Battery storage is great for not only storing any excess solar energy generated through the day for use when the sun goes down, ensuring that you maximise the consumption of your generated power and reducing your electricity bills.
Another great way to keep your bills down is to switch to an off-peak tariff and charge your battery at cheaper rates for use during the day. With the advent of smart meters the number of off-peak tariffs (like economy 7) has risen as the electricity companies encourage electric car owners to charge up their cars overnight when there is surplus electricity as demand is lower and the wind turbines are still spinning. For customers with solar batteries they can be set to charge up overnight and discharge during the day. This is great especially in the winter when solar generation is lower but consumption is high.
For example if you charge a 10kWh battery on the Octopus Go tariff at 12p per kWh 12.30am and 4.30am and then use that power during the day when the price of power is 43p per kWh you are then using power that cost £1.20 (10kWh x 12p) instead of £4.30 (10kWh x 43p) saving you £3.10. Over the year, if used 100%, this is potential saving of £1,130 on your electricity bill.
Below are some of the tariffs available as of 06/10/2023
Please note the tariffs will vary according to your location. These tariffs are based on our office in Fetcham.
EV Tariffs
Most of these require you to have proof that you own an electric car or a hybrid.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Go
Standing charge 45.57p
Off-peak hours 0030 – 0430
Off-peak rate 9p
Peak rate 31.21p
Tariff Information
Intelligent Octopus
Standing charge 45.57p
Off-peak hours 0030 – 0430
Off-peak rate 7.5p
Peak rate 31.21p
Tariff Information
British Gas
Electric Driver
Standing charge 42.83p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0500
Off-peak rate 9.4p
Peak rate 30.91p
Tariff information
Ovo Energy
Ovo Charge Anytime
Charge for 10p per kWh whenever you smart charge your EV
Needs a compatible car
If you have solar panels only currently compatible with Indra Pro Smart Charger but will be compatible with other chargers soon
Tariff information
Solar & Battery Tariffs
Octopus Flux
Standing charge 45.57p
Off-peak hours 0200 – 0500
Off-peak rate 16.86p
Day rate 28.1p
Peak rate 39.34p
Tariff information
Heat Pump Tariffs
Octopus Cosi
Standing charge 45.57p
Off-peak hours 04:00 – 07:00 & 13:00 – 16:00
Off-peak rate 16.86p
Day rate 28.1p
Peak rate 44.95p
Tariff information
Economy 7 Tariffs
For these tariffs you do not need to own an electric car but still need a smart meter or economy 7 meter
Octopus Energy
Flexible Octopus – E7
Standing charge 45.66p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 15.01p
Peak rate 35.47p
British Gas Economy 7
Standing charge 47.58p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 14.66p
Peak rate 35.72p
Ovo Energy Simpler Energy – Flex Rate – 01/10/2023
Standing charge 44.96p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 18.64p
Peak rate 26.75p