Octopus is well-known as one of the UK’s leading energy providers, winning awards for value and exceptional customer service. However, you may not know that Octopus also offers solar and battery installation through partner contractors.
This guide examines whether Octopus solar installation is the best investment for your home and whether you can save money. We review whether Octopus enjoys the same five-star reputation for its solar installation as it does as an energy supplier.
You’ll also learn about installing solar panels and how solar panels work, and our Octopus solar panels review also studies the impact they can have on your energy bills.
Who Is Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy Group is a renewable energy supplier founded in 2015. Its mantra is to use technology to make energy ‘fair, clean, and simple for all’ by investing in renewables, installing heat pumps, supplying Smart home tech, and leasing EVs.
Starting as a newcomer, Octopus has become the largest UK electricity supplier in just over eight years. Octopus Energy has over 5 million customers in nine countries and is expanding into the USA. Octopus belongs to a global energy transition collective that works on energy transformation and innovation.
In December 2023, Octopus Energy bought Shell Energy and migrated across Shell’s 1.3 million home energy customers. It then acquired Bulb customers after the company went into administration. Octopus now supplies 6.8 million homes and businesses and has been a Which? Recommended Provider for seven consecutive years.
Key Features Of Octopus Energy Solar Panels
- High-performance panels from a leading solar panels manufacturer.
- Proven efficiency ratings of 22% and higher.
- Costs of less than £5,000 for a four-panel-only installation and under £4,000 for a two-panel-only installation.
- 25-year product warranty
Octopus Energy’s Solar Panel Manufacturers
Octopus Energy uses panels made by JA Solar, and its engineering arm, Octopus Energy Services, installs them; they’ve already been installing electric vehicle chargers, air-source heat pumps, and smart meters for some time.
JA Solar Panels
JA solar panels are produced by JA Solar, a Chinese company with its headquarters in Shanghai and manufacturing facilities throughout Southeast Asia. Founded in 2005, JA Solar is one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers and produces solar panels and solar batteries selling to 135 countries.
JA Solar is recognised as a Tier 1 manufacturer by Bloomberg NEF because of its state-of-the-art robotic techniques, which minimise human errors in the production process. The company has consistently featured in the Fortune China 500 and Global Top 500 New Energy Enterprises.
JA Solar panels are competitively priced compared to other panel suppliers, and they offer extensive product options to meet different energy needs.
In May 2023, JA Solar released its next-generation DeepBlue 4.0 Pro solar panels. This range includes 340W, 420W, and 440W advanced solar technology panels with benefits such as high power, superior efficiency levels of up to 21.5%, and proven reliability.
The idea is to generate more electricity so customers can sell surplus power to the grid. The JA 440W solar panel installed by Octopus Energy is classified as a premium panel with a more extended product warranty of twenty-five years.
JA 440W Solar Panel
| Cell | N-Type Bifacial |
| No. of cells | 108 (6 x 18) |
| Rated Maximum Power (Pmax) | 440W |
| Maximum Efficiency | 22% |
| Junction Box | IP68, 3 diodes |
| Maximum System Voltage | 1500V |
| Operating Temperature | -40℃～+85℃ |
| Connectors | Genuine MC4 QC4.10 |
Octopus Energy Solar Panel Installation Process
Every home is different, and Octopus Energy prides itself on making the whole solar installation process simple and straightforward. Octopus Energy are rolling out solar panels across the UK. This is what customers can expect.
- One of the Octopus Energy team will get in touch to discuss your solar power requirements.
- Based on detailed questions and the information provided, Octopus produces a detailed quote for solar panels. Design specialists use state-of-the-art software to design the best system for each property, placing the panels in the ideal spot, predicting the sun’s arc on the roof, and generating the maximum power.
- Once the design is agreed upon, Octopus, through their contracted solar installer partners, agrees to a mutually convenient installation date, which includes time to erect and dismantle scaffolding. The average installation of home solar takes between two and four days, though this largely depends on system size and site accessibility.
- Solar panel installation includes an inverter, which converts direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Consumers can also opt for solar panels and battery packages. Battery storage allows households to store power from quiet periods to use at peak times.
Once the solar panels and battery are installed, Octopus Energy will recommend one of its Octopus tariffs, like Intelligent Octopus Flux, to suit customer needs. This depends on how much energy a household generates, its energy use, whether it has an electric car, and whether it wants an export tariff.
