Compare Smart Export Guarantee Tariffs – Find the Best SEG Rates
Secure & Private
-
- Energy prices have risen to £1,849 a year
- You could save £259 by switching to a fixed deal*
- Switch in just 6 minutes and start saving**
The smart export guarantee is a plan started by the government. It pays you for every unit of renewable electricity you send to the national grid. This is for people and businesses who use things like solar panels at their place.
In 2020, the smart export guarantee took over from the old Feed-in Tariff plan. Now, it is the main way to make money from extra electricity you do not use at home or work. Many people call this excess electricity. The smart export and smart export guarantee help you get paid for sending extra electricity to the national grid.
By comparing smart export guarantee tariff choices from energy companies in the UK, you, as a solar panel owner, can find the export tariff that works best for you. When you use your solar panel system, wind turbines, or other renewable machines, you can get money for the power you send back to the grid. This helps solar panel owners bring down their electricity bills. You feel good about your solar savings with the smart export guarantee.
When you compare energy prices deals as well as SEG export rates, you can see the full picture of your savings — both from lower bills and from payments back to the grid.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The smart export guarantee began in January 2020. It is there to help people who use renewable energy sources and send extra electricity they make to the grid. The smart export rule covers setups up to 5MW, and for micro-CHP, the limit is 50kW. The smart export guarantee can be used by homes and businesses.
Key features:
- You get money for the real amount that you send out. It is in pence for each kilowatt hour (kWh of electricity).
- Both homes and businesses can join this.
- The rates are set by the suppliers, and they need to be more than zero.
- You may get payments every three months or each month. This depends on your provider.
Unlike the old FIT generation payments, SEG pays you just for the energy you put into the grid. You do not get paid for all the energy your solar installation makes. To get the most from those peak rate times, you should look at how well your solar installation works. Think about if a battery system is good for you. A battery system stores extra power. You can use or sell it when the peak rate is high.
How Often Do SEG Rates Change?
Smart export guarantee rates can go up or down. Each supplier sets these rates, not the government. Some smaller suppliers change their seg tariff rates once or twice a year. Other suppliers may change these rates more often, depending on energy prices in the market. Smart export guarantee rates might also change when suppliers add new import tariffs, or change rates to get more customers.
For things you deal with every day, these are the most reliable sources:
- The official supplier websites have the newest application form and price documents. You can get the information you need from them.
- Ofgem gives a list of current SEG license holders and the rates they offer. You can find and use this to see what the companies are paying.
- You can also look at price comparison websites. These sites focus on solar energy and help you see how much you get for selling power from renewables.
If you want your income to be good, check the kWh rate every three to six months. By doing this, you do not miss out on a better rate for your work. This is a simple way to make sure you get the most for what you do.
Who Can Apply for SEG Tariffs?
You can apply if:
- You have a renewable setup that is under the microgeneration certification scheme (MCS). This may be:
- Solar panel owners who use photovoltaic systems
- Wind turbines
- Hydro power
- Anaerobic digestion
- Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP)
- You have a smart meter or an export MPAN meter. This meter can show half-hour export numbers.
- You are connected to the National Grid with your distribution network operator.
- You complete your supplier’s application form steps. Most times, you need to give proof that you put in the system, your MCS certificate, and your meter information.
Both home owners and people who own a business can get seg payments. You just need to have a solar installation on your property or on your farm. Some people also set up seg payments while planning the time to charge their electric vehicle. You can sell power when peak hours happen. This helps you get more money.
Which SEG Suppliers Offer the Most Flexible Contracts?
While many SEG agreements are simple to understand, you will find some suppliers who offer more flexible ways to pay and different terms for the contract. For example:
- Octopus Energy gives you variable smart export guarantee rates. These are tied to wholesale prices, so they go up or down with the market. You are not locked in for a long time, so you can leave when you want.
- E.ON Next sends seg payments straight to your bank every month. You do not have to be their supply customer to get money this way.
- Scottish Power offers both fixed and variable plans for the smart export guarantee. You can change their contracts to match how you make energy.
Flexibility can also mean:
- You can leave at any time and you do not need to pay exit fees.
- There is no need to meet a minimum export volume.
- You get to choose how often you get paid. It can be every month or every three months.
- A solar battery or battery system works with this. You can export when you feel the price is best.
Types of SEG Tariffs
SEG tariffs are not the same with every supplier. It is good to know about these differences when you look at and compare seg tariffs.
Fixed Rate SEG
- You pay the same kWh rate for your whole contract. This helps you always know how much you get for every unit of electricity you send back to the grid.
