Octopus Energy Outgoing & SEG Tariff Review.

This is the simplest Octopus Export tariff.

Octopus Outgoing offers a rate of 15p per kWh, making it the easiest set-and-forget Octopus export tariff in my view. It provides a reliable and competitive export rate, but there are other strategies to lower your home energy costs if you have solar panels and battery storage and are prepared to do a little more groundwork.

If you are willing to change your energy use Octopus time-of-use export tariffs could prove quite lucrative in the summer months.

• Agile Outgoing is a time-of-use tariff with half-hourly pricing. It changes every 30 minutes and follows wholesale energy prices. You can see the Agile export prices on your Octopus dashboard a day ahead so you can plan when it’s best to export your energy the next day. You can now also be on either of the EV tariffs if you want to sign up for Octopus Agile Outgoing!
• Octopus Flux – This is both an import and export time of use tariff.
• Intelligent Octopus Flux. This is both an import and export tariff that is automated using Octopus technology.

Octopus Agile Outgoing Tariff - 08/04/25	National Average Price.
Average Price	10p per kWh
Maximum Price	18.2p per kWh (18.30)
Minimum Price	7.7p per kWh (14.00)

What’s the highest-paying Octopus Export tariff?

Octopus Flux covers both your import and export tariffs.

If you want to get the best export rates anywhere in the UK Octopus Flux and its automated sister Intelligent Octopus Flux win hands down.  On Octopus Flux as an example, if you export your excess solar during the peak rate slot the rate is 22.75p per kWh!

Octopus Flux tariff is best suited for homes with both solar panels and battery storage. It is slightly different in that it is an import and export tariff all rolled into one. It doesn’t have to be your tariff of choice all year, many Octopus customers switch to Octopus Flux in the spring and stay on the tariff until early autumn. When the days start to become shorter they change to a tariff best suited to them for the winter months. I have covered some of this in my Octopus seasonal tariff blog post.

You can find the Octopus Flux rates for your area on the Octopus website.

Octopus Flux has 3 times of use rates for import and export.

Octopus Flux has 3 rate periods and one standing charge.

1. Super cheap rates between 02:00 – 05:00 every day, when you can top up your battery with any extra energy you may need.
2. A peak rate between 16:00 – 19:00, is the optimum time to discharge your battery and export surplus energy back to the grid.
3. A flat day rate that covers all other times.

This diagram should help you better understand the concept. This is my interpretation of the Octopus Flux Tariff and not an official image from the Octopus Energy website.

In the summer, the yellow solar line will extend further, giving you a greater chance to export energy at the peak rate while keeping your battery charged with green electrons. (Thanks to @eddiewawa for your sketch on Twitter 💚⚡️)

How often do you get paid for solar export with Octopus Energy?

You can monitor your solar export on your Octopus Energy dashboard. I use the Octopus App but you can also view it on their website. The advantage of using the Octopus app is that you can see the estimated amount you make each day, week or month for your exported solar generation.

The export payment is recorded and credited to your Octopus Energy account on your monthly Octopus bill. This is the payment I received in February 2024.

What do I need to apply for an Octopus Export tariff?

• Smart Meter – (Smets 2 or Secure Smets 1)
• MCS Certificate.
• DNO response.

You must not be receiving deemed export payments from a feed-in tariff (FiT).

You can sign up for your Octopus Outgoing tariff here.

Why do I need an MCS certificate if I want to be paid to export my excess energy to the grid?

Before moving to an Octopus tariff that pays you for your excess solar PV you will need to supply Octopus with your MCS certificate.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a standards organisation. They certify low-carbon energy technologies and contractors – including heat pumps, solar, biomass, wind and battery storage. MCS is considered a mark of quality in the industry.

An MCS certificate is not a mandatory or legal requirement for system installation BUT Octopus has decided to make it a part of its terms for ALL of its export tariffs.

If you want a copy of your MCS certificate or you want to check if one has been registered for your property you can contact MCS at 0333 103 8130, or email: hello@mcscertified.com. You can also check if an installer is listed as MCS-certified.

You will need to show Octopus your MCS certificate if you want to be paid for exporting your excess electricity.

When Octopus receives your MCS certificate they will apply to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for an export Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN ) for your smart meter. Once the MPAN is registered by the DNO Octopus can then start paying you for your exported electricity. If you export without this you won’t get paid and Octopus will not backdate any payments.

Can I get paid for my solar export without an MCS Certificate?

Octopus Energy is launching a trial where no MCS Certificate is required for solar export but this is separate from their current export tariff where an MCS Certificate is still required.

Is it worth switching my export tariff to Octopus Energy?

When you own green technology such as solar panels and battery storage you’ll need a versatile tariff that meets your individual energy needs. Octopus Energy understands and caters for consumers who want to electrify their homes and live more sustainably reducing their carbon footprint.

