Octopus energy company. Anyone use 'em?
Discussion
KTF said:
I was on the fence about solar for some time until I decided it would be a good idea to throw £10k of panels at the roof.
I over specced it as my plan was to export as much as I could as that is realistically where you make the money from solar.
My savings calculations are based on the export revenue and where it has been used in the home as that was a 'saving' on importing it.
So based on that logic, in 2025 my gas bill was £553.52 and electricity £854.18 giving a total of £1408.70.
I received £1216.85 in income from exporting it and 'saved' £349.50 by using the solar in home rather than importing it giving a total of £1566.35 meaning my annual energy bill for 2025 was -£157.65.
Using round numbers, the £10k installation cost divided by £1500 of income/savings per year gives an ROI of 6.66 years at current rates.
So solar does work if can fill the roof with panels and export the vast majority of it.
I realise that a lot of this is based on the 15p export rate and if that were to drop then the ROI would go out to the right. But, if that were to happen, I would then crunch the numbers on adding a battery as I would charge that up at 7p during the night, run the house off it during the day when there is no solar and at night whilst exporting any excess that comes off the roof instead.
I think the most money saved is in not importing at 24p, rather than exporting as much as possible. Thats why I've just added another battery to my stack. Export is only 15p, I'd rather use as must of solar as possible against our usageI over specced it as my plan was to export as much as I could as that is realistically where you make the money from solar.
My savings calculations are based on the export revenue and where it has been used in the home as that was a 'saving' on importing it.
So based on that logic, in 2025 my gas bill was £553.52 and electricity £854.18 giving a total of £1408.70.
I received £1216.85 in income from exporting it and 'saved' £349.50 by using the solar in home rather than importing it giving a total of £1566.35 meaning my annual energy bill for 2025 was -£157.65.
Using round numbers, the £10k installation cost divided by £1500 of income/savings per year gives an ROI of 6.66 years at current rates.
So solar does work if can fill the roof with panels and export the vast majority of it.
I realise that a lot of this is based on the 15p export rate and if that were to drop then the ROI would go out to the right. But, if that were to happen, I would then crunch the numbers on adding a battery as I would charge that up at 7p during the night, run the house off it during the day when there is no solar and at night whilst exporting any excess that comes off the roof instead.
I think the ideal scenario is to have batteries and solar.
Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
KTF said:
I think the ideal scenario is to have batteries and solar.
Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
That's exactly what I did in September. Went for 8.5kw PV systems with 17x 500wat panels and 20kw of Duracell batteries. Also added a Hypervolt 3 home pro charger (got an EV in Oct). Total cost was £16,395Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
For me the big change was being able to switch to IOG end of Oct. Then I was able to charge battery from 11.30pm to 5.30am at 7p. When it's been sunny during the day I can discharge the battery and let solar recharge. Then about 9.30pm I check to see how much is left and export if I've got a surplus.
I've got to say it's been a game changer for me. Wish I'd installed Solar years ago tbh. My monthly electric bill is on avg £160. Since I've got PV it's down to about £50 to 60 ish inc exports. This doesn't include the car charging as I'm offsetting that against what I used to pay for fuel. (1719 miles has cost me £57.34). the fact this is in winter amazes me and can't wait for longer, brighter days from Springtime
Here's some stats from my Duracell app.
Hustle_ said:
What is the advised maintenance-free lifespan of the panels and batteries?
Panels typically up to 30 years.Tesla Powerwalls have a 10 year warranty with a performance guarantee to retain at least 80% capacity, but should give a good few years of life beyond that. Other manufacturers warranty might require a periodic maintenance.
Hustle_ said:
What is the advised maintenance-free lifespan of the panels and batteries?
I would say they are maintenance free for their lifespan.Some people pay to get the panels cleaned but I don't think this is really needed as mine self clean when its raining.
For the batteries, maybe give them a quick once over with a hand held hoover now and again but thats about it.
