Panel Power: serving your energy needs, sunny side up

The FiT scheme was a government programme that closed to new entrants from 31st March 2019. It was designed to promote the uptake of renewable generation like solar panels. Those signed up to the FiT scheme receive quarterly payments from the government for the electricity their installation generated and exported back to the grid.

To replace the FiT scheme, the government launched the SEG scheme in January 2020. SEG is a scheme whereby suppliers purchase your exported electricity without the need to be tied into an electricity contract. Our current business SEG export rate is set at 4.1p/kWh. In order to proceed with SEG, we require some more information regarding your current meter. Please contact business.seg@octoenergy.com for more information.

Outgoing Octopus and Panel Power are two completely different products. Panel Power is explicitly for businesses and Outgoing Octopus for domestic households.

Click here to find out more about Outgoing Octopus.

In 2020 we launched Panel Power. Thanks to Panel Power, businesses are not only able to export their surplus energy back onto the grid, but are also supplied by 100% renewable energy when their solar panels aren’t generating enough to cover all of their electricity needs.

1. Check for your Octopus Account.
   Because Panel Power requires you to have both import and export supplied by Octopus, the first step in the sign up process is double checking you have an active, on-supply business electricity account with us. If not, it’s super simple to sign up online. Feel free to click here for a quote.
2. Check the FiT register.
   It’s not possible to receive both FiT export payments and measured export, so we always check the national FiT register to see what you’ve already got. This is a manual step where we look at your account and search for your meter identity on Ofgem’s FiT register. If this shows the property is already on a FiT then we work with you on the options such as ceasing the export part of FiT; this requires us to update the register manually.
3. Check we have the right documentation.
   Aligned with the new Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) we need a copy of the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certificate, the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) Notification form and the DNOs response.
4. Create a new Export Meter Point Administration Number (often called an MPAN).
   Using the central industry database, we request a new extra identity for your existing meter called an Export MPAN. Responses usually take a couple of days, but depending on demand this can sometimes be more than a week. If the steps above have been followed then there shouldn't be an issue (on occasion MPANs may receive rejections but we can work with you to figure out why).
5. Add your Export MPAN to your account.
   Once we add your Export MPAN to your account, fixing it to the relevant tariff, we will begin receiving data of your solar export generation which will be used when billing!

It's hard to quantify how long it will take. As the first supplier to offer a smart export tariff, we know there’s quite a few things to iron out before we can get you onto Panel Power.

There are four main steps:

1. Check the FiT register. As it’s not possible to receive both FiT export payments AND measured export we always check the national FiT register to see what you’ve already got. This is a manual step where we look at your account with us and search for your address on Ofgem’s FiT register. If this shows you’re already on a FiT then we work with you on the options such as ceasing the Export part of FiT; this requires us to update the FiT register manually.
   
2. Check we have the right documentation. Aligned with the new Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) we need a copy of the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certificate, the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) Notification form and the DNOs response. For older installs we’re seeing a high level that haven’t been notified to the DNO which can cause several weeks’ delay and frustration.
   
3. Use the industry systems to request a new, extra, identity for the meter called the Export MPAN. This is another system that we log on to and manually enter all the details. Responses take between 2 days and 2 weeks. If the DNO notification isn’t recorded the request gets rejected, or if the equipment installed is not compliant it gets rejected.
   
4. Set up our billing system with the new Export MPAN, preferred tariff and (where relevant) line up the FiT Export end date. Typically it takes 2 to 4 days for the different industry systems that our platform connects to to complete everything.
   

In addition, as export requires a smart meter, we'll arrange the install in parallel for anyone that doesn't already have a supported smart meter. Typically we aim to install smart meters within one to two months. Once the meter is installed, it takes up to 10 days for the various industry systems to catch up and for our platform to start to receive half-hourly data.

In order to onboard onto Panel Power, firstly we require that you switch to Octopus Energy for your import tariff. Panel Power is a combined import and export tariff, so in order to qualify, both need to be on supply with Octopus. You can get a business quote here.

To create your export MPAN we then require the following;

If your system generation capacity is <50kW

1. A scanned copy of your MCS Certificate (you can read more about this here.) 
2. Proof of the DNO’s response to your installation (You, or your installer, must notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) of your renewable install in order for us to set up your meter for export measurement. This is done using a G59, G83, G98 or G99 DNO Notification form. The DNO will process this and write back to you with their acceptance of the install). We require the DNO response letter, not the DNO Notification form.
   

If your system generation capacity is >50 kWp

1. G59/G99 or G83/G98 certificate.
2. DNO response letter.
3. Electrical Installation Certificate. 
4. Full name and installers accreditation. 

Panel Power export rate is 15p/kWh. In order for us to process your request we would need your MCS certificate and confirmation from the DNO that they have agreed to the installation. If we apply for your export MPAN before this, it will get rejected. 

We can certainly get you started with an import tariff quote which will help speed up the process for when your solar installation is live and fully commissioned. You can get a business quote here.

Absolutely! Panel Power isn't reserved just for new installations. If you have an existing solar PV installation and are interested in having your import and export supplied by Octopus, then feel free to get in touch to find out more. We'd love to speak with you.

Panel Power supports all businesses with a solar PV installation up to 150kW peak capacity.

Your import tariff is the fixed term tariff agreement relating to your energy consumption. In order to onboard onto Panel Power, we require that you switch your import contract over to Octopus. You can get a business quote here.

You are free to choose the best import tariff that suits you. To compliment your solar generation we will the add our Panel Power export tariff which credits you 15p for every unit of electricity exported back to the grid!

For businesses, we have two offerings; Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and Panel Power. 

SEG is a scheme whereby we purchase your exported electricity without the need of you being tied into an electricity contract with us. Our current SEG export rate is set at 4.1p/kWh. In order to proceed with SEG, we require some more information regarding your current meter. Please contact business.seg@octoenergy.com for more information. 

Panel Power, in contrast, is our combined business solar tariff which requires that both your import and export are on supply with Octopus. The export rate for Panel Power is set at 15p/kWh

Outgoing Octopus and Panel Power are two completely different products. Panel Power is explicitly for businesses and Outgoing Octopus for domestic households.

For more information, check out our Outgoing Octopus webpage.

Depending on your current set-up, you may be required to have a SMETS smart meter installed to record any electricity not consumed on site. It really varies case by case but we are able to help out and assist with the set-up.

If you are half-hourly metered it is fairly simple, we will just need to make some small virtual changes to your meter in order to record both your import and export.

Yes! Three-phase and split-phase smart meters are now available, although you may have to wait a couple of weeks longer for an install as not all engineers are qualified to work on these types of meter.

You'll receive a credit note each month detailing the total exported back to the grid. This will be sent separately to any invoices for your import consumption. The half-hourly breakdown of your export can be found in your online dashboard. Don't worry, we'll give you all the detail you need to keep on top of your bills

First of all – no exit fees or tie-ins. Switching away will be just the same as if you’re just on one of our consumption tariffs. We’ll work out a final bill based on closing export and consumption readings. If your final balance is in credit, we’ll refund it. Your new supplier will let you know if they are able to provide any equivalent export tariff.

Under FiT you cannot change your export during the first 12 months and after that, can only change once every 12 months.

We credit you for your exports via your electricity bill. Therefore, if the solar installation on your roof is not registered in your name (e.g. you currently rent the system or the previous owner has not transferred it to you yet), to proceed, we will require confirmation of approval from the systems owner that export credits will be added to the properties electricity bill.