If you own an EV and have battery storage and solar panels as an example you can mix a smart EV tariff with an Outgoing Octopus export rate or you could take it a step further and use a time-of-use export tariff, such as Octopus Agile export. You can even change tariffs depending on the seasons.

Not only are the Octopus Energy Export tariffs more innovative than you’ll find anywhere else but the rates can’t be beaten either. Octopus Agile and Octopus Flux are in another league for export rates. You just need to be prepared to change your energy usage so you can export your excess solar at the optimum time.

Can I mix and match Octopus Import / Outgoing Tariffs?

Yes, you can. If you decide to have both your import and export tariffs with Octopus you can get every creative. As an example, you could opt for a standard tariff, such as the Octopus flexible tariff to import energy and combine it with Octopus Agile Outgoing. So you’ll get a variable rate for export based on wholesale prices. You can now also be on Intelligent Octopus for your EV tariffs and combine this with Octopus Agile Outgoing or Octopus Outgoing for your solar.

Incoming Tariffs depend on the green tech you have at home.

• Octopus Flexible Tariff – Eco 7 is a good option if you have battery storage.
• Octopus Tracker tariff – Follows wholesale prices (very good for gas at the moment)
• Cosy Octopus tariff – Heat pump tariff.
• Octopus Go – Electric Vehicle.
• Intelligent Octopus – Electric vehicle
• Octopus Flux – Solar and Battery Storage
• Octopus Intelligent Flux – Solar and Battery Storage.
• Octopus Agile – Follows wholesale prices.

It is important to remember that 4.1p is the lowest available price Octopus will pay you to export energy back to the grid and applies to outgoing customers who aren’t signed up with Octopus for import.

Here is a handy chart created by Octopus Energy to help.

How do I switch to Octopus Energy as a new customer?

All traditional and smart tariffs are available to new customers. Yes, you can switch to Octopus Energy using the link below. For any smart / tracker tariffs, you will have to sign up for the Octopus Flexible tariff first and then when the switch is complete ask to be moved tariffs.

My preferred method is to contact Octopus via Twitter they are really quick to reply but if you choose to call Octopus after signing up you can even select your on-hold music from your Octopus dashboard. They think of everything!  I’ve switched between tariffs lots of times via Twitter is easy to do.

If you use my referral link to switch we will both receive £50 credit on our energy bill. So a big thank you if you use mine!

After answering a few short questions you will be given a quote for the Octopus Flexible and Octopus Fixed tariff. (There are no exit fees)

I have solar panels but no battery storage which export tariff is best?

If you don’t have battery storage then don’t consider these Octopus export tariffs;

• Octopus Flux
• Intelligent Octopus Flux

Battery storage makes time-of-use export tariffs more profitable. You can store the energy and plan timing export to get the best rates that day. It is still possible to be on say Octopus Agile for export and not have a battery but it’ll be your average export rate that’ll make the difference as you have no way of delaying export.

I would opt for Octopus Outgoing fixed at 15p per kWh.

What’s the best set and forget Octopus Export Tariff?

If you have read all about the Octopus export tariff and it fills you with dread don’t panic. Octopus Outgoing at 15p per kWh offers the easiest option.

What is SEG?

The Smart Energy Guarantee (SEG) replaced the Feed In Tariff (FiT) payment in January 2020, which closed in March 2019. FIT users signed up for 20-25 years, offering a good deal. Switching to SEG or another tariff is a maths decision. (You can still claim FiT import you’ll just need to cancel your FiT export.)

Currently, on Octopus SEG you will receive a flat rate of 4.1p per kWh. You may well receive more on an Octopus Outgoing tariff but your choice of import tariff may be restricted. I will explain how this works in this blog post.

Historical context about claiming for your excess solar through FiT and SEG? 

The FiT scheme, a government initiative, was replaced by SEG in April 2019. Energy suppliers now pay for excess solar energy, with some offering lower rates. Octopus SEG at 4.1p per kWh.

Octopus, however, offer their customers extra for their solar energy. It all depends on your incoming tariff. Most customers should be able to get around 15p per kWh for exporting their excess solar energy. Electric Vehicle drivers are slightly different as they get an amazing off-peak incoming tariff for charging their EV.

Can I be on an Octopus Export Tariff for my solar PV and still claim FiT payments?

If you are receiving FiT you can still join any of the Octopus export tariffs. You will need to cancel the deemed export part of your FiT agreement.

Octopus contact points for any further questions.

Octopus Energy Outgoing FAQ. For further information Email seg@octopus.energy for more information.☀️

You may also find these posts by Sarah of interest;

• Summer Octopus Octopus Tariffs.
• Octopus battery storage tariffs.
• Intelligent Octopus Flux is it the best export tariff?