Outgoing Octopus is a flat-rate export tariff for households with solar panels or another eligible renewable generation system. It pays the same rate for every unit of electricity you send back to the grid, regardless of the time of day. This makes it one of the simplest Octopus export tariffs for households that want predictable payments without tracking changing wholesale prices.
Octopus officially calls the flat-rate version “Outgoing Octopus”, but many people refer to it as “Octopus Outgoing Fixed” to distinguish it from Agile Outgoing, the half-hourly variable export tariff. We use Outgoing Octopus throughout this guide for clarity.
Looking for a different Octopus export tariff?
Octopus offers several export tariffs, and the right one depends on whether you want fixed payments, variable wholesale-linked pricing or a tariff that works alongside a battery.
- Agile Outgoing pays a variable half-hourly export rate linked to wholesale electricity prices.
- Octopus Flux combines time-of-use import and export rates for homes with solar panels and a battery.
- Intelligent Octopus Flux adds automated battery charging and exporting for compatible battery systems.
If you are comparing options, it is worth looking at the full Octopus export tariff line-up before choosing a fixed or variable export rate.
What is Outgoing Octopus?
Outgoing Octopus is a single-rate export tariff for households that generate their own electricity from solar panels. You are paid the same amount for every kWh you export to the grid, regardless of when the electricity leaves your property.
Unlike Agile Outgoing, which changes export prices every half hour, Outgoing Octopus gives you a predictable export rate. This makes it easier to estimate what your surplus solar generation could be worth over the year.
Although it is often described as a fixed export tariff, the rate can still change if Octopus updates the tariff terms. For that reason, it is worth checking the latest Outgoing Octopus export rate before switching.
How Outgoing Octopus works
Your smart meter records how much electricity you export to the grid and sends those readings to Octopus. At the end of each billing period, Octopus multiplies your exported kWh by the current Outgoing Octopus rate and applies the export credit to your account.
There are no standing charges on Outgoing Octopus. You are paid for eligible electricity you export, and the credit can help reduce the cost of your import bill.
If your export credit is higher than your import charges, the surplus can usually remain on your account or be paid out to you, depending on how your Octopus account is set up.
Who is Outgoing Octopus best for?
This tariff is most likely to suit households that want a simple, predictable export payment without managing wholesale prices or battery schedules.
It may work particularly well for:
- Solar-only homes without a battery, where surplus electricity is naturally exported during the day
- Households that want a straightforward export tariff with the same rate for every kWh exported
- People who do not want to monitor half-hourly prices or adjust when they export electricity
- Homes where the main priority is predictable solar export income rather than chasing higher variable rates
- Households pairing Outgoing Octopus with a separate Octopus import tariff, such as Cosy Octopus (for heat pumps), Octopus Go (for EVs with no smart charging or Intelligent Octopus Go (for EVs with smart charging)
The appeal of Outgoing Octopus is simplicity. If you want your surplus solar electricity to earn a fixed export rate without needing to think about timing, Outgoing Fixed is usually the easiest Octopus export tariff to understand.
Who should avoid Outgoing Octopus?
Outgoing Octopus may not be the best choice if:
- You have a home battery and want to actively target higher export periods. Octopus Flux or Intelligent Octopus Flux may offer better value where a battery can be charged and discharged around time-of-use import and export rates.
- You are comfortable with half-hourly export pricing. Agile Outgoing tracks wholesale prices in 30-minute periods, so it may suit households that can choose when to export rather than simply accepting a flat rate.
- You want to chase the highest possible export return rather than prioritise predictability. A fixed export rate is simple, but it will not always be the best-paying option.
- You do not want to take your import supply from Octopus. Some suppliers offer export tariffs that do not require you to also have your electricity import with them.
The trade-off is simplicity versus flexibility. Outgoing Octopus is easy to understand and gives predictable export payments, while variable or time-of-use export tariffs may suit households with batteries, automation or a willingness to monitor export prices.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Outgoing Octopus, you will need:
- A solar PV system or another eligible small renewable generation system at the property
- Certification for the installation, such as MCS or Flexi-Orb
- A compatible smart meter that can record and send export readings
- An Octopus electricity import tariff at the same property
Your solar panels do not need to have been installed by Octopus, and you do not need a home battery to join Outgoing Octopus.
You will also usually need your DNO notification or approval letter when you apply. This is normally provided by your installer after the system has been commissioned.
If you do not already have a suitable smart meter, Octopus may need to arrange one before your export payments can begin.
How to switch to Outgoing Octopus
If you’re already with Octopus
If you already have your electricity import with Octopus, you can apply for Outgoing Octopus once your solar system is installed.
You will usually need to provide your MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate, along with your DNO notification or approval letter. Octopus will then check your application and arrange for your export MPAN to be created or transferred if needed.
Once the export MPAN is linked to your account and your smart meter is sending export readings correctly, your exported electricity can start being credited at the Outgoing Octopus rate of 12p.
If you’re switching to Octopus
If your electricity import is currently with another supplier, you will normally need to switch your import supply to Octopus first. Any eligible Octopus import tariff can usually be used alongside Outgoing Octopus.
New customers are normally moved onto an Octopus import tariff while the supply transfer and smart meter setup are completed. Once your account is active, your meter is working correctly and you have the required generation documents, you can apply for Outgoing Octopus.
Find out more about switching to Octopus Energy and receiving £50 credit.
Leaving or changing export tariff
Outgoing Octopus does not usually have exit fees, so you can move to another export tariff later if your setup or priorities change. For example, a household that later adds a home battery may want to compare Outgoing Octopus with Agile Outgoing, Octopus Flux or Intelligent Octopus Flux.
Outgoing Octopus FAQs
What is the current Outgoing Octopus rate?
As of June 2026, the price on Outgoing Octopus is 12p per kWh exported. Unlike Agile Outgoing, it pays one flat rate for every eligible kWh you export, regardless of the time of day.
Do I need a battery for Outgoing Octopus?
No. A home battery is not required. Outgoing Octopus can work well for solar-only households that simply export surplus electricity to the grid.
A battery may make other export tariffs worth comparing, especially if you can choose when to export, but it is not needed to join Outgoing Octopus.
Do my solar panels need to have been installed by Octopus?
No. Your solar panels do not need to have been installed by Octopus.
You will usually need the correct installation documents, such as an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate and your DNO notification or approval letter.
Are there exit fees on Outgoing Octopus?
Outgoing Octopus does not usually have exit fees, so you can normally move to another export tariff later if your circumstances change.
Always check the current tariff terms before switching, as export tariff conditions can change.
Can I switch from Outgoing Octopus to Flux later?
In principle, yes, but it depends on current availability and whether your setup meets the requirements for the Flux tariff you want.
Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux are more suited to homes with solar panels and a battery. If you add a battery later, it may be worth comparing Outgoing Octopus with Flux, Intelligent Flux and Agile Outgoing.
Do I need a smart meter for Outgoing Octopus?
Yes. Octopus needs a compatible smart meter that can record and send export readings.
Without suitable export readings, Octopus cannot accurately calculate how much electricity you have sent back to the grid.
Can I be on Outgoing Octopus and Cosy Octopus at the same time?
Yes. Outgoing Octopus covers the electricity you export, while Cosy Octopus covers the electricity you import.
You can pair Outgoing Octopus with a range of Octopus import tariffs, including Cosy Octopus, Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus Go or Flexible Octopus, depending on your home setup.