New Octopus tariff for solar and battery users - Octopus Flux

Mimikins

Toki said:

I'm due to get PV solar and battery installed in the coming month or so.

I've been trying to compare Octopus tariffs before the installation.  We currently use 2,000kWh per year.  This will increase later this year once we get a hybrid ASHP installed.  I'm on Octopus gas tracker currently and as long as the gas price is under the electricity price x SCOP then will continue using gas.  At a guess, electricity may increase to 3,000kWh per year.

Hi, before having panels fitted we used about 2000 kWh. We now heat all domestic hot water by solar via immersion, figures gone up. Pvgis estimate is 3100 so relatively modest system, with 2 x Pylontech batteries 6.4 storage. Yet a total game changer especially with a TOU tariff. Benefit of the battery means any electric I import will only ever be on the best rate I can organise, flux has been great this summer, as our needs change I'll review it but am happy for now. I've built up a healthy credit against the winter bills. Am considering adding another battery before then. No ashp but a2a one (air con) installed for heating and cooling so expect usage to rise further. Live in 3 bed well insulated terraced townhouse, don't use gas now, what's good for me won't suit everybody. 

Oscarmax

We added a Solax Triple AC 5.8 kWh basically because I wanted one, at the time saving was paying a pittance. Will I see the £4,500 back probably not.

Toki

Thanks for all the replies.  Conscious some of this may be going OT so will keep it brief.

Reason for the battery aren't 100% financial, like the idea of being more self sufficient and doing my bit for the climate, although there are arguments batteries aren't very climate friendly I know.

It only cost ~£3.5k extra.  I expect this to increase my ROI but not by a huge amount given as you say Ron-Ski and Mimikins, I can sell excess back to the grid in peak times if I use Flux, instead of Outgoing Fixed. 

pensionpawn

Alnat1 said:

My 4.8kw battery added 2.5k to my install. It should do 6,000 cycles, lets call that 15 years.

£2500 divided by 15 = £166.66. Divide that by 365 = 0.456, let's call it 47p a day cost.

I can save some of that by not having to import any electricity after the sun goes down, which for 5 months of the year will cover the peak 4-7 times, or when I boil my kettle first thing in the morning before the panels get properly going. I save a bit more with a TOU tariff to fill the battery up with cheaper electricity overnight in the darker gloomier days and  I can max out my Flux export during the 4-7 pm peak.

I don't think my battery will make me a fortune but I'm also pretty sure I will get back what I spent on it. I've have had some good fun playing with it too.

I assume you're battery is 4 8kWs peak o/p and you're not referring to energy capacity? Both are factors in my ongoing calculations on the fiscal viability of a battery for me. The peak power available to offset the heavy demand of cooking in the darker months and the capacity to power the house without import between late Nov and early Feb. Even with a 7.1 array I  don't have enough spare in winter to charge a battery and I don't need to store much in the summer. I agree with whoever posted that the period around the equinoxes is optimal for battery storage however with just 3.4 Mwhrs of import for me it is very difficult to see an RoI in less than 10 years. However since moving onto Flux the argument for having a battery diminishes further. Not really needed in summer (imported just 181 kWhrs since 21st May, and at least a third of that is night rate to maximise export during the day) and it won't put much of a dent in winter import (588 kwhrs last Dec). Horses for courses. Much prefer to wait for bi-directional car charges and the considerable capacity increase that brings. 

Ron-ski

One benefit of our battery system is we can use what we want when we want, no need time things for cheap rate , or when the sun's out etc. But everyone has different goals/usage, so it's really what works for each household.

Exiled_Tyke

Ron-ski said:

One benefit of our battery system is we can use what we want when we want, no need time things for cheap rate , or when the sun's out etc. But everyone has different goals/usage, so it's really what works for each household.

Couldn't agree more.  I reckon I will break even on mine but didn't expect to when I got it.  But now I don't have to dodge the clouds anymore so much more convenient.   The battery was bought way before Flux so that wasn't even an option and even now with FIT and using most of my PV I doubt it would work for me. Plus it would bring another level of hassle, keeping an eye on the rates and setting import and export schedules. 

slewis1972

Need advise how to configure flux as just got accepted. I have a 10kw battery ( well 2 x 5kw ) and 15 x 410 panels split over east and south roof line. 

4 adults in house. Growatt inverter so using shine app.

Any advise on how to configure on best settings subject to time of year? I have some guides , just see what else everyone has done.

Regards

powerful_Rogue

slewis1972 said:

Need advise how to configure flux as just got accepted. I have a 10kw battery ( well 2 x 5kw ) and 15 x 410 panels split over east and south roof line. 

4 adults in house. Growatt inverter so using shine app.

Any advise on how to configure on best settings subject to time of year? I have some guides , just see what else everyone has done.

Regards

I charge my batteries between 0200-0500 and then leave the solar to work it's magic during the day.

Ron-ski

slewis1972 said:

Need advise how to configure flux as just got accepted. I have a 10kw battery ( well 2 x 5kw ) and 15 x 410 panels split over east and south roof line. 

4 adults in house. Growatt inverter so using shine app.

Any advise on how to configure on best settings subject to time of year? I have some guides , just see what else everyone has done.

Regards

Charge you're batteries off peak as much as possible, any excess solar is then exported at a higher kWh rate than you paid to charge them, so you can't lose and if the weather is bad you have a full battery which is a bonus.

Optionally dump some back to the grid in peak rate, just ensure you have enough to see you through the peak period.

slewis1972

Ron-ski said:

slewis1972 said:

Need advise how to configure flux as just got accepted. I have a 10kw battery ( well 2 x 5kw ) and 15 x 410 panels split over east and south roof line. 

4 adults in house. Growatt inverter so using shine app.

Any advise on how to configure on best settings subject to time of year? I have some guides , just see what else everyone has done.

Regards

Charge you're batteries off peak as much as possible, any excess solar is then exported at a higher kWh rate than you paid to charge them, so you can't lose and if the weather is bad you have a full battery which is a bonus.

Optionally dump some back to the grid in peak rate, just ensure you have enough to see you through the peak period.

At the moment I get down to 30%/40% approx at night ( kids with fans on etc )  but then is 100% by lunchtime. 

I assume I leave as is at the moment ? And excess auto goes into grid?

But then there is a few pence different between import and standard export so assume I must top up when cheap.

Regards