E.ON Next export tariff rates range from 6p per kilowatt-hour for anyone with an eligible solar installation, up to 17.5p/kWh for customers who install through E.ON and import electricity from them.
The Smart Export Guarantee came into force in 2020. It requires licensed electricity suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers, including E.ON Next, to offer at least one SEG-compliant tariff to eligible generators.
Suppliers set their own rates, structures and contract lengths, with one condition: the rate must be above zero at all times. In practice, it means a supplier can meet its legal obligation with 1p/kWh, and some do.
E.ON Next’s open-access tariff is 6p/kWh, which is among the best no-strings-attached rates available, but the 11.5p/kWh gap between that and its top rate is where the real decision lies. The rate you can get usually hinges on two questions: who supplies your electricity, and who your solar panel installer is.
Many households register for the first export tariff they’re offered without checking whether a better rate is available from the same supplier.
Understanding which E.ON Next tariff you can access, what you need to apply, and what to watch out for before you sign up ensures you make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways:
- E.ON Next offers three domestic export tariffs: Next Export Premium v3 (17.5p/kWh), Next Export Exclusive v3 (13p/kWh) and Next Flex Export v1 (6p/kWh).
- The 17.5p tariff requires installation by E.ON Energy Installation Services after 10 November 2025, plus E.ON import supply. It’s for one term per property only, and you can’t renew it.
- The 13p tariff requires E.ON import supply but has no installer requirement. Time-of-use import tariffs such as Next Drive are excluded.
- The 6p tariff is open to anyone with an eligible solar installation, regardless of import supplier.
- All tariffs require an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate, a DNO approval letter and a smart export meter with half-hourly data capability.
- Payments are annual by default, and you must request quarterly payments if you prefer.
What Export Tariffs Does E.ON Next Offer?
E.ON Next is a mandatory SEG licensee that offers export tariffs to eligible generators. The supplier goes beyond the minimum of at least one above-zero export tariff, offering three domestic tariffs and one business tariff.
E.ON Next Domestic Export Tariffs:
| Tariff | Rate | Who can access it | Rate type |
| Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p/kWh | E.ON Next import customers who install solar or battery through E.ON Energy Installation Services after 10 Nov 2025 | Fixed 12 months; one term per property, no renewals |
| Next Export Exclusive v3 | 13p/kWh | E.ON Next import customers (any installer) with standard import tariffs only. Time-of-use tariffs excluded | Fixed 12 months |
| Next Flex Export v1 | 6p/kWh | Anyone with an eligible solar installation | Variable |
E.ON Next also offers Next Export Business v1 at 8.5p/kWh for SME and commercial customers.
Note: Rates and eligibility checked against supplier information in June 2026. Tariffs can change, so you should confirm directly with the supplier before switching.
Next Export Premium v3 – 17.5p/kWh
This is E.ON Next’s highest export tariff. The rate is fixed for 12 months.
Who Can Get It?
You must be a residential E.ON Next electricity customer and have had solar panels, a battery, or both installed by E.ON Energy Installation Services after 10 November 2025. The system must be no larger than 15 kWp.
The No-Renewal Condition
E.ON Next states that homeowners are limited to one tariff per property with no renewals.
This means that after your 12-month fixed term ends, you cannot renew on Next Export Premium. You’ll need to move to another tariff, most likely Next Export Exclusive at 13p/kWh.
The Installer Constraint
The requirement to use E.ON Energy Installation Services means you cannot obtain competitive quotes from other MCS-certified installers for your solar installation.
This restriction applies equally to battery-only retrofits if you already have solar from another installer and want to add a battery through E.ON to qualify.
Next Export Exclusive v3 – 13p/kWh
This is E.ON Next’s best export tariff for homeowners with solar already installed, or those who want to choose their own MCS-certified installer. The rate is fixed for 12 months.
Who Can Get It?
You must import electricity from E.ON Next on a standard import tariff. E.ON Next explicitly excludes time-of-use tariffs such as Next Drive but allows Economy 7 and Economy 10 variants.
Both new and existing customers are eligible, and your system must be no larger than 15 kWp.