- This gives their customers more certainty about payments. It helps you budget for your energy bills, which is great for both homes and business customers who earn steady money from their solar panel system.
- A fixed seg rate is a good choice if you want things to stay the same and do not feel like watching energy prices or wholesale prices all the time. For example, if the seg rate is 12p per kWh, you get the same pay for your excess electricity even if demand goes down.
- A lot of energy suppliers offer fixed rates that can go from 12 months to 3 years. This is good if you want to plan ahead for a long time.
Variable Rate SEG
- The rate can go up or down because of what happens in the wholesale market. This means it is harder to know what will happen next. But if you pick the right time, you can make more money.
- Rates usually rise during a peak rate. This can happen when the grid needs more renewable power. At these times, the rate can get high. But when things are slow, the rate can drop a lot.
- This works well for solar panel owners who watch the market closely or own a solar battery. A solar battery lets them store energy and then sell it when the rate is high.
- This type of tariff is good for people who feel okay to take a risk. If you want to get more solar savings by selling when energy prices get higher, this is a good choice.
Exclusive SEG for Customers
- Some suppliers might give you higher rates when you get your import tariff from them. They call this kind of rate an “exclusive” or “loyalty” rate.
- For example, one supplier may give you 15p per kWh if you already get your import energy from them. But the price could be just 5p for other people who are not their customers.
- These offers can sound good. But often you need to sign up for a fixed tariff or a standard variable tariff to get your import power. So, read all their rules first.
- If your current electricity prices are good, getting both your supply and export contract from the same company can make it easier for you and might help you save some money.
Are There Any Hidden Fees or Key Terms to Watch Out For?
Most seg tariffs do not add hidden fees. But you still need to read all the terms before you sign any deal.
- Metering requirements – You need to have a smart meter or an export MPAN meter that works. The meter should show the number of kilowatt hours you send out. Some network operators ask for certain metering gear before you join their SEG scheme.
- Payment thresholds – Many suppliers pay you only if you reach a certain amount, like £5 or £10. If you use a lot of energy, or export less, it might take more time for you to get paid.
- Customer-only tariffs – Some SEG tariff rates pay you more, but you only get them if you also buy your electricity from the same supplier. If you stay with one energy supplier, you may not get better export rates from other companies.
- Exit rules – Remember to check if there is an exit fee before you leave your supplier. A flexible contract with no exit fee helps you switch if you find a better offer.
- Admin process – You need to know how to give meter readings if the meter doesn't send them by itself. A supplier may let you upload readings using your online account or an app. Some suppliers may want you to send readings by email.
- Eligibility requirements – A lot of suppliers want to see that you follow the microgeneration certification scheme before they accept your application.
Knowing what these words mean can help you make the most of your solar savings. It also helps you stay away from a deal that is not good for you. This way, you will not lose money because of rules you did not know about.
What to Consider When Comparing SEG Providers
When you look at smart export guarantee tariff options, do not just go by the rate shown in ads. There is more you need to know.
It is a good idea to really understand how the smart export guarantee works. Look at all the contract details. This helps you know what you get and what you may have to pay.
A smart export guarantee tariff can look high at first. But learn about any changes that can come later. Be sure to compare each smart export guarantee and export tariff. This helps you find the one that is good for you in the long run.
- Export tariff rate in pence per kWh — A higher export rate means you get more money for each unit of electricity that you send back to the grid. Before you sign up, check if this is a fixed tariff or a variable tariff. A fixed rate means the pay stays the same, but a variable rate can go up or down, so the money you get each time may change.
- Payment frequency — Getting paid each month can help you with your cash flow. Some people like to get money every three months if they want to use their smart export guarantee to pay big energy bills or add to their solar savings.
- Contract length — A short contract, such as 12 months, lets you change if energy prices go up or down and you find a better deal. A long contract keeps you on the same export rate, which is good if you want your money to stay steady.
- Customer status requirements — A lot of the best smart export guarantee rates might just be for supply customers. Always check what you pay for your home tariff (your electricity price) as well as the export rate.
- Meter compatibility — Be sure your solar installation and your meter can work with the supplier’s system. This lets you keep a true record of the kWh of electricity you send back.
- Green credentials — Some suppliers use your money to help
By checking all these points, you can pick the smart export guarantee tariff that is right for you. It helps you get pay rates that feel fair to you. With this, there are real benefits that work well for your house or business. The smart export guarantee gives a good mix of money you get and the energy you use every day. This smart export system lets people and businesses give their extra energy back and get rewards for it.
How Much Can You Earn with SEG?
Earnings depend on:
- The export rate shows you how many pence you get for each kWh.
