that I am familiar with allows for 4000 Watt PV, what model do you have? If your inverter only allows for 3000 watts, your options however imo, to allow for more PV is as follows. 
Upgrade the inverter. Add a second inverter in parallel and connect more PV to the second inverter.  Or install a  Victron MPPT, with some more PV, configured to take care of the Charging, leaving the existing PV to take care of the loads.  

Try and use the same or at least a different make with the same specs if you cant get the same as you have and then add 2 x 250 watt (500 watt.)
Personally, I would stick to the specs in the manual, but others here feels its safe to add. so i guess you can add at your own risk.