Intelligent Octopus Flux pairs time-of-use import and export pricing with automated battery control, aimed at households that already have solar panels and a compatible home battery. If you want a clear, current picture of how the tariff actually works in 2026, this page is for you.
What is Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Intelligent Octopus Flux (often shortened to IOF, or just Intelligent Flux) is a smart import and export tariff from Octopus Energy, designed for homes with solar PV and an eligible battery.
The standout features are simple to state. Import and export rates always match in any given price period. There is a daily peak window from 16:00 to 19:00 when both rates are at their highest. And, crucially, Octopus takes control of your battery, so you do not have to schedule charging and discharging yourself. To sign up, you need to be on an Octopus import tariff as well as the export side, and your battery has to be on the compatible list.
That last point matters. Intelligent Octopus Flux is not open to every solar-and-battery household.
How does Intelligent Octopus Flux work?
The core idea is straightforward. Each day is split into price periods. The peak period sits between 16:00 and 19:00, when the grid is under the most pressure and electricity is most valuable. Outside the peak, the tariff applies a lower day rate and an even lower off-peak rate at the cheapest hours. Whatever the import rate is in any period, the export rate is the same.
That matched-rate structure is the part that tends to surprise people. If you import a unit of electricity during the peak window, you pay the peak rate. If you export a unit during the same window, you get paid the peak rate. Whether your battery is charging from solar or from the grid, the maths comes out the same.
Octopus runs the battery for you. Through the day and overnight, the system charges from the cheapest and greenest energy it can find, mixing solar with off-peak grid imports. When the peak window arrives, the battery discharges to your home and to the grid, aiming to dispatch as much surplus as possible at the highest export rate. You do not set a target charge level. Octopus sets the targets based on your battery, and those targets may shift through the year as solar output rises and falls. As of writing, batteries on the tariff are typically held to a minimum state of charge (around 20% historically) so they are not run flat.
The rates are flexible, not fixed. They move with the wholesale market and with each Ofgem price cap update, in the same way Octopus’s other flexible tariffs do. So the peak figure you see today is not guaranteed for the year. It is more accurate to think of Intelligent Octopus Flux as a smart tariff structure with a high-value peak window, rather than a fixed price you can lock in.
One more constraint worth flagging. Only one battery per account can be linked to Intelligent Octopus Flux. If you have a second battery that is not chained to the first, Octopus cannot control it through the tariff, and you would manage that one yourself.
Current Intelligent Octopus Flux rates
Specific Intelligent Octopus Flux rates depend on your region, and they shift when the price cap moves. The peak window (16:00 to 19:00) pays the most for exports, and it also costs the most for the rare imports you do during that window. Off-peak import rates have historically been around 10% below Octopus’s standard variable tariff (Flexible Octopus), which has tended to make them lower than the off-peak rate on standard Octopus Flux too.
Rates do change. Octopus first cut its flat Outgoing Octopus rate from 15p/kWh to 12p/kWh on 1 March 2026, the first change to that tariff since 2022, which gives a sense of the direction of travel across the wider Octopus export range. Intelligent Octopus Flux did not move in lockstep with that, but it sits in the same market. For your exact rates, check Octopus’s official Intelligent Octopus Flux page using your postcode.
A note for early 2026. Octopus temporarily paused new sign-ups to Flux and Intelligent Flux around the time of the rate cut, citing market volatility. Availability can come and go, so check before assuming you can join today.
Who is Intelligent Octopus Flux good for?
There is a fairly specific profile that gets the most out of this tariff.
You will get the most value if you have solar panels and a battery from a compatible brand. Octopus’s own published list as of writing is GivEnergy, Enphase, SolarEdge, and Tesla Powerwall, although third-party sources and installer guides name a wider set including AlphaESS, Fox ESS, Sigenergy, Huawei, EcoFlow, and others. The list has been expanding (AlphaESS was added in late 2025, Enphase IQ Battery 5P in early 2025), so it is worth checking Octopus’s current page rather than relying on a static list.
