Ecotricity vs Good Energy for Solar Export: Which Pays More?
Both Ecotricity and Good 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
Ecotricity pays the higher export rate at 16p/kWh versus Good Energy at 15p/kWh for an import customer. For a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh a year, that is about £20 more per year. But the cheaper headline rate isn't always the wrong call: the rate open to non-customers, payment speed and import prices can offset it.
Ecotricity vs Good Energy at a Glance
| Feature | Ecotricity | Good Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | 16p/kWh | 25p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | – | – |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly (within 10 working days of invoice) | Quarterly bill credit |
| Time-of-use option | No | No |
| Customer base | ~200,000 | ~150,000 |
| Parent company | Ecotricity Group (privately owned, founder Dale Vince) | Good Energy Group (100% renewable; owned by Esyasoft since 2025) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £320 | £300 |
Export Rate: Ecotricity vs Good Energy
Ecotricity
16p/kWh
16p/kWh, variable, no fixed term or exit fees. Exclusive to Ecotricity import customers.
Read full Ecotricity review →Good Energy
25p/kWh
Highest flat SEG rate on the UK market. Fixed for 12 months, then rolls onto Solar Savings (15p). Requires solar and a battery installed by Good Energy Solar, plus Good Energy import.
Read full Good Energy review →For an import customer, Ecotricity wins by 1.0p/kWh. On a typical home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that adds up to £20 per year in extra export earnings. If you would rather not switch your import supplier, compare the 'open to all' rates above instead.
Earnings by System Size
| System | Annual export | Ecotricity | Good Energy | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | £256 | £240 | £16 |
| 4.5 kWp (10-11 panels) | 2,000 kWh | £320 | £300 | £20 |
| 5.4 kWp (12-13 panels) | 2,400 kWh | £384 | £360 | £24 |
| 6.4 kWp (14-15 panels) | 2,900 kWh | £464 | £435 | £29 |
| 5.4 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | £224 | £210 | £14 |
Verdict: Ecotricity or Good Energy?
Two green suppliers, two different strengths. Ecotricity's 16p flat rate needs only that you take it for import, with no battery or install requirement, making it one of the best no-strings rates in the UK. Good Energy pays more (up to 25p) but only on its own solar-and-battery installs. If Good Energy did not fit your system, Ecotricity's 16p is the easier and often higher practical rate; if Good Energy installed your kit, take its 25p.
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 Ecotricity if...
Ecotricity wins for a green-minded owner with no battery and no intention of buying an install, since its single 16p rate needs only Ecotricity import, beating Good Energy's no-install rate of 15p.
Read the full Ecotricity review →Pick Good Energy if...
Good Energy wins if you bought (or will buy) solar plus a battery from Good Energy Solar, unlocking the UK's highest flat rate of 25p, which Ecotricity has no answer to.
Read the full Good Energy review →Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Ecotricity or Good Energy?
Ecotricity pays 16p/kWh versus Good Energy at 15p/kWh for an import customer, a difference of about £20 per year on a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh.
Can I use Ecotricity or Good Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
Ecotricity: its best rate requires taking it for import. Good Energy: its best rate requires taking it for import. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
Both are 100% green suppliers, so which pays more without buying hardware from them?
Ecotricity, narrowly. Its 16p rate needs only that you take Ecotricity for import, with no battery or install required. Good Energy's no-install Solar Savings rate is 15p for its import customers, one pence lower, so for a hardware-neutral green switch Ecotricity leads.
Can I get Good Energy's 25p rate while staying with Ecotricity?
No. Good Energy's 25p Solar Savings Exclusive requires both a Good Energy Solar install and Good Energy import, so you cannot combine it with Ecotricity. If 25p is the goal you must move your import to Good Energy and buy the system through them.
How often does Ecotricity pay SEG?
Ecotricity pays export credit quarterly (within 10 working days of invoice).
How often does Good Energy pay SEG?
Good Energy pays export credit quarterly bill credit.
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
- Ecotricity, ecotricity.co.uk
- Good Energy, goodenergy.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.
Compare All SEG Rates
Ecotricity and Good Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.