Octopus Energy vs OVO Energy for Solar Export: Which Pays More?
Both Octopus Energy and OVO Energy pay solar households for the electricity they export to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee, but the rates, the strings attached and the payment terms differ. Here is a side-by-side comparison from a solar owner's perspective: who pays more, who pays faster, and which suits which household.
Last verified 6 June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Octopus Energy and OVO Energy pay the same headline export rate (12p/kWh) for an import customer, so neither wins on export earnings alone. The decision comes down to payment cadence, the rate open to non-customers, and your total annual bill.
Octopus Energy vs OVO Energy at a Glance
| Feature | Octopus Energy | OVO Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | Up to 12p/kWh flat | 20p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | 4.1p/kWh | 4p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Monthly bill credit | Quarterly (every 3 months) |
| Time-of-use option | Yes | No |
| Customer base | ~7 million UK accounts | ~4 million |
| Parent company | Octopus Energy Group (UK-owned) | OVO Group (Mitsubishi Corporation holds ~20%) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £240 | £240 |
Export Rate: Octopus Energy vs OVO Energy
Octopus Energy
Up to 12p/kWh flat
Time-of-use export, peaking in the 4pm to 7pm window (the highest export prices on the UK market). Needs a home battery and an Octopus import tariff, so the headline peak rate is not a flat figure everyone gets.
Read full Octopus Energy review →OVO Energy
20p/kWh
Up to 20p/kWh (15p for solar-only) where OVO installed your solar or battery and you take OVO for import. System capacity up to 30kW.
Read full OVO Energy review →Both Octopus Energy and OVO Energy pay the same 12p/kWh to an import customer, so there is no advantage on export earnings alone. The decision comes down to payment cadence, the rate open to non-customers, and your total annual bill, which we cover below.
Verdict: Octopus Energy or OVO Energy?
Octopus is the stronger pick for most solar owners. Its monthly payment cadence beats OVO's quarterly cycle, it offers a time-of-use Flux tariff for battery owners that OVO cannot match, and its 12p import-customer rate ties OVO's mid-tier. OVO pulls ahead only if it installed your system, where its up-to-20p Install Exclusive rate beats Octopus's flat options. If you want a simple flat rate and fast payment, Octopus. If OVO fitted your panels, take the OVO install rate.
Whichever you pick, also weigh the import unit rate, the payment cadence, and whether you are willing to switch your import supply. SEG income is rarely the deciding factor on its own. See our full SEG rate comparison.
Who Should Pick Which
Pick Octopus Energy if...
Octopus wins for battery owners (Intelligent Flux peak pricing) and for anyone who wants monthly payment, and its standalone 4.1p SEG slightly beats OVO's 4p open rate for non-switchers.
Read the full Octopus Energy review →Pick OVO Energy if...
OVO wins if OVO installed your solar or battery, unlocking up to 20p, well above Octopus's flat 12p, so an OVO-fitted system is the one scenario OVO clearly leads.
Read the full OVO Energy review →Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Octopus Energy or OVO Energy?
Octopus Energy and OVO Energy pay the same 12p/kWh to an import customer. Use payment cadence, the open-to-all rate and total bill to decide.
Can I use Octopus Energy or OVO Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
Octopus Energy: yes, its open rate is 4.1p/kWh. OVO Energy: yes, its open rate is 4p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
Does Octopus or OVO pay export credit faster?
Octopus, clearly. Octopus pays monthly bill credit, the fastest cadence we track, while OVO pays quarterly, every three months. Over a year an Octopus customer is credited twelve times against OVO's four.
Octopus and OVO have near-identical open rates, so how do I choose?
Their open import-anywhere rates almost match: Octopus standalone SEG is 4.1p and OVO SEG Standard is 4p. The decision comes down to your setup, OVO if OVO installed your system (up to 20p), Octopus if you have a battery for Intelligent Flux or want faster monthly payment.
How often does Octopus Energy pay SEG?
Octopus Energy pays export credit monthly bill credit.
How often does OVO Energy pay SEG?
OVO Energy pays export credit quarterly (every 3 months).
Is SEG income taxable?
For a typical household, SEG income is not taxable provided you are not generating significantly more than you consume, and the £1,000 trading allowance covers most owners. Check whether you need to declare it if your side income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year.
Sources
- Octopus Energy, octopus.energy
- OVO Energy, ovoenergy.com
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee, ofgem.gov.uk
Last verified: 6 June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
Compare All SEG Rates
Octopus Energy and OVO Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.