The Time-Of-Use Exclusion
If you’re on or considering E.ON’s Next Drive EV tariff, Next Pumped heat pump tariff or any other time-of-use product, you cannot also hold Next Export Exclusive.
You must choose between the time-of-use import benefit and the higher export rate. For households with an EV, the combined import savings from Next Drive may outweigh the difference between 13p and 6p on export, but this requires a household-specific calculation.
Next Flex Export v1 – 6p/kWh
This E.ON Next’s open-access export tariff. It’s available to any eligible solar household regardless of the import supplier or installer. The rate is variable and can change throughout the year, and there are no exit fees.
Who Can Get It?
Any customer with an MCS or Flexi-Orb certified renewable generation system up to 5 MW, and doesn’t already receive Feed-in Tariff export payments or SEG payments from another supplier.
There is no requirement to import from E.ON or to have used any particular installer.
In Context
At 6p/kWh, Next Flex Export has the highest open-access rate in the market alongside Scottish Power SmartGen, which also pays 6p/kWh with no import supplier requirement.
For any solar household that doesn’t want to switch import suppliers, this is a genuinely competitive option.
Eligibility Requirements for All E.ON Next Export Tariffs
The following baseline requirements apply to all three domestic tariffs.
| Requirement | Detail | How to confirm |
| MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate | You must have a Flexi-Orb or MCS certificate for solar panels. | Provided by your installer at handover. |
| DNO approval or acceptance letter | E.ON Next requires the DNO approval or acceptance letter, not the notification form. | Provided by your installer as part of commissioning. Contact your DNO if missing. |
| Smart export meter | Must record and report export readings at half-hourly intervals. If not capable of automatic readings, you’ll provide a photo of your export meter when requested. | Ask your supplier whether your meter records half-hourly export data. |
| System capacity | Up to 5 MW for Next Flex Export; up to 15 kWp for Next Export Premium and Next Export Exclusive. | Stated on your MCS certificate. |
| No existing FiT export payments | You must opt out of FiT export payments before joining SEG. E.ON Next confirms you can do this while retaining FiT generation payments. | Check with your FiT licensee. |
| No existing SEG payments from another supplier | Cannot receive SEG payments from two suppliers for the same installation. | Confirm you’re not already registered with another SEG licensee. |
| Battery schematic (if applicable) | If you have on-site battery storage, a schematic diagram of your system is required as part of the application. | Provided by your installer. Contact them if you don’t have one. |
| E.ON Next import supply | Required for Next Export Premium v3 and Next Export Exclusive v3. Not required for Next Flex Export v1. | Check your current import supplier. |
| E.ON Energy Installation Services installation | Required for Next Export Premium v3 only; must be after 10 November 2025. | Confirmed during the application process. |
Do You Need a Smart Meter and Export MPAN?
Smart Meter
E.ON Next requires a smart export meter and consent to collect half-hourly consumption data. If your meter cannot send automatic half-hourly readings, E.ON Next will request a photo of your export meter when readings are due.
Export MPAN
If you don’t already have an export MPAN, E.ON Next will request that your DNO create one for you. This can take between 2 and 4 weeks and is out of the supplier’s control. Your export tariff cannot start until the export MPAN is registered.
E.ON Next distinguishes between the DNO approval or acceptance letter (which it requires as a document) and the export MPAN itself (which it obtains from the DNO on your behalf). Make sure you have the approval letter before submitting your application.
How to Apply for an E.ON Next Export Tariff
E.ON Next’s application process is consistent across all three domestic tariffs.
What Documents Do You Need?
- A valid MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate
- Proof of address (required if you’re not an E.ON Next customer or if your installation wasn’t completed by E.ON Solar)
- A photograph of your smart export meter showing the serial number, make, model and export reading
- Schematic diagram of your system (required if you have battery storage)
- DNO approval or acceptance letter
To apply, simply complete E.ON Next’s SEG application form. VAT-registered businesses must also complete a separate self-billing form.
What Happens After You Apply?
E.ON Next will review your documents and email you if anything is missing. It will set up a separate export account. If no export MPAN exists, E.ON Next will request one from your DNO. Once the MPAN is registered, your tariff goes live.
