British Gas vs OVO Energy for Solar Export: Which Pays More?
Both British Gas and OVO Energy pay solar households for the electricity they export to the grid under the Smart Export Guarantee, but the rates, the strings attached and the payment terms differ. Here is a side-by-side comparison from a solar owner's perspective: who pays more, who pays faster, and which suits which household.
Last verified 6 June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
British Gas and OVO Energy pay the same headline export rate (12p/kWh) for an import customer, so neither wins on export earnings alone. The decision comes down to payment cadence, the rate open to non-customers, and your total annual bill.
British Gas vs OVO Energy at a Glance
| Feature | British Gas | OVO Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | 12p/kWh | 20p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | 3p/kWh | 4p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly (within 28 days of reading) | Quarterly (every 3 months) |
| Time-of-use option | No | No |
| Customer base | ~7.5 million (Centrica group 10m+) | ~4 million |
| Parent company | Centrica plc (UK-listed) | OVO Group (Mitsubishi Corporation holds ~20%) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £240 | £240 |
Export Rate: British Gas vs OVO Energy
British Gas
12p/kWh
12p/kWh for British Gas import customers, systems up to 15kW.
Read full British Gas review →OVO Energy
20p/kWh
Up to 20p/kWh (15p for solar-only) where OVO installed your solar or battery and you take OVO for import. System capacity up to 30kW.
Read full OVO Energy review →Both British Gas and OVO Energy pay the same 12p/kWh to an import customer, so there is no advantage on export earnings alone. The decision comes down to payment cadence, the rate open to non-customers, and your total annual bill, which we cover below.
Verdict: British Gas or OVO Energy?
A close call between two incumbents. Both pay quarterly and reserve their best rates for import customers (British Gas 12p, OVO 12p), so they tie on the headline. OVO's three-tier ladder gives it an up-to-20p install rate that British Gas has no answer to. British Gas's open rate (3p) and OVO's (4p) are both weak. If OVO fitted your system, OVO; otherwise it is a coin toss settled by your import price.
Whichever you pick, also weigh the import unit rate, the payment cadence, and whether you are willing to switch your import supply. SEG income is rarely the deciding factor on its own. See our full SEG rate comparison.
Who Should Pick Which
Pick British Gas if...
British Gas is the pick if you simply want its 12p import-customer rate from a large incumbent and never plan to buy a solar or battery install from your supplier.
Read the full British Gas review →Pick OVO Energy if...
OVO wins if OVO installed (or will install) your solar or battery, unlocking up to 20p as an import customer, a rate British Gas has no equivalent for since it tops out at 12p.
Read the full OVO Energy review →Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, British Gas or OVO Energy?
British Gas and OVO Energy pay the same 12p/kWh to an import customer. Use payment cadence, the open-to-all rate and total bill to decide.
Can I use British Gas or OVO Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
British Gas: yes, its open rate is 3p/kWh. OVO Energy: yes, its open rate is 4p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
Do British Gas and OVO pay the same flat rate for import customers?
Yes, both pay 12p to their own import customers on a standard domestic system. The difference is the ceiling: OVO can reach up to 20p if it also installed your system, whereas British Gas has no install-linked tier and caps at 12p (dropping to 8p over 15kW).
Which pays export faster, British Gas or OVO?
They are similar and both slower than Octopus. British Gas pays quarterly within 28 days of a reading, and OVO pays quarterly every three months. Neither offers Octopus-style monthly credit, so cadence is not a deciding factor between these two.
How often does British Gas pay SEG?
British Gas pays export credit quarterly (within 28 days of reading).
How often does OVO Energy pay SEG?
OVO Energy pays export credit quarterly (every 3 months).
Is SEG income taxable?
For a typical household, SEG income is not taxable provided you are not generating significantly more than you consume, and the £1,000 trading allowance covers most owners. Check whether you need to declare it if your side income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year.
Sources
- British Gas, britishgas.co.uk
- OVO Energy, ovoenergy.com
- 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.
Compare All SEG Rates
British Gas and OVO Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.