British Gas solar and battery tariff explained
A plain-English guide to what a “solar and battery tariff” can mean in practice, what to check before you sign up, and how to compare live options for your postcode without guessing unit rates.
- Clear explanation of import, export and battery-style tariffs (and the common traps)
- Two realistic UK home scenarios with worked estimates (assumptions shown)
- A trust-led quote form to compare whole-of-market options in one place
Figures on this page are illustrative estimates only. Tariff availability, rates and terms change often — always check the latest quote and supplier T&Cs.
Fast answer
A British Gas solar and battery tariff explained: it usually means a tariff marketed to homes with solar panels and/or a battery, where import (what you buy) and export (what you’re paid) rates and rules are set out separately. The most important thing is that export payment and battery charging rules vary, so you must compare the full terms, not just one headline rate.
Key takeaway 1
Treat it as two deals: the electricity you import and the electricity you export. You can like one and dislike the other.
Key takeaway 2
Battery “friendly” doesn’t always mean cheaper. Some offers work best only if you can shift usage to certain hours (and you actually do).
Key takeaway 3
Eligibility can depend on metering and how your export is set up. If you’re on an older export arrangement, switching can change how you’re paid.
We don’t publish supplier-specific live rates or named products here because they change frequently. Use the quote journey to see current options for your postcode and meter set-up.
What a “solar and battery tariff” can mean (in the UK)
Suppliers (including British Gas) often use “solar tariff”, “battery tariff” or “solar & battery tariff” as a shorthand for offers that suit homes generating or storing electricity. The detail matters because you’re dealing with three moving parts: how you pay for electricity from the grid (import), what you’re paid for electricity you send to the grid (export), and how your battery is allowed or encouraged to charge/discharge.
Some tariffs are designed around a standard single-rate import price. Others are built around time-varying prices (cheaper at certain times, higher at others). We’re not assuming British Gas uses one structure or another at any given time — suppliers change offers regularly — but the checks below apply either way.
Import vs export: the quick definitions
- Import electricity
- What you buy from the grid when your home needs more than your solar/battery can supply. You’ll usually pay a unit rate (p/kWh) plus a standing charge.
- Export electricity
- What you’re paid when you send surplus solar (and sometimes battery) energy back to the grid. Export arrangements and rates vary by supplier and can have eligibility requirements.
The three checks that catch most problems
- Check what you’re actually comparing. Are you comparing import only, export only, or a combined view of your net costs over a year?
- Check meter and export set-up. Many export payments require a suitable meter and an export reading method (often smart metering, but rules differ).
- Check contract terms, not just price. Exit fees, minimum terms, payment method, and how/when export is credited can all change the real-world outcome.
Small but important: If you currently receive export payments under an older arrangement, changing supplier or export contract can affect what you’re paid and how. If you’re unsure, confirm with your existing supplier before switching.
Two realistic home scenarios (with estimates)
These are not predictions and not British Gas-specific. They’re worked examples to show what usually drives the outcome. Your roof, battery size, household routine and tariff rules can change everything.
Scenario A: solar only, daytime-heavy household
Assumptions: 3.6kW solar PV; annual electricity use 3,100kWh; household uses more power during the day (home working). Estimated self-consumption 45% of solar output; exports the rest.
- Estimated solar generation: 3,400kWh/year (varies by location, shading and tilt)
- Used directly in the home: ~1,530kWh/year (45%)
- Exported: ~1,870kWh/year
What to look for in tariffs: an export rate that makes sense and an import rate/standing charge that won’t punish you in winter when you still buy plenty from the grid.
Scenario B: solar + battery, evening-heavy household
Assumptions: 4kW solar PV + 5kWh battery; annual electricity use 4,200kWh; most use is evenings/weekends. Estimated self-consumption rises because the battery stores some daytime surplus for later.
- Estimated solar generation: 3,700kWh/year
- Used in home (direct + via battery): ~2,400kWh/year (about 65%)
- Exported: ~1,300kWh/year
What to look for in tariffs: rules about charging the battery from the grid (if allowed), how export is measured/credited, and whether you’re expected to shift usage to specific times to benefit.
