A need was identified for an off-the-grid power source that was quiet (for the majority of the time), inexpensive and low-ish maintanence.

I bounced a few ideas around but in the end, decided the best course of action would be to take a pair of high amperage 12v leisure batteries, re-purpose an exisitng 240v petrol generator, use that to run a 12v automotive alternator to rapidly charge the batteries and attach it all to a pure sine wave 12v to 240v inverter.