Best SEG Tariffs UK 2026: How Solar Export Payments Work
Last reviewed: September 2026. Smart Export Guarantee tariffs, eligibility rules and supplier terms can change. Always confirm the current rate and conditions directly with the supplier before switching.
If your solar panels produce more electricity than your home is using, the surplus can be exported to the grid. A Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff is the arrangement that can pay you for those exported units.
But the best SEG tariff is not always the one with the highest advertised pence-per-kWh rate. A high rate may require a battery, a smart meter, a particular import tariff, or both your electricity supply and export account with the same company. The right choice depends on when your home generates, uses, stores and exports electricity.
This guide explains how SEG payments work, how to compare tariffs properly and which type of export tariff is usually best for different UK solar households.
Quick Answer: What Is the Best SEG Tariff?
For many households with solar panels but no battery, the best SEG tariff is usually the best straightforward fixed export rate that accepts their installation and does not force them onto an expensive import tariff.
For households with a compatible solar battery, smart meter and time-of-use tariff, a smart or variable export tariff can sometimes be more valuable. However, it requires active management or automated battery controls, and the highest payment may only apply during limited time periods.
Before choosing, estimate your annual exported electricity and compare the whole household energy deal: import prices, standing charge, export payment, battery behaviour and any supplier restrictions.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the old Feed-in Tariff for new solar applicants. Under the SEG, eligible small-scale generators can receive payment for electricity exported to the grid. Solar PV is one of the eligible technologies.
Unlike the old Feed-in Tariff, there is no single national export price. Suppliers set their own rates and terms. That is why two homes exporting the same amount of electricity can receive very different annual payments.
Ofgem regulates the SEG framework. Large licensed electricity suppliers must offer at least one SEG tariff, but the tariff rate, contract length, eligibility checks and payment method can differ between suppliers.
Important: SEG pays for electricity that is exported, not every unit your panels generate. Electricity you use directly in your home is usually worth more because it avoids buying electricity from the grid.
How Do Solar Export Payments Work?
- Your solar panels generate electricity.
- Your home uses some of it immediately.
- Any unused surplus flows to the electricity network.
- Your export meter records eligible exported units.
- Your SEG supplier pays according to its tariff terms.
For example, if your system exports 2,000 kWh in a year and your tariff pays 10p per kWh, the estimated export income would be:
2,000 kWh × £0.10 = £200 per year
That calculation is simple, but predicting exports is not. Exports depend on system size, roof orientation, shading, location, household occupancy, EV charging, heat-pump use and whether you have battery storage.
Use our Solar Panel Calculator UK guide to understand how generation, self-consumption, export income and payback fit together. You can then test your own assumptions in the free solar savings calculator.
Who Can Get an SEG Tariff?
Eligibility depends on your supplier's terms, but a typical domestic solar household normally needs:
- an eligible solar PV installation;
- a smart meter or export meter able to measure exported electricity;
- evidence that the installation meets the supplier's technical requirements;
- an export connection accepted by the relevant Distribution Network Operator where required; and
- the supplier's application and account checks completed.
Many suppliers request an MCS certificate or equivalent documentation for a domestic installation. Keep your installer paperwork, commissioning information, DNO notification or approval, and meter details in a safe place.
Do not assume a plug-in solar kit can automatically receive SEG payments. Plug-in systems have separate rules and may not meet a supplier's export-tariff eligibility requirements. Read our Plug-In Solar Panels UK guide before buying a kit mainly for export income.
Best SEG Tariff Types Compared
| Tariff type | Usually best for | Main advantage | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed export tariff | Solar-only homes wanting simplicity | Clear, predictable payment per exported kWh | Rate may be lower than time-based tariffs |
| Variable or smart export tariff | Homes with smart meter, battery and flexible use | Can pay more at selected times | Rates can change; battery settings matter |
| Import-and-export bundle | Homes happy to use one supplier | May work well with a matched import tariff | Check the total bill, not export rate alone |
| Export-only tariff | Homes wanting to keep their current import supplier | More freedom to choose a separate export provider | Availability and eligibility vary by supplier |
1. Best for simplicity: a fixed SEG tariff
A fixed export tariff pays the same rate for every eligible kWh exported. It is usually the easiest option to understand and works well for households that do not have a battery or do not want to manage energy prices throughout the day.
When comparing fixed tariffs, check whether you must buy imported electricity from that supplier as well. A slightly higher export rate can be wiped out by a more expensive import tariff or standing charge.
2. Best for battery owners: a smart or time-of-use tariff
Some suppliers offer export tariffs whose rates vary by time of day. These can suit a battery-equipped home because a battery can store solar electricity and, where the tariff and equipment allow it, export during more valuable periods.
This is not automatically profitable. A battery costs money, loses some energy during charging and discharging, and may have a limited warranty or cycle life. Choose a battery because the whole system works for your home, not only because an export rate looks attractive.
