SUPPLIER SOLAR VS INDEPENDENT · UK · 2026
Octopus, EON, EDF & British Gas solar — or go independent?
The big energy suppliers all sell solar now, often with a premium export tariff attached. But those top rates come with lock-in. Here's how the supplier deals compare with an independent MCS installer, so you can see which really pays.
Supplier solar deals compared (2026)
Solar install + best export (SEG) rate, with the catch
| Provider | Installs | Best export rate | Requirement / lock-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Energy | Solar + battery | 25p (Solar Savings Exclusive) | Install + electricity with Good Energy |
| OVO Energy | Solar + battery | 20p (SEG Install Exclusive) | Solar + battery bought from OVO |
| EDF (Contact Solar) | Solar + battery | ~18p (Export Exclusive) | Install + EDF electricity |
| E.ON Next | Solar + battery | 17.5p (Next Export Premium) | Install/battery with E.ON |
| British Gas | Solar install | 15.1p (Export & Earn Plus) | British Gas electricity |
| Octopus Energy | Solar + battery (from ~£6,663) | Up to ~32p peak (Intelligent Flux); 12p flat (Outgoing) | Octopus electricity + supported battery |
| Independent MCS installer | Any panels/battery | Choose any open-market SEG (12–16p) | None — pick your own tariff |
Sources: Which? and Solar Energy UK (2026). Rates change often — confirm before signing.
The trade-off: premium export vs freedom
The eye-catching 20–25p export rates from Good Energy and OVO are real — but they're installer-exclusive: you must buy your solar and battery from that supplier and take their electricity. That bundling can be worth it if the export income outweighs a keener install price elsewhere.
An independent MCS-certified installer (such as Blue Ape Renewables) usually wins on install price and flexibility: you keep your current supplier, pick any open-market export tariff (British Gas Export & Earn Plus at 15.1p, Octopus Outgoing at 12p, and others), and you're never locked in. For most homes the sensible approach is to get an independent quote first, then compare it against any bundled supplier offer.
Whichever route you choose, the export rate is only half the story — the bigger saving is the electricity you don't buy at the £1,862 Ofgem cap. See how the two combine in our battery & export guide and savings calculator.
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