Which Is Better for Solar Export: Good Energy or Octopus?
Rates have moved significantly since this comparison was first published, and the answer has flipped: Good Energy's export tariffs now beat Octopus's flat-rate options for most households, while Octopus Outgoing Agile — despite eye-catching peak-time spikes — has the lowest real yearly average of the group. The right choice still depends on whether you prioritise a simple flat rate or can actively time exports around a battery or EV.
How the Two Suppliers' Export Tariffs Work
Good Energy actually offers three different export tariffs, not one flat rate:
- Solar Savings Exclusive: 25p/kWh for your first 12 months, if your solar and battery system was installed by Good Energy or a subsidiary and you're on one of their import tariffs.
- Solar Savings: 15p/kWh, the standard ongoing rate for Good Energy electricity customers with solar panels (including where Solar Savings Exclusive rolls off after 12 months).
- Export Only: 4p/kWh, an "unbundled" tariff that only requires a smart meter and solar panels — no need to switch your import supplier or installer.
Octopus Energy offers two structures: Outgoing Fixed, a flat rate that dropped from 15p to 12p/kWh on 1 March 2026, and Outgoing Agile, which changes the export rate roughly every 30 minutes based on wholesale electricity prices.
Rate Comparison (2026)
| Tariff | Structure | Typical Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive | Fixed, 12-month intro | 25p/kWh | New Good Energy solar/battery installs, first year |
| Good Energy Solar Savings | Fixed, flat rate | 15p/kWh | Existing Good Energy customers, ongoing |
| Good Energy Export Only | Fixed, flat rate | 4p/kWh | Households who don't want to switch import supplier |
| Octopus Outgoing Fixed | Fixed, flat rate | 12p/kWh | Customers already on other Octopus tariffs wanting simplicity |
| Octopus Outgoing Agile | Half-hourly variable | ~9.4p/kWh yearly average; spikes to 20–40p at 4–7pm | Battery-equipped homes that can time exports to peak pricing |
Rates are reviewed periodically by both suppliers and can move with wholesale market conditions — always confirm the live rate in-app before switching, as this table reflects typical published levels rather than a locked-in guarantee.
Which Suits Which Household?
- Simple solar-only setup, no battery: Good Energy Solar Savings (15p) now clearly beats Octopus Outgoing Fixed (12p) on a like-for-like flat rate — worth the switch even without a battery, unless exit fees on your current export deal outweigh the gain.
- Installing solar and battery new: Good Energy's 25p Solar Savings Exclusive intro rate is the strongest available for the first 12 months, if you're happy bundling installation and import supply with Good Energy.
- Home battery or EV with vehicle-to-grid capability, and time to manage it: Octopus Outgoing Agile can still beat everything else at its evening peak spikes (20–40p/kWh), but its ~9.4p yearly average means it only pays off if you're actively timing exports rather than exporting passively throughout the day.
- Don't want to switch import supplier at all: Good Energy's unbundled Export Only tariff (4p/kWh) is the lowest of the group, but it's the only option here that doesn't require moving your electricity account.
Switching Considerations
You do not need to be on a supplier's import tariff to use their export tariff for most options — export-only switching is permitted under Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rules, so you can stay with your current electricity supplier for imports while exporting to whichever company offers the best rate (Good Energy's Export Only tariff is built specifically for this). Both suppliers' export tariffs count toward SEG obligations under Ofgem rules — you must be on a SEG-licensed tariff to receive any export payment if you have a solar installation under 5MW. Check for exit fees on your current export agreement, and confirm your smart meter is exporting half-hourly readings, which is a technical requirement for Agile-style tariffs.