Octopus energy free solar panels and battery

RegoR

Apologies if I’ve posted this under the category.

Has anybody else taken up this offer from Octopus Energy for free solar panels plus the battery,

I have been talking to Octopus on behalf of a disabled relative that qualifies for free solar panels (16) plus battery (Fox ESS 10kW), Free No Cost at all.

I have received the final design and contract for her new solar system today, (it’s provided at no cost to her under the Warm Home Discount Industry Initiative,) I just need to sign the contract and it will be scheduled to be installed in January/February 2027.

I have arranged for a new smart meter to be installed next week, and once I the system is up and running will be on the intelligent flux tariff,(I think)

I know this sounds too good to be true, I guess they made an offer I couldn’t refuse, does anyone have any comments, good or bad?..anything I should ask before I sign the contract.

Thank you

sheenas

Seems like an excellent idea and it will be interesting to see how it goes. I guess the only downside is that your tide into Octopus for a fixed period?

Baldytyke88

What you can get

If you’re eligible and your local council has funding available, they will arrange a home survey to see how your home could be made more energy efficient. They might suggest improvements like installing:

• wall, loft and underfloor insulation
• air source heat pumps
• smart controls
• solar panels

https://www.gov.uk/apply-warm-homes-local-grant

The above does not mention a battery, how big is the battery; I assume that it's not a scam? Are you also getting underfloor insulation etc?

QrizB

The above does not mention a battery, how big is the battery; I assume that it's not a scam? Are you also getting underfloor insulation etc?

The WHD Industry Initiatives scheme is different to the Warm Homes: Local Grant.

There's generic info from Ofgem here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/warm-home-discount-whd/suppliers

If you are an obligated supplier under Warm Home Discount, you must meet your non-core spending obligation in England and Wales through Industry Initiatives. In Scotland, spending on Industry Initiatives remains optional. 

These are activities which help fuel poor customers in ways other than providing energy bill rebates. They can often be delivered in partnership with other organisations, using funding from energy suppliers. They can last over the course of a scheme year or extend across multiple years.  

RegoR

Thanks for your replies,
During the conversation I had with them Octopus Energy, I was assured that there would be no tie in to them, the solar panels and the Battery (10 kW.FOX ESS) would become the property of my relative once installed, workmanship guaranteed for 5 years after the installation, there is also a 25 year guarantee on the panels and a 10 year guarantee on the batteries, she would be free to go with any Energy company, I will doublecheck with the contract but to get the installation for free I think that’s still worth going with.

I know the local authority do funding /grants for various home improvements, heat pump, solar panels, insulation etc, but I thought I would go with the Octopus Energy for the FREE solar panels, I’ve then got the option to apply for the local authority for other improvements.