So Energy vs Octopus Energy: Solar Export Rates & Which Is Better
Both So Energy and Octopus 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 28 August 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Octopus Energy pays the higher export rate at 12p/kWh versus So Energy at 4.5p/kWh for an import customer. For a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh a year, that is about £150 more per year. But the cheaper headline rate isn't always the wrong call: the rate open to non-customers, payment speed and import prices can offset it.
Is So Energy Better Than Octopus Energy? At a Glance
| Feature | So Energy | Octopus Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | 20p/kWh | Up to 12p/kWh flat |
| Rate open to any import supplier | 4.5p/kWh | 4.1p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Monthly bill credit |
| Time-of-use option | No | Yes |
| Customer base | ~300,000 | ~7 million UK accounts |
| Parent company | ESB (Electricity Supply Board, Ireland) | Octopus Energy Group (UK-owned) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £90 | £240 |
Export Rate: So Energy vs Octopus Energy
So Energy
20p/kWh
20p/kWh fixed for 12 months for customers whose solar-and-battery system was installed by So Energy, then rolls onto So Export Flex (4.5p). You do not have to take So Energy for import.
Read full So Energy review →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 →For an import customer, Octopus Energy wins by 7.5p/kWh. On a typical home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that adds up to £150 per year in extra export earnings. If you would rather not switch your import supplier, compare the 'open to all' rates above instead.
Earnings by System Size
| System | Annual export | So Energy | Octopus Energy | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | £72 | £192 | £120 |
| 4.5 kWp (10-11 panels) | 2,000 kWh | £90 | £240 | £150 |
| 5.4 kWp (12-13 panels) | 2,400 kWh | £108 | £288 | £180 |
| 6.4 kWp (14-15 panels) | 2,900 kWh | £131 | £348 | £218 |
| 5.4 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | £63 | £168 | £105 |
Is So Energy Cheaper Than Octopus Energy? The Verdict
It depends on who installed your system. If So Energy installed it, So Bright pays 20p for the first year with no import switch required, well ahead of anything Octopus offers. For everyone else: So Export Flex at 4.5p slightly beats Octopus's 4.1p standalone SEG if you refuse to switch import, but once you take a supplier for import, Octopus pays 12p, adds a time-of-use Flux option for battery owners, and pays monthly. So-Energy-installed owners take the 20p; most others lean 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.
Still shopping for the panels themselves? We've reviewed the install offer too: Octopus solar panels review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, So Energy or Octopus Energy?
Octopus Energy pays 12p/kWh versus So Energy at 4.5p/kWh for an import customer, a difference of about £150 per year on a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh.
Is So Energy cheaper than Octopus Energy?
For solar export, Octopus Energy is the cheaper choice to be with because it pays 12p/kWh versus So Energy's 4.5p/kWh, worth about £150 more a year exported. On import prices both track the Ofgem cap closely, so export earnings and payment speed are usually what separate them.
Is So Energy better than Octopus Energy for solar panels?
For solar households, Octopus Energy is the stronger pick on export rate (12p/kWh vs 4.5p/kWh), about £150 a year more on typical export. It also offers a time-of-use export tariff, which suits battery owners. Weigh it against import prices and payment cadence before switching.
Can I use So Energy or Octopus Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
So Energy: yes, its open rate is 4.5p/kWh. Octopus Energy: yes, its open rate is 4.1p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
How often does So Energy pay SEG?
So Energy pays export credit quarterly.
How often does Octopus Energy pay SEG?
Octopus Energy pays export credit monthly bill credit.
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
- So Energy, so.energy
- Octopus Energy, octopus.energy
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee, ofgem.gov.uk
Last verified: 28 August 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
So Energy and Octopus Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.