Switching from British Gas to get solar tariff

Purple_Bladder

We were originally with PFP Energy and then got switched to British Gas in September 2021. In March 2022 we had solar panels installed and applied for a smart meter. Unfortunately it took BG until November 2022 to fit one. At the time we asked the engineer about the electricity we had been putting into the grid and were told that any payments would be backdated. Having contacted British Gas recently, I was told that we would only be backdated to the smart meter fitting date as long as we signed up to BGs solar tariff, which is a measly 6p/kWh. We are on BGs Standard Variable rate for electricity and gas.
I now want to switch from BG but wondered who to go with? Octopus look good, but not much info about how to sign up for the solar tariff.

Joyful

I would check what all suppliers are offering for Solar and go with the best price. It does not have to be the same company you get your energy from.

[Deleted User]

Have you got an Export MPAN for your smart meter? If not Octopus will require the following:

First you’ll need a smart meter that we can take half-hourly readings from (either a second generation 'SMETS2' smart meter or a first generation 'SMETS1' meter made by Secure). Here’s how to work out what type of meter you have. Here’s how to work out what type of meter you have.

An MCS certificate (this ensures the quality of any solar panels you use to export electricity).

A confirmation letter or email from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) explaining that they’ve been notified regarding your installation. (Your Distribution Network Operator has to be informed and agree to a microgeneration system (including battery storage) being connected - usually your MCS registered installer will have done this through a G59, G83, G98 or G99. Your DNO should then have sent back a letter or email to confirm they received and processed the notification form.)

Octopus has both fixed and variable SEG (Agile Outgoing). Fixed SEG is 5.24p/kWh or 15p/kWh. Agile Outgoing SEG prices vary each 30 minutes.

Raxiel

We were already with Octopus, with a compatible smart meter, when our solar was installed. We had them arrange the export MPAN and signed up for their 15p/kWh tariff.

They got everything set up pretty quickly. 10 days from application to export readings appearing on the account, but they only started the 'clock' from the day it went live, they didn't backdate it to when the solar was commissioned. I think the export register was on about 15kWh before we started getting paid for it.

Joyful is correct that your export buyer doesn't have to be the same as your import supplier, but Octopus will only offer their SEG tariff if you don't get your supply from them.

Officer_Dibble

Also if you have a battery, the soon-to-appear Octopus Flux tariff might be of interest. Your export will be at around 25p for most of the day. Raxiel's right, they won't backdate your export, but they seemed to add a bit to mine...it might have been from the day I provided the paperwork for the SEG tariff rather than the day it went live.

markin

Raxiel said:

We were already with Octopus, with a compatible smart meter, when our solar was installed. We had them arrange the export MPAN and signed up for their 15p/kWh tariff.

They got everything set up pretty quickly. 10 days from application to export readings appearing on the account, but they only started the 'clock' from the day it went live, they didn't backdate it to when the solar was commissioned. I think the export register was on about 15kWh before we started getting paid for it.

Joyful is correct that your export buyer doesn't have to be the same as your import supplier, but Octopus will only offer their SEG tariff if you don't get your supply from them.

Im 99% sure anyone can get the 5p SEG, its the 15p rate that you have to be a energy customer for.

Raxiel

markin said:

Raxiel said:

We were already with Octopus, with a compatible smart meter, when our solar was installed. We had them arrange the export MPAN and signed up for their 15p/kWh tariff.

They got everything set up pretty quickly. 10 days from application to export readings appearing on the account, but they only started the 'clock' from the day it went live, they didn't backdate it to when the solar was commissioned. I think the export register was on about 15kWh before we started getting paid for it.

Joyful is correct that your export buyer doesn't have to be the same as your import supplier, but Octopus will only offer their SEG tariff if you don't get your supply from them.

Im 99% sure anyone can get the 5p SEG, its the 15p rate that you have to be a energy customer for.

That's what I'm saying. If you're not a supply customer, they'll only offer the SEG. If you are a customer you can also get the Fixed Outgoing tariff at 15p, and if you also have a smart meter you can get Agile Outgoing.

[Deleted User]

Raxiel said:

markin said:

Raxiel said:

We were already with Octopus, with a compatible smart meter, when our solar was installed. We had them arrange the export MPAN and signed up for their 15p/kWh tariff.

They got everything set up pretty quickly. 10 days from application to export readings appearing on the account, but they only started the 'clock' from the day it went live, they didn't backdate it to when the solar was commissioned. I think the export register was on about 15kWh before we started getting paid for it.

Joyful is correct that your export buyer doesn't have to be the same as your import supplier, but Octopus will only offer their SEG tariff if you don't get your supply from them.

Im 99% sure anyone can get the 5p SEG, its the 15p rate that you have to be a energy customer for.

That's what I'm saying. If you're not a supply customer, they'll only offer the SEG. If you are a customer you can also get the Fixed Outgoing tariff at 15p, and if you also have a smart meter you can get Agile Outgoing.

Pedant mode. There is only one scheme which covers all the export payment ratess/tariffs mentioned. I think what you mean is that Octopus will only pay the lowest rate of SEG to non-customers and to those on some of their smart tariffs (eg; Go and IO)