By `The Bush", do you mean fly-in? Have you done a long term fly-in before?
Efficiency is what the question should be about. I think.
Good quality PVs are heavy. If I needed that much power on a fly-in, I would buy light weight `disposable' PVs. Like HF POVs. Good PVs take less area but are heavy.
Max-weight is a lot less than you may think. The machete isn't needed if there is an ax at the base camp. 4 guys don't need 4 fillet knives or 4000 band aides.
There will be plenty of time to carry water. Save the battery power for something else. Maybe a Sat-phone?
"Also, can I use an old large farm tractor 12V batt for storage"
A `tractor battery' has got to be too heavy. I can not see a single 85AH battery being too small.
We take a 7AH and a couple dozen AAs. No inverter. No AC stuff. It would not fit in the plane anyway.
Around day #10 most people would wish they had more Pepsi, beer or 100% DEET.
Not sure what you mean by `a few small appliances'.
If it is not propane or AA powered, you need to look for another system.
"I will be living in the bush in my tent for 4 months".
I am guessing Canada. "tent' and `4 months' in the same sentence means black flies. No matter what the guides said. The guide's perception of `bad bugs' is far different than yours.
There is no such thing as too much DEET, or too many PIC coils, or too many Bic lighters.
Anything under "90%" DEET is a joke. Pumps only, instead of sprays. Only pumps (ie muskol). We figure 1 oz 100% pump bottle per 2 persons per day. "Bug Season" figure 2oz per person per day. God forbid we ever run out in May, June or September.
Coils are the only thing for black flies in an enclosure. "Yard-Guard" in a place like these is a waste of effort, weight and money.
A Bic can save your life.
End Lecture. :-)
Do not take 4 months in the bush lightly.
A link that may give you an idea what I mean...
http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/8/21/205627/022
G-