EDF launches fist solar tariff with no standing charge

EDF Energy has unveiled a new solar time of use tariff which comes with no standing charges or exit fees.

The firm claims its Empower Exclusive tariff is Britain’s first solar tariff without standing charges or exit fees. It will be exclusively available to customers that install a solar panel and battery bundle through EDF’s recently acquired solar installer, Contact Solar.

As well as zero standing charges, the new offering will give consumers three hours of discounted, zero carbon electricity every day between the hours of 1am and 4am.

This, EDF said, will allow customers to optimise battery charging by allowing them to charge more cheaply during offpeak hours.

A typical three-bedroom house will pay on average £8,495 for a solar panel system.

Contact Solar’s package offer includes 10 solar panels, a 5kw hybrid inverter and 5.32kw battery, all installation and scaffolding costs, a 10-year battery and inverter warranty, a 25-year solar panel warranty, virtual and technical survey costs, and access to a system monitoring and performance app. All combinations of solar and battery installs will also be subject to 0% VAT.

Philippe Commaret, managing director of customers at EDF, said: “We know more and more people are looking for ways to save cash and carbon, which is why we’re pleased to bring this unique solar product bundle to the market.

“Working closely with Contact Solar, we look forward to helping more customers enjoy the benefits of solar panels, providing them with a fantastic end-to-end installation service and significant reductions on household bills.”

Tom Taylor, director at Contact Solar, said: “We’re delighted to now be a fully integrated part of EDF, bringing exceptional new benefits to customers such as this new exclusive energy bundle.

“With an incredible £500 discount on solar and battery installations for the first 500 customers, we look forward to helping more customers install solar technology in their homes as the country progresses towards a greener future.”

The issue of standing charges on energy bills has been a contentious subject in recent years, with calls to reduce or even abolish them.

Last year Centrica called for the abolition of the standing charge from the price cap. Removing the standing charge and rolling the costs into the unit cost of the price cap, it said, will reduce complexity on energy bills, and ensure those who carefully manage their energy see the benefits of their choices.

Last month Eon chief executive Chris Norbury said the company would be open to moving operational costs and those associated with serving customers off the standing charge.

In its election manifesto, published on Thursday (13 June), The Labour Party said it will work with Ofgem to reduce standing charges if it wins power next month.