The Smart Export Guarantee pays solar owners for electricity exported to the grid. Rates vary significantly between suppliers — from under 4p to over 15p per kWh depending on the tariff type, system configuration, and whether you have compatible battery storage. Choosing the wrong tariff can mean leaving hundreds of pounds per year on the table.
This page compares current SEG export rates from all major UK obligated suppliers as of April 2026, including eligibility criteria, battery requirements, and the trade-offs between fixed and variable tariffs.
Rates Change — Always Verify Before Advising Customers
SEG tariff rates are set by individual suppliers and can change with notice. The figures on this page were current as of April 2026. Before including SEG projections in customer proposals or financial models, check each supplier’s current published rate directly. Variable tariffs in particular can move materially from the figures shown here.
SEG Eligibility: Before Comparing Rates
To access any SEG tariff, a solar installation must meet these requirements:
- The generating system holds a valid MCS certificate (for systems under 50 kW)
- A smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings is installed at the property
- The system has a generation meter or smart export capability configured on the inverter
The MCS certificate is issued by the installing company at the time of installation. It cannot be obtained retrospectively for non-MCS installations. For the distinction between MCS and non-MCS installations, see the MCS vs non-MCS comparison.
Customers without a smart meter must request one from their electricity supplier before SEG registration can be completed. Smart meter rollout in the UK is extensive but not universal — check in advance.
SEG Tariff Comparison: All Major Obligated Suppliers (April 2026)
Rate Verification Note
All rates below are approximate figures based on supplier-published tariff information as of April 2026. Variable tariff rates represent recent averages or published reference rates — actual payments under variable tariffs will differ based on wholesale market conditions at the time of export. Always confirm current rates with the supplier before advising customers.
| Supplier | Tariff Name | Rate (p/kWh) | Type | Battery Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Intelligent Octopus Export | ~15p | Smart/variable | Yes | Highest rates during off-peak periods; requires compatible battery |
| Octopus Energy | Octopus Flux | Variable | Variable (time-of-use) | Yes | Export rates vary by half-hour slot; can earn significantly more than flat rates during high-demand periods |
| Octopus Energy | Fixed Export | ~5.2p | Fixed | No | Flat-rate option without battery requirement |
| E.ON Next | Smart Export | ~5.6p | Fixed | No | Among the better fixed rates; requires smart meter |
| British Gas | Export | ~5.5p | Fixed | No | Standard fixed rate; requires smart meter |
| EDF Energy | Exported Power | ~5p | Fixed | No | Flat-rate; available to EDF electricity customers and non-customers |
| OVO Energy | OVO Export | ~4p | Fixed | No | Below-average fixed rate |
| OVO Energy | Charge Anytime | Variable | Variable | Yes (EV or battery) | Primarily EV-focused but compatible with solar-battery setups |
| ScottishPower | Export | ~3.9p | Fixed | No | One of the lower fixed rates among obligated suppliers |
| Shell Energy | Export | ~4p | Fixed | No | Shell Energy absorbed several smaller suppliers; rates competitive but below market leaders |
| EDF Energy | Time of Use Export | Variable | Variable | Optional | Available in some regions; rewards export during peak demand periods |
Former Bulb Customers
Bulb Energy was acquired by Octopus Energy. Former Bulb customers are now served by Octopus and can access Octopus SEG tariffs, including Intelligent Octopus Export where they have a compatible battery.
Fixed vs Variable SEG Tariffs
The choice between fixed and variable tariffs depends on the system configuration, customer flexibility, and risk appetite.
Fixed Rate Tariffs
Fixed rate tariffs pay a set number of pence per kWh exported, regardless of when the export occurs. They are simple to understand, easy to model in customer proposals, and carry no rate risk beyond the supplier’s right to revise the tariff with notice.
Fixed rate is best for:
- Systems without battery storage that export whenever the panels produce more than the house uses
- Customers who want predictable income projections
- Straightforward financial modelling in proposals
Trade-off: Fixed rates are typically 4–6p/kWh. This is a significant discount to wholesale electricity prices during peak demand periods, which can reach 25–40p/kWh or higher on days of high grid stress.
Variable and Time-of-Use Tariffs
Variable tariffs pay different rates at different times of day, or different rates based on half-hourly wholesale market prices. The Octopus Flux tariff is the most widely used example — it reflects wholesale prices with rates that reward morning and evening export (when grid demand peaks) over midday export (when solar generation is highest and prices are lower).
Variable rate is best for:
- Systems with battery storage that can shift export from solar production peaks to grid demand peaks
- Customers willing to engage with their system and review performance
- Properties where the battery can be set to hold daytime solar, then export in the early evening peak
Pro Tip: Battery + Variable Tariff
The combination of a battery system and a time-of-use SEG tariff like Octopus Flux can more than double effective export earnings compared to a flat-rate tariff. The battery stores excess midday generation (when SEG rates are lowest) and exports during the 4pm–7pm peak (when rates are highest). For customers investing in battery storage, factoring SEG tariff strategy into the financial model is as important as battery sizing.
