Good Energy vs EDF Energy for Solar Export: Which Pays More?
Both Good Energy and EDF 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
Good Energy and EDF Energy pay the same headline export rate (15p/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.
Good Energy vs EDF Energy at a Glance
| Feature | Good Energy | EDF Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | 25p/kWh | 18p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | – | 3p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly bill credit | Quarterly |
| Time-of-use option | No | No |
| Customer base | ~150,000 | ~5 million accounts |
| Parent company | Good Energy Group (100% renewable; owned by Esyasoft since 2025) | EDF (Électricité de France, French state-owned) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £300 | £300 |
Export Rate: Good Energy vs EDF Energy
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 →EDF Energy
18p/kWh
18p/kWh for customers who bought solar or battery from EDF after 2 March 2026 and take EDF for import.
Read full EDF Energy review →Both Good Energy and EDF Energy pay the same 15p/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: Good Energy or EDF Energy?
Good Energy pays the higher rate for committed customers: 25p on its own installs and 15p for any import customer, versus EDF's 15p fixed (existing customers) and 18p install rate. They are close once you account for EDF's 18p install tier. Both require an import relationship for their best rates. Choose Good Energy for a 100% renewable supply and the 25p install rate; EDF if you are already an EDF customer or value its scale.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Good Energy or EDF Energy?
Good Energy and EDF Energy pay the same 15p/kWh to an import customer. Use payment cadence, the open-to-all rate and total bill to decide.
Can I use Good Energy or EDF Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
Good Energy: its best rate requires taking it for import. EDF Energy: yes, its open rate is 3p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
How often does Good Energy pay SEG?
Good Energy pays export credit quarterly bill credit.
How often does EDF Energy pay SEG?
EDF Energy pays export credit quarterly.
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
- Good Energy, goodenergy.co.uk
- EDF Energy, edfenergy.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
Good Energy and EDF Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.