For help choosing capacity, read What Size Solar Battery Do I Need in the UK?. If you already have an older Feed-in Tariff system, also read Does Adding a Battery Affect Your Feed-in Tariff? before changing the installation.
3. Best when you want flexibility: an export-only tariff
Some suppliers allow you to receive SEG payments without moving your electricity import supply to them. This can be useful if your current import tariff is already competitive, or if another supplier has a better tariff for EV charging or a heat pump.
Always check this before applying. Some suppliers require you to take both import and export services, while others do not.
How to Compare SEG Tariffs Properly
Use this five-step process rather than comparing one headline number.
1. Estimate your yearly exports
Start with your actual export-meter data if the system is already installed. If you are planning a new installation, use a conservative estimate from an installer and test it in a calculator.
A household that uses a lot of electricity during the day may export much less than a household that is empty from morning until evening. If you are still choosing system size, read How Many Solar Panels Do I Need in the UK?.
2. Calculate estimated annual export income
annual exported kWh × tariff rate = estimated annual SEG payment
Run this calculation for at least two or three tariffs. Do not treat the result as guaranteed income: weather, household use and supplier tariff changes can alter it.
3. Compare your import tariff as well
Solar electricity used at home normally saves the full price you would otherwise have paid to import it. Exported electricity earns the SEG rate. For many homes, increasing self-consumption is therefore more valuable than chasing the highest export rate.
4. Read the restrictions
- whether you need to use the supplier for electricity import;
- whether a compatible smart meter is required;
- whether a battery is required for the advertised rate;
- how frequently payments are made;
- whether rates are fixed or variable;
- how the supplier handles negative or low-price periods; and
- what happens if you change supplier or move home.
5. Check the installation and export paperwork
Delays often happen because the supplier is waiting for meter, installer or network documentation. Ask your installer for copies before the job is completed, not months later.
Should You Export Solar Electricity or Use It Yourself?
Usually, use it yourself first. For example, if you pay 25p per kWh to import electricity and your SEG tariff pays 10p per kWh to export, using one solar kWh at home avoids 25p of import cost. Exporting that same kWh earns 10p.
That does not mean export tariffs are unimportant. Export income can materially improve the payback of a well-sized solar system. But it should be treated as one part of the calculation, alongside direct bill savings, installation cost, maintenance, equipment replacement and long-term electricity-price changes.
For a full explanation, read our Solar Panel Payback Period UK guide.
Can a Battery Improve SEG Income?
A battery can increase the amount of solar electricity you keep for evening use. On certain smart tariffs, it may also support a more active strategy. But it can also reduce the amount of solar electricity exported immediately, and its upfront cost must be recovered.
The right question is not “Will a battery increase my export rate?” It is: “Will solar panels, battery capacity, import tariff and export tariff together reduce my total annual energy cost enough to justify the additional investment?”
Common SEG Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing solely by the highest headline rate. Check the complete import-and-export deal.
- Assuming all solar generation is exported. Your home normally consumes part of it first.
- Oversizing panels only to export more. Extra panels can still make sense, but calculate the marginal return.
- Buying a battery only for an advertised tariff. Model the battery cost, efficiency and warranty.
- Forgetting paperwork. Keep MCS, DNO and meter information accessible.
- Confusing SEG with the old Feed-in Tariff. New applications are not paid under the old FIT scheme.
Best SEG Tariffs UK: Frequently Asked Questions
Which SEG tariff pays the most?
The answer changes frequently. Smart and variable tariffs can advertise higher payments during certain periods, but may require a compatible battery, smart meter, specific import tariff or active management. Compare the annual value for your own pattern of exports instead of relying on one advertised rate.
Do I need to use the same supplier for import and export?
Not always. Some suppliers allow separate export arrangements, while others require you to take both import and export services. Check the tariff terms before switching.
Can I get SEG payments without a battery?
Yes. A battery is not required for the SEG itself. A battery may change how much electricity you export and which smart tariffs are suitable, but many solar-only homes use a straightforward fixed export tariff.
Can I receive SEG and Feed-in Tariff export payments together?
No. A system cannot receive SEG payments for electricity that is already being paid under the Feed-in Tariff export arrangement. If you have an existing FIT installation, confirm your position with your FIT licensee before changing export arrangements.
How long does it take to start receiving SEG payments?
It depends on the supplier, meter setup and paperwork. Submit all requested documents promptly and check that your export meter is recording correctly.
Final Thoughts
The best SEG tariff is the one that produces the best total household outcome, not necessarily the highest export rate displayed on a comparison table.
If you have solar panels without a battery, start by comparing simple fixed export tariffs and your expected yearly exports. If you have a battery, smart meter and flexible electricity use, compare the whole import-and-export package carefully.
Before switching, calculate several realistic scenarios with your own electricity use, solar generation and expected exports. Start with our Solar Panel Calculator UK guide, then use the free solar savings calculator to test your figures.
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