UK SEG — Octopus Energy

Octopus SEG tariff — 2026 commercial solar export rates explained.

Octopus Outgoing Fixed (15p flat) and Octopus Outgoing Agile (25-40p peak dynamic) are the highest-paying commercial SEG products in the UK in 2026. For commercial solar operators, switching SEG to Octopus is typically a £4,000-£15,000/year revenue uplift on a 250-500kWp system.

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Reviewed by the Commercial Solar Grants funding team · Last updated June 2026 · Independent — we take no installer commission

Octopus SEG rate 2026: how much does Octopus pay for export?

The standard Octopus SEG tariff pays a flat 4.1p/kWh in 2026, and you can take it while keeping your existing import supplier. That is the rate most “octopus seg” searchers are actually quoted — and it is only mid-pack. The genuinely good Octopus export rate is a different product: Outgoing Octopus pays a flat 12p/kWh, but only if you also import from Octopus. A third product, Agile Outgoing Octopus, is dynamic and tracks day-ahead, half-hourly wholesale prices (peaks have historically cleared 25-40p/kWh). As an independent, commission-free commercial-solar funding specialist we sell no tariffs, so we can be straight about this where Octopus’s own marketing leads with the higher gated number.

Octopus SEG vs Outgoing Octopus vs Agile Outgoing

These three are constantly confused, and the difference is worth thousands of pounds a year to a commercial exporter. Here is the clean comparison no brand or installer page lays out for the “octopus seg” searcher:

Tariff	Rate (p/kWh)	Requires Octopus import?	Half-hourly meter?	Best for
Octopus SEG tariff	4.1p	No — keep your existing import supplier	Yes	Sites staying with another import supplier who just want a compliant SEG export rate
Outgoing Octopus (Fixed)	12p	Yes — Octopus import required	Yes	Sites already on (or willing to switch to) Octopus import wanting a simple flat rate
Agile Outgoing Octopus	Dynamic (day-ahead, half-hourly)	Yes — Octopus import required	Yes	Battery sites that can shift export into peak half-hours (peaks have historically cleared 25-40p)

Indicative 2026 rates, reviewed June 2026 against Octopus’s published SEG and Outgoing pages. Octopus reviews rates roughly annually — always confirm the current figure with Octopus before signing.

Should you take Octopus SEG (4.1p) or switch import to Octopus for Outgoing (12p)?

This is the real question behind “octopus seg vs outgoing octopus”, and no contestable page answers it for a business. The trade-off is simple: stay with your current import supplier and take the 4.1p Octopus SEG tariff, or move your import to Octopus and unlock the 12p Outgoing rate. On a 250kWp commercial site exporting around 60,000 kWh/year, the gap is stark:

Scenario (60,000 kWh/yr export)	Export income	Note
Octopus SEG (4.1p, keep current import)	£2,460/yr	No import switch; lowest effort, lowest revenue
Outgoing Octopus (12p flat, switch import to Octopus)	£7,200/yr	Requires moving import to Octopus
Annual delta from switching import	+£4,740/yr	Gross export uplift, before any import-rate difference

That ~£4,740/year delta is the whole story — switching import to Octopus is usually worth it unless Octopus’s business import rate for your site is materially worse than your current deal, or you are locked into a fixed-term import contract with exit fees. The honest move is to model the import-rate difference alongside the export uplift, not the export figure in isolation. We do that modelling free and take no supplier commission either way.

Octopus SEG eligibility checklist

To qualify for any Octopus SEG or Outgoing product, you need all of the following:

MCS or Flexi-Orb certification on the install, in the business name.
Total installed capacity of 5MW or less (50kW for micro-CHP).
A half-hourly-capable smart meter that records exported kWh.
A DNO-approved export MPAN — the supply number Octopus enrols you against.
Not already claiming Feed-in Tariff export on the same installation (you keep generation FiT, but cannot also claim SEG export).
Eligible technology — solar PV, wind, hydro, micro-CHP or anaerobic digestion. The non-solar technologies matter for agricultural and mixed-generation commercial sites.

How to apply for Octopus SEG: the 5 steps and real timeline

The application is online and stalls in one predictable place — the DNO export-MPAN step. Here is the real end-to-end timeline, including the step brand pages mention but installer pages skip:

Sign up online — apply through the Octopus Outgoing / SEG application with your MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate and meter details. No phone-only route.
Octopus processes the application — eligibility confirmed, typically within about two working days.
DNO creates the export MPAN — your Distribution Network Operator sets up the export meter point. This is the bottleneck and usually takes one to four weeks.
MPAN enrolled to Octopus — once the export MPAN exists it is enrolled to your chosen Octopus product, around five working days.
Submit first meter reading — send a first export reading with a photo, and payments begin against your actual metered export.