Where the numbers come from: UK solar generation varies widely. As a rough benchmark, many homes see something like 800–1,000kWh per year per installed kW, but it depends heavily on your site. For performance factors, see the UK government’s Solar PV guidance.
Compare British Gas with other solar-friendly options (without guesswork)
If you’ve seen a British Gas solar/battery offer and you’re trying to work out whether it’s good, don’t stop at one headline. The only fair comparison uses your postcode, payment method and meter type, because UK prices vary by region and tariffs can differ between smart and non-smart meters.
Use the form to get a whole-of-market view. You’ll see what’s available right now for your details — including any tariffs suited to solar export, batteries, or standard use — and you can compare terms side by side.
Good to know: Export payments are sometimes set up as a separate agreement. If you’re switching import supplier, check whether your export arrangement is tied to your current supplier and what happens if you move.
What we’ll ask for (and why)
- Postcode: UK network charges vary by region, which affects prices.
- Contact details: so we can send your results and help if you want support.
- Optional notes: you can mention solar/battery/smart meter when we contact you (no need for serial numbers).
Get your quote
A practical comparison: what to look at (not just the headline)
If you’re weighing British Gas against other suppliers, this table shows the comparison points that usually change the result for solar and battery homes. You don’t need to be technical — you just need to be consistent about what you’re comparing.
| What you’re comparing | Why it matters for solar/battery | What to check in the T&Cs/quote |
|---|---|---|
| Import unit rate + standing charge | You still buy most of your electricity in winter. A low export rate can be offset by a strong import deal (or vice versa). | Payment method, region, meter type, length of fix, exit fees. |
| Export payment terms | Export can be a meaningful line on your annual bill if you export a lot (no battery, or large PV in summer). | How export is measured, how often it’s credited, whether it’s a separate agreement. |
| Time-based pricing (if offered) | This can suit batteries if you can charge when cheap and use when expensive — but only if the hours match your life. | Price periods, any conditions, and whether you’re comfortable with variability. |
| Meter requirements | Export payments and some time-based tariffs may need a compatible meter set-up. | Whether smart metering is required, and what happens if smart readings fail. |
| Customer service and support | Solar/battery queries can be fiddly (export readings, statements, credit timings). | Contact routes, billing clarity, how export appears on the bill. |
Quick checklist: who it tends to suit
- You export a noticeable amount (no battery, or big summer surplus) and the export terms are genuinely competitive.
- You can shift some usage (laundry, dishwasher, immersion heater) to times that match your tariff rules.
- You’re comfortable keeping an eye on billing and export credits for the first couple of statements.
Who it often doesn’t suit
- You rarely export (battery already soaks up most surplus) and the import side isn’t competitive for your region.
- Your usage is hard to shift (young kids, care needs, working patterns) and you’d end up using most power in expensive periods.
- You’d rather keep export arrangements exactly as they are and don’t want any admin risk.
If you want a quick sanity check: estimate your annual exported kWh from past statements (or inverter/app data) and see how sensitive the outcome is to export terms versus import costs. Many people only look at export and miss a worse import deal.
Costs, exclusions and common pitfalls
Most “solar and battery tariff” disappointment comes from one of these. None of them are deal-breakers — you just want them visible before you switch.
Pitfall: focusing on export only
Export can look exciting in summer, but winter import usually dominates your annual spend. Compare the full annual picture for your usage pattern.
Pitfall: assuming batteries always save money
A battery helps if it increases self-consumption and/or it can be charged cheaply. But the tariff rules and your routine decide whether that benefit shows up on the bill.
Exclusion: meter and reading requirements
Some export deals and time-based pricing rely on particular meter capabilities. If you’re mid-way through a smart meter installation or have patchy readings, ask what happens in the meantime.
Cost: exit fees and minimum terms
Fixed deals can include exit fees. That matters more if you’re switching because you expect to adjust again when your usage changes (new EV, heat pump, or battery).
