Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Tariffs 2026: Best UK Solar Export Rates

What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) was launched by the UK Government and Ofgem on 1 January 2020 to replace the legacy Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme.

Under the SEG framework, homeowners with solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, micro-CHP, or battery storage systems up to 5MW capacity are financially compensated for surplus electricity they generate and feed back into the local distribution grid.

Key features of the SEG:

• Market-driven rates: Unlike the fixed FiT subsidies, energy suppliers set their own tariffs. Rates range dramatically from under 2p/kWh to 15p+/kWh, making your choice of supplier critically important to system payback.
• Metered accuracy: Payments are calculated directly from half-hourly export readings recorded by a modern SMETS2 smart meter, guaranteeing you are paid for every single watt of clean power sent to the grid.
• No penalty for high self-consumption: You can use as much of your daytime solar electricity as you need (e.g. charging a home battery or electric vehicle) and export only what remains.

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Best UK Solar Export Tariffs (2026 League Table)

Below is our independent benchmark of the leading residential solar export tariffs currently active in the United Kingdom.

Energy Supplier	Tariff Name	Export Rate (p/kWh)	Dual Fuel / Import Requirement	Smart Meter Required
Octopus Energy	Outgoing Fixed	15.0p / kWh	No (Open to all customers)	Yes (SMETS2 / Half-hourly)
Octopus Energy	Intelligent Octopus Flux	15.0p / kWh (Peak 25p+)	Yes (Requires GivEnergy/Tesla battery)	Yes (SMETS2)
E.ON Next	Next Export Exclusive	16.5p / kWh	Yes (E.ON solar installation only)	Yes (SMETS2)
OVO Energy	OVO Smart Export	10.0p / kWh	No (7.0p for non-OVO import)	Yes (SMETS2)
ScottishPower	SmartGen+	12.0p / kWh	Yes (Requires ScottishPower supply)	Yes (SMETS2)
British Gas	Export Tariff (General)	6.4p / kWh	No (Open to all customers)	Yes (SMETS2)
EDF Energy	EDF Export Variable	3.0p / kWh	No	Yes (SMETS2)

Editorial Recommendation: For typical 4kWp to 6kWp systems, Octopus Energy remains the undisputed benchmark. Homeowners exporting 2,000 kWh per year earn £300 per annum on Octopus Outgoing Fixed (15p/kWh), compared to just £60 on low-tier 3p tariffs.

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Fixed vs. Variable vs. Dynamic (Agile) Tariffs

When choosing an export tariff in the UK, you will encounter three distinct pricing models:

1. Fixed Rate Tariffs

You are paid a constant, guaranteed price (e.g. 15.0p/kWh) for every kilowatt-hour exported, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Best for: Households with standard solar arrays without battery storage who export most of their electricity during bright daylight hours between 11:00 and 15:00.

2. Time-of-Use / Flux Tariffs

These tariffs offer higher rates during evening peak demand periods (typically 16:00 to 19:00) and lower rates overnight.

• Best for: Homes with a solar battery (e.g. Tesla Powerwall 3 or GivEnergy All-In-One). You can store your daytime solar generation and discharge it to the grid during the peak 25p–30p window, maximising export income.

3. Dynamic / Half-Hourly Tariffs (e.g., Agile Octopus)

Export rates fluctuate every 30 minutes based on wholesale UK energy market prices. On windy, sunny days with excess national generation, rates can fall; during gas price spikes or peak winter evenings, rates can exceed 40p–50p/kWh.

• Best for: Tech-savvy homeowners with automated home energy management systems (HEMS) and battery storage.

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Legal Prerequisites to Register for the SEG

Energy suppliers will reject your application if you cannot provide three mandatory compliance documents:

Prerequisite 1: MCS Certificate -> Prerequisite 2: DNO Approval (G98/G99) -> Prerequisite 3: SMETS2 Smart Meter

1. MCS Certificate of Compliance: Issued by your Microgeneration Certification Scheme installer within 10 days of commissioning. This proves your panels, inverters, and mounting kits comply with UK safety standard MIS 3002.
2. Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Notification (G98/G99): Your installer must notify your regional network operator (e.g., UK Power Networks, National Grid Electricity Distribution, SSEN, SP Energy Networks) that renewable generation is connected to the grid. For domestic systems up to 3.68kW single-phase, this is an automatic G98 fast-track notification.
3. Operational SMETS2 Smart Meter: Your meter must have an active Export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) and be configured to transmit half-hourly readings to the DCC network.

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How Much Can You Realistically Earn from the SEG?

Let us model real-world earnings for an average UK home with a 4.3 kWp solar array generating 3,950 kWh annually:

Scenario A: Solar PV Only (40% Self-Consumption)

• Household consumes: 1,580 kWh (Saving ~£410 on import bills)
• Surplus exported to grid: 2,370 kWh
• SEG Income at 15p/kWh (Octopus): £355.50 per year
• Total Annual Benefit: £765.50 / year

Scenario B: Solar PV + 9.5kWh Battery (75% Self-Consumption)

• Household consumes: 2,962 kWh (Saving ~£770 on import bills)
• Surplus exported to grid: 988 kWh
• SEG Income at 15p/kWh: £148.20 per year
• Total Annual Benefit: £918.20 / year

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4 Steps to Switch to the Best SEG Tariff

1. Obtain Your MCS Certificate: Ensure your installation contractor has sent your official digital MCS certificate with your unique certificate number.
2. Request an Export MPAN: Contact your current energy supplier and request a dedicated Export MPAN. They will register your export profile with the national database (takes 5 to 10 working days).
3. Compare and Apply: Apply online with your chosen export supplier (e.g. Octopus Outgoing) submitting your MCS certificate, DNO letter, and Export MPAN.
4. Automated Payments: Most suppliers credit your monthly energy bill automatically, or deposit accumulated funds directly into your UK bank account every quarter.

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Find MCS Certified Installers in Your Region

To ensure your installation qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee and 0% VAT relief, always choose a vetted contractor. Browse our comprehensive Directory by UK County or calculate your property’s exact export potential with our interactive Solar Savings Calculator.