What is Export Payment?
Money paid by your electricity supplier for each kWh of surplus solar electricity you send to the grid.
Quick Answer
UK export payment rates under the SEG range from 3–15p per kWh (2025). Suppliers offering competitive rates include Octopus Energy (15p), British Gas (3.2p), and EDF (4.8p). Your installation must be MCS-certified to qualify for the SEG. Export payments are subject to standard income tax rules.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Export Payment Explained
An export payment is the amount an electricity supplier pays a microgenerator for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity exported to the national grid. Export payments incentivise renewable energy by giving homeowners a financial return on surplus generation. Payment rates are set by individual suppliers and may include a base rate and a clean export premium for eligible installations.
How Does Export Payment Work in the UK?
UK export payment rates under the SEG range from 3–15p per kWh (2025). Suppliers offering competitive rates include Octopus Energy (15p), British Gas (3.2p), and EDF (4.8p). Your installation must be MCS-certified to qualify for the SEG. Export payments are subject to standard income tax rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are export payments taxable in the UK?
Export payments from the SEG are generally subject to income tax rules. However, the amounts involved for typical residential systems are usually modest enough to fall within personal allowances.
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John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.