Posted:
- Guide
Solar panels are more popular than ever in the UK, with over 1.4 million homes having them installed by the end of 2024. It's likely this trend will keep rising with the UK government's ambition to achieve a clean power system by 2030 - benefitting energy customer’s pockets and the planet.
To help get the most out of your solar set-up, we created Battery Boost - to maximise solar savings and keep your home running on greener electricity.
What is battery boost?
Battery Boost is a smart solar add-on from OVO that helps you save more on your energy bills - charging your solar battery at a discounted rate of 10p per kWh when the grid is at its greenest.
Making sure that whatever the weather, you’ll have access to affordable, clean electricity to power your home, maximising your solar savings and reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-generated electricity.
What are the key benefits of Battery Boost?
Charge your battery at just 10p per kWh
Save up to 58% on your energy bills and maximise your solar savings
Your battery charges with clean, low-cost energy
You can charge your battery at lower costs even during the winter and darker months
And you can get all this without minimal effort thanks for Battery Boost’s smart automation
How does Battery Boost work?
Battery Boost automatically manages when and how your battery charges. Here’s how the process works:
Your battery will charge at your standard rate. Any electricity you use from the grid to charge your battery is charged at your regular energy rate when you join Battery Boost
At the end of each month, we’ll see how much grid electricity was used to top up your battery
We’ll credit your account with battery boost credit: Within the first 7 working days of the next month, we’ll credit your account to adjust the cost of battery charging to the discounted 10p per kWh rate. Saving you up to 58% on your energy bills - maximising your solar savings
How much can I save with Battery Boost?
Here’s an example of how the savings work with Battery Boost, and how much you could save:
If your standard electricity rate is 28p per kWh and Battery Boost provides energy at 10p per kWh, you save 18p per kWh every time you charge your battery
Based on that, if you were to use 300 kWh of electricity per month to charge your battery, we’ll credit your OVO account with £54
You can save up to £120 per year with Battery Boost, depending on your home, especially in winter when solar generation is lower.
Can Battery Boost still be used on cloudy days?
Yes. Cloudier days in the UK is where Battery Boost works its magic. Solar Panels don’t need direct sunlight to generate electricity, but they can be less efficient on overcast days - this is where Battery Boost becomes a game-change. It maximises your solar savings while making sure that you have greener energy stored and available when your solar generation is lower.
Am I eligible for Battery Boost?
To access the Battery Boost add-on you’ll need:
Solar panels installed by OVO on your home*
A GivEnergy battery for solar energy storage
A working smart meter
A battery that’s connected to the grid
*Watch this space, later this year we’re hoping to open up Battery Boost to all OVO customers, regardless of who installed your panels.
Battery Boost isn’t available yet if you're on our Charge Anytime or Heat Pump Plus plans, but we’re working on making them compatible soon. We’re also hoping to make Battery Boost available to anyone, customer or not in late 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Battery Boost
1. Will Battery Boost impact my Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rate?
No. If you’re already receiving SEG payments for exporting excess solar energy back to the grid, you’ll still receive the same rate, even if you use Battery Boost.
2. How will Battery Boost appear on my bill?
Battery Boost credit will appear on your bill as "Battery Boost credit." This credit is applied automatically within the first 7 working days of each month.
3. Is Battery Boost a tariff or an add-on?
Unlike traditional solar energy tariffs, Battery Boost is an add-on designed to make your existing solar and battery system work better for you. It integrates seamlessly with your OVO plan.
4. Can I use Battery Boost alongside OVO’s Charge Anytime add-on?
Currently, Battery Boost is not compatible with Charge Anytime, but we're working to allow customers to benefit from both in the future.
See more FAQs for Battery Boost
Is Battery Boost worth it?
If you have solar panels and a GivEnergy battery, Battery Boost is an easy way to maximise your savings and make your home more energy efficient. Our smart technology means that you’ll reduce reliance on the grid at peak times, cut costs, and make your home greener - all without lifting a finger.
Want to start saving? Sign up for Battery Boost today.