It also suits households who would rather not micromanage a battery. If the idea of writing charge and discharge schedules in a manufacturer app sounds like work you do not want to do, the automation is a genuine selling point. Octopus sets the targets, the battery follows, you check the app if you are curious.
And it works best when there is a meaningful surplus to export during the 16:00 to 19:00 window. If you have a decently sized battery and your evening usage does not swallow most of it, you will be putting kWh onto the grid at the highest paid rate of the day. That is where the headline earnings come from.
In practice, Intelligent Octopus Flux tends to make most sense for households that:
- Already have, or are happy to take, an Octopus import tariff
- Have a battery that is on the compatible list (or are buying one and willing to pick within that list)
- Do not want manual control over the battery schedule
- Have enough battery capacity left in the evening to export, not just self-consume
Who should avoid Intelligent Octopus Flux?
It is not the right fit for everyone. A few clear cases:
Solar-only households without a battery. The tariff requires one. If you have panels but no storage, [Internal link: Outgoing Octopus] or the basic [Internal link: Smart Export Guarantee Explained] are more sensible places to start.
Households whose battery is not on the compatible list, and who do not want to change hardware. Standard Octopus Flux works with any battery, with the trade-off that you do the scheduling.
People who want full manual control. Some households genuinely prefer to optimise their battery themselves, perhaps targeting Agile pricing or specific strategies. Intelligent Octopus Flux hands control to Octopus, and target charge levels can change through the year. That is the deal.
Households with more than one battery linked together logically but operating as separate systems. Only one battery per account can be on the tariff.
Anyone not willing to be on an Octopus import tariff. Intelligent Octopus Flux is not a standalone export product. It requires Octopus on both sides.
Households whose 16:00 to 19:00 usage is high. Cooking, heating, EV charging, and showers in that window can mean the battery is keeping the lights on rather than exporting. The matched-rate structure means you are still avoiding the peak import rate, which is valuable, but the headline export earnings will be smaller than the marketing examples suggest.
Eligibility and how to switch
To be eligible for Intelligent Octopus Flux, you will need:
- A solar PV system (it does not need to have been installed by Octopus)
- A compatible home battery, with a single battery per account
- A smart meter providing half-hourly readings (SMETS2, or SMETS1 made by Secure)
- An Export MPAN (Octopus can apply for one if you do not yet have it)
- An Octopus import contract
- An iPhone or Android phone running a recent OS, to connect the battery via the Octopus app
The switching process for a new customer usually goes in stages. First, switch your import supply to Octopus. Then sign up for an Octopus export tariff (Outgoing or Octopus Flux are common starting points) so you have the Export MPAN and half-hourly readings flowing. Once that is established, you can switch to Intelligent Octopus Flux in the app, accept the terms, and link your battery by logging in to your battery manufacturer’s account from within the Octopus app. The full process can take five to eleven weeks, depending on smart meter, MPAN, and DNO paperwork.
No exit fees apply as of writing, though it is worth checking the current tariff terms at sign-up. If you remove or replace your battery, you would need to relink the new one (and confirm it is compatible). Extended disconnection of the battery from Octopus’s control can also affect eligibility.
Intelligent Octopus Flux vs other Octopus solar tariffs
The honest answer is that Intelligent Octopus Flux is one option among four or five sensible Octopus choices for solar households, not the obvious default.
| Tariff | Export rate structure | Peak export rate | Battery required? | Battery brand restriction? | Smart control? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Octopus Flux | Time-of-use, matches import in each period | Highest of these four | Yes | Yes (compatible list, expanding) | Yes, Octopus controls | Solar + compatible battery, hands-off |
| Octopus Flux | Time-of-use, separate import/export rates | High (lower than IOF) | Yes | No (any battery) | No, you schedule manually | Solar + battery owners who want control |
| Outgoing Octopus | Flat | 12p/kWh (as of March 2026) | No | No | No | Solar households wanting predictable income |
| Smart Export Guarantee (basic Octopus SEG) | Flat, low rate | Low (around 4p/kWh) | No | No | No | Solar households not on Octopus for import |
Outgoing Agile, not in the table, pays a half-hourly rate that tracks wholesale prices. It can pay more than 12p/kWh during evening peaks, sometimes well above, but also less during sunny low-demand periods. It pairs with the Agile Octopus import tariff and rewards households willing to time exports.
