Best SEG Rates: UK Solar Export Tariffs Compared
With solar panels, the export tariff you choose decides how much you earn for the electricity you send back to the grid. Every large UK supplier sets its own Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rate, and unlike a normal energy switch, you can take your export tariff from a different supplier than the one that supplies your import. Here is how the major UK suppliers compare for solar households.
Last verified 6 June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Good Energy leads the UK on solar export: its best rate is 25p/kWh, though the top rates need you to take Good Energy for import and, for Flux, a battery. The highest flat rate is Good Energy at 25p, but only on its own solar-and-battery installs. If you do not want to switch your import supplier, the best 'open to all' rate is Scottish Power at 6p/kWh. Switching from a 3p floor rate to a 12p import-customer rate is worth around £180 a year on a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh.
SEG Rate Comparison: Every Major UK Supplier
Ranked by best published export rate. The "Catch" column is the thing to know before chasing the headline number, because the top rates almost always require taking that supplier for import, or having them install your system.
| # | Supplier | Best rate | Open to all | Payment | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Good Energy | 25p/kWh | – | Quarterly bill credit | Their install only |
| 2 | OVO Energy | 20p/kWh | 4p/kWh | Quarterly (every 3 months) | Their install only |
| 3 | EDF Energy | 18p/kWh | 3p/kWh | Quarterly | Their install only |
| 4 | E.ON Next | 17.5p/kWh | 6p/kWh | Annually (up to 4 payments/year on request) | Their install only |
| 5 | Ecotricity | 16p/kWh | – | Quarterly (within 10 working days of invoice) | Import customers only |
| 6 | Scottish Power | 15p/kWh | 6p/kWh | Every 90 days, paid to your bank | Their install only |
| 7 | Octopus Energy | Up to 12p/kWh flat | 4.1p/kWh | Monthly bill credit | Import customers only |
| 8 | British Gas | 12p/kWh | 3p/kWh | Quarterly (within 28 days of reading) | Import customers only |
| 9 | Utility Warehouse | 8p/kWh | 2p/kWh | Bill credit | Import customers only |
| 10 | So Energy | 4.5p/kWh | 4.5p/kWh | Quarterly | None |
Rates are set by each supplier and change without regulatory approval. Ofgem does not set the SEG rate, only the obligation to offer one. Always confirm the live rate on the supplier's own page before switching. We re-verify this table quarterly.
Best SEG Rate Without Switching Import Supplier
A UK quirk worth using: your export supplier does not have to be your import supplier. If you are happy with who supplies your electricity and just want the best export rate on top, these are the rates open to anyone, no import switch required.
| # | Supplier | Open rate | Annual earnings (2,000 kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottish Power | 6p/kWh | £120 |
| 2 | E.ON Next | 6p/kWh | £120 |
| 3 | So Energy | 4.5p/kWh | £90 |
| 4 | Octopus Energy | 4.1p/kWh | £82 |
| 5 | OVO Energy | 4p/kWh | £80 |
| 6 | EDF Energy | 3p/kWh | £60 |
| 7 | British Gas | 3p/kWh | £60 |
| 8 | Utility Warehouse | 2p/kWh | £40 |
Note: some of the highest rates require both switching import and, in a few cases, buying your system from that supplier. Weigh the extra export income against any difference in import unit price.
How the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Works
The Smart Export Guarantee, introduced on 1 January 2020 and run by Ofgem, requires larger electricity suppliers (those with at least 150,000 customers) to pay you for the surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. It replaced the closed Feed-in Tariff, which also paid for generation; SEG pays only for what you export.
1. You generate solar
A typical 4.5 kWp UK system generates roughly 3,800 to 4,300 kWh a year.
2. You self-consume what you can
Most homes use 30 to 50% of generation directly. A battery raises this to 70 to 80%.
3. The rest is exported
Surplus flows to the grid via your smart meter and is paid for at your SEG rate.
For the full rules, eligibility and how to apply, read our Smart Export Guarantee guide.
How Much You Earn at Each Rate
For a typical UK home exporting roughly 2,000 kWh a year after self-consumption, here is what each rate is worth annually, using each supplier's best rate that does not require buying an install from them.
| Rate | Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh) |
|---|---|
| 3p/kWh | £60 |
| 4.5p/kWh | £90 |
| 6p/kWh | £120 |
| 8p/kWh | £160 |
| 12p/kWh | £240 |
| 15p/kWh | £300 |
| 16p/kWh | £320 |
| 18p/kWh | £360 |
Moving from a 3p floor rate to a 12p import-customer rate adds around £180 a year for the typical exporter. A time-of-use tariff with a battery can beat all of these if you can shift exports into the peak window.
UK Solar Export: Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the highest SEG rate in the UK?
Good Energy pays the highest export prices through its Intelligent Octopus Flux time-of-use tariff, but that needs a battery and an Octopus import account. The highest flat rate is Good Energy at 25p, restricted to its own solar-and-battery installs. For a rate open to anyone, Scottish Power leads at 6p/kWh.
Can my export supplier be different from my import supplier?
Yes. This is the key difference from the old Feed-in Tariff. You can keep your current electricity supplier for import and take a SEG export tariff from a different company. The catch is that most suppliers reserve their higher rates for their own import customers.
Do I need a battery to get a good SEG rate?
No, not for the flat rates. A battery only matters for time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Flux, where you store cheap or self-generated power and export it during the high-priced peak window. For a flat rate, a battery actually reduces your export volume.
Do I need a smart meter for SEG?
Yes. SEG pays for measured half-hourly exports, so you need a smart meter set up to record what you send to the grid. If you don't have one, your supplier can usually arrange one for free.
Is my solar system eligible for SEG?
Your system must be MCS-certified (or use an equivalent accredited scheme) and be 5 MW or smaller. The certificate covers both the equipment and the installer, which is why using an MCS-registered installer matters.
How often do SEG rates change?
Rates are set commercially by each supplier and can change at any time. Most review them once or twice a year; we re-verify the table above quarterly against each supplier's own page.
Is SEG income taxable?
For a typical household, SEG income is not taxable, provided you are not generating significantly more than you use. The £1,000 trading allowance also covers most owners. If your SEG and other side income exceed £1,000 in a tax year, check whether you need to declare it.
Are SSEN, Electricity North West and Northern Powergrid suppliers?
No. SSEN (Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks), Electricity North West and Northern Powergrid are Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). They own and maintain the local power lines but do not sell electricity or pay SEG. SEG comes from your electricity supplier, not your DNO. Northern Ireland (NIE Networks) is outside the SEG scheme entirely.
Supplier deep dives
Sources
- Octopus Energy: octopus.energy
- Good Energy: goodenergy.co.uk
- OVO Energy: ovoenergy.com
- EDF Energy: edfenergy.com
- British Gas: britishgas.co.uk
- Scottish Power: scottishpower.co.uk
- E.ON Next: eonnext.com
- Ecotricity: ecotricity.co.uk
- So Energy: so.energy
- Utility Warehouse: uw.co.uk
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee: ofgem.gov.uk
Last verified: 6 June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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