Octopus Intelligent Octopus Export: The Top Rate Option
Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Export tariff is the highest-rate SEG product available in the UK as of April 2026, paying approximately 15p/kWh for off-peak export slots. The tariff uses smart scheduling to manage when the battery charges and when it exports, dispatching energy to the grid when it is most valuable.
Eligibility requirements:
- An Octopus-compatible battery system (Tesla Powerwall 2/3, GivEnergy All-in-One, GivEnergy EV Charger, Huawei Luna, SolarEdge Energy Bank, and others from the approved list)
- A smart meter capable of half-hourly reads
- An MCS-certified solar installation
How it works: Octopus’s smart system controls the battery remotely during agreed windows. During low-price overnight periods, the battery may charge from the grid at a low import rate. During high-price peak periods, the battery exports to the grid at the elevated SEG rate. The customer benefits from both the import discount and the export premium.
Note: The ~15p/kWh figure represents export during optimal smart periods. Overall average export earnings will be lower, as not all export occurs at the peak rate. A realistic modelled average across all export may be 8–12p/kWh equivalent, still materially above fixed rates.
Octopus Flux: Time-of-Use for Battery Owners
Octopus Flux offers a three-part tariff: a cheap overnight import rate, a standard daytime rate, and a peak evening export rate. For solar-and-battery systems, the typical strategy is:
- Export any excess midday solar at the daytime rate
- Store solar in the battery during peak solar hours
- Export battery power at the peak evening rate (typically 16:00–19:00)
- Optionally charge battery overnight at the cheap import rate if grid capacity is needed
Flux rates are indexed to wholesale electricity prices and shift with market conditions. During periods of high gas prices and low wind generation, Flux peak rates can reach 20–30p/kWh. During low-demand summer periods, peak rates may fall closer to flat-rate levels.
Battery requirements: As with Intelligent Octopus Export, a compatible battery is required. The Octopus compatibility list is updated periodically.
How Battery Storage Maximises SEG Earnings
A solar-only system with no battery can only export at the moment of generation. For most UK residential installations with a south-facing array, peak generation occurs between 11:00 and 14:00 — when electricity prices and SEG variable rates are at their lowest point of the day.
A battery shifts this timing. Excess solar charges the battery instead of exporting immediately. The battery then exports during the 16:00–19:00 evening peak, when grid demand is high and variable tariff rates are elevated.
The financial impact:
- A 5 kW solar system might export 1,500 kWh/year at a flat rate of 5p = £75/year
- The same system with a battery exporting to a peak-rate Flux tariff might earn 8–12p average across 1,200 kWh/year = £96–£144/year
- An Intelligent Octopus Export user with optimised dispatch might achieve £120–£180/year
These are illustrative figures. Actual earnings depend on system size, consumption profile, battery capacity, and market conditions in the relevant months.
Battery Payback and SEG
Battery storage payback calculations in the UK should include SEG earnings uplift where the customer qualifies for Intelligent Octopus Export or Octopus Flux. The SEG earnings improvement is not the primary driver of battery payback (self-consumption is larger), but it is a genuine contribution and should appear in customer financial models. Solar design software that models this automatically produces more accurate proposals than those treating SEG as a fixed flat-rate regardless of battery configuration.
Export Limiting and SEG: What Happens to Earnings
When a DNO requires export limiting as a condition of G99 acceptance, the amount of electricity the system can export to the grid is capped. This directly affects SEG earnings.
Common export limiting scenarios:
| Export Limit Condition | Effect on SEG | Battery Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed kW export cap (e.g. 3.68 kW) | Reduces export volume; production above the cap is curtailed unless stored | Battery stores curtailed production for later export or self-consumption |
| Zero export condition | No SEG income from grid export | Battery maximises self-consumption value; SEG income effectively nil |
| Flexible export (time-varying limits) | Limits vary by time of day; smart battery can optimise around limits | Battery exports when limits are relaxed; charges when limits are tight |
| Export managed by DNO smart meter signal | Export controlled by DNO; variable impact | Battery responds to DNO demand signals; Intelligent Octopus Export may be compatible |
For G99 projects where export limiting is a condition, the design stage is the right point to assess whether battery storage changes the financial case. Solar designing workflows that model export-limited scenarios alongside battery sizing allow accurate financial projections before the customer commits.
See the G98 vs G99 guide for when DNOs impose export limiting conditions and how to negotiate them.
