Smart Export Guarantee: Get Paid for Solar Electricity You Export
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires licensed energy suppliers to pay solar panel owners for electricity exported to the national grid. SEG rates range from 4p to 15p per kWh, with typical annual earnings of £100-£400. Registration is free through any participating supplier.
4-15p
Per kWh Exported
£100-£400
Annual SEG Income
Free
Registration
Quarterly
Payment Frequency
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee is a UK government scheme requiring large energy suppliers to offer payment for surplus renewable electricity exported to the grid. Introduced in January 2020, SEG replaced the previous Feed-in Tariff (which closed to new applicants in 2019).
Key Features
- • Mandatory for suppliers with 150,000+ customers
- • Payment rates set by individual suppliers (not government-fixed)
- • Available to installations up to 5MW capacity
- • Requires MCS-certified installation and smart meter
Important Note
Unlike the Feed-in Tariff, SEG rates are commercial rather than government-subsidised. Rates vary significantly—choosing the right supplier can double your income.
How SEG Payments Work
What Gets Paid
You receive payment for electricity exported to the grid—energy your home doesn't use at the moment of generation.
| Your Generation | Your Usage | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kWh | 1 kWh | 2 kWh exported → SEG payment |
| 2 kWh | 3 kWh | 0 kWh exported → No SEG payment |
| 4 kWh | 0 kWh | 4 kWh exported → SEG payment |
Export is measured by your smart meter in 30-minute intervals.
Payment Frequency
Most suppliers pay quarterly (every 3 months). Some offer monthly payments. You receive statements showing total kWh exported, rate per kWh, and payment amount. Payments typically arrive via bank transfer or account credit.
SEG Rates Comparison 2026
Rates vary dramatically between suppliers and tariff types.
Fixed Rate Tariffs
Predictable rate regardless of when you export
| Supplier | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | 4.1p/kWh | Simple, no conditions |
| EDF | 4.5p/kWh | Must be EDF customer |
| British Gas | 3.3p/kWh | Basic rate |
| E.ON | 4.0p/kWh | Must be E.ON customer |
| Scottish Power | 3.5p/kWh | Basic rate |
| Shell Energy | 5.2p/kWh | Competitive fixed rate |
Variable/Agile Rate Tariffs
Rates change based on wholesale prices
| Supplier | Avg Rate | Peak Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Agile Outgoing | 8-12p/kWh | Up to 35p/kWh |
| Octopus Flux | 12-24p/kWh | 24p/kWh (4-7pm) |
| Social Energy | 10-14p/kWh | Variable |
Best Rates by Situation
| Your Situation | Best Tariff Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| No battery, simple preference | Fixed rate (Shell, EDF) | Predictable income |
| No battery, willing to switch | Variable rate | Higher average |
| Battery storage | Flux or Agile Outgoing | Export at peak times |
| Large exports | Agile Outgoing | Maximises high-value periods |
How Much Can You Earn?
Annual SEG income depends on system size, self-consumption, and tariff choice.
Without Battery Storage
50-70% of generation typically exports
| System Size | Fixed (5p) | Variable (10p) |
|---|---|---|
| 3kW (6 panels) | £70-£90 | £140-£180 |
| 4kW (10 panels) | £100-£130 | £200-£260 |
| 6kW (14 panels) | £140-£175 | £280-£350 |
| 10kW (22 panels) | £225-£275 | £450-£550 |
With Battery Storage
Use more yourself, export less but at peak rates
| System Size | Fixed (5p) | Flux (15p avg) |
|---|---|---|
| 4kW + 5kWh battery | £40-£60 | £120-£180 |
| 6kW + 5kWh battery | £60-£90 | £180-£270 |
| 10kW + 10kWh battery | £100-£150 | £300-£450 |
With battery, you use more yourself (higher savings) but export less. Smart tariffs like Flux pay premium rates for peak-time exports, often matching or exceeding total value from fixed rates.
SEG Eligibility Requirements
Installation Requirements
| MCS certification | Installation must be MCS-certified |
| Capacity limit | Up to 5MW (residential always qualifies) |
| Technology | Solar PV, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion, micro-CHP |
| Commissioning date | After 1 January 2020 |
Metering Requirements
| Smart meter | SMETS2 smart meter required |
| Export measurement | Half-hourly export readings |
| Meter operator | Must allow supplier access to data |
If you don't have a smart meter, your supplier can install one free of charge.
What About Existing Solar?
If your panels were installed before SEG launched (pre-2020):
- With Feed-in Tariff: Continue receiving FiT payments (typically higher than SEG)
- Without FiT: You can register for SEG now
- FiT export ending: Switch to SEG when FiT contract ends
How to Sign Up for SEG
Gather Documents
MCS certificate (provided by your installer), proof of ownership or permission, smart meter installation (or arrange one), and bank details for payments.
Choose a Supplier
Compare rates and choose based on highest rate for your export pattern, whether you must be an electricity customer, and payment terms.
Apply Online
Visit supplier's SEG page, enter installation details, upload MCS certificate, provide meter details, and submit bank information.
Confirmation
Supplier verifies your details and confirms registration (usually 2-4 weeks). Payments begin from your registration date.
Important: You do NOT need to switch your electricity supply to get SEG from a different supplier.
SEG vs Feed-in Tariff
| Feature | Feed-in Tariff | Smart Export Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed (2019) | Open |
| Generation payment | Yes (paid for ALL generation) | No |
| Export payment | Yes (fixed rate) | Yes (variable by supplier) |
| Typical export rate | 5.2p/kWh (legacy) | 4-15p/kWh |
| Government-set rates | Yes | No (market rates) |
FiT was more generous because it paid for generation AND export. SEG only pays for export—but self-consumed electricity saves 22-24p/kWh, which is more valuable than any export rate.
Maximising SEG Income
Without Battery
- Export at peak times: Run appliances in evening (use less solar, export more during valuable periods)
- Choose variable tariff: Higher average rates than fixed
- Switch suppliers: Rates change—review annually
With Battery
- Use Flux or Agile Outgoing: Premium peak export rates
- Charge from grid overnight: Cheap rates (5-10p/kWh)
- Export stored energy 4-7pm: Peak rates (up to 24p/kWh)
- Arbitrage profit: Buy cheap, sell high
Example: Octopus Flux Strategy
| Time | Action | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 02:00-05:00 | Charge battery from grid | 10p/kWh (import) |
| 05:00-16:00 | Use solar, store excess | Free |
| 16:00-19:00 | Export from battery | 24p/kWh (export) |
| 19:00-02:00 | Use remaining battery | Avoid 24p import |
This "time-shifting" strategy can add £200-£400 annual value beyond standard SEG.
SEG for New Solar Installations
Included in Our Service
- MCS certification (required for SEG)
- DNO notification (grid connection)
- Smart meter coordination (if needed)
- SEG registration guidance
After Installation
- Receive your MCS certificate (within 10 working days)
- Ensure smart meter is installed and transmitting
- Choose SEG supplier using our comparison guide
- Register online (15-20 minutes)
- Start earning from day one
Common SEG Questions
Start Earning from Your Solar Panels
Get MCS-certified solar panels installed and register for SEG payments. We'll guide you through the entire process.
