If you’ve got solar panels, you can do two money-saving things at once:
1. Use your solar power at home (that’s where the biggest savings usually come from), and
2. Get paid for what you don’t use by exporting it to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
SEG launched on 1 January 2020 and is run by Ofgem. It requires “SEG licensees” (larger licensed suppliers) to offer at least one export tariff and pay eligible generators for metered electricity exported back to the grid.
Key takeaways:
- SEG pays you per kWh exported to the grid – not for electricity you use in your home.
- Export tariffs are set by suppliers, so rates and rules vary a lot.
- Most high headline rates are customer-only, install-linked, or time-of-use (battery-friendly), so “best” depends on your setup.
- Octopus has confirmed Outgoing Octopus export falls to 12p/kWh from 1 March 2026.
Want a quick sanity check? If you export 1,500 kWh/year at 12p/kWh, that’s about £180/year. If you export at 4p/kWh, it’s about £60/year. (Your mileage varies with batteries, usage patterns, and system size.)
Smart Export Guarantee Current Rates:
The table below shows the current Smart Export Guarantee rates you can expect based on the energy supplier and the tariff they offer.
Please bear in mind that these prices often change and we do regularly update the table.
| Supplier | Tariff | Rate (p/kWh) | Eligibility type | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus | Outgoing Octopus | 12p | Customer-only | People already with Octopus who want a simple flat export |
| Octopus | Octopus SEG Tariff | 4.1p | Open | If you want export payments without switching import |
| Octopus | Octopus Flux | TOU (varies) | TOU + customer-only | Battery owners who can export at peak |
| Octopus | Intelligent Octopus Flux | TOU (varies) | TOU + customer-only | Battery/EV households optimising export windows |
| ScottishPower | SmartGen | 6p | Open | Solid “switch-free” export option |
| ScottishPower | SmartGen Premium | 12p | Customer-only | If you’re happy to take import with SP |
| ScottishPower | SmartGen Premium Plus | 15p | Install-linked + customer-only | SP customers whose solar/battery was installed by SP |
| E.ON Next | Next Export | listed in market tables | Open | Export-only option |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Exclusive v3 | 13p | Customer-only | E.ON Next import customers who want a fixed export rate |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p | Install-linked + customer-only | E.ON Next customers with eligible E.ON install dates |
| British Gas | Export & Earn Plus | 15.1p | Customer-only | BG customers wanting higher export |
| British Gas | Export & Earn Flex | 3.02p | Open | Export-only fallback |
| EDF | Export Exclusive (variants) | up to 24p (eligibility dependent) | Install-linked /restricted | Niche “best rate” if you qualify |
| EDF | Export 12m | 15p | Customer-only | EDF import customers |
| EDF | Export Variable | 3p | Open | Basic export-only |
| OVO | OVO SEG Tariff | 4p | Open | Export-only fallback |
| OVO | “Exclusive / Beyond” style export | varies | Customer-only / restricted | OVO customers on certain packages |
| So Energy | So Export Flex | 4.5p | Open | Export-only fallback |
| So Energy | So Bright | 20p (typically time-limited / restricted) | Restricted | Only if you meet criteria |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings | (commonly listed as 15p for customers) | Customer-only | Good Energy import customers |
| Good Energy | Export-only option | (commonly listed around 4p) | Open | Export-only fallback |
| Utility Warehouse | UW SEG (Standard) | 2p | Open | Export-only fallback |
| Utility Warehouse | UW SEG (Bundle) | 8p | Customer-only / bundle | UW bundle customers |
If you don’t have a battery and you’re not switching supplier, you’re usually comparing the “Open” rates (often 3–6p). If you do have a battery (or plan to), TOU tariffs can be worth it – but only when you look at the full picture (import + export together).
What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
The Smart Export Guarantee is a UK scheme that pays small-scale renewable generators (like solar PV homes) for electricity they export to the grid.
- You’ll usually need a smart/export meter (or a metering setup the supplier accepts)
- You must apply to a supplier offering a SEG tariff (it doesn’t happen automatically)
- Suppliers decide the rate, contract length, payment frequency, and terms – but the rate must be above zero
Which Supplier Offers the Best SEG Rates?
1. Best for most people who don’t want to switch supplier
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Look at open export tariffs (e.g., around 4–6p). They’re not glamorous, but they’re simple and usually easiest to qualify for. 
2. Best for people happy to switch import supplier
Customer-only export tariffs are often higher (think 12–15p-ish), but you must judge them alongside the supplier’s import unit rate, standing charge, and overall deal. 
3. Best for battery owners (or EV + battery homes)
Time-of-use export can pay high peak rates – but only if you can export during the peak window (battery helps). Without a battery, most households export when the sun’s out (often not peak).
Related solar guides:
- How many solar panels do you need?
- Smart Export Guarantee
- Can you install solar panels in a conservation area?
- Best 4kw solar system with battery storage
- Sunshine hours map UK
- Best Solar Panels
- Solar panel output calculator
How to apply for a SEG tariff (simple steps)
1. Check you have export metering (smart export meter or accepted export measurement).
2. Gather your install docs (usually MCS certificate and commissioning paperwork).
3. Choose your export tariff and apply with the supplier.
4. Provide meter details and bank info, and submit readings (or consent to half-hourly data for some smart tariffs)
FAQs
- Does SEG pay me for solar electricity I use at home?
No – SEG pays you only for what you export to the grid.
2. Do I have to use my current supplier?
Not always. You can apply to a SEG licensee offering an export tariff – it can be separate from your import supply (though many of the best rates are customer-only).
3. Are SEG rates guaranteed?
No. Suppliers set the rate and terms, and many tariffs are variable or fixed-term with conditions. The only requirement is the export rate must stay above zero. 
4. Why are some “top rates” hard to get?
Because they’re often install-linked, customer-only, or time-limited promotional tariffs. 
Bottom line:
- SEG is worth doing – because if you’re exporting anyway, you may as well get paid.
- But the “best” rate depends on whether you have a battery, whether you’re willing to switch supplier, and whether you qualify for the restricted tariffs.