Everything you need to know about solar & battery installation with Octopus Energy
By generating your own electricity, you could avoid volatile energy prices and save on your electricity bills with one of our competitive smart tariffs. But how does it all work? And what will the costs and savings look like for your home?
How much does solar cost?
The energy crisis has highlighted just how unpredictable the price of electricity can be – so with advancements in solar and battery tech, the ability to take control of your home energy supply has created a welcome opportunity for homeowners.
Generating your own electricity means you stop being at the mercy of volatile global energy markets. Instead, thousands of households are choosing homegrown clean power, storing it for when they need it most, and cutting their bills in the process.
The cost of installation depends on how many panels you need and whether you choose to add a battery to store your daytime energy for the evening. An Octopus panel-only set-up starts from around £6,163 for 2 panels. To get a better idea of the cost of your perfect solar system, get a quick quote.
How much will I save on my bills?
Once you’re up and running, you'll start saving immediately as your solar powers your appliances (plus it's an excellent feeling when you can tell the kids that their PlayStation 5 is being powered by the sun). You'll also be able sell excess solar energy back to the grid for a profit and watch the pounds roll in.
Going battery-only? You can soak up cheap energy and use or sell it when prices are high. We offer competitive export rates through our smart tariff, Intelligent Octopus Flux.
With the right set-up, most systems will pay for themselves. According to the Energy Savings Trust, the average payback period is around 9-13 years, but we'll give you a clearer prediction when we create your personal quote.
How do I get solar: a step-by-step guide
1. We help you pick the perfect system
Design it with our team and once you're super happy with your quote, pay your £500 deposit and we'll get cracking.
- Get a quick quote: Visit our solar explorer. Here, you can pick between solar, battery or both, see a cost estimate and ask us to get in touch! You can expect a call or email within a few days.
- Send us some snaps: Fill in a design questionnaire (this isn’t as faffy as it sounds; you just have to send us a few photos). These allow us to conduct a remote survey, which speeds along the process and means no one has to bother you at home.
- Chat to our boffins: Next, you’ll have a call with a solar specialist. They’ll work with you to design the ideal system for your home and explain how much they’d expect you to save on your bills. This is the perfect time to ask as many questions as you like.
- Lock it in: If you’re happy with the plan, you can pay a £500 non-refundable deposit towards the final price of your install and we’ll get cracking!
2. We set up your installation
Our tentacles go into turbo organisation mode! We'll let you know about your install date and any other bits and bobs that need sorting out.
- Your solar sidekick: Your Smart Tech Specialist will introduce themselves. They’ll be your dedicated contact from now until you’re fully powered up, making sure everything runs smoothly.
- We do the paperwork: This includes asking your local grid operator (DNO) for permission to connect you. For bigger systems, this is a legal must — they need to know you’ll be sending them lots of lovely green energy! If you’re getting a smaller system (up to 3.68kW), we can skip this and just tell them after you’re set up. We find that it can take up to 45 working days for a DNO to review a request. Some are quicker than others (it’s a bit of a postcode lottery) but we’ll do the chasing for you.
- Get the diary out: Next, we'll pencil in your install day. Because no one knows exactly how long the grid bosses will take to give the green light, some installers wait for approval before booking you in. At Octopus, we don't want to leave you hanging. Instead, we schedule your install for about three months after we submit your paperwork to keep things moving. If the grid moves quickly, we’ll do everything we can to bring your date forward! (On the flip side, if they drag their feet, we may occasionally need to push it back).
- Tesla tip: If you’re getting a Tesla PowerWall 3, you’ll also need an earth rod. We (or a trusted installer) will pop round to set this up before your main install date. We explain all about this here.
- Scaffolding set-up: If you’re getting solar panels, we’ll arrange for scaffolding to arrive a couple of days before your install date and be dismantled as soon as possible (once you’re happy with your system).
- The smart choice: While you’re waiting, you can check out our smart tariffs and choose the best one to match your new green tech!
3. Installation day
The main event: the team arrive and get to work. They'll make sure your system's perfect before they leave.
- The big day is here! A friendly team will arrive, usually between 8am and 10am, and do a quick assessment. If we need to make any tweaks to your system's design, we’ll always chat with you before we start work.
- They’ll install your system. Solar panel and battery systems usually take 2-4 days to install. Battery-only installs are a little quicker! We’ll usually be all done in a day or two.
- We’ll thoroughly test your system, make sure you’re totally happy, and clean up before we head off.
- Your Smart Tech Specialist will reach out to see how everything went and answer any questions you have about the next steps.
- Once you’re happy, we’ll ask for your remaining balance (if you’re paying with finance, you can find out more here).
4. You've done it!
- Get the kettle on! Congratulations, you are now living in your very own mini power station.
- Need a hand? Our solar specialists are on hand to help with anything you need, like making sure you’re on the right tariff. And you can clearly see the energy you’re generating and exporting back to the grid using our app.
- Peace of mind All of our solar panels come with a 25-year product warranty, plus warrantees on our batteries and workmanship. Find out more
5. Getting paid
- Let's get you earning! The DNO has to do some more work to make sure you can get paid for the energy you export to the grid. We let them know that your system is up and running, but then the ball’s in their court.
- Busy bees: It’s worth saying that because so many people are switching to home-grown power right now, they are incredibly busy, so this final step can take a little time. We’ll hustle on your behalf and keep you updated every step of the way.
- Reap the rewards: Once they've done their bit, you can switch to the export tariff of your choice and start cashing in!
How solar panels work (even on cloudy days)
We may not be known for our endless summers, but the UK gets more than enough sunlight to make solar panels a great investment, particularly thanks to tech advancements that have made panels far more efficient. Panels thrive in direct sunlight, but they still generate power to help run your home on a cloudy day.
We think solar panels are a smart choice to make now. Not only do they keep your costs down and shield you from price spikes in an increasingly turbulent energy market, but you’re also helping to generate renewable energy, so it’s good for the planet, too. This is how they work:
Why Sarah chose Octopus for her solar installation
Our expert engineers have installed solar systems for thousands of customers like Sarah. See how much you could save on a solar installation in two minutes:
We’ve covered everything you need to know about getting solar panels here, but you can always get in touch if you’d like us to walk you through it or check out our FAQ page. And remember – Octopus offers competitive export rates, so you’re in the right place to make the most out of a solar panel installation.
Tell me about your warranties
All of our equipment comes with a manufacturer warranty:
- Solar panels: 25 years product warranty and 30 years linear power warranty.
- Inverter: Enphase Microinverters come with a product warranty of 25 years, and the Fox inverter has a 12 year warranty.
- Batteries: 15 years for Enphase products, 12 years for Fox products, and 10 years for Tesla products.
Our customers are also protected by a 5 year Workmanship Warranty Insurance scheme.
Our claims explained
'The average payback period is around 9-13 years'
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a solar system can pay back its cost in 9–13 years, depending on where you live and how much time you spend at home.
Payback periods are affected by factors such as your household electricity use, your roof size and orientation, and whether your system includes a battery.
After a free consultation, our solar specialists can provide a tailored estimate of your potential savings and payback period based on your home and system design.
Published on 14th September 2023 by:
Hey I'm Constantine, welcome to Octopus Energy!
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