How to Register for the SEG
The SEG registration process, once the installation is complete:
- Receive the MCS certificate from the installer — you need the certificate number for registration
- Confirm smart meter status — your existing smart meter may already be capable of half-hourly export reads; if not, request an upgrade from your electricity supplier
- Choose a SEG supplier — compare current rates and tariff types; you do not have to use your current electricity supplier
- Apply to the SEG supplier — typically done online or by phone; you will need the MCS certificate number, property address, smart meter serial number, and estimated annual export
- SEG supplier verifies details — against the MCS register; verification usually takes a few days
- First payment — SEG payments typically appear on electricity bills or as a separate credit; frequency varies by supplier (monthly, quarterly)
Switching SEG Supplier
SEG registrations are transferable. If a customer is on a flat-rate SEG tariff and installs battery storage later, they can switch to Octopus or another variable tariff without penalty. Include this in the battery storage conversation — the tariff switch is often the most accessible way to immediately improve earnings on an existing system.
Switching SEG Supplier
Switching SEG supplier is simpler than switching electricity or gas supply. The process:
- Contact the new SEG supplier and provide your MCS certificate number, smart meter details, and current SEG supplier name
- The new supplier registers you on their tariff
- Inform your current SEG supplier that you are leaving (some suppliers require notice; others do not)
- Switch complete — typically within a few days
There is no financial penalty for switching and no obligation to stay with a supplier for a minimum period (though some promotional tariffs may have conditions — check the terms before switching).
Reasons to switch:
- Better rate available from a different supplier
- Moving to a time-of-use tariff after installing battery storage
- Current supplier has reduced their rate significantly
- Consolidating electricity supply and SEG with the same supplier for convenience
Modelling SEG in Customer Proposals
Customer proposals should show SEG earnings as a distinct line item, separate from self-consumption savings. The most common modelling mistake is applying a flat SEG rate regardless of tariff availability — for a customer who is installing battery storage and qualifies for Intelligent Octopus Export, this understates SEG earnings by a factor of two or three.
A well-constructed UK solar proposal should include:
- Annual export volume (kWh) — calculated from the design software simulation
- Assumed SEG tariff rate — with the specific tariff named and the rate quoted
- Annual SEG income (£) — volume × rate
- Note that rates may vary — especially for variable tariffs
- 10 and 25-year cumulative SEG income projection
Solar proposals built on UK-specific financial models that include SEG projections at the design stage give customers and sales teams accurate payback calculations before the installation quote is even presented.
Include Accurate SEG Projections in Every UK Proposal
SurgePV’s UK financial model includes SEG earnings, self-consumption savings, and export-limit scenarios — giving customers a complete picture of system payback before they sign.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SEG tariff in the UK in 2026?
As of April 2026, Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Export tariff (approximately 15p/kWh for qualifying smart periods) is the highest-rate SEG tariff available to compatible solar-and-battery systems. For systems without battery storage, E.ON Next’s fixed export rate of around 5.6p/kWh is among the best flat-rate options. Variable tariffs like Octopus Flux can outperform flat rates for households with flexible consumption and battery storage, but carry rate fluctuation risk.
Do I need a battery to access the best SEG tariffs?
For the highest-rate tariffs — specifically Octopus Intelligent Octopus Export and Octopus Flux — a compatible battery is required (Tesla Powerwall, GivEnergy, GivEnergy All-in-One, SolarEdge, or other Octopus-compatible models). Standard fixed-rate SEG tariffs from most suppliers do not require a battery. The battery compatibility requirement exists because these tariffs use smart charging and export scheduling to manage grid demand.
Can I switch SEG supplier independently of my electricity or gas supplier?
Yes. The SEG registration is separate from your electricity supply contract. You can switch your SEG supplier to any obligated supplier — you do not have to use the same company you buy electricity from. The new supplier will ask for your MCS certificate number and smart meter details. There is no penalty for switching SEG supplier.
Does export limiting by the DNO affect SEG earnings?
Yes. If your DNO requires export limiting as a condition of G99 acceptance — typically limiting export to a fixed kW value or zero export — this directly reduces the electricity you can sell through the SEG. A battery system can partially offset this by storing export-limited electricity for later self-consumption or controlled overnight export when the limit is lifted. Zero-export conditions effectively eliminate SEG income, making battery self-consumption the only financial return from the system.
How often do SEG tariff rates change?
Variable SEG tariffs (like Octopus Flux) change with wholesale electricity prices — sometimes daily or half-hourly. Fixed SEG tariffs are set by the supplier and can change with notice, typically when the supplier updates its tariff schedule. Obligated suppliers are legally required to offer a SEG tariff but are free to set their own rates above zero. This means rates can and do change — sometimes significantly. The rates on this page were current as of April 2026; check supplier websites for the latest rates before making financial projections.
This page is part of the UK Solar Compliance hub. For the MCS certification required to access the SEG, see the MCS certification guide. For the MCS vs non-MCS comparison and SEG access implications, see MCS vs non-MCS installations.
