In short: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires larger electricity suppliers in Great Britain to pay you for the surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. There’s no government-set price: each supplier sets its own rate, as long as it’s above zero, so rates vary enormously, from a few pence to well over 15p per kWh. You choose your export supplier, you can switch, and it doesn’t have to be the company you buy your electricity from. To qualify you need an MCS-certified installation and a meter that records your exports.
Time-sensitive. Last verified: 30 September 2026. SEG tariff rates and terms change often, and figures quoted online for the same tariff frequently disagree. Always check the supplier’s live tariff page and Ofgem’s list of SEG licensees before you switch. See the deadlines and changes table.
The SEG is one of the biggest levers on your solar payback, so it’s worth understanding. This guide explains how it works, who can claim, what different tariffs look like and how to compare them without falling for headline rates that come with strings attached. For how export schemes work in general, see Net Metering vs Export Tariffs.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The SEG replaced the export element of the Feed-in Tariff, which closed to new applicants on 1 April 2019. It started in January 2020. Under Ofgem’s rules:
- Licensed suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers must offer at least one SEG tariff to eligible generators. Smaller suppliers can choose to offer one.
- Any SEG tariff must always be above zero. Beyond that, the supplier sets the rate and terms.
- Payments are based on actual meter readings of what you export.
- You can apply to any SEG licensee. It doesn’t have to be the company that supplies your electricity, although some tariffs are only open to their own customers.
- Payments aren’t automatic: you must sign up to a tariff.
It covers solar, and also small wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion and micro-CHP. It applies in England, Scotland and Wales; SEG tariffs aren’t available in Northern Ireland.
Who is eligible?
- An eligible installation in Great Britain with a total installed capacity of no more than 5MW (domestic solar is far below that).
- MCS certification (or an accepted equivalent) for the installer and equipment. Suppliers may ask for your MCS certificate. See MCS Certification Explained.
- A meter that records exports, normally a smart meter configured for half-hourly export readings, with an export MPAN.
- No Feed-in Tariff export payments for the same installation at the same time.
How to apply for a SEG tariff
- Check that your system is registered and you have your MCS certificate.
- Check your meter records exports and that you have an export MPAN.
- Compare tariffs using Ofgem’s list of SEG licensees, comparison sites and each supplier’s own page.
- Apply directly to the supplier, with your MCS details, address, system size and meter information.
- Keep the details: start date, term, how you’ll be paid and how to switch.
Your installer can often help, but you’re free to choose your own supplier. Exports before the tariff starts may not be paid, so apply promptly.
Types of SEG tariff
| Type | How it works | Typical rate range (varies by source and date) | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic, open-to-all fixed tariff | A flat rate per kWh, open to anyone eligible | roughly 3–6p per kWh | Often the poorest value. Many people are on this by default. |
| Better fixed tariffs | A higher flat rate, often with conditions | roughly 12–17p per kWh, according to many sources | May require you to buy your electricity from the same supplier, have their installation, or have a battery. |
| Time-of-use or smart tariffs | Rates change by time of day, sometimes half-hourly | can reach 20–30p per kWh in peak periods for battery owners, with much lower rates off-peak | Best if you can store power and export at peak times. Usually need a compatible battery, smart meter and import tariff. |
| Variable tariffs | The supplier can change the rate | varies | Rates can fall without you switching. Check how much notice they give. |
Be careful with headline rates. The very highest advertised numbers are often available only to customers who also take the supplier’s import tariff, who had the system installed by them or who have a specific battery. When we compared sources, the same tariff was quoted at very different rates, so treat any single figure as a guide, not a fact, and check the supplier’s live terms. Ofgem also advises generators to shop around.
How much can you earn?
Income = kWh exported × export rate. A typical 4kW system generates around 3,400kWh a year, and households commonly export roughly half of that, about 1,700kWh, depending on how much they use at home (see Solar Panel Cost in the UK).
| Export rate | Annual income at 1,700kWh exported |
|---|---|
| 3p per kWh | £51 |
| 5p per kWh | £85 |
| 12p per kWh | £204 |
| 15p per kWh | £255 |
| 25p per kWh (peak-rate smart tariff, battery owners) | £425 (only if exports fall in peak windows) |
The gap between a poor and a good tariff is typically £100–£200 a year on a 4kW system, which can shorten payback by a couple of years. See how it fits into the bigger picture in Solar Panel Payback Period in the UK and How to Calculate Your Solar Payback Period.
