Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The Smart Export Guarantee is the UK scheme that pays you for surplus electricity you export back to the grid. It's not a grant and it doesn't reduce your upfront cost — it's a payment per unit of electricity you export. With the right tariff, SEG can meaningfully contribute to your solar payback. This guide explains how it works, what you're eligible for, and which tariffs offer the best value in 2026.
1. What Is the SEG?
The Smart Export Guarantee requires large electricity suppliers (those with over 150,000 customers) to offer at least one export tariff to small-scale renewable generators. In practice, this means if you have solar panels, you can get paid for any electricity you don't use yourself.
| What SEG Is | What SEG Isn't |
|---|---|
| A payment per kWh of electricity you export | A grant or upfront cost reduction |
| Available from any SEG-licensed supplier | Automatic — you must sign up |
| Flexible — you can use a different supplier for export vs. import | One-size-fits-all — rates and terms vary hugely |
2. Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for any SEG tariff, you need:
- MCS or Flexi-Orb certification — your installation must be certified and approved
- A smart meter with half-hourly readings — this is how your exports are measured
- A system up to 5MW capacity — virtually all domestic systems qualify
No smart meter = no SEG payments.Without a smart meter capable of half-hourly readings, you cannot receive export payments. If you don't have one yet, contact your energy supplier to arrange a free installation.
3. Types of Export Tariff
Not all SEG tariffs are the same. Understanding the three main types helps you pick the right one:
| Tariff Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed | Guaranteed rate per kWh, set in advance | Predictability and simplicity |
| Variable | Rate linked to wholesale electricity prices | Those comfortable with fluctuating returns |
| Time-of-use | Higher rates for exporting at peak times (e.g. 4–7pm) | Battery owners who can time their exports |
Bundled deals often pay more. You can choose a different supplier for SEG than the one you buy electricity from. However, bundled import + export deals from the same supplier frequently offer the best combined value. Always compare the total savings, not just the export rate in isolation.
4. Best Export Tariffs (April 2026)
Here are the top-performing SEG and export tariffs currently available. Rates shown are for standard regions:
| Provider | Tariff | Export Rate | Customers Only? | Est. Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus | Intelligent Octopus Flux | 32p peak / 24p off | Yes | ~£1,067 |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings | 15p/kWh | Yes | ~£959 |
| Octopus | Octopus Flux | 29p peak / 10p std | Yes | ~£937 |
| British Gas | Export and Earn Plus | 15.1p/kWh | Yes | ~£893 |
| EDF | Export 12m | 15p/kWh | Yes | ~£890 |
| E.ON Next | Export Exclusive v3 | 13p/kWh | Yes | ~£874 |
| Ecotricity | Smart Export Tariff | 16p/kWh | Yes | ~£865 |
| Fuse Energy | Single Rate Variable | 13p/kWh | No | ~£910 |
| Octopus | Outgoing Octopus | 12p/kWh | Yes | ~£906 |
Savings based on a 4.9kWp system, 5.2kWh battery, 3,400kWh annual consumption, and 850kWh/kWp solar irradiance. Combined import + export savings vs. April 2026 price cap without solar.
Intelligent Octopus Flux — battery compatibility. Only certain batteries work with this tariff, including AlphaESS, EcoFlow, Enphase, Fox ESS, GivEnergy, Huawei, Sigenergy, SolarEdge, SunPower, and Tesla models. Check compatibility before signing up.
5. How Much Can You Earn?
Your actual SEG earnings depend on several factors:
- How much you export — influenced by your daytime usage and whether you have a battery
- Your export rate — ranges from under 3p to over 30p/kWh depending on tariff
- Seasonality — summer exports are typically much higher than winter
For the average system, you can expect roughly £150–£200 per year on a standard SEG tariff. With a premium bundled or time-of-use tariff and a battery, this can be significantly higher.
The biggest savings come from self-consumption. While SEG payments are welcome, the real financial win is using your solar electricity yourself rather than buying from the grid. Every kWh you use at home saves you the full import rate (typically 24p+), while exporting earns you only the export rate. A battery helps maximise self-consumption.
6. How to Choose the Right Tariff
The best tariff for you depends on your setup and habits:
- Solar only (no battery) — A simple fixed-rate tariff (12–15p/kWh) from your existing supplier is often the easiest option.
- Solar + battery — Time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Flux reward you for exporting during peak hours. The battery charges from solar during the day and exports when rates are highest.
- Solar + battery + EV — Bundled tariffs that combine cheap overnight import with high peak export (e.g. Intelligent Octopus Flux) offer the best overall value.
- Already have solar, switching supplier— Some of the best export tariffs are "customers only" — but you're free to switch your electricity supply to access them.
Always compare the combined import + export savings, not just the headline export rate. A 15p export rate paired with an expensive import tariff may cost you more overall than a 12p export with a cheaper import deal.
Share your setup details in the communityand ask what tariffs other members with similar systems are using. Real-world experience often beats supplier marketing. Rates change frequently — it's worth reviewing your tariff at least once a year.
Free Weekly Newsletter
Stay sharp — join The Solar Signal
A free weekly email for UK solar owners. Real generation data, tariff tips, community highlights, and the news that actually matters — straight to your inbox every Sunday.