Allow for the DNO’s 2–4 week MPAN process on top of E.ON Next’s own processing time. Processing can take longer than usual during periods of high demand.
Once you’ve submitted your application form, E.ON Next will send you an update within a few weeks, potentially sooner.
How Are E.ON Next Export Payments Made?
E.ON Next pays export income annually by default. However, you can request up to three additional payments per year, bringing the total to four. This means quarterly payments are available on request.
E.ON Next will attempt to obtain export readings remotely. If it can’t, it will email you asking for a photograph of your export meter.
The annual payment, as the default, is less convenient than the monthly or automatic quarterly payments offered by some other suppliers. If quarterly payments matter to you, request them explicitly when registering.
How Much Could You Earn?
The Energy Saving Trust notes that the average solar panel system in the UK is around 3.5 kWp. With a typical annual generation of approximately 3,000 kWh and 50% self-consumption:
Worked Example
- Estimated annual generation: 3,000 kWh
- Self-consumed in home (50%): 1,500 kWh
- Exported to grid (50%): 1,500 kWh
| E.ON Next tariff | Rate | Estimated annual export income |
| Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p/kWh | £262.50 |
| Next Export Exclusive v3 | 13p/kWh | £195 |
| Next Flex Export v1 | 6p/kWh | £90 |
The gap between Next Export Premium and Next Flex Export in this scenario is £172.50 per year. For an existing E.ON Next customer on Next Flex Export who qualifies for Next Export Exclusive, switching would add £105 per year, with no change to the installer or import supplier required.
Note: These figures are illustrative. Actual earnings depend on system size, location, self-consumption profile and the applicable rate at the time.
Which E.ON Next Tariff Is Right for Your Situation?
Decision framework:
| Your situation | Recommended tariff | Why |
| Not an E.ON Next customer, not willing to switch import supplier | Next Flex Export v1 (6p) | No import commitment required. |
| E.ON Next customer on a standard import tariff, solar installed by any installer | Next Export Exclusive v3 (13p) | Best available rate without the installer condition. |
| E.ON Next customer on a time-of-use tariff (e.g. Next Drive) | Next Flex Export v1 (6p) | Time-of-use import tariffs are excluded from Next Export Exclusive. |
| E.ON Next customer, purchasing new solar or battery through E.ON Energy Installation Services after 10 Nov 2025 | Next Export Premium v3 (17.5p) | Highest rate. Note: one term only and cannot be renewed. |
| An E.ON Next customer already has solar from another installer, adding a battery through E.ON | Next Export Premium v3 (17.5p) | A battery retrofit through E.ON Installation Services qualifies for Premium if it’s completed after the cutoff date. |
| E.ON Next customer on Next Flex Export (6p) on a standard import tariff | Switch to Next Export Exclusive v3 (13p) | Same import requirement; more than double the export rate. |
E.ON Next vs the Wider Market
At 17.5p/kWh, Next Export Premium is competitive but not the highest installer-exclusive rate available.
Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive pays 25p/kWh, OVO SEG Install Exclusive and So Energy So Bright both pay 20p/kWh, and EDF Export Exclusive 12m V3 pays 18p/kWh. All of these require installation through the respective supplier.
At 13p/kWh, Next Export Exclusive trails EDF Export 12m (15p), British Gas Export and Earn Plus (15.1p), Good Energy Solar Savings (15p), and Octopus Outgoing (12p), all of which require import from the respective suppliers.
At 6p/kWh, Next Flex Export is the joint best open-access rate alongside Scottish Power SmartGen. Both pay 6p with no import commitment.
The no-renewal condition on Next Export Premium is unusual in the market. No other major supplier currently applies a one-term-only restriction to its top export tariff.
“The detail most E.ON Next customers miss is the no-renewal clause on Next Export Premium. They sign up, enjoy 17.5p for 12 months, then find they can’t stay on it. If you’re planning ahead, factor in what the tariff landscape looks like at renewal because you’ll be moving to 13p or less after year one.”— Energy tariff specialist.
