Brits can earn FREE electricity and win £12,000 by using less electricity during Wednesday’s historic solar eclipse
Octopus is running an Eclipse Power Down session on Wednesday (12 August) – use a little less electricity between 6-8pm and earn FREE electricity the following weekend
Customers can also enter a competition to win FREE solar panels and installation, or a £12,000 cash alternative
Britain will get its best view of a solar eclipse since 1999, with the Moon blocking up to 95% of the Sun – and nothing like it expected again for decades
The eclipse will briefly dim Britain's solar power just as evening demand peaks
London, 10th August 2026 – During Britain's deepest solar eclipse in almost 30 years this Wednesday, the country’s biggest energy supplier is rewarding customers for switching off.
As the Moon blocks up to 95% of the Sun over parts of Britain, Octopus Energy is asking households to cut back on electricity between 6pm and 8pm – when the eclipse is at its darkest and solar generation takes a hit.
Eligible customers who use a little less electricity than normal during those two hours will earn FREE electricity the following weekend (more info about how this works below).
Customers can also enter Octopus' eclipse photo competition for the chance to win FREE solar panels and installation – or £12,000 in cash instead.
Taking part is easy. Simply shift everyday jobs outside the 6-8pm window – run the washing machine earlier, or wait until later to use the dishwasher or fire up the games console.
The timing matters because the eclipse will briefly knock out a chunk of Britain's solar power just as millions of people are getting home and electricity demand is climbing.
Solar energy plays an increasingly important role in Britain’s energy system. Solar generated a record 14.4% of Britain's electricity in July, meaning a couple of hours without sunshine can leave a gap that has to be filled.
If enough households delay using electricity for a short time, it can reduce the need to fire up extra gas power stations.
Household flexibility is one of Britain's biggest untapped energy resources. Octopus estimates homes could provide a whopping 13GW of flexible capacity to support the electricity system – particularly through smart appliances, EVs and home batteries – yet only a fraction of this potential is currently being used.*
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy, said: “Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. But as the Sun disappears, so will some of Britain’s solar generation, just as demand peaks.
“By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations - and earn rewards for doing their bit.”
The Eclipse Power Down is the latest initiative from Octopus’ popular Octoplus rewards programme. Octoplus has more than 2 million customers signed up and has already paid out over £11 million and provided 20.5GWh of free electricity to households helping make Britain’s electricity system smarter, greener and more flexible.
Customers who want to take part in the Eclipse Power Down Sessions can sign up here.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
Eclipse Power Down details:
Power Down session: 6-8pm, Wednesday 12th August.
Power Down reward: 1 hour of free electricity on Sunday 16th August during the daytime for customers that use less electricity than usual during the Eclipse Power Down Session.
Eligibility: Customers who are part of Octopus’ rewards programme, Octoplus, and are signed up to Octopus’s Saving Sessions can take part.
Full T&Cs can be found here.
Free solar panel installation or £12,000 prize:
Step 1: Share a photo on Instagram, Facebook, X, or Bluesky showing what you did during the eclipse instead of being inside at home (your profile must be set to public during the competition).
Step 2: Tag @OctopusEnergy and include the hashtag #OctoEclipse in the post caption.
Full T&Cs can be found here.
* Multiple sources: Zapmap, NESO Clean Power 2030, MCS Data Dashboard, Spark, Octopus data.
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About Octopus Energy Group
Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.
The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £8.5 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.
Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide. For more information, check out our website.