SolarMindThe short answer
An Agile battery plan should look beyond the cheapest charging slot. It needs your import prices, export arrangement, solar forecast, expected household demand and battery limits. Confirm that your chosen service can actually control your inverter and that another service is not already issuing conflicting commands.
What makes Agile different?
Agile Octopus uses half-hourly electricity prices linked to the wholesale market and updated daily. Prices can sometimes be negative, but they can also be expensive. Negative-price periods are an opportunity when they occur, not something to assume in a savings forecast. [1]
A standard 24-hour day has 48 half-hour periods. That common interval explains why several optimisers describe half-hourly decisions; it does not, by itself, distinguish the quality of their forecasts or control.
What should the plan include?
| Input | Why it matters | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Import and export tariffs | Buying cheaply and exporting well are different parts of the calculation. | Does the setup use my correct regional tariff and export arrangement? |
| Solar forecast | Expected sunshine changes how much empty battery capacity is useful. | Does the plan leave room for solar when appropriate? |
| Demand and EV needs | The home and car may need energy before the next cheap period. | Are my departure time and reserve reflected? |
| Device limits | Battery capacity, power limits and available commands constrain the plan. | Is my exact model supported for control, not just monitoring? |
Compare the options already available
myenergi publishes Agile setup guidance for both libbi and zappi. Loop’s guide discusses dynamic tariffs including Agile, while Decent Energy describes half-hourly smart-tariff battery decisions. Check the current eligibility and controls for your exact setup. [2] [3] [4] [5]
For a GivEnergy or Tesla installation, review the manufacturer’s current tariff controls as well. Do not assume that an older description of those apps reflects the capabilities available to you today.
How SolarMind approaches Agile
Agile is a focus for SolarMind’s half-hourly planning. The platform is designed to consider solar, battery and EV needs together. Trial onboarding confirms equipment, tariff compatibility and the control route, which may be direct or through Home Assistant.
Evaluate the outcome against your current settings using actual import costs and export revenue. Include fees and battery energy at the beginning and end of the period. SolarMind does not guarantee a fixed saving or publish a verified Agile household case study on this site yet.