Octopus Energy vs Scottish Power for Solar Export: Which Pays More?
Both Octopus Energy and Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power at a Glance
| Feature | Octopus Energy | Scottish Power |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | Up to 12p/kWh flat | 15p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | 4.1p/kWh | 6p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Monthly bill credit | Every 90 days, paid to your bank |
| Time-of-use option | Yes | No |
| Customer base | ~7 million UK accounts | ~4.5 million |
| Parent company | Octopus Energy Group (UK-owned) | Iberdrola (Spanish utility group) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £240 | £240 |
Export Rate: Octopus Energy vs Scottish Power
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 →Scottish Power
15p/kWh
15p/kWh for Scottish Power import customers who also installed their solar or battery with Scottish Power.
Read full Scottish Power review →Both Octopus Energy and Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power?
Octopus is the better all-rounder, but Scottish Power has a real edge for one group. Scottish Power's open SmartGen rate of 6p beats Octopus's 4.1p standalone SEG, so if you want a good rate without switching your import supplier, Scottish Power pays more. Once you are willing to switch import, Octopus's 12p, monthly payment and Flux option pull ahead. Keep your import elsewhere: Scottish Power. Switch import: Octopus.
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 on Intelligent Flux and for anyone wanting monthly payment, far ahead of Scottish Power's 90-day cadence.
Read the full Octopus Energy review →Pick Scottish Power if...
Scottish Power wins for an import-anywhere household, since its open SmartGen rate of 6p beats Octopus's standalone SEG of 4.1p, and it pays cash to your bank rather than bill credit.
Read the full Scottish Power review →Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Octopus Energy or Scottish Power?
Octopus Energy and Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power for export without switching my import supplier?
Octopus Energy: yes, its open rate is 4.1p/kWh. Scottish Power: yes, its open rate is 6p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
If I won't switch my import supplier, is Octopus or Scottish Power better?
Scottish Power. Its open SmartGen rate is 6p with no import switch required, ahead of Octopus's standalone SEG at 4.1p. Octopus only overtakes once you take it for import (12p flat) or add a battery for Intelligent Flux.
How do the payment methods differ between Octopus and Scottish Power?
Octopus credits your bill monthly, the fastest cadence on the market. Scottish Power pays every 90 days directly to your bank account as cash rather than bill credit, so the trade-off is Octopus's speed versus Scottish Power's cash payout.
How often does Octopus Energy pay SEG?
Octopus Energy pays export credit monthly bill credit.
How often does Scottish Power pay SEG?
Scottish Power pays export credit every 90 days, paid to your bank.
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
- Scottish Power, scottishpower.co.uk
- 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 Scottish Power are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.