For example, purchasing a long bar electric chainsaw - much cheaper than a petrol one - which would allow me to set up an Alaskan Mill and mill my own timber.
If you look, you'll find most electric chainsaws have short bars and are just suitable for cutting small to medium diameter firewood, they'll be pushed to do a 12" cross cut. Milling needs a lot of grunt and the typical saw recommended is the 90cc Stihl 660 or bigger, it has the equivalent of over 5kw power, versus 2kw for Stihls top electric saw.
I've just ordered a 36" Alaskan, initially to have a play with smaller diameter logs up to a max of 15" diameter; I'm hoping my 50cc Stihl 261 will be just about be up to slowly milling small to medium logs- I asked Radmores if they thought the saw was up to it and they thought it would be pushed. Its one of the smallest spec saws on the Alaskan site where ripping chains are provided. I fully expect it'll struggle a bit and I'll soon move on to a top end 660 or 880 for anything a decent size, like my bigger fallen oaks. The £70 cost for a 20" bar and ripping chain for the 261 doesn't break the bank to have an initial milling play while I continue to build up strength after my injury. In another few months I'll upgrade to a bigger saw and have a go at the wider butts. For serious volumes of planking I expect to hire in a bandsaw.
I'm afraid if you have visions of milling loads of timber with an electric saw and Lidl generator its a bit of a non-starter. I don't see Woodmizer quaking in their boots at that prospect. You'll not be able to cut anything over about 6-8" and the likeleyhood is you'll burn out the saw in a short time, its just not powerful enough and not designed for what is very hard work even for a fairly meaty mid-range petrol saw.
"Ye canna deny the laws of physics, Jim"
Why would you want a deafening and expensive to run petrol generator and fan heater to heat your cabin when you are surrounded by free wood? Ever heard of log burners?
