What smart meter do I need for the SEG?

You need a SMETS2 smart meter — the second-generation smart meter standard. SMETS1 meters (installed before 2019) may not record export data accurately, and some SEG suppliers require SMETS2 specifically. If you have an older meter or no smart meter, contact your electricity supplier to arrange a free SMETS2 upgrade. SEG payments cannot begin until export data is being recorded.

Is SEG better than the old Feed-in Tariff?

For grandfathered FiT customers, FiT is generally better — it pays for all generation (not just export) and typically at rates of 10–15p/kWh generation plus an additional export payment. If you're still on FiT, do not switch to SEG. For new solar installations (from January 2020), SEG is the available scheme — there is no comparison to make, as FiT is closed to new applicants.

Does adding a battery reduce my SEG income?

Yes — a battery increases self-consumption (using more solar generation at home) which reduces the amount you export. Less export means less SEG income. However, the financial benefit of avoiding imports (saving 28p/kWh) is greater than the SEG income lost (10–15p/kWh), so adding a battery increases total financial returns even though it reduces SEG payments specifically.

Best SEG Tariffs UK for 2026 - Which Supplier Pays Most for Solar?

The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for every unit of surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. With the right tariff, that means 10 to 15 pence per kWh, adding £100 to £300 per year to a typical 4kWp system’s earnings. With the wrong tariff, or no tariff at all, that surplus generation earns you nothing.

SEG rates vary widely between energy suppliers, and the best deals change regularly. Unlike the old Feed-in Tariff, the SEG is not a government-set rate. Suppliers compete on price, and you can switch your SEG supplier completely independently of who supplies your import electricity.

This guide compares all the major UK SEG tariffs available in 2026, explains what affects your export income, and shows you exactly how to switch to a better rate.

Key Takeaways

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires large UK energy suppliers to pay you for solar electricity you export to the grid, rates currently range from 5p to 15p per kWh.
Octopus Energy offers the highest SEG rates in 2026, with their Outgoing Octopus tariff paying up to 15p/kWh (flexible, market-linked).
You don’t have to use the same supplier for import and export, you can choose your SEG supplier independently.
To receive SEG payments, you need an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter capable of recording export.
A typical 4kWp system without battery exports approximately 1,500–2,000 kWh per year, earning £150–£300 annually at current rates.

What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government scheme requiring energy suppliers with 150,000 or more domestic customers to offer a tariff paying solar panel owners for the electricity they export to the grid. It launched in January 2020 as the successor to the Feed-in Tariff (which closed to new applicants in March 2019).

Unlike the Feed-in Tariff, which paid a fixed government-set rate, the SEG rate is set by each supplier. Competition between suppliers means rates vary, and, importantly, you can shop around and switch your SEG to a better payer without affecting your electricity import tariff.

Best SEG Tariffs in the UK (2026)

Supplier	SEG Rate	Tariff Type	Notes
Octopus Energy, Outgoing Octopus	Up to 15p/kWh	Flexible (market-linked)	Rates vary with wholesale market. Best performer historically.
Octopus Energy, Outgoing Fixed	~7.5p/kWh	Fixed	Stable alternative if market rates fall.
OVO Energy	12p/kWh	Fixed	Consistently strong fixed rate. Good if you want certainty.
Scottish Power	8p/kWh	Fixed	Solid mid-tier rate. ScottishPower customer service well-regarded.
E.ON Next	7.5p/kWh	Fixed	Standard rate from major supplier.
British Gas	7.5p/kWh	Fixed	Standard rate. Convenient if already a BG customer.
EDF Energy	6.5p/kWh	Fixed	Below average, worth switching away if with EDF for SEG.
Utilita	5p/kWh	Fixed	Minimum qualifying rate, switch to better option.

Rates as of April 2026. SEG rates change periodically, always check directly with your chosen supplier before switching.

How Much Can You Earn From the SEG?

Your SEG income depends on how much you export. Export volume is the generation your panels produce minus what you consume directly in your home.

Estimated Annual SEG Income by System Size

System Size	Annual Generation	Export (no battery, ~50% self-consume)	SEG Income at 10p
3kWp	2,550 kWh	1,275 kWh	£127
4kWp	3,400 kWh	1,700 kWh	£170
5kWp	4,250 kWh	2,125 kWh	£213
6kWp	5,100 kWh	2,550 kWh	£255

At Octopus’s top flexible rate of 15p/kWh, those figures increase by 50%. A 4kWp system without battery at 15p SEG earns approximately £255 per year in export income.