- The amount of excess energy exported is the extra energy that you send out.
- Generation can change with the season. So this can go up or down at different times of the year.
Example earnings:
| Export Rate | Monthly Export (kWh) | Monthly Earnings (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 5p | 300 | £15.00 |
| 10p | 300 | £30.00 |
| 15p | 300 | £45.00 |
A battery system, or solar battery, lets you store power. You can use it or send it out when the peak rate is high. This helps you get more solar savings.
Best Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Tariffs in the UK Right Now
Some of the most competitive smart export guarantee rates right now are:
- Octopus Energy (Outgoing Fixed) – The company gives a fixed rate of 15p for each kWh. With Outgoing Agile, this can go up to 24p, but that is a rate that can change.
- E.ON Next (Next Export Exclusive) – The rate is 16.5p for each kWh if you get your power from E.ON Next and also send some out. If you only send power back and do not get their supply, you get 3p for each kWh.
- OVO Energy – They pay 20p for every kWh if you are both a customer who takes and gives power. If you join just for the SEG, the rate will be 4p per kWh.
- Scottish Power – This company pays 12p per kWh for people who use their supply and also send it back. For people who just take part in the SEG, the rate is 3.5p per kWh. This makes Scottish power a good pick for customers who both get and send power to the grid.
- British Gas – A fixed rate of 6.4p is paid, no matter how much you use or give back.
Comparing SEG vs Feed-in Tariff (FIT)
The Feed-in Tariff, or FIT, and the Smart Export Guarantee, called SEG, both give rewards to people who use renewable energy. Yet, these two are not the same. They work in different ways. The smart export and smart export guarantee help people who want to use renewable energy in their homes or businesses.
- FIT generation payments gave you money for two things. You got paid for making electricity and for sending it to the grid. So, the you could make money from the power you used in your house too. But with SEG, you only get paid for the excess electricity that you send back to the grid, not the power you use for your home. This means you now get most of your solar savings from what you export. It’s also about the kWh rate you set with your SEG provider.
- The government set FIT rates, and those stayed the same through your contract. This gave you long-term peace of mind. But for SEG rates, the energy companies pick the price. A few may give you a fixed plan for more years, while others can change their prices when energy prices go up or down and when more people use power during peak hours.
- You cannot sign up for the FIT scheme now. It closed for new applicants in 2019. All solar panel owners or anyone setting up a solar panel system now have to use the SEG scheme.
- With SEG, you can pick from smaller suppliers who might offer you a better export tariff or go with big energy suppliers who feel safer. You can move between suppliers too. This will not mess up your import tariff.
This switch from FIT to SEG means people should focus more on smart export to get the most money now. This change is very important for homes with battery systems or solar batteries. The batteries can keep solar energy. They let you send power back when the peak rate is high. This way, you get the most from your solar energy and smart export.
How to Switch SEG Providers
Changing SEG providers is not like getting your electricity from a new company for your home. This is often easy to do. You just have to have the correct papers and the items that needed for it.
- Check your current SEG contract’s notice period – Some providers ask for 30 days’ notice before you can move to another smart export guarantee tariff.
- Apply to your chosen SEG provider – To start, you will fill out an application form online or email it.
- Provide MCS certification – You need to give your microgeneration certification scheme certificate to show your solar installation meets the right standard.
- Provide your export MPAN – This number shows your export meter to your distribution network operator and the new provider.
- Submit recent export readings – Most people use kilowatt hours for this. It lets the new provider see how much you export.
- The new provider will start payments from the switch date you both agree on – After this, your SEG income will be worked out using their own SEG tariff rates.
Tip: You do not need to change your import tariff when you pick a new SEG provider. This way, you get to keep your current electricity plan. At the same time, you can get a better export income.
Pros and Cons of SEG
Pros
- You get paid for the extra energy you do not use. This can turn your solar panel system into a way to make money with little work.
- It helps more people want to buy solar installations, wind turbines, and other tools that use renewable power.
- You can change SEG providers and still keep your import tariff and energy suppliers the same.
- Many tariffs now let you use SEG with battery systems. You will have more control of when to send out extra electricity.
Cons
- The rates are usually lower than the old FIT generation payments. Because of this, solar savings are not as high as what people used to get with FIT.
- If you go with a variable rate, it can rise or fall with energy prices. Your income is not as steady this way, unless you choose a fixed export tariff.
- You need the right smart meter, an export MPAN, and must follow the microgeneration certification scheme rules.
Tips to Maximise Your SEG Payments
- You can use your smart meter or check online to see how much electricity you send out. This helps you keep track of the kWh of electricity that goes out. You can see changes and patterns in the numbers.