Pros and Cons of E.ON Next Export Tariffs
Pros
- Competitive open-access rate: Next Flex Export v1 at 6p/kWh is the joint-highest open-access rate in the UK market, alongside Scottish Power SmartGen. It requires no import commitment, no specific installer and is available to any eligible solar household.
- No exit fees: There are no exit fees on any of the E.ON Next export tariffs.
- E.ON handles export MPAN registration: E.ON Next obtains your export MPAN from your DNO as part of the application process. You don’t need to arrange this separately.
- The battery schematic requirement is clearly documented: E.ON Next is transparent about the schematic diagram requirement for battery installations, reducing the risk of application delays for battery owners.
- Mandatory SEG licensee with Ofgem oversight: E.ON Next is a mandatory SEG licensee regulated by Ofgem.
Cons
- Next Export Premium cannot be renewed: The Next Export Premium v3 tariff is limited to one term per property and doesn’t allow renewals. After 12 months, you move to a lower rate. No other major supplier currently applies this condition.
- Time-of-use import tariffs excluded from Next Export Exclusive: Customers on E.ON’s own EV and heat pump tariffs cannot access Next Export Exclusive. This forces a trade-off between a better export rate and a time-of-use import tariff.
- Payments are annual by default: Unlike most competitors, which automatically pay monthly or quarterly, E.ON Next pays annually unless you request more frequent payments. Up to four payments per year are available on request.
- No specific processing time: Processing E.ON Next SEG applications can take longer than usual, especially when there’s high demand. No specific timeframe is given beyond “a few weeks, potentially sooner.”
Final Thoughts on E.ON Next Export Tariff
E.ON Next’s export tariff range has strengths and a few notable limitations. The 6p/kWh open-access rate is the joint best in the market and requires nothing from you beyond an eligible solar installation.
The 17.5p installer-exclusive rate is competitive, though the no-renewal condition is unusual and means year two will be at a lower rate regardless. The mid-tier 13p/kWh rate sits below the equivalent customer-exclusive rates from EDF, British Gas and Good Energy.
The two most important practical details are easy to overlook: payments are annual by default and must be actively requested if you want quarterly income, and the no-renewal clause on Next Export Premium means any financial planning based on 17.5p needs to account for a step down after 12 months.
For any E.ON Next electricity customer currently on Next Flex Export at 6p/kWh with a standard import tariff, the case for switching to Next Export Exclusive at 13p/kWh is straightforward. They have the same eligibility conditions, and you get more than double the export income.
FAQs on E.ON Export Tariff
How Much Is the E.ON Export Tariff?
E.ON Next offers three domestic export rates: 17.5p/kWh (Next Export Premium v3, E.ON installation required), 13p/kWh (Next Export Exclusive v3, E.ON import customers) and 6p/kWh (Next Flex Export v1, open to anyone). All rates are verified and correct as of June 2026.
What is Next Export Premium v3 Tariff?
Next Export Premium v3 is E.ON Next’s highest export tariff, paying 17.5p/kWh for 12 months. It requires solar or battery installation by E.ON Energy Installation Services after 10 November 2025, plus E.ON Next import supply. It’s also limited to one term per property, with no renewals.
How Do I Change Tariff With E.ON Next?
Contact E.ON Next directly to discuss switching export tariffs. If you want to switch import tariffs, log in to your online account or use E.ON Next’s tariff comparison page to review current options.
What Is Economy 7 on E.ON Next?
Economy 7 is a time-of-use tariff that offers roughly 7 hours of cheaper electricity, typically overnight between midnight and 7 am, with higher rates during the rest of the day. Economy 7 and Economy 10 meters are being gradually replaced with smart meters for time-of-use billing.
What Happens When My E.ON Next Tariff Ends?
For Next Export Premium v3, the tariff cannot be renewed, so you’ll need to register for a different export tariff, such as Next Export Exclusive v3. For other fixed tariffs, contact E.ON Next before the renewal date to discuss your options.
Sources and References
- Ofgem – SEG: Guidance for Generators
- E.ON Next – Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme
- Scottish Power – Smart Export Guarantee
- Energy Saving Trust – Solar panels