How to Sign Up for a SEG Tariff

The process is straightforward:

1. Confirm you have an MCS certificate. Your solar installation must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. If you installed solar before 2020 and are still on the old Feed-in Tariff, you cannot also claim SEG.

2. Get a smart meter installed (if not already done). Your meter must be capable of recording export readings. SMETS2 smart meters can record both import and export.

3. Choose your SEG supplier. Compare current rates. You don’t need to import electricity from the same supplier.

4. Apply to your chosen SEG supplier. Most suppliers have an online application. You’ll typically need your MCS certificate, inverter details, and smart meter details.

5. Receive payments. Most SEG suppliers pay quarterly or monthly via BACS transfer or account credit.

Flexible vs Fixed SEG Rates: Which Is Better?

Fixed SEG rates (like OVO’s 12p/kWh) give you certainty. Whatever you export earns the same rate regardless of when you export. Good for planning and budgeting.

Flexible/market-linked SEG rates (like Octopus’s Outgoing Octopus) vary with wholesale electricity prices. In periods of high demand, rates can spike significantly above 15p. In low-demand periods, they may fall below the fixed rate alternatives.

For most solar panel owners, the flexible rate from Octopus has historically outperformed fixed alternatives.

Can I Switch My SEG Supplier?

Yes. You can switch your SEG supplier at any time, independently of your electricity import supplier. The switching process is similar to switching energy suppliers, contact the new SEG provider, and they handle the administrative switch.

There’s usually a short gap in payments during the switch period. It’s worth switching if your current SEG rate is significantly below the best available, even a 5p/kWh improvement on 1,500 kWh of annual exports is worth £75 per year.

Case Study: A Homeowner in Birmingham Switches SEG Suppliers

Background

A homeowner in Edgbaston, Birmingham, had installed a 4kWp solar system in 2021 and was receiving SEG payments from their existing supplier (British Gas) at 5.5p/kWh.

Project Overview

After reviewing comparison data, they identified that Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Octopus tariff was paying approximately 13–15p/kWh. Their annual export was approximately 1,600 kWh.

Implementation

Switching took approximately three weeks. There was a gap of approximately six weeks in payments, which Octopus back-paid.

Results

On the new Octopus flexible tariff, the homeowner’s annual SEG income rose from approximately £88 per year to approximately £208 per year. Annual increase: £120. Time to complete the switch: 30 minutes of admin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best SEG tariff in the UK in 2026?

Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Octopus tariff currently offers the highest SEG rates in the UK, paying up to 15p/kWh on a flexible (market-linked) rate. OVO Energy offers 12p/kWh on a fixed rate. For predictability, OVO’s fixed 12p is strong. For maximum average return, Octopus’s flexible tariff has historically outperformed all fixed alternatives.

How do I get SEG payments for my solar panels?

To receive SEG payments, you need an MCS-certified solar installation, a SMETS2 smart meter capable of recording export, and an application to a SEG-licensed supplier. Most major UK energy suppliers now offer SEG tariffs. The application process is online and takes 10–30 minutes. Payments typically start within 1–3 months.

Do I have to export to my electricity supplier for SEG?

No. You can choose a different supplier for your SEG export payments than the one you buy electricity from. This allows you to choose the best SEG rate independently of your import tariff. Many solar panel owners import from one supplier and export to another.

How much can I earn from SEG per year?

A typical 4kWp solar system without battery exports approximately 1,500–2,000 kWh per year. At 10p/kWh SEG rate, that’s £150–£200 per year. At Octopus’s current 15p rate, it’s £225–£300 per year. With a battery (higher self-consumption, less export), annual SEG income is lower, typically £100–£150.

Can I switch my SEG supplier?

Yes. You can switch SEG suppliers at any time, just as you would switch energy suppliers. The process is handled between the two suppliers with minimal effort on your part, typically 2–4 weeks to complete. If your current SEG rate is significantly below the best available rate, switching is worth doing.

Summing Up

The Smart Export Guarantee is free money for solar panel owners, but only if you’re on the best available rate. The difference between the highest and lowest SEG payers amounts to hundreds of pounds per year. In 2026, Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Octopus (flexible, up to 15p/kWh) and OVO Energy’s fixed 12p/kWh are the standout options.

Switching takes 30 minutes of admin and can be done at any time, independently of your electricity import supplier. If you haven’t reviewed your SEG tariff in the past 12 months, it’s worth doing now.

If you’re installing solar panels for the first time and want to understand the full financial picture including SEG income, our MCS-certified team can walk you through expected returns.

Updated April 2026