Best UK home solar panel & battery tariffs 2026
Compare whole-of-market export and battery-ready energy tariffs for UK homes. Tell us about your property and usage and we’ll match you with the most suitable 2026 solar + battery tariff options in minutes.
- Whole-of-market comparison for homeowners (not business)
- Export payment and import rate checks (including smart & time-of-use)
- Battery-friendly tariff screening (off-peak charging & dynamic pricing)
- Quick form—no obligation, UK-based support
EnergyPlus.co.uk is a comparison service. Tariffs and export rates vary by region, meter type, eligibility and supplier availability. Estimated savings are not guaranteed.
Find the best 2026 solar + battery tariff for your home
Solar panels and home batteries can cut bills—but the tariff you pair them with matters. A "good" export rate can be offset by an expensive import unit rate, and a cheap night rate can be less useful if the peak window is long or the standing charge is high.
EnergyPlus compares whole-of-market UK home energy options to help you shortlist tariffs that suit how you generate, store and use electricity. We look at things like:
- Export payment (how much you get for electricity you send to the grid)
- Import price structure (single-rate, two-rate, time-of-use, or dynamic)
- Battery charging windows (off-peak times, weekend rates, and peak pricing)
- Eligibility (smart meter, MCS certification, supplier terms)
- Regional pricing (your distribution area affects rates and standing charges)
Tip: If you already have solar and a battery, the best tariff is often a blend of reasonable export plus a cheap off-peak import window you can use to top up your battery on low-generation days.
Get matched with suitable tariffs
Complete the form and we’ll compare home solar export and battery-friendly tariffs available for your postcode.
Already have solar panels?
We can still compare export and battery tariffs if your system is already installed. If you’re planning a battery addition in 2026, we can prioritise battery-ready options and time-of-use rates.
Important: Export tariffs are subject to supplier terms and eligibility (for example MCS certification and/or smart meter requirements). We’ll help you understand what’s needed for your home setup.
Why the right solar & battery tariff matters in 2026
In 2026, more UK households will be pairing PV systems with batteries to increase self-consumption and manage peak-time prices. A tariff that fits your home can improve the value you get from your panels and battery—without changing your equipment.
Maximise your export value
If you export a lot (summer generation, low daytime use), a strong export rate can materially improve your annual return.
Charge your battery cheaply
Battery owners can benefit from off-peak windows or time-of-use tariffs—especially in winter when solar generation drops.
Avoid tariff traps
A tempting export rate can come with a higher standing charge or expensive peak rates. We compare the whole picture.
Match tariff to your lifestyle
Home all day? You may use more solar directly. Out at work? Export and evening import matter more.
Prepare for EV add-ons
If an EV is on the horizon, a battery-friendly tariff can often align well with EV charging windows too.
Reduce bill volatility
Time-of-use and dynamic pricing can be powerful, but only if you understand risk and have the right meter setup.
How UK solar export and battery tariffs work
For most households, there are two moving parts: import (what you pay for electricity from the grid) and export (what you’re paid for electricity you send to the grid). A battery adds a third lever: when you import, store and use energy.
Import: unit rate + standing charge
Your bill typically includes a daily standing charge plus a price per kWh. Time-of-use tariffs can split that unit rate into peak and off-peak windows.
Export: what you’re paid per kWh
Export tariffs pay you for surplus generation. Eligibility can depend on your installation paperwork and metering (often a smart meter).
A simple way to think about it
- Use solar first: daytime generation powers your home.
- Store extra in your battery: if you have one, you can save energy for the evening.
- Export what you can’t use/store: paid at your export rate.
- Import when needed: on cloudy days, winter, evenings or high usage periods.
- Optimise with your tariff: off-peak windows can let you charge your battery cheaply when solar is low.
Good to know: The “best” tariff depends on your home’s generation size (kWp), battery capacity (kWh), typical evening usage, and whether you can shift demand (dishwasher, immersion heater, EV charging) into cheaper windows.
Tariff types to compare for solar + battery in 2026
Below is a practical overview of the tariff structures UK homeowners commonly consider when they have solar panels, a home battery—or both.
| Tariff type | Best for | Watch-outs | What we check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-rate import + export tariff | Households that want simplicity and predictable bills. | Export may be lower than specialist offerings; import may not reward battery charging behaviour. | Standing charge, unit rate, export rate, eligibility terms. |
| Time-of-use (peak/off-peak) | Battery owners who can charge overnight and discharge during peak. | Peak windows can be pricey; savings depend on how much you shift. | Off-peak hours, peak price, weekend rates, export pairing options. |
| Dynamic pricing | Homes comfortable with variable half-hourly pricing and active management. | Prices can spike; requires smart meter and tolerance for variability. | Eligibility, risk profile, typical use pattern, and whether a more stable TOU tariff is better. |
| Battery add-on / battery-optimised plans | Homes installing a battery in 2026 and planning regular off-peak charging. | Some plans work best with certain usage shapes; check any export restrictions or conditions. | Charge windows, peak penalties, export compatibility, standing charge, contract terms. |
What “best” means (and what it doesn’t)
On this page, “best” means best-matched to your home’s real usage and generation profile—rather than a single headline export rate. A tariff that is perfect for a large south-facing PV system may be poor value for a smaller system or a household with high evening demand.
