Octopus Flux
Pays 28p/kWh for export between 4pm and 7pm (peak windows). For a battery-equipped solar customer who can time-shift midday solar into the 4-7pm window, the export income changes substantially.
Solar Panel Funding: SEG, VAT, Smart Tariffs and Finance
Solar PV does not attract a single headline grant the way a heat pump does. What it does have is a stack of smaller wins that add up to a strong financial case: 0% VAT on the install, the 15p/kWh Smart Export Guarantee rate from EDF Energy, consumer finance through Greenscape, plus the Warmer Homes scheme for eligible households. This page walks through how the funding works for solar specifically.
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Google Rating: 4.5
Trustpilot: (423) 4.7 Based on 423 reviews The solar funding stack
There is no single "solar grant" in the way the BUS grant works for heat pumps. Instead, solar funding is a combination of:
| Component | Approximate value |
|---|---|
| 0% VAT on energy-saving materials | 20% saving on the install (around £1,500-£3,500 on typical residential systems) |
| Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | £150-£300/year for typical residential systems |
| Smart tariff peak export rates | Up to 28p/kWh for export during peak windows (vs 4p flat on basic SEG) |
| Self-consumption savings | £400-£900/year for typical residential systems |
| Battery storage uplift | Self-consumption rises from 25-35% to 75-85% |
| Consumer finance | Spreads the upfront cost across 5-10 years |
For a 4 kW residential solar install at around £7,500 with battery storage at around £6,800, the typical 25-year payback is 7 to 10 years on cash purchase, faster with smart tariff arbitrage, and immediately cash-flow neutral on finance.
0% VAT on energy-saving materials
The single biggest funding lever for most solar customers. Domestic solar PV, batteries and the install labour all qualify for 0% VAT under the UK's energy-saving materials relief. This represents a 20% saving compared with the standard VAT rate.
The 0% rate currently runs to 31 March 2027. After that it is expected to revert to 5% (the previous reduced rate). For customers installing in 2026, this is a meaningful window. A 6 kW solar + 13 kWh battery install would cost approximately £3,000-£3,500 more if installed after the relief ends, all other things being equal.
The 0% VAT is built into our prices. The proposal figure is the figure you pay. See the 0% VAT deep dive.
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The Smart Export Guarantee is the regulated UK scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers to pay you for the solar electricity you export to the grid. It replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) in 2020.
Unlike FIT, SEG does not have a fixed government rate. Each supplier sets their own SEG export rate, ranging from 4p per kWh on the basic flat tariffs to 15p per kWh on stronger market rates. EDF Energy pays 15p per kWh, at the top of that range.
For most residential systems, the export earnings break down roughly as follows:
| System size + setup | Typical annual export | SEG earnings (varies by tariff) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kW solar, no battery | 2,400-2,800 kWh | £100-£280 |
| 4 kW solar + 10 kWh battery | 800-1,200 kWh | £80-£220 (less export, more self-consumption) |
| 6 kW solar, no battery | 3,800-4,400 kWh | £150-£440 |
| 6 kW solar + 13 kWh battery | 1,400-1,800 kWh | £100-£320 |
| 8 kW solar + 16 kWh battery | 1,800-2,400 kWh | £150-£430 |
A battery typically reduces the SEG income (you export less because more is self-consumed) but it more than compensates by reducing the imported electricity cost. Net financial benefit of adding a battery is positive.
See the Smart Export Guarantee deep dive.
Smart tariffs for solar
The standard SEG export rate (around 4p/kWh) is the floor. The headline smart tariffs do much better:
Octopus Intelligent Octopus Go
Combines low overnight import rates (7p/kWh) with reasonable export rates, ideal for EV households with solar.
Octopus Cosy
Has three daily cheap import windows that work well with solar plus a battery for households with heat pumps.
The smart tariff choice depends on your install. A pure solar-only customer with no battery typically benefits most from a flat SEG tariff like Octopus Outgoing at 15p/kWh. A solar plus battery customer benefits most from Flux. We will recommend the right tariff in your proposal.
Self-consumption savings
The biggest financial benefit of solar is not usually the export income. It is the avoided cost of electricity you would otherwise have bought from the grid.
