Octopus Energy Solar Export Tariff 2026
If you’ve got solar panels and you’re with Octopus Energy, you’ve probably noticed your export payments just changed. From 1 March 2026, the main Octopus solar export rate dropped to 12p per kWh — the first change since 2022. That’s still a solid rate, but Octopus actually runs five different export tariffs, and which one pays best depends entirely on your setup.
Outgoing Octopus pays a flat 12p/kWh with no battery needed. Octopus Flux can pay up to 29.32p/kWh at peak times, but you need a battery — and it’s currently closed to new customers.
All 5 Octopus Export Tariffs Compared
Octopus doesn’t offer just one export rate — it runs five, each suited to a different kind of solar setup. Here’s what each pays as of 2026.
| Tariff | 2026 Rate | Battery? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outgoing Octopus | 12p/kWh flat | Not needed | Solar-only homes wanting simplicity |
| Outgoing Agile | 9.4p avg, 20–40p peak | Not needed | Those happy to track timing |
| Octopus Flux | Up to 29.32p peak | Required | Solar + battery (paused to new joiners) |
| Intelligent Flux | Up to 32.17p peak | Required | Automated battery (paused to new joiners) |
| SEG / Outgoing Lite | 4.1p/kWh flat | Not needed | Keeping a different import supplier |
Rates checked 2026. Agile rates are published a day ahead, around 4pm. Flux figures are peak export window rates (4–7pm).
Why Did the Rate Drop in March 2026?
Outgoing Octopus had paid 15p/kWh since September 2022, when wholesale electricity prices spiked sharply after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, wholesale costs have settled considerably, moving only a few percent each quarter since April 2024. The cut to 12p reflects that calmer market, not Octopus paying out less generously than before.
Check out SEG income estimator
Which Tariff Should You Actually Pick?
No battery? Outgoing Octopus is the obvious choice — flat 12p/kWh, no faffing about with timing. Happy to check an app daily? Outgoing Agile can beat that on a good evening, hitting 20–40p/kWh at the 4–7pm peak, though its yearly average is a more modest 9.4p/kWh.
Already have a battery? Octopus Flux holds your solar power until the evening peak before exporting at up to 29.32p/kWh, and Intelligent Octopus Flux automates that for up to 32.17p/kWh. The catch: both have been paused to new customers since March 2026, with no reopening date confirmed.
💰 What this means in pounds
A typical 4kWp system exporting 1,200 kWh a year earns around £144 on Outgoing Octopus at 12p/kWh — versus just £49 on the basic 4.1p SEG-only rate. That’s a £95 difference for picking the right tariff.
Eligibility & How to Apply
Every Octopus export tariff needs the same basics in place, and the Outgoing tariffs also require Octopus as your import supplier:
- ✓Solar panels (or wind/micro-CHP) fitted by an MCS-certified installer
- ✓A smart meter capable of recording exported electricity
- ✓A compatible battery — only required for Flux and Intelligent Flux
The Smart Export Guarantee itself is a government scheme overseen by Ofgem. Full eligibility rules sit on the official GOV.UK Smart Export Guarantee page, worth a read before you apply.
Our Take
Octopus’s rates are genuinely competitive against the wider SEG market, where some suppliers pay as little as 1p/kWh. For solar-only households, 12p flat beats faffing with Agile’s timing for most people. For battery owners, it’s worth watching for Flux to reopen — nothing else on the market currently matches its peak rate.
Check out Solar panels grants uk Octopus Energy’s main export tariff, Outgoing Octopus, pays 12p per kWh as of March 2026, down from 15p. Octopus Flux pays up to 29.32p/kWh at peak times for those with a battery, while the basic SEG-only rate is 4.1p/kWh. No. Outgoing Octopus and Outgoing Agile both pay for exported electricity without a battery. Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux offer higher peak rates but require a compatible battery to take advantage of them. No. Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux have been paused to new customers since March 2026, with no announced reopening date. New solar and battery customers are currently directed to Outgoing Octopus or Outgoing Agile instead.Octopus Solar Export Tariff — FAQs
What is Octopus Energy’s solar export tariff rate in 2026?
Do I need a battery to get paid for solar export with Octopus?
Is Octopus Flux still available to new customers?
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