is it possible to have solar and grid power to charge batteries at same time?

[treich]

Hi Guys
I am an newbie here and I have an question I am just wondering if there is way to have 1 or 2 solar panels and have power plugged in from utility side to charge batteries then have my devices plugged into it?

[Robert1234]

Why? Possible, yes - but it will not be cost effective.

You can use an inverter / charger that will keep batteries charged and permit pass thru power - and hook up a solar charger to the batts. For the most part, the batts and solar charger will just sit there.

[Mike90250]

Batteries can be charged from several sources at the same time. Winter mornings I use what sun there is via the solar charge controller, and the generator charges via the inverters' integral charger.

What size are your loads, and how critical are they ? Can one charger keep up ?

[noshali]

yes you can and I do it. But it is not feasible like stated. I use a external output in the charge controller to control this. I switch off commercial power at 9am and turn it back on at 5pm. In the meantime if the batteries drain to 50% then the external output on the charge controller turns on the commercial power.