Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Explained: Rates, Registration and How Much You Can Earn in 2026
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the UK scheme that pays you for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. Every licensed electricity supplier with more than 150,000 customers must offer an SEG tariff. The rates vary significantly between suppliers — choosing the right one adds £50–£200 to your annual solar earnings.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how SEG works, current 2026 rates by supplier, how to register, and how to maximise what you earn.
In this guide, you'll learn:
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the Feed-in Tariff export payments when the FiT scheme closed to new applicants in April 2019. Under SEG, Ofgem-licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000+ customers are legally required to offer at least one export tariff — but critically, they can set the rate at any level above zero, including 0.001p/kWh. The market rates are set by competition, not by government mandate.
Key facts:
- You must have an MCS-certified solar installation (or MCS-equivalent) to register
- You need a smart meter that can record export — most smart meters installed after 2018 can do this
- You can switch SEG tariff between suppliers independently of your import tariff
- You are not required to use the same supplier for import and export
- Payments are typically made quarterly
SEG Rates by Supplier (2026)
| Supplier | SEG tariff name | Export rate | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus | 15p/kWh (fixed) | Fixed | Best fixed rate available; no import requirement |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Agile | Variable (tracks wholesale) | Variable | Can exceed 15p at peak times; can go very low |
| E.ON Next | Next Export | 15p/kWh | Fixed | Competitive; requires E.ON import tariff |
| EDF Energy | Export tariff | 12p/kWh | Fixed | Solid mid-range rate |
| British Gas | Export tariff | 12p/kWh | Fixed | Requires British Gas import tariff |
| Scottish Power | Export tariff | 12p/kWh | Fixed | — |
| OVO Energy | Export tariff | 15p/kWh | Fixed | Competitive rate |
| Shell Energy | Export tariff | 8–10p/kWh | Fixed | Lower tier; switching away is worth it |
Rates change regularly. Always check current rates on Ofgem's SEG register and the suppliers' own websites before registering. The table above reflects approximate 2026 market rates — verify before applying.
How to Register for SEG
- Confirm your system is MCS-certified. Your installer should have provided an MCS certificate. If not, contact them — you need this for registration.
- Confirm you have a compliant smart meter. Your energy supplier can check this. SMETS2 smart meters (installed from 2018 onwards) are SEG-compliant. SMETS1 meters may need upgrading.
- Choose your SEG supplier. You can use any licensed SEG supplier regardless of who supplies your import electricity. Compare current rates before choosing.
- Apply directly to the SEG supplier. Each supplier has an online application. You will need: MCS certificate number, installation address, system capacity (kWp), and smart meter serial number (MPAN).
- Receive confirmation and first payment. Payments typically arrive 1–3 months after registration. Payments are usually quarterly.
How Much Will You Actually Earn?
SEG income depends on how much surplus solar you export — which depends on system size, self-consumption, and whether you have battery storage:
| System | Annual generation | Estimated export | At 15p/kWh | At 12p/kWh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4kW, no battery (30% self-consumed) | 3,500 kWh | 2,450 kWh | £368/year | £294/year |
| 4kW + 10kWh battery (75% self-consumed) | 3,500 kWh | 875 kWh | £131/year | £105/year |
| 6kW, no battery (30% self-consumed) | 5,200 kWh | 3,640 kWh | £546/year | £437/year |
| 4kW, time-of-use export (Agile peak) | 3,500 kWh | 2,450 kWh | £350–£500/year | — |
The difference between a 15p and 12p SEG tariff on a 4kW system without battery is approximately £74/year — worth switching for, and it takes 15 minutes online.
How to Maximise SEG Income
Three strategies to increase what you earn from export:
- Choose the highest SEG rate. As shown above, the difference between best and worst tariffs is £74+/year on a standard 4kW system. Register with Octopus Outgoing or another high-rate supplier.
- Consider Octopus Agile export. If you have a variable-rate export tariff, solar export during peak demand periods (4–7pm in winter) can achieve 25–50p/kWh. For systems generating in afternoon sun, this meaningfully increases income. The trade-off: export rates can be very low or negative overnight (irrelevant for solar).
- Time your consumption away from peak solar hours. Every kWh you self-consume saves 25p (grid import price). Every kWh you export earns only 12–15p. Self-consumption is always worth more than export — run washing machines, dishwashers and EV charging at solar peak (10am–2pm) to maximise what you keep.
Maximising all UK incentives? The solar panel grants UK guide covers 0% VAT, ECO4 free solar, Scotland Home Energy Scotland grants, and how to stack incentives for maximum cost reduction.
Adding battery storage changes the equation. A battery dramatically increases self-consumption (from ~30% to ~75%), reducing export. You earn far less SEG income but save far more on import. The home battery storage guide has the full numbers.
SEG vs the Old Feed-in Tariff: How Do They Compare?
| Feature | Feed-in Tariff (closed 2019) | Smart Export Guarantee (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Generation payment | Yes — paid per kWh generated (regardless of export) | No — paid only for exported kWh |
| Export payment | Yes — 5.24p/kWh (deemed 50% of generation) | Yes — market rate (12–15p typical) |
| Government guaranteed rate | Yes — fixed for 20 years | No — supplier sets rate, can change |
| Current export rate | N/A (closed) | 12–15p/kWh |
| Income for 4kW system (typical) | ~£700–£900/year total (generation + export) | £294–£368/year (export only) |
Homes that registered before the FiT closed in April 2019 continue receiving their guaranteed generation and export payments for the full 20-year term. If you are on the FiT, do not switch to SEG — FiT payments are significantly higher for most systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Smart Export Guarantee pay in 2026?
The best available fixed SEG rate in 2026 is 15p/kWh (Octopus Energy Outgoing, OVO, E.ON Next). Most major suppliers offer 12–15p/kWh. Variable Agile export tariffs can exceed this at peak demand times. On a standard 4kW solar system without battery storage, SEG income is typically £294–£368/year at these rates.
Do I need a smart meter for the Smart Export Guarantee?
Yes. You need a smart meter that can record half-hourly export readings. SMETS2 meters (installed from 2018) are suitable. If you have an older meter, ask your supplier to upgrade it — this is usually free. Without a smart meter, you cannot register for SEG.
Can I switch SEG supplier?
Yes — you can switch your SEG export tariff independently of your electricity import supplier. There is no penalty for switching. Check comparison sites and Ofgem's SEG register for current rates before switching, as the best tariff changes over time.
