Octopus Outgoing Fixed is a flat-rate solar export tariff that pays 12p per kWh for every unit of electricity your home sends back to the grid. The rate is the same in the middle of a sunny July afternoon as it is on a dull November morning, and it does not vary by region. For UK solar households that want predictable export income without watching wholesale prices, it is one of the simplest options on the market.
A quick note on naming. Octopus’s official product name is “Outgoing Octopus” on the flat-rate version of this tariff. Most people, including a lot of solar installers and comparison sites, call it “Octopus Outgoing Fixed” to distinguish it from Outgoing Agile, which is the half-hourly variable version. Both names refer to the same product. We use “Outgoing Fixed” throughout this page for clarity.
What is Octopus Outgoing Fixed?
Outgoing Fixed is a single-rate export tariff for households that generate their own electricity, almost always from solar panels. You are paid 12p for every kWh your system exports to the grid, no matter when it leaves your property.
It is technically classified as a variable tariff, which gives Octopus the contractual ability to change the rate. In practice, the rate has only moved once since September 2022. It sat at 15p per kWh for over three years before dropping to 12p in March 2026.
How it works
Your smart meter measures the electricity you export to the grid in half-hourly chunks and sends those readings to Octopus. At the end of each billing period, Octopus multiplies your total exported kWh by 12p and credits the amount to your Octopus import account.
There are no standing charges on Outgoing Fixed. You only ever earn from it. The export credit reduces your import bill, and if you export more than you import in any period, the surplus carries over (or you can request a payout).
The March 2026 rate change
From 1 March 2026, Outgoing Fixed pays 12p per kWh, down from 15p. This was the first change to the rate since September 2022, when Octopus doubled the original 7.5p rate during the wholesale price spike that followed the invasion of Ukraine.
Octopus has been open about why the cut happened. Wholesale electricity prices fell back in 2023 and have been broadly settled since spring 2024. Export tariffs do not carry the policy levies, network charges or standing-charge contributions that import tariffs do, which means the unit rate has to absorb the cost of administering the tariff. On top of that, flat-rate export tariffs do not benefit from time-of-use price spikes, because a large share of solar generation happens at times when supply is high and demand is low.
Even at 12p, it remains one of the higher fixed export rates available from a major UK supplier.
Eligibility
To join Outgoing Fixed, you need three things:
- Solar panels (or another small renewable generator) installed at the property. The system must be certified by either the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or Flexi-Orb. You do not need to have bought your panels through Octopus.
- A qualifying smart meter that can send half-hourly export readings. SMETS2 meters and most SMETS1 meters work. If you do not have one, Octopus will usually fit one for free.
- An Octopus import tariff. You must be getting your grid electricity from Octopus. The import tariff can be any of theirs, including Flexible, Cosy or Intelligent Octopus Go.
A battery is not required. You will also need your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) notification letter when you apply, which your installer should have given you after commissioning.
Who Outgoing Fixed suits
It tends to work best for:
- Solar-only homes with no battery, where most of the surplus is going to be exported during the day anyway
- Households that want a predictable, fuss-free export income with no daily decisions
- People who do not want to monitor wholesale prices, schedule a battery or watch an app
- Anyone pairing the tariff with a flexible Octopus import tariff such as Cosy or Intelligent Octopus Go to manage import costs separately
If “I just want my solar to export and earn me something sensible without me thinking about it” sounds about right, Outgoing Fixed is usually the answer.
Who should look elsewhere
Outgoing Fixed is probably not the best choice if:
- You have a battery that can target the 4pm to 7pm peak. Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux and pay significantly more during the early evening peak. Both are closed to new customers in some setups as of 2026, so check current availability.
- You are comfortable with half-hourly price changes. Outgoing Agile tracks wholesale prices in 30-minute slots. The average has often landed close to or slightly below 12p, but active battery owners can beat the flat rate by exporting during evening peaks.
- You do not want to be tied to Octopus for import. Other suppliers, including E.ON, Scottish Power, So Energy and Pozitive Energy, offer competitive export tariffs without requiring you to take their import as well.
Outgoing Fixed vs Outgoing Agile vs Octopus Flux
| Feature | Outgoing Fixed | Outgoing Agile | Octopus Flux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate structure | Flat 12p per kWh | Half-hourly, tracks wholesale | Peak / mid / off-peak bands |
| Time of day matters? | No | Yes | Yes (4pm-7pm peak) |
| Battery required? | No | No, but strongly preferred | Yes |
| Management effort | None | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Best suited to | Solar-only, hands-off | Battery owners willing to optimise | Battery owners wanting a paired import/export tariff |
| Exit fees | None | None | None |
The annual earnings figures you will see quoted by comparison sites are estimates based on assumed system size, export share and consumption patterns. A 4.9kWp solar system exporting roughly half of what it generates would earn a meaningful sum on Outgoing Fixed at 12p, but the real number depends on your roof orientation, your self-consumption habits and whether you have a battery. Use a calculator with your own export figures rather than relying on a headline number.
How to switch
If you are not already an Octopus import customer:
- Switch your import to Octopus first. Any of their import tariffs works for Outgoing Fixed eligibility.
- Once your import account is live and your smart meter is sending half-hourly readings, complete the Outgoing application online.
- Upload your MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate and your DNO notification letter.
- Octopus processes the application in roughly two working days, then applies to your DNO for an export MPAN. That step usually takes one to four weeks.
- Once the export MPAN is added to your account, you start being paid on your next reading.
There are no exit fees on Outgoing Fixed, so you can move to a different export tariff (within Octopus, or to another supplier) later if your circumstances change.
FAQ
Is Outgoing Fixed the same as Outgoing Octopus?
Yes. “Outgoing Octopus” is the official product name for the flat-rate version. “Octopus Outgoing Fixed” is the informal name most commonly used to distinguish it from Outgoing Agile, the half-hourly version.
What is the current Outgoing Fixed rate?
12p per kWh, effective from 1 March 2026. It was 15p per kWh between September 2022 and the end of February 2026.
Do I need a battery?
No. A battery is not a requirement for Outgoing Fixed. You can earn on this tariff with a solar-only system. A battery might shift the maths in favour of a different tariff like Flux, but it is not needed to join Outgoing Fixed.
Do I need solar panels installed by Octopus?
No. Any solar installation will qualify as long as it carries an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate. You do not need to have bought through Octopus’s solar arm.
Are there exit fees?
No. You can leave Outgoing Fixed at any time without a fee.
Can I switch to Flux later?
In principle yes, subject to current product availability and the usual Flux requirements (an eligible battery for Intelligent Octopus Flux, a battery of any qualifying brand for Octopus Flux). Both Flux tariffs have had periods of being closed to new customers, so check the live status before counting on this as a future move.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes. Octopus needs half-hourly export readings to pay you accurately. A SMETS2 meter or a compatible SMETS1 meter will do the job. If you do not have one, Octopus will usually arrange installation at no cost.
Can I be on Outgoing Fixed and Cosy at the same time?
Yes. Outgoing Fixed sits on the export side of your account and pairs with any Octopus import tariff. Cosy Octopus, with its cheap heating windows, is a popular pairing for heat pump owners. You can also pair Outgoing Fixed with Intelligent Octopus Go if you charge an EV overnight, or with the standard Flexible tariff if you want simplicity on both sides.