Good Energy vs OVO Energy: Solar Export Rates & Which Is Better
Both Good Energy 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 28 August 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Good Energy 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.
Is Good Energy Better Than OVO Energy? At a Glance
| Feature | Good Energy | OVO Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Best export rate | 25p/kWh | 20p/kWh |
| Rate open to any import supplier | – | 4p/kWh |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly bill credit | Quarterly (every 3 months) |
| Time-of-use option | No | No |
| Customer base | ~150,000 | ~4 million |
| Parent company | Good Energy Group (100% renewable; owned by Esyasoft since 2025) | OVO Group (Mitsubishi Corporation holds ~20%) |
| Annual export earnings (2,000 kWh, import customer) | £240 | £240 |
Export Rate: Good Energy vs OVO 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 →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 Good Energy 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.
Is Good Energy Cheaper Than OVO Energy? The Verdict
Good Energy pays more at the top, OVO is more flexible. Good Energy's 25p install rate beats OVO's 20p at the top, while both pay 12p to their own import customers, so the big gap is at the install tier. But OVO has a 4p open rate for non-customers where Good Energy requires import, and OVO's brand and scale are larger. Green-minded owners switching import to Good Energy get the better rate; OVO suits those wanting a bigger supplier.
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 Good Energy if...
Good Energy wins if you want the highest possible flat rate and will buy its install, reaching 25p against OVO's install ceiling of up to 20p, and it is 100% renewable.
Read the full Good Energy review →Pick OVO Energy if...
OVO wins for a solar-only household whose system OVO installed, since OVO's 15p solar-only install rate is available without a battery, whereas Good Energy's 25p requires both solar and a battery.
Read the full OVO Energy review →Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays more for solar export, Good Energy or OVO Energy?
Good Energy 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.
Is Good Energy cheaper than OVO Energy?
On solar export the two are level: both pay 12p/kWh to an import customer. On import prices, most large suppliers track the Ofgem price cap closely, so the difference on a typical bill is usually small. The deciding factors are payment cadence, the rate open to non-customers, and any fixed-tariff discount rather than the export rate alone.
Is Good Energy better than OVO Energy for solar panels?
Neither clearly wins on export rate, since both pay 12p/kWh to an import customer. Pick on payment speed and total bill.
Can I use Good Energy or OVO Energy for export without switching my import supplier?
Good Energy: its best rate requires taking it for import. OVO Energy: yes, its open rate is 4p/kWh. In the UK your export supplier can always differ from your import supplier.
Both have install-linked top tiers, so which is higher, Good Energy or OVO?
Good Energy's is higher at 25p versus OVO's up to 20p, but both require their own install plus their own import. Good Energy's 25p specifically needs solar and a battery, while OVO pays up to 20p with a battery or 15p for solar-only installs it fitted.
Is one greener than the other for matching my solar with green import?
Good Energy is a 100% renewable supplier, so taking it for both import and export keeps your whole account green. OVO is a large mainstream supplier (part-owned by Mitsubishi Corporation) and does not market itself as fully renewable in the same way, so eco-minded owners often prefer Good Energy on this point.
How often does Good Energy pay SEG?
Good Energy pays export credit quarterly bill credit.
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
- Good Energy, goodenergy.co.uk
- OVO Energy, ovoenergy.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 OVO Energy are two of the ten UK suppliers we track for solar export. See how all of them rank on our full comparison.