Octopus Energy is offering households the chance to earn free electricity and win £12,000 in cash during this week's solar eclipse. The energy supplier will reward customers who reduce their electricity usage between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 12, with free power the following weekend.
The eclipse, which will obscure more than 90% of the sun across the UK, is set to be the most significant since the total eclipse of 1999. Devon, Cornwall, and western Pembrokeshire in Wales will witness the fullest coverage, with 94% to 96% of the sun hidden by the moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm.
How to qualify for the offer
To participate, customers must be enrolled in Octopus Energy's loyalty scheme, Octoplus, and also be signed up to the company's Savings Sessions programme. The deadline to complete registration is before 6pm on Wednesday. The company, which serves customers in Birmingham, has emphasised that only those who are fully registered will be eligible for the rewards.
In addition to the free electricity offer, Octopus is running an eclipse-themed competition. One lucky winner will receive free solar panels installed at their home, or the equivalent £12,000 in cash.
Why the eclipse matters for energy
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief customer officer at Octopus Energy, explained the significance of the event: “Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. But as the Sun disappears, so will some of Britain’s solar generation, just as demand peaks. By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations – and earn rewards for doing their bit.”
This initiative is part of Octopus Energy's broader efforts to encourage flexible energy use, which helps balance the grid and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company has run similar Savings Sessions in the past, rewarding customers for cutting usage during peak times.
How to watch the eclipse safely
For those planning to observe the eclipse, Imo Bell, a planetarium astronomer at the observatory, offered practical advice: “Ideally a solar telescope is an amazing way to witness it, and if you don’t have one of them then you can look into whether your local astronomy society is doing any events. And if all else fails, you can project the image of the eclipse using a household item like a colander which has lots of holes in – point the colander towards the Sun with your back facing it, and in the shadow of the colander you’ll be able to see the eclipse in the holes, which is really cool.”
The eclipse is expected to cause a noticeable dip in solar power generation across the UK, coinciding with the early evening peak in household energy demand. Octopus's initiative aims to mitigate this by incentivising customers to delay their energy-intensive activities.
Impact on households
For a typical household, taking part in the Savings Session could result in significant savings. While the exact amount of free electricity depends on usage patterns, Octopus has previously offered rewards equivalent to several pounds per kilowatt-hour saved during peak events. The free electricity will be credited to customers' accounts for use the following weekend, providing a direct financial benefit.
The competition for solar panels or £12,000 cash is open to all participating customers. The winner will be selected at random after the event, with the prize designed to further promote renewable energy adoption among households.
Octopus Energy has urged customers to act quickly, as registration must be completed before the 6pm deadline on Wednesday. Those interested can check their Octoplus and Savings Sessions status through the Octopus app or website.
