Smart Export Guarantee Rates 2026: Compare All UK Tariffs

If you have solar panels, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for surplus electricity you export to the grid. But the rate you get varies enormously depending on which supplier you choose — from as little as 3p per kWh to as much as 15p per kWh. Over a year, that difference can be worth £100-200 or more.

This guide compares all the current SEG tariffs available in the UK in 2026, explains how to choose the best one for your setup, and shows you how to maximise your export income.

What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee is a UK government scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000 or more customers to offer a tariff to small-scale generators (up to 5MW). In practice, this means any household with solar panels can be paid for the electricity they export to the grid.

The SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), which closed to new applicants in March 2019. The key difference: the FiT paid a guaranteed, government-set rate (up to 43p/kWh at its peak). The SEG has no minimum rate — suppliers set their own tariffs, and they must only be "above zero." This means rates vary widely.

To qualify for the SEG, you need:

• An MCS-certified solar installation
• A smart meter or export meter (most suppliers require a smart meter)
• To apply directly with your chosen SEG supplier (it does not have to be your electricity supplier)

SEG Rates Comparison: All UK Suppliers (2026)

Here are the current SEG tariffs offered by UK energy suppliers. Rates change periodically, so always check the supplier's website for the latest figure before signing up.

Note: Rates shown are indicative as of early 2026. Suppliers can change their SEG rates at any time, and some have done so multiple times. Always verify the current rate before signing up.

Which SEG Tariff Is Best Right Now?

For most households, Octopus Energy's Outgoing Fixed tariff at 15p/kWh is the clear winner. At nearly four times the rate offered by British Gas (3.2p) or Scottish Power (3.5p), the difference is dramatic. For the full Octopus range — including Intelligent Flux (up to ~30p peak with a battery) — see our best Octopus tariffs for solar.

The catch: you typically need to be an Octopus Energy customer for their electricity supply as well. But given Octopus's competitive import rates, this is rarely a downside.

Octopus Agile: Higher Potential, More Complexity

Octopus's Agile export tariff pays a variable rate that changes every 30 minutes based on wholesale electricity prices. During peak demand (typically 4-7pm), rates can spike above 20p/kWh. During low demand (overnight, mid-afternoon), they may drop to 5-8p/kWh.

With a battery, you can time your exports to coincide with high-rate periods — storing solar during the day and exporting during the evening peak. This strategy can push your effective average export rate above 15p/kWh, potentially beating the fixed tariff. Without a battery, the Agile tariff is less predictable and may average lower than the fixed 15p rate.

How Much Can You Earn from the SEG?

Your SEG earnings depend on two factors: how much you export, and what rate you get. Here is what typical systems earn:

Without a battery

A 4kW system generates around 3,200 kWh per year. With a typical self-consumption rate of 35-45%, you export roughly 1,750-2,100 kWh. At different SEG rates:

• At 4p/kWh: £70-84 per year
• At 15p/kWh (Octopus): £263-315 per year

With a battery

A battery increases self-consumption to 70-80%, meaning you export less — roughly 640-960 kWh per year. However, the electricity you keep saves you more (27p/kWh avoided vs 4-15p earned from export), so your total savings are higher:

• At 4p/kWh: £26-38 per year from exports (but £400+ more in self-consumption savings)
• At 15p/kWh: £96-144 per year from exports (plus self-consumption savings)

Larger systems export more

A 6kW system generates around 4,800 kWh per year. Without a battery, you might export 2,500-3,000 kWh — earning £100-120 at 4p or £375-450 at 15p. The larger your system relative to your usage, the more you export and the more the SEG rate matters.

How to Sign Up for the SEG

Signing up is straightforward:

1. Get your MCS certificate. Your installer provides this after installation. It confirms your system meets quality and safety standards. You need an MCS-certified installer for this.
2. Ensure you have a smart meter. Most SEG tariffs require one. If you do not have a smart meter, request one from your electricity supplier — it is free.
3. Choose your SEG supplier. This does not have to be your electricity supplier. You can buy electricity from British Gas and sell exports to Octopus, for example. Choose the best export rate.
4. Apply to your chosen supplier. Visit their website or call them. You will need your MCS certificate number, meter details, and basic system information.
5. Start earning. Once approved, you are paid for every kWh exported, measured by your smart meter.

SEG vs Feed-in Tariff: What Changed?

If you have spoken to someone who installed solar before 2019, they may talk about the Feed-in Tariff in glowing terms. Here is how the two compare:

The FiT was far more generous — it paid you for every kWh generated, regardless of whether you used it or exported it. The SEG only pays for what you actually export. However, the SEG's flexibility (you can switch suppliers for a better rate) and the much lower cost of solar panels today mean the overall investment case for solar is still strong.

Tips to Maximise Your SEG Earnings

1. Choose the best rate (and review it annually)

The single most impactful thing you can do is pick the highest-paying tariff. The difference between 3.2p and 15p is nearly five-fold. Review your SEG supplier annually — rates change, and a better deal may become available. You are free to switch SEG suppliers at any time.

2. Use a battery to time your exports

If you have a battery and are on a variable SEG tariff (like Octopus Agile), you can store solar during the day and export during high-rate evening periods. Smart battery systems like GivEnergy can be programmed to do this automatically based on the half-hourly rate schedule.

3. Match your supplier to your usage pattern

If you are home during the day and self-consume most of your solar, you export less — so the SEG rate matters less. Focus on minimising your import rate instead. If you are out all day and export heavily, the SEG rate is critical — switch to Octopus or another high-paying supplier.

4. Consider Octopus Intelligent or Flux tariffs

Octopus offers "Flux" and "Intelligent" tariffs that combine favourable import and export rates. Flux, for example, offers 3 different rates throughout the day for both import and export, rewarding you for shifting consumption and export to optimal times. These tariffs require a compatible battery and smart meter.

5. Increase your system size

A larger system exports more, which means more SEG income. If you have the roof space, the marginal cost of extra panels is relatively low — and the export income adds up over 25 years. Just ensure you also maximise self-consumption first, as that delivers higher per-kWh savings than export.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my electricity supplier for the SEG?

No. You can choose any licensed electricity supplier offering a SEG tariff. Your import supplier and export supplier can be different companies. Pick whichever offers the best rate for each.

Can I switch SEG suppliers?

Yes. There is no lock-in period for SEG tariffs. You can switch at any time. If a new supplier starts offering a better rate, switch to them.

Do I need an MCS certificate for the SEG?

Yes. Your solar installation must have been carried out by an MCS-certified installer, and you need the MCS certificate to apply. This is one of the key reasons to always use an MCS-certified installer — without it, you cannot access the SEG.

How is my export measured?

By your smart meter. It records how much electricity flows out of your home to the grid (export) separately from how much flows in (import). If you do not have a smart meter, most SEG suppliers require you to get one before they will accept your application.

Is the SEG taxable?

For most domestic households, SEG income is not taxable. HMRC provides a £1,000 annual trading allowance, and typical household SEG earnings fall well below this. If you earn above £1,000 from the SEG (unlikely for most residential systems), you would need to declare it.

The Bottom Line

The Smart Export Guarantee is not the windfall the Feed-in Tariff was, but it is still a meaningful part of your solar panel returns. The rate you choose matters enormously — the difference between 3p and 15p can be worth £200+ per year. Octopus Energy's Outgoing tariffs are currently the best option for most households, whether you prefer the simplicity of a fixed rate or the earning potential of a variable one.

For a full overview of the SEG and how it fits into your solar investment, visit our Smart Export Guarantee guide. And to get started with solar, compare MCS-certified installers in your area — your installer will guide you through the SEG application as part of the handover process.