Standing charges: why they still matter with solar
Even if your solar covers a good chunk of your usage, a higher standing charge is paid every day. It’s easy to ignore when you’re looking at export rates. Ofgem’s price cap pages show how standing charges and unit rates sit together for typical households.
Switching and export admin: set expectations
Most switches are straightforward, but export can take longer to appear correctly on statements. Keep your initial meter readings and first bill. If anything looks off, Citizens Advice has a solid step-by-step on what to do.
FAQs
Is a British Gas solar and battery tariff the same as an export tariff?
Not necessarily. “Solar and battery tariff” is often marketing shorthand for an offer aimed at homes with solar and/or batteries. Export payment can be included, separate, or available on different terms. Always check the quote and T&Cs for how export is paid and credited.
Do I need a smart meter for solar export payments?
It depends on the supplier and the export arrangement. Some export payments rely on smart meter export readings; others may accept different evidence or configurations. If you don’t have a smart meter (or your smart readings are unreliable), confirm eligibility before switching.
Can I switch my import supplier and keep export with my current supplier?
Sometimes, yes — but not always. Export can be a separate agreement with its own rules. Before you change anything, check whether your export payments are linked to your current supplier and what they require if you switch import away.
Will a solar and battery tariff reduce my bills?
It can, but there’s no guarantee. The result depends on your import costs, standing charge, how much you export, and whether you can use or store solar generation instead of importing from the grid. Compare the whole annual cost estimate, not a single rate.
What details should I have ready before comparing solar-friendly tariffs?
Your postcode, whether you have a smart meter, and a rough idea of annual electricity use help most. If you have solar, it’s useful (but not essential) to know roughly how much you export from recent statements or your inverter app.
Are there protections if I think my switch or billing has gone wrong?
Yes. Start by contacting the supplier and keeping a record of readings and dates. If you’re stuck, Citizens Advice explains the escalation steps and where Ofgem fits in as the regulator. For switching rules and standards, Ofgem’s consumer guidance is the most reliable reference.
Does the Ofgem price cap apply to solar export rates?
The Ofgem price cap is designed around what suppliers can charge for standard variable tariffs for energy you import. Export payments aren’t the same thing, so they aren’t capped in the same way. Use the cap as context for import costs, and compare export terms separately.
I’m a tenant with solar panels. Can I choose the tariff?
Often you can choose your import supplier as the bill payer, but export arrangements can be more complicated (especially if panels are owned by the landlord or a third party). Check your tenancy agreement and any solar paperwork so you know who receives export payments and who can change them.
Trust, editorial standards and how we assess this
Our approach (and the limits)
We built this page to help you evaluate any supplier’s “solar and battery” positioning (including British Gas) without relying on a single rate that may be out of date tomorrow. We focus on: (1) how import and export fit together, (2) typical eligibility pinch points (metering, export set-up, payment method), and (3) contract terms that affect real costs.
We do not publish live supplier-specific rates, named products, or claim what British Gas is offering right now, because that would go stale quickly and could mislead. Instead, we encourage you to use a live quote for your postcode and compare full terms side-by-side.
Assumptions used in our scenarios
- UK residential electricity consumption figures are example-only (your bills are the source of truth).
- Solar generation estimates vary by site; we used broad, realistic ranges, not a promise of performance.
- Battery behaviour is simplified; real results depend on battery size, inverter limits, round-trip efficiency, and tariff rules.
Sources and consumer help
If you want to cross-check anything on this page, start with these. They’re the references we use when writing and reviewing UK home energy content.
- Ofgem: Energy price cap
- Ofgem: Advice for households
- Citizens Advice: Energy
- GOV.UK: Solar photovoltaics
If you’re comparing and something doesn’t look right (missing export credits, confusing readings, unexpected charges), pause and ask for clarification before you commit. A good tariff on paper can still be a headache if the admin doesn’t suit you.
Ready to check what’s actually available for your home?
Run a live comparison using your postcode and meter details. You’ll be able to compare British Gas alongside other suppliers, with import and export terms visible so you’re not making a decision on one number.
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