Export - Octopus Energy CM Snippets

Export Tariffs Overview

What is Export?

When customers generate their own electricity (usually solar panels), they can export unused energy back to the grid and get paid for it.

Requires generation system (solar, wind, etc.)
Needs export meter or smart meter
Get paid per kWh exported
Separate from import billing

SEG (Smart Export Guarantee)

Government scheme replacing Feed-in Tariff:

All generators with capacity ≤5MW eligible
Must have smart meter (SMETS2 or smart export meter)
Rate set by energy supplier
No generation subsidy (only export payment)

Octopus Export Tariffs

Outgoing Fixed

Rate: Fixed p/kWh year-round
Good for: Simplicity and stability
Payment: Quarterly
Typical rate: 4-5p/kWh

Outgoing Agile

Variable export rates matching wholesale market:

Prices change every 30 minutes
Can be very high during peak demand
Can occasionally be negative
Best for customers with battery storage
Requires active management

Outgoing Octopus (SEG)

Standard SEG tariff
Competitive fixed rate
Simple quarterly payments
No battery required

Flux Export Rates

Part of Octopus Flux tariff:

Higher export rates during peak (16:00-19:00)
Lower rates off-peak
Optimizes import and export
Best with battery storage

Export Setup Requirements

Technical Requirements

Customer must have:

Generation system installed (solar, wind, etc.)
MCS certificate (for solar installations)
G99 form submitted to DNO
Export meter or smart meter in export mode
Correct MPAN for export (differs from import)

Documentation Needed

MCS certificate: Proves installation meets standards
G99 notification: DNO permission to export
Export MPAN: Unique meter reference for export
System capacity: Total kW of generation
Inverter details: Make and model

Export Setup Process

Step-by-Step

Customer applies for export tariff
We request documentation (MCS, G99)
Verify installation meets requirements
Set up export MPAN in system
Configure meter for export readings
Activate tariff and confirm to customer
First payment after first full quarter

Common Setup Issues

Missing MCS certificate: Customer must obtain from installer
No G99 approval: Must contact DNO first
Wrong meter type: Need smart meter or dedicated export meter
Export MPAN unknown: Can find via industry databases

Export Metering

Smart Meters (SMETS2)

Best option for export:

Automatically records both import and export
Half-hourly export data
No additional meter needed
Remote reading capability
Works with Outgoing Agile

Generation Meters

Traditional export meters
Require manual readings
Customer submits quarterly
Less accurate than smart meters
Cannot support time-of-use export

Deemed Export

If no export meter:

Assume 50% of generation is exported
Based on generation meter readings
Less favorable than actual metering
Recommend smart meter installation

Export Payments

Payment Schedule

Frequency: Quarterly
Method: Bank transfer or credit to energy account
Statement: Shows kWh exported and rate applied
First payment: After first complete quarter

Payment Calculations

Example:

Export in quarter: 500 kWh
Rate: 5p/kWh
Payment: 500 × £0.05 = £25.00

Payment Destination

Bank transfer: Direct to customer's bank (most common)
Account credit: Applied to energy bill
Customer can choose preference
Can change at any time

Feed-in Tariff (FiT)

Legacy FiT Customers

Older installations with FiT:

Government scheme closed to new applicants 2019
Existing customers keep their FiT rate
Includes generation payment + export payment
Paid by FiT Licensee (not us)
We only handle import supply

FiT Transfer Process

Customer can transfer FiT to us
Requires FiT transfer form
Previous licensee confirms tariff details
We take over quarterly FiT payments
Original tariff rates protected

Common Export Questions

"How much will I earn?"

Depends on:

System size (kW capacity)
Location and orientation
Season (more in summer)
Home usage (less export if you use it)
Battery storage (store for later vs export)

Export Support