Octopus don’t publish a fixed price list — every quote is based on your roof size, orientation, shading and how much electricity you use, confirmed via a free video survey. As a general guide, UK market rates for a well-specified residential system in 2026 typically run:
These are general UK market figures for context, not an Octopus quote — the only way to get an exact number for your home is Octopus’s free survey, which comes with no obligation to book.
Payback depends on three things: how much of the electricity you generate you actually use (versus export), your current electricity rate, and the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rate you’re paid for what you send back to the grid. As a rough guide:
After payback, a system with a 25-year panel warranty keeps generating effectively free electricity for well over a decade more — which is why solar is generally judged on lifetime value, not just breakeven point.
Booking through Octopus is a bundled install, not just panels on a roof. A typical installation includes:
Once your system is generating, Octopus’s Outgoing tariff pays you for electricity you export back to the grid — up to 15p/kWh on their agile export rate, with a flat-rate option too if you’d rather have a predictable number. This export income is what shortens payback for households that generate more than they use.
If you also drive an electric vehicle, pairing solar generation with a cheap overnight tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go means you can charge from the grid overnight and top up from your own panels during the day — compounding the savings on both sides.
Full mechanics, eligibility and how it stacks with switching are covered in our dedicated solar referral code guide.
Likely a good fit if:
Worth thinking twice if:
Octopus’s free survey gives you a straight answer either way, at no cost and no obligation to proceed.
For a well-oriented roof with reasonable daytime electricity use, Octopus solar is generally worth it: a bundled install with Tier-1 panels, MCS certification and export earnings through Outgoing Octopus, typically paying back within 8-14 years and generating free power well beyond that. The £100 cashback is a straightforward extra on top – no code needed, just an official referral link.
There’s no fixed price – it depends on your roof and usage, confirmed via a free survey. UK market rates for context: roughly £5,000-£8,000 for panels only, or £9,000-£14,000 including battery storage.
Typically 8-14 years, depending on how much of your generation you use versus export, and the export rate you’re on. Panels generally carry a 25-year warranty, so most systems generate well beyond payback.
SEG is the scheme that pays you for electricity you export to the grid. Octopus’ Outgoing tariff pays up to 15p/kWh on the agile rate, with a flat-rate option available too.
No, it’s optional. A battery stores daytime generation for evening use and can improve payback for households that are out during the day, but panels alone still qualify for the £100 referral and SEG export payments.
Yes – £100 when you book an installation through an official referral link, paid as a gift card or account credit after install completes. See our solar referral code guide for the full mechanics.
Best suited to south, east or west-facing roofs with minimal shading and reasonable daytime electricity use. Octopus’s free survey – no cost, no obligation – gives you a definitive answer for your specific property.
Disclaimer: Octopus Energy Cash is an independent website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Octopus Energy Ltd. ‘Octopus Energy’ is a trademark of its respective owner. Costs and payback figures below are general UK market estimates for context, not an Octopus quote — your exact price depends on your roof, usage and system size, confirmed via Octopus’s free survey. Referral reward amounts and scheme terms are set by Octopus and may change without notice; always confirm the current offer on the official Octopus Energy website before booking. We explain how we make money on our disclosure page.
