Good Energy vs EDF Energy: Solar Export Rates & Which Is Better
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 28 August 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
EDF Energy pays the higher export rate at 15p/kWh versus Good Energy at 12p/kWh for an import customer. For a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh a year, that is about £60 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.
Is Good Energy Better Than 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) | £240 | £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 (12p). 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 →For an import customer, EDF Energy wins by 3.0p/kWh. On a typical home exporting around 2,000 kWh per year, that adds up to £60 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 | Good Energy | EDF Energy | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 kWp (8 panels) | 1,600 kWh | £192 | £240 | £48 |
| 4.5 kWp (10-11 panels) | 2,000 kWh | £240 | £300 | £60 |
| 5.4 kWp (12-13 panels) | 2,400 kWh | £288 | £360 | £72 |
| 6.4 kWp (14-15 panels) | 2,900 kWh | £348 | £435 | £87 |
| 5.4 kWp + battery | 1,400 kWh | £168 | £210 | £42 |
Is Good Energy Cheaper Than EDF Energy? The Verdict
Good Energy pays the highest top rate: 25p on its own installs, versus EDF's 18p install tier. For import customers without a supplier install it flips: EDF's Export 12m pays 15p against Good Energy's 12p Solar Savings. 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?
EDF Energy pays 15p/kWh versus Good Energy at 12p/kWh for an import customer, a difference of about £60 per year on a typical home exporting 2,000 kWh.
Is Good Energy cheaper than EDF Energy?
For solar export, EDF Energy is the cheaper choice to be with because it pays 15p/kWh versus Good Energy's 12p/kWh, worth about £60 more a year exported. On import prices both track the Ofgem cap closely, so export earnings and payment speed are usually what separate them.
Is Good Energy better than EDF Energy for solar panels?
For solar households, EDF Energy is the stronger pick on export rate (15p/kWh vs 12p/kWh), about £60 a year more on typical export. Weigh it against import prices and payment cadence before switching.
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: 28 August 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.