What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers to pay homeowners for surplus solar electricity exported to the grid. When your panels generate more electricity than your home uses at that moment, the surplus flows out to the grid and you earn a payment per unit. As of 2026, SEG rates typically range from 3p to 15p per kWh - kilowatt hour, the standard unit of electricity - depending on the supplier and tariff. To qualify, your installation must be MCS-certified.

How the SEG Works

When your solar panels produce more electricity than you are using, the excess is exported automatically to the grid. A smart meter records how much you export, and your chosen SEG tariff supplier pays you for those units at an agreed rate.

You do not need to be with your chosen SEG supplier for your electricity supply. You can apply for an SEG tariff with any participating supplier regardless of who currently provides your electricity. Suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are legally required to offer an SEG tariff; smaller suppliers may do so voluntarily.

Rates vary significantly between suppliers and change over time. Checking a comparison site for current rates before choosing a supplier is worthwhile.

How a Battery Affects SEG Earnings

A home battery stores surplus solar electricity rather than exporting it immediately. This reduces your SEG earnings - because less is exported - but increases the amount of free solar electricity you use yourself, which saves more on your electricity bill per unit than the SEG rate pays.

Whether a battery improves your overall finances depends on the gap between your electricity import rate and the SEG rate on offer. At current rates, self-consumption is generally more valuable than export for most households. Your installer can model this for your specific usage pattern. See our solar panel battery storage guide for typical battery costs and a fuller breakdown of when it pays off.

How to Apply

You apply for an SEG tariff directly with a participating electricity supplier after your installation is complete and MCS-certified. Your installer will provide an MCS certificate, which you will need for the application. The process is straightforward and typically takes a few days. For context on typical installation costs before reaching this stage, see our costs guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee?

Any homeowner with a solar panel system installed by an MCS-certified installer is eligible to apply for the Smart Export Guarantee. The system must be 5 MW capacity or below - well above the size of any domestic installation. You apply through a participating electricity supplier after installation is complete and you have your MCS certificate.

How much does the Smart Export Guarantee pay?

SEG rates vary by supplier and tariff. As of 2026, rates typically range from 3p to 15p per kWh of electricity exported. Rates are not fixed by the government - suppliers set their own rates within the scheme rules. Shopping around for the best rate is worthwhile, as the spread between the lowest and highest rates is significant.

Do I need a smart meter to receive SEG payments?

Yes. Your electricity supplier needs a smart meter to measure exactly how much electricity you export to the grid. Most UK homes already have or are being offered smart meters. If you do not have one, your supplier will arrange installation - usually free of charge - as part of setting up your SEG tariff.

Is the Smart Export Guarantee the same as the Feed-in Tariff?

No. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) was a previous scheme that closed to new applicants in March 2019. It paid both for electricity generated by your panels and for electricity exported, at fixed government-set rates. The SEG replaced it for new installations. If you have an existing FiT contract, you keep it - you do not switch to the SEG.

Can I switch SEG supplier to get a better rate?

Yes. You can switch your SEG tariff to a different supplier at any time, independently of your electricity or gas supply. The process is similar to switching energy supplier generally. Check current rates periodically, as the market is competitive and rates change.

Am I better off taking the SEG payment or using a battery to store my electricity?

For most households, using the electricity yourself is worth more than exporting it, because self-consumption saves you the full import rate per unit while SEG typically pays 3p-15p per kWh. A battery lets you store surplus power instead of exporting it, increasing self-consumption. Whether it pays off depends on your usage pattern and the gap between your import and SEG rates - see our solar panel battery storage guide for a full breakdown.