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I Got Solar Panels from Octopus – Here’s What It’s Really Like
I’ve had solar panels and a battery installed by Octopus Energy since October 2023. I never thought I’d be the kind of person talking about kilowatts and inverters… but here I am, completely hooked on solar, and so are my kids!
In this post, I want to share what it’s actually like having solar panels with Octopus, how much it’s saved us, and the things I wish I’d known before getting started. Additionally, if you’re considering making the switch, I’ve included my £100 Octopus referral link below to help you get started (a big thank you if you choose to use it!).
Why I Decided to Get Solar Panels and Battery Storage
When we moved to a bigger house, I was determined not to let our bills spiral. I’ve always loved the idea of green energy, but I’m dyslexic and honestly? Energy stuff used to go right over my head. Octopus was the first energy company that actually made things make sense.
Fast forward a few years, and now we’ve got:
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15 solar panels on the roof
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A GivEnergy battery in the garage
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An electric car
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And a serious obsession with checking the app to see how much energy we’re generating 😅
The Day My Home Battery Glitched.
This was the moment it hit me that going solar AND battery storage was the right choice.
@sarah_go_green All new homes should have battery storage and solar panels. #sunstainability #sustainableliving #batterystorage @GivEnergy ♬ original sound – sarah_go_green
Our home battery feels like magic. But it’s not magic. It’s just smart tech, working quietly in the background. Even if you aren’t geeky and don’t want to fiddle with settings once it’s online, you are good to go and Octopus sorts all that out for you before they leave.
How Much It Cost Us (and What We Save)
We paid around £15,000 for everything. This included 15 panels and a 13.5 kWh battery. I know it’s a big upfront cost, but here’s the truth:
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From March to October, we barely touch the grid.
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We use cheap overnight electricity to top up the battery with Intelligent Octopus Go (7.5p/kWh!)
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Our average electricty bill is now offset by my solar generation in spring and summer and we build up a credit for the winter too
I posted a very quick 1-minute video here if you’re more of a visual learner or you just want so positive vibes about solar and battery in a very busy home:
@sarah_go_green I had @Octopus Energy install solar and battery storage at my home in October 2023 and this is my review #octopusenergy #octopussolar ♬ original sound – sarah_go_green
👉 Solar cost & savings explained
Is it worth it? 100%. Especially if you’re like me and want to keep bills down and do something good for the planet.
What the Installation Was Like
The Octopus team were brilliant. They arrived on time, explained everything clearly (even with all my questions), and tidied up after themselves. Honestly, it was one of the smoothest home upgrades we’ve done.
The only thing I’ll say is: you might have to wait a few months, especially in spring when everyone suddenly wants panels. But good things are worth waiting for, and it’s good to double-check you are getting exactly what you both want and need.
@sarah_go_green #octopusenergysolar #octopusenergy ♬ original sound – sarah_go_green
Top Questions I Get on TikTok and X.
“Do you still get a bill?”
Yes I do still get bills, but they are a fraction of the bills I had before my solar and battery installation. Often under £10/month from spring through to autumn. In winter, it’s obviously more, but we still save loads with the battery and cheap night charging.
“Is the battery worth it?”
For me, yes. It keeps the house running through the night, on cloudy days and during power cuts. If you’re out all day, it is still essential, as you can store excess solar for when you get home. I work from home and home educate my kids, so we are always making the best use of free solar.
“How long till it pays for itself?”
Based on our savings, about 7 years. If energy prices go up again, it’ll be even sooner, but you can’t fix a time period on it as tariffs can change at any time.
Why I Love Octopus
This is the company that got me caring about my energy. They make it easy, they explain things properly, and they’ve helped me go from clueless to confident. Plus, they’re always innovating, like with their Smart Tariffs that help you get the most out of your panels and battery. Plus I trust them to turn up if something should go wrong.
You can see more about why I chose them here:
👉 Why I went with Octopus Solar.
Want to Get Solar Too? Here’s My Octopus Referral Link.
If you’re thinking about switching to Octopus for solar, or even just your energy supplier, you can use my referral link to get £100 credit, and I’ll get a thank you too, which helps me keep sharing tips:
👉 Click here to get £100 when you have an Octopus solar or battery installation.
Got Questions?
DM me on TikTok or leave a comment on X. I answer as many as I can. I’m not a tech expert, just someone who’s been on this journey and wants to help others do the same. If I can get my head around solar, anyone can!
Thanks for reading, and if you’re thinking about going solar, do it. You won’t regret it