What Is The Smart Export Guarantee Tariff?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a system backed by the UK government in which energy suppliers buy excess energy generated by home solar systems. Energy companies set their own tariffs.
The Octopus SEG tariff means householders are paid a fixed rate for any excess renewable energy exported to the grid. Octopus customers will get a better export tariff if Octopus is also their energy supplier, and they can pair import and export deals.
Octopus Solar Installation Costs
Installation costs depend on the number of solar panels you want, their size, whether you want solar and battery, and the size of the battery. The smallest panel-only installation Octopus offers is two panels with a starting price of £3,880.
Octopus Energy’s best seller is a ten-panel installation with 5 kWh battery storage, and this costs £9,199.
Octopus offers finance deals to spread the cost of home solar installation. Their finance partner is DivideBuy, which offers interest-free loans over one, two, and three years, subject to status, and longer loans over five and seven years with an APR of 9.9%.
Households can make total savings on energy bills of around £500 to over £1,000 a year, depending on the size of the solar installation.
On average, it takes customers 9-11 years to cover the cost of solar panel installation depending on how many panels they have.
Octopus Solar Battery Storage
Octopus Energy customers have the option of using a combined solar and battery storage system. If the home solar system generates extra electricity, then battery storage is a mechanism to keep this rather than selling surplus to the grid.
Octopus offer battery storage with six-panel solar installations and upwards with the battery size increasing in line with the number of panels, starting at 5kWh and then moving to 10kWh and finally, The Tesla Powerwall, which is for larger homes with a minimum of 10 up to 42 panels. For 5kWh and 10kWh installations, Octopus uses Enphase IQ Battery 5P.
Octopus Energy Solar Panel Grants
Octopus works with the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, a UK government initiative that provides reduced price or free solar panels for households meeting the ECO criteria. Eligible homes can enjoy financial savings on their energy bills with improvements like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, repairing broken boilers, fitting a heat pump, and the installation of solar panels.
The last phase of this scheme – ECO4 – closes at the end of March 2026. There is still £4 billion available to homes in England, Scotland, and Wales with residents on means-tested state benefits. On top of this, ECO Flex – Local Authority Flexible Eligibility – extends solar funding to include households not receiving means-tested benefits. Local councils can dictate their own eligibility conditions for low-income individuals and families.
Other grants available include:
- Up to £10,000 through the Home Upgrade Grant
- Scotland residents can get up to £6,000 to install solar PV systems through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Octopus Energy Solar Panels?
Sourcing solar panels and battery storage systems through Octopus Energy comes with several benefits. Chief amongst these is the choice of panel manufacturer which provides reliable and quality products backed with Octopus’ reputation of stellar customer service. The panels come with a 25-year product guarantee and Octopus don’t outsource installation but have their own company to do the work. Customer reviews are positive and Octopus smart tariffs complement any installation.
The disadvantages with Octopus are for people really looking for solar panels and battery power installations on a budget; you can find cheaper panels. Octopus don’t appear on any best installation review lists but they are still relatively new in the home solar market.
Octopus Solar Panels FAQs
How Much Can I Save On My Electricity Bills?
Octopus solar panel customers with smart tech could save up to 90% on their energy costs.
Do Octopus Energy Services Only Install Solar Panels?
Octopus Energy Services is the engineering arm of Octopus Energy and, as well as solar panels, installs air-source heat pumps, electric car chargers and smart meters across the UK. The idea is to provide a holistic and joined-up approach to renewable home energy, saving customers the maximum amount of money and placing Octopus firmly at the forefront of the green revolution.
Final Thoughts
People are attracted by Octopus Energy’s relatively new entry into the solar panel installation market because Octopus is already a high-profile energy supplier with an enviable reputation for service and delivery.
Octopus solar installation reviews are positive but it’s still early days as Octopus rolls out this service across the UK. It’s always worth comparing a few solar panel installers once you have isolated your specific requirements. Octopus installations are likely not the cheapest, but you may feel their overall reputation makes them a reliable choice.
Don’t forget, we offer a comprehensive installation package for solar customers right here at Effective Home, and regularly feature in top installer reviews. Our experienced service partners with finance packages so you can spread the cost of panels and a home battery. Get in touch with a member of our team today.
