The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for every unit of solar electricity you send back to the grid — but rates vary from 1p to over 24p/kWh depending on which supplier and tariff you choose. Getting the right SEG deal can add £100–£400 a year to your solar returns. This guide covers current rates from all major UK suppliers, how to apply, the difference between fixed and flexible tariffs, and how to maximise what you earn.
The best SEG tariffs in 2026 pay between 15p and 24p per kWh for exported solar electricity. A 4kW solar household exporting 1,800 kWh/year could earn £270–£430 annually — before any bill savings are counted.
The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) was the original UK solar export payment scheme, running from 2010 to 2019. It paid a generation tariff (per unit generated, whether used or exported) plus a separate export payment, at rates that were very generous in the early years. The FiT closed to new applicants in March 2019. Existing FiT recipients continue to receive payments under their original contracts — this is unaffected by the SEG.
The Smart Export Guarantee launched on 1 January 2020 as the FiT’s successor, with one key structural difference: the government sets the framework, but energy suppliers set their own rates. Ofgem mandates that all licensed energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers must offer a SEG tariff, but the rate — and its structure (fixed or flexible) — is left to commercial competition. Ofgem’s SEG guidance sets out the rules in full.
The only thing Ofgem requires is that the rate must be above zero — suppliers cannot pay nothing. Beyond that, rates vary considerably, which is why shopping around matters.
To receive SEG payments, you must meet the following conditions:
SEG rates change frequently and differ between fixed and flexible (time-varying) structures. The table below reflects typical rates available in mid-2026 — always check directly with the supplier for the current rate before applying, as these are updated regularly.
| Supplier | Tariff Name | Rate Structure | Export Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus Fixed | Fixed | ~15p/kWh | Simple, consistent; no smart meter requirement beyond basic half-hourly read |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Agile | Flexible (half-hourly) | Varies; can exceed 30p/kWh at peak | Best rate for households that can shift export to peak grid demand times |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Exclusive | Fixed | ~15p/kWh | Available to existing E.ON Next import customers |
| British Gas | Export & Earn | Fixed | ~12–14p/kWh | Widely available; rates have historically been lower than independents |
| EDF Energy | Export Tariff | Fixed | ~12p/kWh | Standard offering; competitive for EDF import customers |
| Scottish Power | Solar Export Tariff | Fixed | ~12p/kWh | Available to all MCS-certified systems |
| Ovo Energy | Drive + Solar | Fixed | ~15p/kWh | Part of a combined import/export package |
| Good Energy | Solar Sending Tariff | Fixed | ~20–24p/kWh | Premium rate; Good Energy specialism in renewables; may require import contract |
The headline finding: Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Agile and Good Energy’s Solar Sending Tariff consistently offer the best rates for most solar households. The big six suppliers (British Gas, EDF, Scottish Power, E.ON) tend to offer lower fixed rates and are worth choosing only if you’re already a customer and switching would otherwise incur exit fees.
This is the most consequential decision in choosing a SEG tariff.
You receive the same pence-per-kWh rate regardless of when you export. Simple to understand, easy to budget for, and requires no behaviour change. If your solar system exports at a steady rate throughout the day, a fixed tariff is predictable and low-effort. Rates of 12–20p/kWh are available.
With Octopus Outgoing Agile, for example, your export rate changes every 30 minutes based on wholesale electricity prices. During periods of high grid demand (typically 4pm–7pm in winter), export rates can reach 30p/kWh or higher. In periods of surplus (sometimes sunny summer afternoons), rates may fall to near zero or even go negative.
Flexible tariffs reward households that can manage their export — for example, by charging a battery during the day and releasing it to the grid during peak hours, or by timing appliances carefully. Without a battery or smart management system, flexible tariffs are harder to benefit from, since solar export naturally peaks around midday when grid prices are often lower.
Bottom line: If you have a battery and a smart home energy management system, a flexible SEG tariff can significantly outperform a fixed rate. Without a battery, a good fixed rate from Good Energy or Octopus Fixed is typically the better, simpler choice.
The application process is straightforward once your system is installed and MCS-certified:
Your SEG earnings depend on how much electricity you export. The more you self-consume (use in your home directly), the less you export and the less you earn from SEG — but self-consumption is more valuable because it offsets electricity you’d otherwise buy at 24p/kWh, while the best SEG rate is typically 15–20p/kWh. The Energy Saving Trust’s solar guidance provides useful benchmarks for typical export percentages by household type.
A rough estimate for a 4kW south-facing system:
This illustrates a key trade-off: adding a battery reduces SEG income but increases self-consumption savings, which are worth more per unit. Most financial models show adding a battery still improves overall returns, despite the lower SEG earnings. Use our solar savings calculator to model your specific scenario.
The Smart Export Guarantee is a well-designed scheme that ensures solar households receive a fair payment for electricity they contribute to the grid. The best rates in 2026 — from Octopus Energy and Good Energy — sit at 15–24p/kWh on fixed tariffs, with flexible Agile rates that can go higher during peak demand. To qualify, you need an MCS-certified installation and a smart meter. You don’t need to use your existing energy supplier for SEG, and shopping around can meaningfully improve your annual earnings.
If you haven’t yet installed solar and want to understand the full financial picture, our solar panel costs guide covers upfront pricing in detail. Ready to see how the numbers work for your home? Our free savings calculator combines SEG income, bill savings, and system cost into a single payback estimate tailored to your situation. You can also browse all our resources on the guides index.
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