A typical UK household uses 3,500-4,500 kWh/year. With 4 kW of solar, you might generate 3,800-4,200 kWh/year. Without a battery, around 25-35% of that is consumed in the house directly (the rest exports). With a battery, this rises to 75-85%.
| Self-consumed solar | Avoided grid cost at 28p/kWh |
|---|---|
| 1,000 kWh | £280 |
| 2,000 kWh | £560 |
| 3,000 kWh | £840 |
| 3,500 kWh | £980 |
For a 6 kW solar + 13 kWh battery install, the typical self-consumption is around 3,000-3,500 kWh/year, which means £840-£980 avoided in grid electricity costs annually. This is the dominant financial benefit.
Warmer Homes scheme for solar
Lower-income households, EPC D-G properties and certain benefit recipients may qualify for the UK Government's Warmer Homes scheme (the successor to ECO4), which can cover solar as part of a broader retrofit package alongside batteries, heat pumps and insulation.
For eligible households, the scheme can cover most or all of the install cost. Ask us during your survey and we will check your eligibility.
Solar Together and council partnerships
Some local councils across East Anglia run periodic Solar Together-style schemes, partnering with vetted installers (including us) to offer residents preferential pricing through bulk-buy arrangements. We have been a delivery installer on multiple such schemes.
The schemes are not means-tested. Eligibility is based on living in a participating council area when the scheme is running. The savings vary by scheme but typically 5-10% off comparable open-market pricing.
If a scheme is currently running in your council area, register interest via the council's official scheme website. If no scheme is currently active in your area, you can still book a free survey with us at standard pricing, which is comparable to or better than scheme pricing for most install types.
Consumer finance for solar
For the upfront cost of solar (or solar plus battery), finance through Greenscape Energy covers most household budgets:
| Loan amount | Term | APR | Monthly payment | Annual energy saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £7,500 (4 kW solar) | 12 months | 0% | £625 | £400-£600 |
| £7,500 (4 kW solar) | 24 months | 0% | £313 | £400-£600 |
| £7,500 (4 kW solar) | 60 months | 7.9% | £152 | £400-£600 |
| £7,500 (4 kW solar) | 120 months | 7.9% | £91 | £400-£600 |
| £12,800 (4 kW solar + 10 kWh battery) | 12 months | 0% | £1,067 | £1,000-£1,400 |
| £12,800 (4 kW solar + 10 kWh battery) | 24 months | 0% | £533 | £1,000-£1,400 |
| £12,800 (4 kW solar + 10 kWh battery) | 60 months | 7.9% | £259 | £1,000-£1,400 |
| £12,800 (4 kW solar + 10 kWh battery) | 120 months | 7.9% | £155 | £1,000-£1,400 |
| £14,800 (5 kW solar + 13 kWh Tesla PW3) | 12 months | 0% | £1,233 | £1,200-£1,600 |
| £14,800 (5 kW solar + 13 kWh Tesla PW3) | 24 months | 0% | £617 | £1,200-£1,600 |
| £14,800 (5 kW solar + 13 kWh Tesla PW3) | 60 months | 7.9% | £299 | £1,200-£1,600 |
| £14,800 (5 kW solar + 13 kWh Tesla PW3) | 120 months | 7.9% | £179 | £1,200-£1,600 |
| £18,500 (8 kW solar + 16 kWh battery) | 12 months | 0% | £1,542 | £1,400-£2,000 |
| £18,500 (8 kW solar + 16 kWh battery) | 24 months | 0% | £771 | £1,400-£2,000 |
| £18,500 (8 kW solar + 16 kWh battery) | 60 months | 7.9% | £374 | £1,400-£2,000 |
| £18,500 (8 kW solar + 16 kWh battery) | 120 months | 7.9% | £223 | £1,400-£2,000 |
For solar plus battery, the monthly finance payment is often comparable to or less than the monthly energy saving, making the install cash-flow neutral or positive from day one.
0% APR on agreements of 1 to 2 years. Longer terms, up to 10 years, are 7.9% APR. Subject to status, credit checks apply. Greenscape Energy Limited is FCA-authorised as a credit broker (FCA registration 690130).
A worked example
Take a 4-bed Suffolk family home: 6 kW SunPower solar + 16 kWh Solis battery + Octopus Flux tariff.
