{
  "id": 1315813,
  "title": "Octopus Energy pays UK homes £100m for solar power",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/octopus-energy-pays-uk-homes-100m-for-solar-power",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-16T17:36:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/octopus-energy-pays-uk-households-nearly-100m-for-spare-solar-power-as-heatwaves-send-solar-demand-soaring/articleshow/133279937.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over 400,000 UK households have collectively earned nearly £100 million by selling surplus solar power to the grid in the past year, according to Octopus Energy. The company serves cities like Birmingham and has paid customers an average of £244 per home for this electricity. The surge in residential solar installations comes as demand for solar energy rises during hotter summer months, with an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year. Climate campaigners are urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take stronger action against the country's worsening heatwaves, wildfires, and drought, while also recognizing the potential of solar power to reduce household energy costs and contribute to a more flexible energy system as more homes adopt battery storage, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Over 400,000 UK households earned £100 million from selling solar power",
    "Octopus Energy paid customers £244 per home for surplus electricity",
    "Solar installations rose 34% during hotter summer months"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}