- Move your high-energy chores like running the dishwasher, washing clothes, or charging your electric vehicle to daytime. The sun is out during the day, so you use more solar energy from your home system. This will help lower your electricity bills.
- A solar battery can store solar energy you get in the day. Later, you can send out this energy during peak hours, when smart export guarantee rates are better. This can help you earn more money from your smart export.
- Look at seg tariff rates every year and compare what big and smaller suppliers give. Doing this helps you find the best plan and make sure you get the top smart export guarantee deal.
- Think about seg tariff rates with extra pay for being flexible. A time-of-use export tariff links your rate to peak rate times. This type of plan could help you earn more, especially when demand is high at peak hours.
Alongside checking SEG tariffs, it’s smart to compare energy prices supply options too, so you’re not overpaying on import rates while maximising your export income.
FAQs About the Smart Export Guarantee
The Smart Export Guarantee is a government scheme that pays households and businesses for the renewable electricity they export back to the grid. If you generate electricity through solar panels, wind turbines, hydro, or other eligible technologies, you can earn money for every unit (kWh) you export.
You can apply if:
- You generate electricity using an eligible renewable system (solar PV, wind, hydro, micro combined heat and power, or anaerobic digestion).
- Your installation is up to 5MW in size (50kW for micro-CHP).
- Your system is certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
- You have a smart meter or export meter that can record the electricity you send back to the grid.
Yes. To get paid, your supplier must be able to measure how much electricity you export. Most households will need a smart meter, though some existing export meters are also acceptable.
The amount you earn depends on the tariff and supplier you choose. Each supplier sets its own rate, which must be above zero but can vary widely. As of 2025, SEG tariffs typically range from 1p to 20p per kWh exported, depending on the supplier and tariff type.
All licensed energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are required to offer at least one SEG tariff. Smaller suppliers can choose to take part. You don’t need to be supplied by the same company that buys your exported electricity—you can shop around for the best rate.
Yes. Just like with your energy supply, you can switch to another supplier’s SEG tariff if it offers a better rate. Check the terms with your current provider to see if any notice period applies.
If you’re already receiving export payments through the old Feed-in Tariff scheme, you cannot also claim SEG on the same installation. However, if you only received the generation part of FIT and not export payments, you may be able to opt into SEG instead.
SEG payments are usually made quarterly or annually, depending on the supplier. The payment is based on your measured export readings. Suppliers typically pay directly into your bank account.
SEG payments are separate from your energy bill. You’ll still pay for the electricity you use from the grid, but SEG helps offset costs by paying you for what you export.
For most domestic households, SEG payments are not taxable. However, if you run a business or generate significant amounts of electricity, you may need to declare the income. Always check with HMRC if you’re unsure.
Compare energy suppliers
- British Gas Energy Prices
- Compare home energy prices
- E.ON Next Energy Prices
- EDF Energy Prices
- Ecotricity Energy Prices
- E Energy Prices
- Fuse Energy Prices
- Good Energy Prices
- OVO Energy Prices
- Octopus Energy Prices
- Outfox the Market Energy Prices
- So Energy Prices
- Scottish Power Energy Prices
- Tomato Energy Prices
- Tulo Energy Prices
- Utilita Energy Prices
- Utility Warehouse Energy Prices
- 100Green Energy Prices
Energy Providers Reviews
- British Gas Reviews
- E.ON Next Reviews
- EDF Energy Reviews
- Ecotricity Reviews
- E Gas and Electricity Reviews
- Fuse Energy Reviews
- Good Energy Reviews
- OVO Energy Reviews
- Octopus Energy Reviews
- Outfox the Market Reviews
- So Energy Reviews
- Scottish Power Reviews
- Tomato Energy Reviews
- Tulo Energy Reviews
- Utilita Energy Reviews
- Utility Warehouse Reviews
- 100Green Reviews
Customers who switched with Free Price Compare in 2025 have saved up to £231 each year. This is when you compare it to the April 2025 price cap.
*Savings here are worked out using the average home’s use of 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas. You need to pay by direct debit and use paperless bills to get these prices. All UK regions are covered for the average cost, and the prices shown are from 1 April 2025. The amount you save will be different based on how much energy you use, where you live, and the terms from your supplier. Cashback offers are not counted in this savings figure.
**It takes only 4 minutes to look at and change your energy deal with Free Price Compare. Our easy system helps you get a lower price for your electricity or dual fuel plan in just a few minutes.
Page last updated on: 04/09/2025
Page reviewed by: Tim Bailey
