Agile Outgoing: Getting Paid More for Export

What is Agile Outgoing?

Agile Outgoing is the export counterpart to Octopus Agile. While Agile sets your import price every 30 minutes, Agile Outgoing sets your export price every 30 minutes — both based on wholesale market rates.

Instead of the fixed 8–15p/kWh that competitive SEG tariffs pay, Agile Outgoing pays a rate that varies throughout the day:

• Overnight (midnight–6am): 2–5p/kWh (low demand, low rates)
• Morning (6am–12pm): 5–12p/kWh (moderate demand)
• Afternoon (12pm–4pm): 8–15p/kWh (solar peak, moderate demand)
• Evening peak (4–7pm): 24–32p/kWh (highest demand, highest rates)
• Late evening (7pm–midnight): 5–12p/kWh (declining demand)

These are indicative ranges — actual rates vary daily based on market conditions. The prices for the next day are published at 4pm, just like Agile import rates.

Why evening exports are worth more

The UK electricity grid faces its biggest challenge between 4pm and 7pm. People come home, turn on lights, cook dinner, and heat their homes. Demand peaks just as solar generation drops off.

During these hours, the grid relies on expensive gas peaker plants to meet demand. Wholesale prices spike. And that's reflected in Agile Outgoing rates — you can earn 20–30p per kWh for electricity exported during peak hours.

Compare that to midday, when solar farms across the country are generating at full capacity and demand is moderate. Wholesale prices are lower, and so is your export rate.

This price differential is exactly what makes Agile Outgoing powerful for battery owners. You can choose when to export.

The battery arbitrage strategy

Here's how savvy solar + battery owners use Agile Outgoing:

1. Daytime: Solar charges your battery for free
2. Check 4pm prices: See tomorrow's Agile Outgoing rates, identify the most valuable export slots
3. 4–7pm peak: Battery exports to the grid at 24–32p/kWh
4. Overnight: Battery recharges from the grid at 5–8p/kWh (on Agile import) or 5.5p (on Go)

The profit per cycle: export at ~28p, reimport at ~6p = ~22p per kWh of arbitrage. On a 10kWh battery cycling once per day, that's £2.20/day or roughly £800/year in arbitrage income alone.

In practice, you won't achieve this every day — solar doesn't always fill the battery, winter peaks aren't always 25p, and you need some stored energy for your own evening use. But even at 50% efficiency, the numbers are compelling.

Agile Outgoing vs fixed SEG

For a system without a battery, the advantage of Agile Outgoing is smaller. Your panels export when they generate (mostly midday), not when rates are highest. You'd earn more than a fixed SEG on average, but not dramatically more.

With a battery, Agile Outgoing transforms the economics. You control when you export and can target the most valuable slots.

Real-world income expectations

4kWp solar, no battery, Agile Outgoing:

• Annual export: ~2,000 kWh
• Average export rate: ~9p/kWh (mostly midday exports)
• Annual income: ~£180
• Compare to fixed SEG at 12p: £240
• Extra income from Agile Outgoing: negligible without a battery

4kWp solar, 10kWh battery, Agile Outgoing:

• Strategic peak exports: ~1,200 kWh at average 26p/kWh = £312
• Off-peak/midday exports: ~400 kWh at average 8p/kWh = £32
• Annual income: ~£344
• Compare to fixed SEG at 12p on same volume: £192
• Extra income from Agile Outgoing: ~£152/year

The battery nearly triples the value of your exports by shifting them to peak hours.

How to sign up

Agile Outgoing is available to any Octopus Energy customer with:

• Solar panels (MCS-certified installation)
• A SMETS2 smart meter
• An existing Octopus account

You can run Agile Outgoing alongside any Octopus import tariff — it doesn't have to be paired with Agile import. Common combinations:

• Agile import + Agile Outgoing: Maximum flexibility, variable rates both ways
• Go import + Agile Outgoing: Cheap fixed overnight imports, variable peak exports
• Flux: Includes its own export rates (not compatible with separate Agile Outgoing)

To apply, log into your Octopus account and select Agile Outgoing as your export tariff. It typically activates within a few days.

Automation makes the difference

Manually checking prices and adjusting your battery every day is unsustainable for most people. The real value of Agile Outgoing comes with automation:

GivEnergy: Supports Agile-aware scheduling. The system checks tomorrow's prices and automatically plans charge/discharge cycles to maximise export income during peak slots.

Home Assistant: The open-source home automation platform has excellent Octopus integrations. You can create automations that adjust battery behaviour based on Agile Outgoing prices.

Solis and Fox ESS: Both support time-of-use scheduling that can be aligned with Agile rate periods, though the integration is less seamless than GivEnergy's.

Without automation, you're leaving money on the table. With it, Agile Outgoing runs on autopilot and the extra income accumulates quietly in the background.

Is Agile Outgoing worth the complexity?

If you have a battery and are comfortable with some initial setup, yes. The £100–200/year extra income over a competitive fixed SEG (around 12p/kWh) is a nice bonus, and once automation is running, it requires minimal ongoing attention.

If you don't have a battery, the benefit is smaller but still positive. You'll earn more than a fixed SEG on most days, with the risk of occasional negative-rate periods.

If you want zero complexity, stick with a fixed SEG tariff. The simplicity has value, and the income difference — while real — isn't life-changing for most households.

For battery owners looking to maximise Agile Outgoing income, here's a battery system that handles automated scheduling well:

GivEnergy All-in-One 9.5kWh Battery

£5,500

capacity kwh

9.5

usable capacity kwh

8.6

chemistry

LFP

cycles

6000

View on Amazon

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And if you want the most flexible hybrid inverter for Agile-aware charge/discharge management:

GivEnergy All-in-One 5kW Hybrid Inverter

£1,200

rated power kw

5

max pv input kw

7.5

mppt channels

2

battery voltage v

48V

View on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

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