What is Net Metering?
A billing arrangement where your electricity meter runs backwards when you export solar power, offsetting your bill.
Quick Answer
The UK does not use true net metering. Instead, the UK has the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) where exports are paid at a separate (lower) rate of around 13–15p/kWh, compared to the retail import rate of around 25p/kWh. This means self-consumption is more valuable than exporting in the UK.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Net Metering Explained
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they export to the grid. Under net metering, a bidirectional meter tracks both electricity consumed from the grid and electricity exported. The customer is billed for the 'net' difference. If you export more than you import in a billing period, the credit rolls forward. True net metering values exports at the full retail rate.
How Does Net Metering Work in the UK?
The UK does not use true net metering. Instead, the UK has the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) where exports are paid at a separate (lower) rate of around 13–15p/kWh, compared to the retail import rate of around 25p/kWh. This means self-consumption is more valuable than exporting in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UK have net metering?
No. The UK uses the Smart Export Guarantee (around 13–15p/kWh) rather than net metering. Your export rate is lower than your import rate, so using your own solar power is worth more than selling it.
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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.