KTF said:
I think the ideal scenario is to have batteries and solar.
Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
Lovely if you can get that 7p O/N charge rate and still be paid to export - I found if you want to sell and export the O/N charge rate is considerably higher (c14p?) as the house always wins. We looked at summer excess generation vs winter overnight charging and our sums came out with us saving considerably more over the winter than we would sell back in the summer so just went for cheaper winter and forget about the excess in the summer. It’s horses for courses and we have a SE array so lose late afternoon and evening sun all year round but you do have to work out quite precisely where the gains and losses are.Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
McGee_22 said:
Lovely if you can get that 7p O/N charge rate and still be paid to export - I found if you want to sell and export the O/N charge rate is considerably higher (c14p?) as the house always wins. We looked at summer excess generation vs winter overnight charging and our sums came out with us saving considerably more over the winter than we would sell back in the summer so just went for cheaper winter and forget about the excess in the summer. It s horses for courses and we have a SE array so lose late afternoon and evening sun all year round but you do have to work out quite precisely where the gains and losses are.
Odd as I had no issues with Octopus getting IOG (as long as you have compatible car or charger) for 7p O/N and getting their 15p Export tariff as well.jodypress said:
Odd as I had no issues with Octopus getting IOG (as long as you have compatible car or charger) for 7p O/N and getting their 15p Export tariff as well.
Ahh, but if you have just an extension lead or perhaps no leccy car at all you can only choose OG without the intelligent thing to hinder you at all.KTF said:
I think the ideal scenario is to have batteries and solar.
Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
That's what I do - I have a 14.3kWh battery bank (self-built) which I charge overnight, and 9x260W ex-solar farm panels I bought in 2022 and installed on a patio roof. Only on the very darkest winter weekend days do I use it all up, although I live alone and don't use the oven much. I usually run the tumble dryer and dishwasher overnight.Charge the batteries up overnight at 7p then use/top them up during the day from the solar and export any surplus.
Export anything left from the batteries before the cheap overnight slot starts and rinse and repeat.
Then, in theory, the only importing you would need to do would be overnight and be completely 'off grid' for the rest of the time.
If you put the cost of the install on a 0% credit card and shift it around every few years then the up front cost is low as well. It also assumes that your DNO doesn't put an export restriction in place as that can also put a spanner in the works.
Edited by Gareth79 on Thursday 22 January 13:44
Taken from another thread, interesting read
QuantumTokoloshi said:
Analysis of Octopus Energy financial position and the recent Octopus / Kraken demerger. Might be nothing, might be something. 12 to 18 months will tell.
Octopus and Kraken are swimming in murky waters
Octopus and Kraken are swimming in murky waters
WPA said:
Taken from another thread, interesting read
A lot of words based on a very loose understanding of what has taken place and not many facts. The biggest assumption seems to be that just because the demerger has been announced that funds have already flowed.QuantumTokoloshi said:
Analysis of Octopus Energy financial position and the recent Octopus / Kraken demerger. Might be nothing, might be something. 12 to 18 months will tell.
Octopus and Kraken are swimming in murky waters
Octopus and Kraken are swimming in murky waters
Edited by AyBee on Tuesday 27th January 21:36
Anyone know of the top of their heads the answer to this?
The OH has just had an electric car, she has her own house and her car will be parked at her house when she's at work because she needs sleep, then when she's off she stays at mine.
Is there any restriction on using the cars order number to switch to the car charging tariffs and each electric company, I'm on Octopus and she's with EDF.
I don't have a charger at my house yet but I do have 7KwH of panels and 15 Kw batteries.
ta.
The OH has just had an electric car, she has her own house and her car will be parked at her house when she's at work because she needs sleep, then when she's off she stays at mine.
Is there any restriction on using the cars order number to switch to the car charging tariffs and each electric company, I'm on Octopus and she's with EDF.
I don't have a charger at my house yet but I do have 7KwH of panels and 15 Kw batteries.
ta.
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