Fund-rays-ing solar style: Octopus launches world-first solar donation trial to alleviate fuel poverty

• “Solar Sharing” customers can donate the value of their excess solar energy
• 15p given to chosen charities or fund for every kilowatt-hour exported
• Octopus also offering free solar and battery installations for eligible customers under the Warm Home Discount Scheme

London, 23rd October 2024 – Octopus Energy today launches a pioneering donation trial that allows solar customers to share the value of their excess energy with those facing fuel poverty.

In a world-first scheme, Octopus Solar Sharing lets households with surplus solar energy donate the value of their excess energy to the fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) or to Octopus’ Octo Assist fund – a £30 million pot dedicated to helping its customers in need.

Many homes with solar panels generate more electricity than they use. While energy suppliers typically allow customers to sell this surplus back to the grid, Octopus Solar Sharing takes it one step further.

Instead of keeping the earnings from the excess energy exported back to the grid, Octopus’ solar customers can now donate them to support meaningful causes.

For every kilowatt-hour donated, Octopus will contribute 15p directly to the chosen organisation. The scheme launches with NEA and Octo Assist, with additional charities to join in the future.

Solar power is increasingly important for reducing energy costs and providing sustainable solutions. With over 1.4 million homes in the UK already equipped with solar panels, this number continues to grow each year*.

To further boost the rollout of home solar and help those facing fuel poverty, Octopus is also offering eligible customers free solar and battery installations. The initiative is part of an extension to the Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme, available to customers who meet specific criteria**.

So far, Octopus has reached out to 10,000 WHD recipients who qualify for this offer, potentially saving them over 90% on their energy bills with the right tariff.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy Group, said: “Solar power is a force for good in itself – and now it can be shared with the ones most in need too.

“We’re just at the beginning of this solar revolution, and the more suppliers and customers we can get involved, the bigger the impact will be.

“Clean energy tech isn’t just for those with cash to invest in it, but it can unlock savings for all. It's not just about building a greener system, but a fairer one too.”

Octopus Energy entered the domestic solar installation market in January 2023 and provides full installation of both solar panels and home batteries to help homes in their journey to net zero.

For more information on how to donate excess solar to customers in need, Octopus customers can visit octopus.energy/solar-sharing/.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

*Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, solar photovoltaics deployment 2024

**The scheme is targeted at Octopus’ most vulnerable customers. Eligibility criteria include customers who are in or at risk of fuel poverty, or have high energy usage based on their vulnerabilities (medical equipment, chronic illness, physical impairment or pensioners with additional needs).

Octopus Energy engineers installing solar panels, source: Octopus Energy

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About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy tech 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 8 million households globally. Its operations span 18 countries and the entire energy value chain. The group invests in, builds and flexibly manages renewable energy, operating a £7 billion portfolio of projects.

Octopus has licensed its advanced data and machine learning platform, Kraken, to support over 54 million customer accounts worldwide through licensing deals with companies such as EDF, E.ON and Origin Energy. Kraken enables Octopus to drive the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative cleantech. 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.