I am wanting to go totally off grid and am thus researching the do's and don'ts of generators. My confusion is why is it necessary to install an AC generator. Surely it would make far more sense to install a DC generator, or AC generator with a bridge rectifier, to run in parallel with the solar panels. In that way the frequency is irrelevant and a lower cost generator can be used. It also isolates any electronic equipment from the generator.
I would appreciate your response.