The Warmer Homes scheme, if the customer is eligible, can reduce the upfront cost. Consumer finance can spread it. Whichever path, the energy bill saving compounds over the 25+ year life of the system. Lifetime saving on this profile is approximately £55,000-£70,000 in 2026 prices.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Install cost (with 0% VAT) | £9,200 |
| Annual solar generation | ~5,500 kWh |
| Annual house consumption | ~4,500 kWh |
| Self-consumed (with battery) | ~3,800 kWh |
| Export to grid | ~1,700 kWh |
| Avoided grid electricity (at 28p) | £1,064 |
| SEG export earnings (Flux peak + standard mix) | £340 |
| Annual saving | £1,404 |
| Pre-install electricity bill | £1,800 |
| Post-install net electricity cost | ~£396 |
| Payback (cash purchase) | ~6.5 years |
| Effective bill reduction | 78% |
What we handle for you
The solar funding paperwork is all in our scope:
-
DNO connection notification (required for any new solar install)
-
MCS install certification, which gates SEG eligibility
-
SEG application support to whichever supplier you choose
-
Warmer Homes scheme application if you are eligible
-
Consumer finance application through Greenscape at proposal stage
-
0% VAT registration and proper invoicing
-
Smart tariff guidance so you switch to the right tariff at the right time
You sign one agreement (the install agreement). Everything else is handled.
Our reviews speak for themselves
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Friendly and efficient service from Cloe!
Pa 31 Oct 2026
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The two technicians, Luke & Cam arrived as scheduled, were courteous and respectful. They carried out the work as requested and invited me to inspect what they had done. Luke also clarified and guided me through a particular aspect on the Solis App.
V Evans 30 Oct 2026
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As usual, Greenscape customer service resolved my query quickly and professionally. I had a query about winter settings for my batteries which Chloe resolved for me and then sent a follow up email to confirm all is in place. Thank you!
Hayley Goldson 30 Oct 2026
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Harry fixed a persistent problem we've had for years. Over the last 4 years, a number of engineers had a go at fixing this but without success. Very happy with Harry and the knowledge he had of the Mitsubishi system
Eric Henderson 30 Oct 2026
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Can’t thank Chloe Hickman enough for sorting out my winter charging so quickly and efficiently Stephen Carpenter
Stephen Carpenter 30 Oct 2026
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Excellent service given by our Greenscape engineer Harry, who sorted our heating and gave a detailed explanation of the problem
customer 30 Oct 2026
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Darren Ben and Cameron were absolutely lovely very helpful and professional. Neat and tidy and really nice guys, great job done very happy
Laura Lawrence 29 Oct 2026
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Aaron at Greenscape Energy provided a prompt, friendly, informative and helpful service when quoting the proposed PV and battery system for our property.
M Hayes 29 Oct 2026
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Both Brandon and young apprentice Ellis arrived on time to install my long awaited Pylontech battery. What can I say, they were very smart, professional and most polite. Greenscape have a good team here, please retain them and do pass on my best regards to them both. Cheers Paul
MRS MARILYN BAILEY 29 Oct 2026
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Chloe was very helpful with my winter settings, my app wasn’t the same as the written instructions but she just did it for me and then checked to see it was all working correctly.
Ruth 28 Oct 2026
Google I have used Greenscape Energy to install Solar Panels and Tesla Powerwall batteries and I can confidently state that they are an excellent company to deal with. I recently had a minor problem with the batteries not being charged during the cheap rate. Greenscape could not have been more helpful and put me in contact with Tesla to resolve the problem. Fantastic service from a professional company.
Tim Reid 27 Oct 2026
Google Michaela, dealt with my finance query in a professional, efficient manner, and placated my fears that the progress on my solar system would be paused until the return of the surveyor from holiday. Good customer care. Thank you
Andrew Kay 16 Sept 2026
Google Very professional and efficient from the sales engagement through to commissioning. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them.
Granary Barn 17 Aug 2026
Google I have been very impressed with the service I received from Greenscape. The initial survey was very professionally done by Andrew and I was pleased that he convinced me not to have more panels than necessary. The team that installed the battery and inverter were excellent and very pleasant to deal with. The system is up and running and there have been no complications. I thoroughly recommend Greenscape.
Richard Stainer 11 Aug 2026
Google I arranged to have solar panels and a battery installed by Greenscape via OVO Energy. From start to finish, the service has been excellent. From the survey, to the panel installation and battery installation, every team member has been professional and very friendly. The after sales have kept in contact to make sure everything has gone smoothly. Couldn't fault Greenscape.
Gareth 7 Jul 2026
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