Octopus Flux: The Ultimate Solar Export Tariff for Battery Owners?

Enter Octopus Flux, the smart export tariff designed for solar and battery owners who want to maximise their earnings from the grid.

But is it worth it? Let's break it down in detail.

Quick Takeaways:

• Octopus Flux is an import and export tariff with peak and off-peak periods.

• You can set your battery to import cheap grid electricity and/or export it for profit.

• You will need solar panels, battery storage and a smart meter to be eligible.

• To sign up, you must first be an Octopus customer.

What is Octopus Flux?

Octopus Flux is a dynamic energy tariff from the ever-quirky and innovative Octopus Energy. Designed specifically for homes with solar panels and battery storage, it allows you to buy and sell electricity at different rates throughout the day.

The goal? To help you save money when drawing power from the grid while maximising your earnings when selling excess electricity back.

Unlike standard export tariffs, which offer a flat rate for every unit of electricity you send to the grid, Octopus Flux offers time-of-use pricing. This means the rate you get paid for exporting varies depending on the time of day.

In short, it's a way for homeowners to turn their solar and battery setup into an intelligent energy trading system.

It gives you the flexibility to choose any storage battery, can earn you hundreds of pounds per year, and comes with no exit fee.

How does Octopus Flux work?

Octopus Flux plays both sides of the energy game, offering high rates for exporting electricity when demand is high and low rates for importing when demand is low.

Here's how it works:

• Charge your battery when electricity is cheap (typically overnight when demand is low)

• Use your stored energy during the day to power your home and avoid expensive peak rates

• Export excess electricity back to the grid at peak times (usually in the evening, when demand is highest) to earn the best rates

Essentially, it turns your home into a mini power station, allowing you to take advantage of fluctuating energy prices. But to make the most of it, you'll need to be strategic with when you charge and discharge your battery.

Learn more about making money with battery storage in our YouTube video below:

What rates does it pay?

The exact rates you get on Octopus Flux depend on your location, but here's a general breakdown:

• Peak export rate (4pm-7pm) – This is when electricity demand is highest, meaning you'll be paid the most for any energy you send to the grid. Rates can be as high as 20-30p per kWh in some areas.

• Off-peak import rate (2am-5am) – The cheapest period to charge your battery. You could be paying as little as 7-10p per kWh.

• Daytime import/export rate – This sits somewhere in between, usually around 15-20p per kWh for import and 10-15p per kWh for export.

How much money can you earn?

The amount you can earn depends on how well you optimise your system. Here's an example to give you a rough idea:

• You have a 5kWh battery and export 10kWh per day at 25p per kWh

• That's £2.50 per day, or roughly £900 per year just for selling excess energy

• If you charge your battery overnight at 10p per kWh and sell it at 25p per kWh, you're effectively earning 15p per kWh profit just by shifting energy around

Some Flux users have reported saving or earning up to £1,200 per year, depending on their battery size and usage.

Potential Real-World Example: The Smith Family

The Smith family installed a 4kW solar array and a 10kWh battery last year. Before switching to Octopus Flux, they were on a standard flat-rate export tariff paying 5.5p per kWh.

After switching to Flux:

• They now charge their battery exclusively during off-peak hours (2am-5am) at 7.5p per kWh

• They've programmed their battery to discharge primarily during peak hours (4pm-7pm), exporting at 28p per kWh

• In summer months, they export an average of 8kWh during peak hours daily

• Their monthly earnings increased from £35 to £112 during summer months

• Even in winter, they saw a modest increase from £18 to £43 per month

The difference? An additional £780 per year in their pocket, minus the cost of occasional battery cycling.

How is it different to Intelligent Octopus Flux?

Octopus offers another similar tariff called Intelligent Octopus Flux, and here's how they compare:

• Octopus Flux: You manually decide when to charge and discharge your battery

• Intelligent Octopus Flux: Octopus takes control of your battery and automatically optimises its charging and discharging to get you the best savings and earnings

With Intelligent Octopus Flux, you don't have to think about when to charge or export—Octopus does it all for you. But if you like full control and want to fine-tune your setup for maximum profit, regular Octopus Flux is the way to go.

Compatible Battery Systems

Not all battery systems work well with Octopus Flux. Here's a breakdown of popular models and their compatibility:

How to set up your battery with Octopus Flux

To get the most out of Octopus Flux, follow these steps:

1. Check compatibility – Not all batteries work with Flux. Popular ones that do include Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, and SolarEdge.

2. Get a smart meter – You need an SMETS2 smart meter to track imports and exports accurately.

3. Optimise battery settings – Use automation tools or apps (like Home Assistant or GivEnergy Cloud) to schedule charging when prices are low and exporting when prices are high.

4. Monitor your usage – Keep an eye on Octopus' rate updates and adjust your battery settings accordingly to maximise earnings.

It takes a little effort to set up, but once optimised, your battery can basically run itself and start making money on autopilot.

Optimisation Tips From Power Users

We spoke with several long-term Flux users who shared their top tips:

1. Weather forecasting integration – Some users connect their battery systems to weather APIs to predict solar generation and adjust charging schedules accordingly

2. Reserve capacity management – Keep a 20% reserve during winter to ensure you have backup power during unexpected outages while still maximising export during peak hours

3. Seasonal adjustments – Adjust your battery's discharge schedule seasonally; in summer, export more during peak hours; in winter, focus on self-consumption

4. Grid frequency response – Some advanced users have configured their systems to respond to grid frequency events, which can pay extremely well (though this requires technical knowledge)

5. Appliance scheduling – Run high-consumption appliances like washing machines and dishwashers during solar production peaks to maximise self-consumption

How can you sign up?

Signing up for Octopus Flux is simple:

1. Check eligibility – You need solar panels, a battery, and a compatible smart meter.

2. Apply online – Head to the Octopus Energy website and fill in their form.

3. Wait for confirmation – Octopus will review your details and let you know if you're approved.

The whole process usually takes a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly your smart meter data gets registered.

Is it worth switching to Octopus Flux?

If you have solar panels and a battery, yes, Octopus Flux is one of the best tariffs available. Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons:

Pros

✅ High export rates during peak hours mean you earn more for your excess energy
✅ Low off-peak rates let you charge your battery for pennies
✅ No exit fees—so you can leave if it's not working for you
✅ Great for battery owners—the ability to store cheap energy and sell it at a premium is a game-changer
✅ Environmentally beneficial—helps balance the grid during peak demand

Cons

❌ Rates fluctuate—so your earnings aren't always predictable
❌ Requires setup and monitoring—if you want to maximise savings, you'll need to optimise your battery settings
❌ Battery cycling may slightly decrease battery lifespan (though most modern batteries can handle 6,000+ cycles)
❌ Requires technical knowledge to truly optimise

For households with a battery and solar panels, Octopus Flux is easily one of the best ways to cut bills and even make extra cash.

Comparing Octopus Flux to Other Export Tariffs

Final Verdict

Octopus Flux isn't just another energy tariff—it's a smart energy trading strategy for battery owners. With the right setup, you can slash your electricity costs, generate passive income, and outsmart the grid.

If you like saving money, making money, and feeling smug about your energy choices, Octopus Flux is a no-brainer.

For those of you who are ready to take the plunge, visit Octopus Energy's website to check your eligibility and current rates in your area.