I'm thinking of going off grid completely.
I have enough PV, batteries, solar geyser with gas back-up gas stove, airfryer oven, to survive sunny or partially sunny days.
The only time I require ESKOM is if there's 2-3 days of heavy cloud

I want to replace my old 5 KW petrol generator, which charges the batteries and runs the load - with a 5KW Inverter Generator.
It has a lot of advantages, especially fuel efficiency, noise pollution etc.
I can charge my 14KW/h battery bank in about 3.5 hours currently while carrying the load.

Does anyone have any experience with inverter generators?

I don't, but am also interested in a backup generator, so - tagging along 🙂

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

I 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.