Is anyone force-charging their solar batteries using Octopus overnight rates?

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81920701#Comment_81920701

Better pricing for what - import or export?

IOF is a net metering tariff, where import and export prices are the same. It is traditionally seen as a summertime tariff for those who are large net exporters as the tariff was around 23p/kWh day rate and 30p/kWh peak for both import and export (double SEG rates at the time). So if you generate more than you consume, you are being very well compensated for that excess generation. As you are not importing anything (net), the import price is not really relevant so just think of it in terms of the most generous export rate available.

Agile (combined with outgoing octopus) is more of an import tariff where you are hoping for periods of very low or negative pricing to charge batteries and load shift usage. I guess you are hoping to be able to import at a lower average price than you are paid for export - charge cheaply to cover usage and export excess to the grid.

Which approach is best for you will depend on your own individual circumstances, so either model it in a spreadsheet or use one of the available tools.

For me, IOF is worth around £400 more than any other tariff during the six months April to September as we can generate up to 4 times our daily usage (we averaged 26p/kWh last summer for our export on IOF). In winter we switch to Cosy as we have a heat pump and our usage is high, so we can import in winter at ~14-15p. What works for you may not be the same as what works for us.

ed110220

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6659278/is-anyone-force-charging-their-solar-batteries-using-octopus-overnight-rates

We have 4.8 kWp of panels but are slight net importers of electricity. I started out with 6 kWh of batteries but sold them and replaced them with a 16 kWh Seplos battery in Sep last year. I've just added another similar battery. I am on Octopus Go. I know they advertise it as an EV tariff but I don't have an EV. They did not ask if I had one when I asked to sign up, they just switched me over.

So I force charge each night in the 00:30 - 05:30 window at 8.5p/kWh which makes things easy as it's "no regrets" because if the next day is sunny I get 12p/kWh for exports. It would be more lucrative to switch over to a different tariff, say Flux, in the sunnier part of the year and back to Go in the darker part, but I'm not sure if the hassle would be worth it or if they might not let me back onto Go.

itm2

Hmmm…I just checked the Octopus site to get more info on IOF and this was the message:
"Energy prices are particularly volatile right now, so this tariff is temporarily unavailable. We’ll update this page as soon it’s available again"

😱

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81920500#Comment_81920500

if you're referring to IOF then it gives a much better export tariff in exchange for handing control to Octopus.

greenbee

I charge my solar batteries on Agile. While the system does have the ability to manage Agile pricing automatically, I find it picks blocks rather than individual 30 min segments, so have been doing this manually for over a year. I also set the hot water diverter and electric towel rails/heating if the price is really good to reduce oil usage. I have occasionally forgotten to reset and ended up spending more than I’d like, but overall it works well. (And I’ve just remembered to delete the hot water boost programme from last night!).

itm2

Ignoring export tariffs for the moment (we would probably consume any solar that we could generate), are Agile prices typically better than IOF?

Also, does anyone have any feedback/recommendations on hardware? I was initially looking at GivEnergy and Enphase, but there are downsides to both: I've heard terrible feedback regarding GivEnergy support, which appears to be virtually non-existent at the moment. Enphase, as well as being significantly higher cost, depends on management/control via the internet (there is no local control option). I'd much orefer a solution which had an option for local control.

NedS

IOF is an 'export' friendly tariff, really. It is at it's best when you are a large net exporter, so if you are not generating net excess (i.e, you can consume everything you generate and/or are a net importer), then you want to focus on the tariff that will give you the cheapest import rates. That would probably be Octopus Go or Agile, and grid charge the battery whenever the import price is cheaper than the SEG rate.

EcoScruples

I have stuck by Octopus flux and charge overnight during November to April (when the clocks change) then go max self consumption during spring/summer. Works for me.