Octopus Energy Outgoing & SEG Tariff Review.
To maximize your earnings from excess solar generation, it is crucial to be on the right Octopus export tariff. With my recent installation of solar panels and battery storage, I have developed a keen interest in both the weather and my export tariffs. Octopus Energy offers a range of innovative tariffs that can greatly impact the amount of income you can generate from exporting your solar energy.
I’ve been an Octopus Energy customer for 6 years now, and am taking steps to electrify my home. My main goal is to be self-sufficient and generate and consume my own energy. However, there will be times when I can share my solar power and export it to the national grid. I appreciate how Octopus prioritises excellent customer service and environmentally friendly tariffs that make this rewarding. Their commitment to sustainability not only helps reduce my bills but also allows me to contribute to a greener future.
If you are interested in green technology Octopus Energy is without doubt the energy supplier to be with! In this review of Octopus export tariffs for 2024, I will explore these options in detail. If you have any questions drop me a message or reach out to me on Twitter.
Written by Sarah Chambers
Ready, Steady And Octopus Export!!
Octopus Energy stands out as the top provider of cutting-edge environmentally friendly tariffs. Their solar export rates are among the highest available, and when paired with one of their exclusive Octopus smart tariffs, they can significantly lower your energy costs.
Choosing a tariff may feel overwhelming with so many options available, but the range of choices allows customers to customise a tariff to suit their unique green home setup. Each home is different, and with the addition of green technology, having a variety of options is essential to maximise energy bill savings.
If you haven’t had solar panels installed yet here’s my review of my recent Octopus Energy solar and battery installation. Yes, this is me in the video below too.
Do you have to be an Octopus Energy customer to be eligible for an Octopus Export tariff?
You don’t need to be an Octopus Energy customer to qualify for an Octopus export tariff but you’ll be limited to their Octopus Smart Energy Guarantee.
- SEG – Stand-alone export tariff with a flat rate of 4.1p per kWh.
If you want to maximise your earnings from excess solar generation exported to the National Grid, I highly recommend switching your domestic import tariff to Octopus Energy. You’ll receive a much higher payment for your exported energy.
There are a variety of Octopus solar export tariffs to meet your needs.
I will start by listing the more traditional Octopus tariffs that offer a flat export rate.
- SEG is the lowest rate of export at 4.1p per kWh so why would you choose it? Octopus SEG allows you to be with another provider for your import tariff. Do not opt for this tariff if you have an Octopus import tariff too.
- Outgoing Lite: Fixed at 8p per kWh. (This can be combined with Octopus Go for import.)
- Outgoing Fixed Fixed at 15p per kWh.
You can combine Outgoing Fixed and SEG with any Octopus import tariff except Octopus Go. If you are on Octopus Go you will be restricted to SEG or Outgoing Lite. (I will explain more further down the page.)
Octopus Energy Outgoing Tariffs Rates. (01/07/2024) | Per kWh Exported |
---|---|
Octopus SEG (If you have no import tariff.) | 4.1p |
Octopus Outgoing Lite (Combined with Go tariff) | 8p |
Octopus Outgoing Fixed tariff. | 15.0p |
Octopus Outgoing Agile. | Variable - half-hourly pricing based on day-ahead wholesale rates. (see table below) |
Octopus Flux tariff | 2am to 5am - 4.85p per kWh 4pm to 7pm - 22.75p per kWh. All other times 15.08p per kWh |
Intelligent Octopus Flux | Off-peak (21 hours): 20.13p/kWh Peak (4 pm – 7 pm): 26.84p/kWh |
Octopus export rates can be a great way to save money on your energy bills by receiving credits each month. It’s important to pair your export tariff with the best incoming tariff for optimal savings. Some customers even store energy in their battery at off-peak rates to export it back to the grid at first light.
It is important to maximize your savings, especially during the spring and summer months when daylight hours are longer. Considering both your import and export tariffs can help you reduce your overall monthly costs and make the most out of your excess solar generation. It’s a smart way to make your energy usage more efficient.
Consider exploring this option further to see how you can benefit from Octopus export rates and optimise your energy consumption. By combining different tariffs effectively, you can take full advantage of your solar generation and lower your energy expenses. It’s a practical approach to managing your energy usage and saving money in the long run.
This is the simplest Octopus Export tariff.
Octopus Outgoing Fixed offers a fixed 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 ground work.
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 - 08/10/24 | National Average Price. |
---|---|
Average Price | 10.1p per kWh |
Maximum Price | 18.8p per kWh (18.30) |
Minimum Price | 7.2p per kWh (03.30) |
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 on the market 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 time of use rates for import and export.
Octopus Flux has 3 rate periods and one standing charge.
- Super cheap rates between 02:00 – 05:00 every day, when you can top up your battery with any extra energy you may need.
- A peak rate between 16:00 – 19:00, is the optimum time to discharge your battery and export surplus energy back to the grid.
- 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, providing you with 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 for exporting 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 a fixed 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. (Octopus Go is limited to 8p per kWh on Octopus Lite Outgoing.)
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. On Octopus Go you get 8p per kWh on Octopus Lite Outgoing and every other customer can get at least 15p per kWh. (It will vary on Agile Outgoing!)
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 really 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.
Personally, 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 fixed at 15p per kWh offers the easiest option.
The only customers who can’t get the Octopus Outgoing fixed tariff are those who own an EV and are on Octopus Go. Instead, you’d have to consider Octopus Lite Outgoing which is 8p per kWh. Also, those who don’t have an import tariff with Octopus are limited to the SEG rate which is 4.1p per kWh.
What is SEG?
The Smart Energy Guarantee (SEG) replaced 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. However, If you are eligible for Intelligent Octopus you can get both great EV charging rates and a minimum of 15p per kWh export.
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?