What the Smart Export Guarantee is

When your panels make more power than you use, the extra goes to the grid. The Smart Export Guarantee, or SEG, is the rule that lets you be paid for it. It started on 1 January 2020 and is backed by government.

Some suppliers must offer you a SEG tariff, and Ofgem calls them SEG licensees. If a supplier has at least 150,000 domestic customers, it cannot opt out, while smaller suppliers can join if they wish.

The SEG is not a grant, so it does not pay for your panels. It only pays for electricity you send out. You can read more on our Smart Export Guarantee page.

Who can get paid

SEG covers Great Britain only. Ofgem says installations must be in Great Britain, so it does not apply in Northern Ireland. Our guides to solar funding routes in England, in Scotland and in Wales show where else you can look for help.

You must show that your installation and your installer are certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, or MCS. For this reason, it is worth learning how to check an installer is MCS certified before you buy. You also cannot claim SEG if you already get Feed-in Tariff export payments.

You also need a meter that can take half-hourly export readings. GOV.UK says this is typically a smart meter. Ask your chosen supplier what it needs before you apply.

Why the supplier choice matters

Suppliers set their own rate, contract length and other terms. Ofgem only says the rate must always be above zero. As a result, there is no single national price, and offers can differ a lot.

You can apply to any SEG licensee. It does not need to be the company that sells you your electricity. Therefore you can shop around for the best export deal and keep your current supplier for everything else.

Ofgem publishes a list of suppliers each year, since a SEG year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Use the list as a starting point for your search.

How to compare tariffs

First, write down what each offer says. Then line them up side by side. A short list of questions helps you compare like with like.

  • Is the rate fixed for a set period, or can the supplier change it?
  • How long is the contract, and can you leave early?
  • Do you have to buy your electricity from that supplier too?
  • Is the rate the same all day, or does it change by time?
  • How and when do you get paid?

Be careful with headline rates, because a high figure is not much use if it only lasts a short time. A fair offer is one you understand. It should also stay the same for long enough to plan around.

Keep copies of the answers, because they help later. If a supplier does not reply clearly, move on. The rules protect you from a zero rate, but they do not make every tariff equal.

Batteries and export payments

If you add a battery, the way you use power may change. GOV.UK says a household battery that can import and export could also benefit from the SEG. It tells you to ask the prospective supplier.

Our guide to solar and battery funding in the UK covers the money side of batteries. Bear in mind that a battery stores power for later, so you may export less. Check your sums before you decide.

Tenants and landlords

If you rent, the panels may belong to your landlord. In that case the landlord is the one who would normally ask about export payments. Our guide for renters and landlords explains who can do what.

Group schemes and Scottish support

Some councils run group-buying schemes, where many homes buy panels together. These help with the price of the system, but they do not set your export rate. Our explainer on council solar schemes and group-buying shows how they work.

In Scotland, the route to advice differs from England. For example, Home Energy Scotland is the first stop. Our step-by-step guide to solar funding in Scotland walks through it, and you can pick your export tariff at the end.

Tax and costs

The cost of a solar installation can include VAT. As of October 2026, the rate on installing solar panels is 0% until 31 March 2027, and then 5%. Read the page on zero VAT on solar panels and check GOV.UK for the latest date before you rely on it.

SEG income is separate from VAT. However, do not assume a payment will cover your costs. Rates vary, and no official source promises a set return.

Before you sign up

Check the supplier is on the Ofgem list. Then read the full terms, not only the headline rate. Keep your MCS certificate and meter details to hand, because you will need them.

If anyone says you must sign today to get a special export rate, treat that as a warning sign. The official SEG rules do not work that way. You can take your time, and you can ask for everything in writing.

FAQ / QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Does my energy supplier have to pay me for exported solar electricity?
Not always. Ofgem says suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic customers must offer a Smart Export Guarantee tariff. Smaller suppliers can choose to join, so check the Ofgem supplier list.
Can I get Smart Export Guarantee payments in Northern Ireland?
No. Ofgem says installations must be in Great Britain. Northern Ireland homes need to ask their own supplier what export arrangements it offers.
Do I need a smart meter to get export payments?
You need a meter that can record half-hourly export readings. GOV.UK says this is typically a smart meter. Ask your chosen supplier what it needs.
Is the Smart Export Guarantee rate the same for everyone?
No. Suppliers set their own rates, contract lengths and terms. Ofgem only requires the rate to be above zero, so it pays to compare.