The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for excess electricity your solar panels export to the grid. Rates in 2026 range from 1p to 30p per kWh depending on your supplier, tariff type, and whether you have battery storage. This guide compares every SEG tariff available, explains how to sign up, and shows you how much you can realistically earn.
- Earn 1p to 30p per kWh exported - rates vary hugely by supplier, tariff type, and whether you have battery storage
- Best fixed rate: E.ON Next Export Exclusive at 16.5p/kWh - no battery required, available to any solar panel owner
- Best variable rate: Octopus Flux at up to 30p/kWh - requires Octopus import tariff and battery storage for peak export
- Average household earns £100 to £400 per year - depends on system size, export rate, and how much you use at home
- Free to join with no lock-in - you can switch SEG tariffs at any time with no exit fees
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What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000+ customers to offer a tariff that pays you for electricity you export to the national grid. It replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in January 2020.
If you have solar panels, a wind turbine, or other small-scale renewable generation (up to 5MW), you can sign up for a SEG tariff and get paid for every kilowatt-hour you do not use yourself. The rate must be above zero, but there is no minimum – rates range from 1p to 30p per kWh depending on your supplier and tariff.
You do not need to buy your electricity from the same supplier that pays your SEG export. You can have one supplier for import (what you buy) and a different one for export (what you sell).
Best SEG Rates UK 2026
SEG rates vary dramatically. Choosing the right tariff can mean the difference between £50 and £400 per year for a typical 4kW solar system. Here are the best options as of March 2026:
Best fixed-rate tariffs (no battery needed)
| Supplier | Tariff | Rate | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| E.ON Next | Next Export Exclusive | 16.5p/kWh | Must be E.ON import customer |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus | 12p/kWh | Smart meter required |
| Scottish Power | SmartGen | 12p/kWh | Open to all (no switch needed) |
| British Gas | Export & Earn Flex | 6.4p/kWh | British Gas customer |
| OVO Energy | SEG Tariff | 4p/kWh | OVO customer |
Best variable-rate tariffs (battery recommended)
| Supplier | Tariff | Peak Rate | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Intelligent Octopus Flux | Up to 30p/kWh | Octopus import + compatible battery |
| Octopus Energy | Agile Outgoing | Up to 25p/kWh | Octopus Agile import tariff |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings Exclusive | 25p/kWh fixed | 12-month term, Good Energy customer |
If you do not have a battery, choose a fixed-rate tariff like E.ON Next Export Exclusive (16.5p/kWh). You export whenever the sun shines and get a predictable return. If you have a battery, variable tariffs like Octopus Flux let you store cheap off-peak electricity and export at peak prices (4-7pm) for much higher returns.
How Much Can You Earn?
A typical UK home with a 4kW solar system generates about 3,400 kWh per year and exports roughly 50% of that (1,700 kWh). Here is what you would earn at different SEG rates:
The difference between the worst and best tariff is over £200 per year for the same solar system. Choosing the right SEG tariff is one of the easiest ways to improve your solar panel return on investment.
How to Sign Up for SEG
- Check you have a smart meter – Most SEG tariffs require a SMETS2 smart meter that can measure export. If you do not have one, ask your supplier for a free upgrade.
- Get your MCS certificate – Your solar panel installer should have provided an MCS certificate when your system was installed. You need this to prove your generation capacity. If you have lost it, contact your installer or check the MCS database.
- Choose a SEG tariff – Compare rates in the table above. You do not need to switch your electricity import supplier to get a SEG tariff from a different company.
- Apply online – Most suppliers let you sign up through their website. You will need your MCS certificate, smart meter MPAN number, and system details (size in kW, installation date).
- Start earning – Once approved, you get paid quarterly or monthly (depending on supplier) for every kWh exported. Payments are automatic.
The process typically takes 2-4 weeks from application to first payment.
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SEG vs Feed-in Tariff
The SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) which closed to new applicants in March 2019. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Feed-in Tariff (closed) | Smart Export Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| Export payment | 5.24p/kWh (deemed) | 1p – 30p/kWh (actual metered) |
| Generation payment | Yes (3.79p/kWh) | No |
| Smart meter required | No | Yes (most tariffs) |
| Contract length | 20-25 years fixed | Rolling (switch any time) |
| Available to new applicants | No (closed 2019) | Yes |
If you are on the old FiT, keep it – the generation payment alone makes it more valuable than SEG. If you installed solar after March 2019, SEG is your only option for export payments, and the best tariffs now pay significantly more than the old FiT export rate.
Common Questions
Do I need to switch my electricity supplier to get SEG?
No. Your import supplier (who you buy electricity from) and your export supplier (who pays you via SEG) can be different companies. For example, you could buy electricity from Octopus on their cheap Agile tariff while getting paid for export by E.ON at 16.5p/kWh.
Can I get SEG with a battery?
Yes, but some tariffs have rules about what you export. Most fixed-rate tariffs pay you regardless. Variable tariffs like Octopus Flux actively reward battery owners – you charge from the grid at 7p/kWh overnight and export at 30p/kWh during peak hours.
How much does a typical solar system export?
A typical 4kW residential system in the UK exports about 40-60% of its generation, or roughly 1,400-2,000 kWh per year. This depends on your electricity usage patterns – if you are home during the day, you use more and export less. A battery reduces export by storing electricity for evening use, but you can still export strategically at peak rates.
Can I combine SEG with other solar grants?
Yes. SEG is an ongoing payment for exported electricity, not a one-off grant. You can combine it with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (if pairing solar with a heat pump), ECO4 (if eligible for free solar panels on an off-gas-grid home), and other solar grants.
Is SEG taxable?
For most homeowners, no. HMRC’s domestic microgeneration exemption means SEG income from systems up to 50kW is tax-free. If you generate electricity as a business activity (large commercial systems), it may be taxable – check with your accountant.
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