The core trade-off with Intelligent Octopus Flux is this. It usually pays the highest peak export rate of the bunch, and it automates the whole thing for you. But it limits you to a narrower set of battery brands, restricts you to a single battery, and hands battery control to Octopus rather than leaving it with you. If those constraints fit your setup, the upside can be real. If they do not, one of the alternatives is likely a better match.
FAQ
Do I need solar panels for Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Yes. The tariff is designed for households with solar PV. Without panels, you would not be generating the surplus the tariff is built around, and you would not qualify.
Do I need a battery for Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Yes. A compatible home battery is required, and Octopus needs to be able to control it directly through the app. Without a battery, look at [Internal link: Outgoing Octopus] or the basic [Internal link: Smart Export Guarantee Explained] instead.
Which batteries are compatible with Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Octopus’s own published list at the time of writing names GivEnergy, Enphase, SolarEdge, and Tesla Powerwall. Several installer and third-party sources name a wider set, including AlphaESS, Fox ESS, Sigenergy, Huawei, EcoFlow, and others. The list has been expanding over time, so always check Octopus’s current Intelligent Flux page before relying on a particular brand. See also [Internal link: Home Batteries Explained].
What are the peak hours on Intelligent Octopus Flux?
The peak window runs from 16:00 to 19:00, every day. Both import and export rates are at their highest during this three-hour window. Outside it, the tariff uses lower day and off-peak rates.
Are import and export rates the same on Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Yes. In any given price period, the import and export rates match. That is one of the defining features of the tariff, and it makes the maths easier than tariffs where the two move independently.
Is Intelligent Octopus Flux fixed or variable?
It is variable, in the sense that rates can rise and fall with wholesale prices and Ofgem price cap movements. The time-of-use structure (peak, day, off-peak) is fixed, but the actual pence per kWh in each period can change.
Does Octopus control my battery on Intelligent Octopus Flux?
Yes. Once your battery is connected to the tariff through the app, Octopus schedules charging and discharging on your behalf. You can check the status of your battery in the Octopus app, and you can disconnect it temporarily if you need to, but extended disconnection puts your eligibility at risk.
Can I have more than one battery on Intelligent Octopus Flux?
No. Only one battery per account can be linked to the tariff. If you have a second battery, it would need to be managed separately and outside the tariff.
Is Intelligent Octopus Flux better than Octopus Flux?
It usually pays a higher peak export rate and offers lower import rates than standard Octopus Flux, and it automates battery control. The catch is the battery brand restriction and the single-battery limit. If your battery is on the compatible list and you do not want to schedule manually, Intelligent Octopus Flux generally comes out ahead. If your battery is not compatible, or you want manual control, standard [Internal link: Octopus Flux] is the better fit.
Can I get Intelligent Octopus Flux if I’m not already an Octopus customer?
Not directly. You need to be on an Octopus import tariff and an Octopus export tariff first. New customers usually switch their import supply to Octopus, sign up for Outgoing or Octopus Flux to get the Export MPAN and smart meter readings flowing, and then switch to Intelligent Octopus Flux from within the app. See [Internal link: How to Switch Energy Supplier].
Are there exit fees on Intelligent Octopus Flux?
No exit fees as of writing. Verify this in the current tariff terms at the point of sign-up, since terms can change.
Is Intelligent Octopus Flux always open to new customers?
Not always. Octopus temporarily paused new sign-ups to Flux and Intelligent Flux around the Outgoing rate change in early March 2026, citing market volatility. Availability can come and go, so check the Octopus site before assuming you can join straight away.