Solar export tariff eligibility checklist (UK homes)
Suppliers set eligibility criteria for export payments. These can differ, but most UK homeowners will need some or all of the following.
Typically required
- MCS certification (or accepted equivalent) for the solar installation
- Smart meter capable of measuring export (often needed for accurate export readings)
- Proof of installation (commissioning documentation / certificates)
- UK residential supply address (this page is for home energy)
Often worth checking
- Whether the export tariff is available if you’re not an import customer of the same supplier
- Any contract length, exit fees or rate changes
- How export is paid (credit to bill vs separate payment) and payment frequency
- Whether your meter setup supports half-hourly billing for time-of-use or dynamic tariffs
Not sure what you have? Complete the comparison form and we’ll guide you through what’s needed for the tariffs you’re looking at.
Regional considerations: why your postcode affects “best”
UK electricity pricing isn’t identical everywhere. Your region (distribution area) can influence unit rates and standing charges, which changes the balance between import savings and export earnings.
Standing charges vary
A tariff with a higher standing charge can reduce the benefit of a strong export rate for lower-usage homes.
Unit rates can differ by area
If your daytime import rate is high, self-consumption from solar can be worth more—changing what “best” looks like.
Tariff availability varies
Not every supplier offers every tariff in every region, and some export options have eligibility limits.
That’s why we ask for your postcode. It lets us filter and compare tariffs that are actually available for your home area.
Common mistakes when choosing solar + battery tariffs
Avoid these frequent pitfalls when searching for the best UK home solar panel and battery tariffs in 2026.
1) Chasing the highest export rate only
If the import unit rate or standing charge is high, you can end up paying more overall—even with strong export earnings.
2) Ignoring peak-time pricing
Time-of-use tariffs can work brilliantly with batteries, but not if the peak window catches most of your evening use.
3) Not checking eligibility upfront
Some export tariffs require MCS proof and compatible metering. We help you confirm this before you switch.
4) Choosing a tariff that doesn’t fit your battery size
A short off-peak window may not fully charge a larger battery. A longer window might suit better—even if the headline rate is slightly higher.
Quick win: Keep your last few electricity bills to hand. Even approximate annual usage helps us identify tariffs that match your import needs and likely export profile.
FAQs: best UK home solar panel and battery tariffs 2026
Do I need a battery to benefit from an export tariff?
No. Many households with solar panels only still benefit from export payments. A battery can increase self-consumption and reduce peak-time imports, but the best setup depends on your usage pattern.
Will I definitely save money with a time-of-use tariff?
Not always. Time-of-use works best when you can shift meaningful consumption (or battery charging) into off-peak periods. If most of your usage lands in peak hours, costs can rise.
Do I need a smart meter for solar export?
Often, yes—particularly for accurate export readings and for time-of-use or dynamic pricing. Requirements vary by supplier and tariff, so we check this as part of your comparison.
Can I have different suppliers for import and export?
Sometimes. Some suppliers offer export tariffs even if your import is with another supplier, while others require you to take both. We’ll filter results based on what’s available for your home.
What information do you need to compare tariffs?
At minimum: your postcode and contact details so we can respond with suitable options. If you know your annual kWh usage, solar size (kWp), battery size (kWh), and meter type, that helps refine the match.
Is this page for business premises?
No—this page and the form are for UK home energy comparisons only (domestic supply).
Still deciding? Use the comparison form and we’ll help you shortlist tariffs aligned to your home’s solar, battery and usage.
Trusted by UK homeowners
We focus on matching tariffs to real household behaviour—import needs, export potential and battery charging windows—so you can make a confident choice.
“The comparison highlighted that a ‘high export’ tariff wasn’t best for us once standing charge was included. We switched to a battery-friendly plan and it made the numbers work.”
“Clear explanation of peak vs off-peak and what it meant for charging our battery in winter. The shortlist saved hours of research.”
“The postcode check was useful—some tariffs I’d seen online weren’t available in our area. We ended up with a better fit.”
How EnergyPlus compares tariffs
- Whole-of-market approach where available
- Checks across import structure, standing charges, export rates and eligibility
- Battery suitability focus: off-peak windows and peak penalties
Ready to compare the best solar + battery tariffs for 2026?
Share your postcode and contact details and we’ll match you with suitable UK home solar export and battery-friendly tariffs—based on availability and your likely usage profile.
- Whole-of-market comparison (where available)
- Battery-ready, time-of-use and export options
- No obligation—just a clearer shortlist
Domestic energy only. Tariffs and eligibility criteria can change—your results are based on information available at the time of comparison.
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