Solar if it can, then battery, then wired power?

[adrenaline1073]

Hey people, my first time here and I'm searching for an answer to a question. I hope I'm in the right forum. I have a need to run a few items via solar when the sun is out, battery when the sun is down, and regular plugged in power when neither are available. I am not even sure if something exists, or what it's name would be (inhibiting my googling

Essentially it would run some pumps for an aquaponic garden. Just a sump pump, a pond pump, and an air pump and a heater in the winter. Basically I only want these items to run off my grid if needed, ei no more battery and no sun, etc... This would be my first solar project to save a few bucks on my electric with a few power suckers.

[russ]

and regular plugged in power when neither are available.

The most costly solution you can find - you certainly won't save anything.

[billvon]

Hey people, my first time here and I'm searching for an answer to a question. I hope I'm in the right forum. I have a need to run a few items via solar when the sun is out, battery when the sun is down, and regular plugged in power when neither are available. I am not even sure if something exists, or what it's name would be (inhibiting my googling

Essentially it would run some pumps for an aquaponic garden. Just a sump pump, a pond pump, and an air pump and a heater in the winter. Basically I only want these items to run off my grid if needed, ei no more battery and no sun, etc... This would be my first solar project to save a few bucks on my electric with a few power suckers.

Here's the best way to save money:

1) Fix the power suckers. Reduce the pump head, get more efficient pumps, use a natural gas or propane heaters (and the plants will like the extra CO2.)
2) If you still want to do more, install a small grid tie system. That way you _always_ use the solar you are generating at peak efficiency, you get any tax credits/deductions and you don't need batteries.

If you still want to do more, you can put in a battery backed system in case of power outages. This will not save you money, but if you risk losing your crop during an outage it might be worthwhile to you.