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Running my home as a mini power station to help the planet and my pocket.

Octopus Energy solar panels, battery storage and EV charging tariffs reviewed – May 2024

I may struggle to get the kids to clean their rooms but I can generate green energy, export it to the grid and create power for my own Electric Vehicle. This all happens without me lifting a finger.

My home mini power station.

15 solar panels all facing south
13.5 kWh battery
MyEnergi Zappi EV Charger
Tesla Model Y – Long Range.

I have an Electric Vehicle and have been using the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff for almost 2 years.

It made sense once my home battery was installed to stick with the same Octopus tariff and use the 6 hours of off-peak energy to charge my EV, run my home and most importantly fill my 13.5 kWh battery.

The Intelligent Octopus Go tariff was designed for Electric Vehicle charging but within the terms and conditions, you can also use the off-peak energy within the home.

The winter has been a dream after my Octopus solar and battery installation.

For all of those who scoffed at me for getting my installation done just as we entered autumn, I now wave my Octopus Energy bills and cheer. Running my home off solar and battery storage during the longest and darkest days of the year has been quite an eye-opener. Yes, we still have sunshine in the winter, even in South Wales!

I considered an alternative Octopus export tariff for the summer.

I have remained contented with Intelligent Octopus Go over the winter but wonder if I should be trying harder. My first solar summer is approaching and I need to revisit my Octopus tariff choice.

Should I step away from my happy place?

Intelligent Octopus Go for import
Outgoing fixed for my solar export.

If this was a test would I get a red pen comment saying “Try harder!”?

It just feels too easy.

My Octopus Energy tariffs for solar panels and battery storage.

I am currently on Intelligent Octopus Go for import and Octopus Outgoing Fixed for my export.

Octopus Outgoing fixed is a tariff designed for solar export – 15p per kWh.
Intelligent Octopus Go is an EV tariff – 7.5p per kWh between 11.30 pm and 5.30 am.
The day rate on Intelligent Octopus Go has a premium added. It’s more expensive than the Octopus Flexible rate.

Points to consider;

I have been on this combination for import and export tariffs since October 2023 and am extremely happy. It feels like it’s an easy way to run what could be quite a complex task without any real thought.
I am getting an excellent rate for my solar export whilst filling my battery on a schedule that needs no attention or monitoring overnight.
My average rate for importing electricty is consistently around 8p per kWh each amazing month.
The Octopus Outgoing export rate of 15p per kWh is above the basic Smart Energy Guarantee is around 4.1p per kWh.
I get a flat rate 24 hours a day for my excess solar generation. So no timed discharge is needed. Just set and forget.

This all requires minimum effort for maximum gain over the winter. If you are eligible for Intelligent Octopus Go and have a home battery I can’t recommend it enough.

Should I switch Octopus tariffs for my home battery and solar panels for the spring and summer?

I am reluctant to change my routine because I need to do very little to maintain the status quo in my home. Most importantly, however, it’s saving me money on my energy bill.

I have decided to stay on my current Octopus tariffs. They offer amazing value with a low import rate and a much higher export rate. It is simple and effective.

I am slightly too comfortable on @OctopusEnergy intelligent go combined with Outgoing fixed but that’s not a bad place to be?

Easy ✅
Comfortable ✅
Thrashing Energy Price Cap✅
Earning credit on my account ✅

Octopus Agile would appeal more than Flux TBH.

“Try harder?” ❌🤣 pic.twitter.com/VTIYyauOis

— Sarah Go Green💚 (@sarah_go_green) April 29, 2024

Octopus Energy Tariffs I considered for my EV, battery storage and solar export – May 2024

I looked at 3 tariffs for my import and export as an alternative to my combo of Intelligent Octopus Go and Outgoing Fixed;

Octopus Agile.

Octopus Agile would have been a good choice for my import tariff as prices can go negative. I currently pay on average less than 8p per kWh to import electricty but imagine filling your home battery, charging my EV or running my home for free! I have seen this happen a few times recently on Octopus Agile.

Octopus Agile, however, needs a more hands-on approach or you could invest in Home Assistant to automate it. (That’s my next project)

I am sure if I switched to Octopus Agile for my import I would save more than on Intelligent Octopus Go but for the effort, I am happy to stick with what I am comfortable with.

If you choose Octopus Agile, just so you are aware, it can also be combined with Octopus Outgoing Fixed.

Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux.

Intelligent Octopus Flux and Octopus Flux have better export rates than I am on at the moment. But you’ll pay more than Intelligent Octopus Go to import your electricty.

Last year the export rates were more attractive on the Flux tariffs.

Unless I export 50% or more than I import I don’t think it’s worth switching to either of the Octopus Flux tariffs.

Octopus Go and solar export rates.

If you can’t get Intelligent Octopus Go and have an EV you’ll probably be on Octopus Go.

On Octopus Go your export rate is limited to 8p per kWh export on Octopus Outgoing Lite. Under these circumstances switching to one of the 3 other export tariffs we have looked at would make more sense in the summer.

I would be kicking the ground if I wasn’t eligible for Intelligent Octopus Go. It’s a good solid all-year-round tariff which can be combined with Octopus Outgoing fixed at 15p per kWh. This is quite a happy place to be 365 days of the year!

About the author: I’ve Been a Happy Octopus Energy Customer for 6 Years and the cherry on the cake is they installed my solar panels and battery storage too.

You can find me on X and TikTok where I connect with around 7,000 followers looking for practical ways to electrify their homes and reduce energy bills.

Feel free to follow me Sarah_Go_Green and join the conversation – I’d love to hear from you!

I’m also featured on the Octopus website and their YouTube channel as a solar customer. I’ve been on BBC News, Radio Wales, published in the Telegraph for owning part of a wind turbine and had a feature in Bloomberg.

Even if your only aim is to lower your household bills and find the cheapest Octopus tariff I help there too.

Customer review.

My website is not managed or owned by Octopus Energy. It is just a website created by me, Sarah Go Green. A mum, a home energy geek and a very happy Octopus Energy customer.

I didn’t get paid for this review. Should you decide to have Octopus install solar panels we can split £200. Just quote code 9546o to Octopus. Let them know any time before you sign the final sales agreement. This has not influenced my review, it’s just a perk I would be delighted to share.

You can read further independent Octopus Energy reviews on Trustpilot where 89% of customers give them 5 stars.

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