Don’t forget self-consumption
Every kWh you use yourself avoids paying the import price, which is usually far higher than any export rate. The price cap on typical electricity was quoted at around 26p per kWh for July to September 2026, and it changes quarterly, so check the current figure. That’s why increasing self-consumption, for example by shifting appliances to daytime or adding a battery, often matters more than chasing the top export rate. See Do You Need a Solar Battery? and Solar Battery Cost in the UK.
SEG tariffs and batteries
- Some tariffs pay for battery exports, others only for solar generation or exclude certain battery exports. Read the terms.
- Time-of-use tariffs suit batteries: store power at cheap times and export at peak times.
- Battery-linked tariffs are usually tied to an import tariff and specific equipment.
- Check smart meter and equipment requirements before you buy a battery to chase a tariff.
See Smart Tariffs With Solar and Battery: How They Compare for more.
What to compare before you switch
- The rate and whether it’s fixed or variable, and for how long.
- Conditions: do you need to be an import customer, have a smart meter, have a battery or use their installer?
- Payment frequency and minimum thresholds: there’s no legal frequency, so some suppliers pay monthly, others quarterly or annually.
- Payment method: bank transfer, bill credit or cheque.
- Contract term and exit fees, if any.
- What happens at the end of the term: does the rate drop to a lower default?
- Whether the rate covers battery exports.
- Your import tariff: a great export rate tied to a poor import tariff can cost you more than it earns.
- The supplier’s reputation and customer service.
Can I switch SEG supplier?
Yes, and you should review it regularly. You can apply to a different SEG licensee, subject to the new tariff’s conditions, and your export supplier doesn’t need to match your import supplier. Check whether your current tariff has a fixed term or exit terms, and make sure your new tariff starts before the old one ends so you don’t lose exports.
Deadlines and things that change
Last verified 30 September 2026. Confirm with official sources before you rely on any of these.
| What | When | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| SEG tariff rates and terms | Change often, sometimes without your action | Check your tariff at least once a year and compare against the current market. |
| Fixed-term tariffs | At the end of your term | Diarise the end date. Some revert to a lower rate afterwards. |
| Ofgem’s list of SEG licensees | Published each year | Use it to find suppliers that offer SEG tariffs. |
| Electricity price cap | Changes every quarter | Recalculate your self-consumption savings with the current price. |
| 0% VAT on solar and batteries | 31 March 2027 | Affects installation cost, not export payments. See Solar Panel Cost in the UK. |
Common mistakes
- Staying on a default tariff at 3–5p when much better ones exist.
- Choosing a headline rate without checking the conditions.
- Forgetting to apply, so exports go unpaid.
- Not checking for a smart meter or export MPAN before installing.
- Locking into a poor import tariff to get a good export rate.
- Buying a battery only to chase a tariff without checking the numbers.
- Not diarising the end of a fixed term.
Next steps
- Check your MCS certificate and export meter.
- Compare tariffs using Ofgem’s licensee list and each supplier’s page.
- Estimate your income with the table above, then apply.
- Recalculate your payback: Solar Panel Payback Period in the UK.
Where to next:
Frequently asked questions
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
It’s a scheme requiring larger licensed electricity suppliers in Great Britain to pay small-scale generators, including homes with solar panels, for electricity they export to the grid. Suppliers set their own rates, which must always be above zero.
Who can get the Smart Export Guarantee?
Households and businesses in England, Scotland and Wales with an MCS-certified installation of up to 5MW and a meter that records exports. It isn’t available in Northern Ireland.
How much does the Smart Export Guarantee pay?
It varies widely. Basic open tariffs pay roughly 3–6p per kWh, while better fixed tariffs pay roughly 12–17p per kWh, often with conditions. Some smart tariffs pay more at peak times. Check current rates before you switch.
Do I have to buy electricity from the company I export to?
No. You can apply to any SEG licensee, although some of the highest-paying tariffs are open only to that supplier’s own customers.
Do I need a smart meter for the Smart Export Guarantee?
You need a meter that records your exports, normally a smart meter set up for half-hourly readings, plus an export MPAN. Your installer or supplier can advise on your setup.
Is the Smart Export Guarantee the same as the Feed-in Tariff?
No. The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants on 1 April 2019 and paid government-set rates for generation. The SEG pays only for exported electricity, at rates set by suppliers.