Octopus SEG for business and commercial solar

Octopus’s own SEG page is written for households and links out to business with a single line; consumer comparison sites age and never model commercial volumes. For a commercial exporter the picture is different: large export volumes, a business import contract, and half-hourly settlement all change the maths. On big roofs with modest daytime self-consumption — warehouses, distribution centres, agricultural buildings, offices with low weekend load — the export tariff is a material revenue line, and the 4.1p-vs-12p decision compounds across hundreds of thousands of exported kWh over a system’s life. As an independent funding specialist we model your half-hourly export profile against your import contract and the wider funding stack — Full Expensing, 0% VAT and any grants — so the SEG choice reflects your full commercial position, not just the headline rate. Free funding review.

Octopus SEG vs the rest of the UK market (2026 rates)

Set honestly against the market, the standard Octopus SEG tariff at 4.1p is mid-pack, while Outgoing Octopus at 12p is among the best simple flat rates — but the 12p tier locks you into Octopus import. The column that matters for a commercial operator is whether the rate is switch-free:

Supplier	Tariff	Export rate (p/kWh)	Customer required?
Octopus Energy	Outgoing Octopus (flat)	12p	Octopus import required
Octopus Energy	Octopus SEG (export-only)	4.1p	Open — keep your import supplier
EDF Energy	Export 12m (gated) / Export Variable (open)	15p gated / 3.0p open	Open (low rate) or EDF import
British Gas	Export & Earn Plus	6.4p	British Gas import required
Scottish Power	SmartGen+	~12p	Scottish Power import required
E.ON Next	Next Export	~5.5p	E.ON import required
OVO Energy	OVO SEG	~5p	OVO import required
Good Energy	Solar Savings	mid-pack	Good Energy import required
Shell Energy	Export	~3.5p	Shell import required

Indicative 2026 rates for comparison, reviewed June 2026; confirm current figures with each supplier. See our full SEG comparison, EDF SEG, British Gas SEG and OVO SEG pages for detail.

Octopus Energy operates two SEG products

Octopus Outgoing Fixed — 15p/kWh flat

The highest commercial SEG flat-rate in the UK in 2026. Pays 15p/kWh on every exported kWh, irrespective of when the export happens. Predictable, simple, and the right choice for commercial sites without battery storage or active management capability. Increased from 12p to 15p in early 2025.

For a typical 250kWp commercial site exporting 60,000 kWh/year, Outgoing Fixed delivers £9,000/year of recurring revenue — compared to £3,000/year on a typical 5p flat-rate offer from OVO, Shell Energy or E.ON Next.

Octopus Outgoing Agile — dynamic, 25-40p peak

Half-hourly variable rate that tracks wholesale electricity prices on the GB grid. Rates are published 24 hours ahead. During winter peak windows (typically 4-7pm Mon-Fri, January-February), rates regularly clear 30-40p/kWh. During overnight surplus periods (2-5am summer), rates can fall to 0p or briefly negative.

For sites with battery storage that can shift exports into peak hours, Outgoing Agile delivers materially more revenue than Outgoing Fixed. Typical year-average is 14-18p/kWh, with active management pushing it to 18-22p/kWh on well-managed battery sites. For a 250kWp commercial site with 100kWh battery: ~£10,500-£13,000/year of export revenue, against ~£9,000 on Outgoing Fixed.

Eligibility and application process

Three requirements:

MCS certificate in your business name confirming the solar PV system is under 5MW. The MCS commercial certificate (MCS 020) is the standard.
Smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings. Most modern UK commercial meters qualify (SMETS2). Octopus installs one at no charge if needed.
Octopus Energy import supply. Unusually for UK SEG, Octopus requires you to also be on Octopus import. British Gas, EDF and Scottish Power offer SEG-only contracts.

Application via octopus.energy/smart/outgoing/. Approval typically 5-10 working days. SEG payments start the next billing cycle.

Octopus SEG vs the other major UK suppliers

Octopus has consistently led the UK commercial SEG market in 2024-26 on both flat and dynamic products. Approximate 2026 commercial SEG rates by supplier:

Octopus Outgoing Fixed — 15p/kWh flat
Octopus Outgoing Agile — 14-18p/kWh average, 25-40p peak
EDF Export Variable — 12-18p banded (semi-dynamic), 13p typical
EDF Export Standard — 12p flat
Scottish Power SmartGen+ — 12p flat (requires SP import)
British Gas Export & Earn Plus — 6.4p flat (requires BG import)
E.ON Next Export — 5.5p flat
OVO SEG — 4-5.5p flat
Good Energy Generation Tariff — 5-8p flat
Shell Energy Export — 3.5p flat

The 12-15p commercial SEG band (Octopus, EDF, Scottish Power) pays approximately 3x what the 4-6p band (OVO, Shell, E.ON Next, British Gas) pays. For a typical commercial solar site, that\'s £6-£15k/year of differential. Full supplier comparison.

