Homeowner Blog

Choosing the right time-of-use tariff can transform a solar-and-battery setup from a novelty into a genuine money-saving powerhouse. An energy tariff determines how much you pay for every unit of electricity you import, and what you receive for every kilowatt-hour you export. While most standard plans charge a flat rate, Octopus Energy’s smart tariffs use time-of-use pricing to reward off-peak consumption and peak exports, perfect for households with solar panels, home batteries, EVs or even heat pumps. Though rates vary regionally (London tends to be about 10 % higher than Yorkshire), the principles we explore here apply across the UK.

Pictured -
Archie Helas, Technical Designer, Spirit Energy
Tok Charles, Technical Designer, Spirit Energy
Greg Jackson, CEO, Octopus Energy

Spirit Energy has just been crowned Octopus Energy’s Customer‑Focused Installer - and we couldn’t be more thrilled! On 4 April 2025, CEO Greg Jackson presented us with this prestigious accolade, recognising our passion for putting customers at the heart of everything we do.

We broke down everything you need to know about the single-phase Sigenergy SigenStor system – in just five minutes – covering its modular design, future-proof battery tech, and advanced smart features.

We took a closer look at the three-phase version of the Sigenergy SigenStor to explain how it differs from the standard single-phase setup – and what it means for homeowners with a three-phase supply or commercial clients looking for serious storage capacity.

We travelled to the Houses of Parliament for the second reading of the Sunshine Bill – a proposed law that would make solar panels mandatory on all new homes in the UK.

Spirit Energy recently installed 18 solar panel wall mounts with two Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries at a house in Buckinghamshire. Learn about the benefits of wall mounted solar panels by watching this video. Learn everything about wall mounted solar panels:

Wall Mounted Solar Panels - Spirit Energy

Wall Mounted Solar Panels - Everything You Need To Know: 
Wall Mounted vs Roof Mounted Solar Panels

Maximise your return and reduce your energy bills faster

When considering solar and battery storage, one of the most common motivations is the financial return. A well-designed system can pay for itself in just a few years and continue saving you thousands over its lifetime. But not all systems are created equal, and the choices you make during the design and installation stages will determine just how fast you break even.

Here are the ten most important factors that can improve your solar payback period - and save you more in the long run.

When installing a solar PV and battery storage system, securing permission from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is a crucial step. If you’ve been restricted by the DNO in terms of generation or export capacity, you might be wondering whether you can reapply for more capacity in the future. The short answer? Yes, and in many cases, it may be worth doing so. Here’s what you need to know.