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 30/04/2024
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 54.83p
Off-peak hours 0030 – 0430
Off-peak rate 9p
Peak rate 27.98p
Tariff Information
Intelligent Octopus Go
Standing charge 54.83p
Off-peak hours 1130 – 0530
Off-peak rate 7.5p
Peak rate 27.98p
Tariff Information
EON NextDrive
(need an electric car)
Standing charge 63.33p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 6.9p
Peak rate 29.86p
Tariff information
British Gas
Electric Driver
Standing charge 53.28p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0500
Off-peak rate 7.9p
Peak rate 29.83p
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 54.83p
Off-peak hours 0200 – 0500
Off-peak rate 15.18p
Day rate 25.29p
Peak rate 35.41p
Tariff information
Heat Pump Tariffs
Octopus Cosi
Standing charge 54.83p
Off-peak hours 04:00 – 07:00 & 13:00 – 16:00
Off-peak rate 12.39p
Day rate 25.29p
Peak rate 36.67p
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 55.34p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 13.31p
Peak rate 31.45p
British Gas Economy 7
Standing charge 57.39p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 14.64p
Peak rate 30.48p
Ovo Energy Simpler Energy – Flex Rate – 30/04/2024
Standing charge 57.39p
Off-peak hours 0000 – 0700
Off-peak rate 17.24p
Peak rate 28.60p