Switching SEG-only without changing import (Octopus exception)

Octopus is the exception among UK SEG suppliers — it requires you to also be on Octopus import. If you currently have import with another supplier and want Octopus SEG specifically, you have to switch import to Octopus too. The two contracts can be switched in parallel; takes 14 days. Octopus business import rates are typically competitive with the rest of the UK market for commercial sites.

If switching import isn\'t practical (e.g. you\'re mid-contract on a fixed-term import deal with another supplier), the second-best commercial SEG flat rate is EDF Export Standard at 12p, which can be signed as SEG-only without changing import.

Battery storage materially improves Octopus Outgoing Agile economics

The biggest economic question for commercial solar in 2026 is whether to add battery storage. For sites considering Octopus Outgoing Agile, the calculation tilts heavily toward including battery: shifting exports from non-peak to peak hours via battery cycling is the main mechanism by which Agile pays more than Fixed.

Worked example. A 500kWp commercial PV system on a manufacturing site, exporting 110,000 kWh/year (about 22% of generation). Without battery, Outgoing Agile averages 14p — same as Outgoing Fixed. With a 200kWh battery cycling once daily and shifting exports into peak windows, Outgoing Agile averages 19-22p — £5,500-£8,800 more revenue per year. The battery itself adds £80,000-£100,000 capex but pays back faster on Agile than Fixed.

For commercial solar projects considering Octopus SEG, our standard recommendation is: with battery, Outgoing Agile; without battery, Outgoing Fixed. Full battery analysis.

Octopus SEG and the broader 2026 commercial solar funding stack

SEG is one component of the active 2026 commercial solar economics — it sits alongside Full Expensing (capex tax relief), 0% VAT (capex reduction), PPAs (alternative zero-capex structures), and direct grants where eligible (REPF, Local Growth Fund). For sites running their own solar (not under a PPA where the funder takes the SEG revenue), Octopus Outgoing Fixed or Agile is typically the right SEG choice.

Octopus SEG FAQs

What is the Octopus SEG tariff?

Octopus Energy operates two Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) products in 2026: Outgoing Fixed (a flat 15p/kWh rate, the highest commercial SEG flat rate in the UK market) and Outgoing Agile (a dynamic half-hourly variable rate that tracks wholesale electricity prices, paying 25-40p/kWh during system peaks and 0-10p during overnight surplus). Octopus is consistently the highest-paying UK SEG supplier across both products.

How much does Octopus pay for SEG?

On Octopus Outgoing Fixed: 15p/kWh flat across all exported electricity, paid monthly. On Octopus Outgoing Agile: half-hourly variable, average around 14-18p/kWh across a typical year, with peaks of 25-40p/kWh during winter evenings and occasional negative pricing during overnight surplus. Both pay materially more than the bottom-of-market SEG offers from Shell Energy (3.5p), OVO (5p) and E.ON Next (5.5p).

Do I need Octopus as my import supplier to get Octopus SEG?

Yes — Octopus SEG products require you to also be on Octopus import supply. This is unusual among UK SEG suppliers; British Gas, EDF and Scottish Power offer SEG-only contracts to non-import customers. Switching import to Octopus typically takes 14 days; the export contract can be set up in parallel.

How do I apply for Octopus SEG?

Apply via the Octopus Energy SEG portal at octopus.energy/smart/outgoing/. You need: MCS certificate in your business name confirming the solar PV system is under 5MW; smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings (most modern UK commercial meters qualify; Octopus will install one if needed); confirmation of Octopus import supply. Approval typically takes 5-10 working days. SEG payments start the next billing cycle.

Should I pick Octopus Outgoing Fixed or Outgoing Agile?

Outgoing Fixed (15p flat) suits sites without battery storage or active management capability — predictable revenue regardless of when generation happens. Outgoing Agile suits sites with battery storage that can shift exports into peak hours, or sites with naturally peak-aligned generation. For commercial sites with battery: Agile typically pays 18-22p/kWh average over the year vs 15p flat — 20-50% more revenue. For commercial sites without battery: Fixed is usually slightly better.

Has the Octopus SEG rate increased recently?

Octopus increased its Outgoing Fixed rate from 12p to 15p in early 2025 in response to rising wholesale electricity prices. Outgoing Agile peak rates have also risen — peak half-hours now regularly clearing 30-40p/kWh during winter system stress. Octopus reviews SEG rates roughly annually; the next review is expected late 2026.

