Outfox Export Explained

How Outfox Export works

A renewable generation system first supplies electricity being used within the property. Where generation exceeds immediate demand, surplus electricity can charge a home battery or pass through the export meter into the local electricity network. Outfox pays for electricity recorded as being exported. Electricity used directly inside the property does not cross the export meter and does not receive an export payment. At the currently reported rate of 1.05p per kWh: The tariff therefore produces relatively modest income even for a household exporting several thousand kilowatt hours a year.

• Exporting 1,000 kWh would earn £10.50.
• Exporting 2,500 kWh would earn £26.25.
• Exporting 4,000 kWh would earn £42.

You do not need to buy energy from Outfox

Outfox Export is separate from the household's imported electricity and gas supply. The official application form states that customers do not need to have either fuel supplied by Outfox Energy. Someone could therefore buy household electricity from Octopus Energy, EDF, OVO or another supplier while appointing Outfox to manage the export account. This flexibility is useful because an import and export account perform different functions. The import supplier charges for electricity drawn from the grid. The export supplier pays for eligible electricity sent in the opposite direction. Ofgem confirms that generators can use different companies for electricity supply, gas supply and SEG payments. However, supplier independence alone does not make Outfox Export financially competitive. Several open-access export tariffs currently pay materially more than 1.05p per kWh without requiring the customer to move their imported electricity.

Eligible generation technologies

Outfox accepts applications for the five technologies covered by the Smart Export Guarantee: The installation must be located in Great Britain. This covers England, Scotland and Wales but not Northern Ireland. The maximum installed capacity is 5 megawatts for solar, wind, hydro and anaerobic digestion. Micro combined heat and power has a lower maximum of 50 kilowatts. Although those limits permit relatively large generators, the current Outfox application form says the tariff is for domestic customers rather than businesses. A commercial installation would need an appropriate commercial export agreement rather than assuming the domestic SEG tariff applies.

• Solar photovoltaic panels
• Onshore wind
• Hydroelectric generation
• Micro combined heat and power
• Anaerobic digestion

Certification requirements

The installation must hold suitable certification. Outfox accepts an MCS certificate, Flexi-Orb certificate or an equivalent scheme accredited to an appropriate recognised standard. The customer must supply a copy of the certificate as part of the application. The application also asks for: Proof of ownership could include an installer's invoice, finance or lease agreement, solicitor's letter or another acceptable document confirming ownership of the generation system.

• The generation technology
• Total installed capacity
• Installation date
• Certificate reference
• Meter serial number
• Property address
• Evidence that the applicant owns the equipment

DNO documentation

Applicants must provide evidence that the local Distribution Network Operator was notified about, or approved, the grid connection. For most smaller domestic systems, this is normally a G98 notification. Larger installations may require a G99 application and formal approval before they are connected. The installer should normally have provided the relevant documentation when commissioning the system. Missing DNO records can delay the SEG application because the export arrangement cannot be completed until the generation system and network connection have been properly recorded.

Export MPAN

An export Meter Point Administration Number is required before Outfox can establish the SEG account. The export MPAN is different from the import MPAN shown on the ordinary household electricity bill. The import number identifies the electricity supply entering the property, while the export number identifies the metered electricity leaving it. Customers who already receive export payments should normally have an export MPAN that can be transferred. Where one does not exist, Outfox says it will work with the applicant and provide guidance involving the local network operator. Arranging the number can extend the application time. The SEG account will not become active until the export MPAN is in place.

Meter requirements

SEG payments must be based on actual measured export. Ofgem states that generators are entitled to payment based on actual meter readings. In practice, domestic SEG arrangements normally use a smart meter or another approved export meter capable of recording electricity sent to the grid. Outfox requires: A smart meter being installed does not automatically mean export payments have started. The export register must be operating, the MPAN must be active and the SEG registration must have been approved.

• The meter serial number
• A clear photograph of the electricity meter
• A visible meter reading
• An active export MPAN

Quarterly meter readings

Outfox's current process places significant responsibility on the customer. Export readings must be submitted every calendar quarter. The billing dates are: The application form states that readings must be submitted on the billing date and that Outfox will not send reminders. If the reading is not received on the required date, the customer's export bill for that quarter will show £0.00. This is an unusually strict administrative requirement compared with suppliers that collect export data automatically. Customers should create calendar reminders for all four dates and retain: The application form does not make clear whether a missed quarter's export is automatically recovered during a later reading. Customers should obtain clarification from Outfox before joining rather than assuming that a later cumulative reading will always correct the missing payment.

• 1 January
• 1 April
• 1 July
• 1 October
• A photograph of the meter
• The export register reading
• The date and time
• A copy of the submission
• Any email acknowledgement

How payments are made

Outfox pays SEG income by bank transfer. The customer provides an account name, sort code and account number in the application. Payments are processed every calendar quarter following the export-reading cycle. The SEG payment is separate from any Outfox import-energy account. It is not simply deducted from the household electricity bill. A customer can therefore receive export income from Outfox even when another company supplies all imported electricity.

Application process

The customer completes the Outfox Export application form and emails it with the required documents. The application pack should contain:

• Completed and signed application form
• MCS, Flexi-Orb or equivalent certificate
• DNO approval, G98 or G99 documentation
• Proof of equipment ownership
• Clear photograph of the meter
• Meter serial number and export reading