Octopus Octoplus free summer energy sessions don't forget to sign up

Qyburn

pengbo said:

Lurking for a number of years but just gotta ask what size solar array do you need to have to effectively be "net zero" (sorry couldn't resist).  

We have 8 point something kWp, 20 panels. Only installed last Summer so we only have one complete year, in which we generated around twice our annual consumption.

Qyburn

Alnat1 said:

Contact them and ask to go on Variable DD. You only pay the amount of the bill, if you're in credit they simply reduced your account balance. DD payment is generally taken around 2 weeks after the bill date if required. I've had it set up this way since I moved to Octopus in April 22, haven't paid a DD since as the credit builds up over summer and covers the winter bills.

On variable DD the export payments are still added as credits to your account. They're not actually paid out unless you manually claim refund of some credit.

Alnat1

Qyburn said:

Alnat1 said:

Contact them and ask to go on Variable DD. You only pay the amount of the bill, if you're in credit they simply reduced your account balance. DD payment is generally taken around 2 weeks after the bill date if required. I've had it set up this way since I moved to Octopus in April 22, haven't paid a DD since as the credit builds up over summer and covers the winter bills.

On variable DD the export payments are still added as credits to your account. They're not actually paid out unless you manually claim refund of some credit.

I'm obviously aware of that but it saves paying a set DD amount each month that you know you don't need to. I simply allow the export credit to build up over summer and see it decrease over winter. If there was still a significant credit by the end of March I would then claim it as a refund.

I know it's not the best MSE way, I should be earning a few pennies of interest on the summer credit and then swapping it around to pay bills in winter but constantly claiming it back is a faff. With Variable DD it all just works without needing any ongoing attention.