Batteries are the weakest link in any off-grid system. Ideally you generate what you use, as you use it. Run the washing machine in the middle of the day, etc.
Batteries are ultimately consumable. But you also have a wasteful double conversion of energy, and storage loss.
You yanks are unfortunate with the 110V systems, as pointed out above, lower voltage demands higher current. 240 is way cooler.
24V would be the minimum bank voltage I'd consider. 36, 48 or 72 even better if you can find the gear (inverter etc) to run with it. Telco backup suppliers would be the people to contact.
The less conversion of energy, the better. You have a rotating engine, first look should be what can you spin straight off that (compressor, lathe, drill press)
Then if you need to charge batteries, a DC generator head (rather than generating 110 to feed a charger, to rectify and transform it to LVDC to go into the batteries, to be drawn out, inverted and feed the house...)
Diesel engines beat petrol IMO. Both for fuel storage, and tolerance. They'll generally run on any cleaned oil, waste motor oil, veg oil etc.
Petrols can be run on gassified wood, LPG/CNG, methanol, so there's a bit of resilience there but not as straight forward.