What does Octopus SEG mean for a commercial solar payback?

For a typical 250kWp UK commercial site exporting around 60,000 kWh/year, switching from a 5p flat-rate SEG (typical OVO/Shell/E.ON Next) to Octopus Outgoing Fixed at 15p adds £6,000/year of revenue. Over a 25-year system life, that's £150,000+ of cumulative differential. On a £180k installed cost system, switching SEG supplier alone moves payback by 1-1.5 years.

What is the Octopus SEG rate in 2026?

The standard Octopus SEG tariff pays a flat 4.1p/kWh in 2026, and you can take it while keeping your existing import supplier. The frequently-confused higher rate is a separate product: Outgoing Octopus pays a flat 12p/kWh but requires you to also be on Octopus import. A third product, Agile Outgoing Octopus, is dynamic and tracks day-ahead half-hourly prices. So the honest answer depends on which of the three you mean.

What is the difference between Octopus SEG and Outgoing Octopus?

They are two distinct products. The Octopus SEG tariff is export-only at 4.1p/kWh and lets you keep any import supplier — it is the compliant SEG floor Octopus must offer. Outgoing Octopus is a much better 12p/kWh flat rate, but it is a tariff for Octopus import customers only. If you switch your import supply to Octopus you unlock the 12p Outgoing rate; if you do not, you are on the 4.1p SEG rate.

Is Octopus SEG the best export rate?

Honestly, the standard Octopus SEG tariff at 4.1p/kWh is only mid-pack — better than Shell (~3.5p) but below EDF and Scottish Power on their open tiers. However, Outgoing Octopus at a flat 12p/kWh is among the best simple flat export rates in the UK, and Agile Outgoing can pay more again on a battery site. The catch is that both 12p and Agile require Octopus import, so "best" depends entirely on whether you also import from Octopus.

How do I apply for Octopus SEG?

Sign up through the Octopus Outgoing/SEG online application — there is no phone-only route. Octopus processes the application in around two working days, then your DNO creates the export MPAN, which is the slow step (typically one to four weeks). Once the MPAN is enrolled to Octopus (about five days) you submit a first meter reading with a photo and payments begin. You will need an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate and a half-hourly-capable smart meter.

Can I get Octopus SEG without Octopus import?

Yes, but only the standard Octopus SEG tariff at 4.1p/kWh — that product is export-only and you keep your current import supplier. The better-paying Outgoing Octopus (12p flat) and Agile Outgoing Octopus (dynamic) both require you to take Octopus for import as well. If switching import is not practical, compare the 4.1p Octopus SEG against switch-free rivals such as EDF's open SEG before signing — see our full SEG comparison.

What are the Octopus SEG eligibility requirements?

Your installation must be MCS or Flexi-Orb certified, with total installed capacity of 5MW or less (50kW for micro-CHP). You need a half-hourly-capable smart meter and a DNO-approved export MPAN. You cannot already be claiming Feed-in Tariff export payments on the same installation. Eligible generation technologies are solar PV, wind, hydro, micro-CHP and anaerobic digestion — relevant for agricultural and mixed-generation commercial sites.

Should I take Octopus SEG at 4.1p or switch import to Octopus for Outgoing at 12p?

For a 250kWp site exporting 60,000 kWh a year, the 4.1p SEG tariff is worth about £2,460/year, while Outgoing Octopus at 12p is worth about £7,200/year — roughly £4,740/year more from switching import. The switch is usually worth it unless Octopus's import rate for your site is materially worse than your current deal, or you are locked into a fixed-term import contract with exit fees. Model the import-rate difference alongside the export uplift before deciding.

Is there an Octopus SEG tariff for business and commercial solar?

Yes — Octopus offers Outgoing products to commercial sites, and large commercial export volumes (with half-hourly settlement and a business import contract) are exactly where the 12p Outgoing rate or Agile pays off. As an independent funding specialist we model your half-hourly export profile against your import contract and the wider funding stack — Full Expensing, 0% VAT and any grants — so the SEG choice reflects your full commercial position. Request a free funding review.

How does Octopus SEG compare to EDF SEG?

On the switch-free rates, EDF's open SEG is comparable-to-better than Octopus's 4.1p standard SEG, and EDF accepts higher SEG-only tiers without an import switch where Octopus does not. But if you can move import, Octopus's Outgoing at 12p (flat) and Agile (dynamic) typically beat EDF's gated rates on a well-managed site. The decision is the same as always: switch-free favours EDF, import-switching favours Octopus. See our EDF SEG tariff guide.

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