Whole-year cost
Compare import cost plus standing charges, less export income.
Smarter energy for your home
Solar, battery & EV electricity tariffs
The best tariff is not always the one with the highest export rate. Compare day rates, cheap overnight electricity, standing charges and solar export income side by side.
Information last checked: 10 September 2026Import intelligentlyCompare the real cost of grid electricity.
Value flexibilitySee how shifting battery or EV use changes the result.
Include exportDeduct SEG income from the whole-year cost.
Side-by-side calculator
Compare your current tariff with an alternative.
Enter your expected annual grid import and solar export. The calculator estimates the annual difference, including standing charges.
For a battery or EV household, use a realistic estimate of how much grid use can move into the cheaper period.
Enter your current rates
If there is no separate off-peak rate, enter the normal rate in both boxes.
Select a tariff to compare
Includes a 02:00–05:00 cheap period. Flux also has a 16:00–19:00 peak window that this simplified two-rate comparison does not fully model.
Current tariff£930net annual electricity cost
Alternative tariff£592net annual electricity cost
Estimated difference£338Octopus Flux – East Midlands illustration appears cheaper
Alternative export income£146before flexibility/VPP income
This is a simplified comparison, not a supplier quotation or financial advice. Time-of-use tariffs can include extra peak periods and rules that are not fully represented by a two-rate model. Confirm the live postcode-specific price, eligibility and supplier terms before switching.
Current options
Tariffs and export propositions to compare.
These are the principal options we currently consider when discussing solar, batteries and EV charging with customers.
| Supplier | Tariff | Off-peak | Export / SEG | Standing charge | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Flux | 14.54p · 02:00–05:00* | 9.76p base; 27.70p 16:00–19:00* | 51.06p/day* | Solar and battery households able to schedule charging and export. |
| Octopus Energy | Intelligent Go + Outgoing | 8p · 23:30–05:30 | 12p flat Outgoing | Postcode dependent | Eligible EV and charger households; check current smart-tariff terms. |
| E.ON Next | Next Export | Import tariff dependent | 13p Exclusive; 17.5p qualifying premium | Quote dependent | Premium rates can depend on installer and import relationship. |
| OVO | SEG / Charge Anytime | EV-focused smart charging | Up to 20p for qualifying installations | Quote dependent | Check which export tier applies to the installation. |
| British Gas | Charge Power + Export | Half-price · 00:00–05:00 | Up to 12p | Quote dependent | Battery-friendly overnight proposition. |
| Ecotricity | EcoFixed EV + Smart Export | 00:00–05:00 | 16p headline rate | Quote dependent | Confirm current eligibility and pairing at sign-up. |
| ScottishPower | SmartGen | Tariff dependent | Up to 15p Premium Plus | Quote dependent | Higher rates can depend on qualifying installation conditions. |
| EDF | Export tariffs | Tariff dependent | 15p; up to 18p Exclusive | Quote dependent | Check current import and export eligibility together. |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings | Tariff dependent | 12p; up to 25p Exclusive | Quote dependent | The headline rate requires qualifying installation conditions. |
| So Energy | So Export | Tariff dependent | 4.5p Flex; 20p So Bright | Quote dependent | So Bright is for qualifying installation customers. |
| Utility Warehouse | Economy 7 | 9.90p illustration | Confirm current SEG | 56.85p/day illustration | May suit households able to shift substantial use overnight. |
*East Midlands illustration. Import rates and standing charges can vary by postcode, meter and tariff version. Blank or quote-dependent calculator rates should be completed using the supplier’s current quote.
Additional battery income
What about Axle Energy?
Axle Energy is not an electricity supplier or SEG tariff. Its virtual power plant can connect a compatible home battery to grid flexibility markets and pay for net electricity exported during qualifying events.
The current homeowner proposition advertises £1 per kWh of net export during events, with a minimum £10 per month after the first full calendar month. It can potentially sit alongside a suitable import/export tariff.
- A working smart meter and compatible inverter are required.
- Supported brands include Alpha ESS, GivEnergy, SigEnergy, Fox ESS, SolaX, Solis and SolarEdge.
- The service is currently labelled beta and its terms may change.
- Check third-party control rules for Intelligent Octopus products.
- It cannot be combined with Octopus Saving Sessions on the same meter in the same season.
Look beyond the headline
Four things matter.
Your battery and EV
Cheap overnight charging can outweigh a higher export rate elsewhere.
Eligibility
Some premium rates require a particular supplier, installer or device.
Regional pricing
Always obtain a live quote for the property’s postcode and meter.
Need a joined-up view?
Plan the tariff around your system.
RC Renewables can help you understand how generation, battery storage, EV charging and your usage profile work together.
Important: Tariffs and eligibility rules change frequently. Figures were last checked on 10 September 2026 and are for general guidance only. Always obtain a current supplier quote and confirm its terms before switching. RC Renewables is not an energy supplier or tariff comparison service.