Selling Solar Energy Back to the Grid UK

Yes, you can sell solar energy back to the grid in the UK, and thousands of homeowners do it every day. The scheme that makes it possible is called the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which requires energy suppliers to pay you for every unit of surplus electricity your solar panels export to the grid. How much you earn depends on which supplier you choose and what export tariff they offer, but the financial benefit is real and worth optimising.

This guide explains exactly how selling solar energy back to the grid works in 2026, which tariffs pay the most, how to sign up, and how smart battery systems can significantly boost your export income.

Key Takeaways

• The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the UK scheme that pays you for solar electricity exported to the grid. All suppliers with 150,000+ customers must offer at least one SEG tariff.
• SEG rates range from around 10p to 15p/kWh on fixed tariffs, with Octopus Flux offering up to 28.60p/kWh during peak hours (4pm–7pm).
• You need an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter that can measure half-hourly exports to qualify for SEG payments.
• A 4kWp system exporting around 1,700 kWh per year earns £170–£255/year on fixed SEG rates, rising to £400–£500/year with a battery and a peak-hour export tariff.
• You do not need to be with the same supplier for your import and export tariffs — you can shop around for the best SEG rate separately.

What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the old Feed-in Tariff export payments when the FiT scheme closed to new applicants in 2019. Unlike the FiT, there is no fixed government rate — each supplier sets its own export price, and rates change over time. But the legal obligation remains: any supplier serving 150,000 or more domestic customers must offer at least one SEG tariff with a rate above zero.

SEG payments are calculated based on the actual electricity you export, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your smart meter records how much you send to the grid at each half-hour interval, and your supplier pays you at the agreed rate. Payments are typically made quarterly or monthly, depending on your supplier.

To be eligible for SEG payments, your installation must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or an equivalent standard. This applies to the panels themselves and the installer. Any reputable UK solar installer will be MCS-certified, so if your system was installed professionally, you almost certainly qualify. You can check installer certification at the MCS website.

Which Energy Suppliers Pay for Solar Exports?

All major UK energy suppliers are legally required to offer SEG tariffs. Here is a summary of what the main suppliers were paying in 2026:

Rates change regularly. Always check directly with suppliers for current figures before switching.

For a full comparison of current rates and how to switch to the best available tariff, see our guide to the best SEG tariffs in the UK.

How Much Can You Earn Selling Solar Back to the Grid?

How much you earn depends on three things: how much your panels generate, how much you use yourself (your self-consumption rate), and which export tariff you are on. The table below shows estimated annual SEG income for different system sizes, assuming 50% of generation is exported:

The 28p/kWh column assumes all exports are timed to the Octopus Flux peak window using battery storage — not all exported units would achieve this rate in practice without a battery.

In practice, households that use more electricity during the day (running appliances, charging an EV) export less than 50%, which reduces SEG income but increases bill savings. Households where nobody is home during the day typically export 60–70%, earning more from SEG but saving less on their bill. The total benefit is similar — it simply arrives via a different channel.

How to Sign Up to Sell Solar Back to the Grid

The process is straightforward. Here is what you need to do:

First, make sure you have a smart meter. Your supplier needs a meter that records half-hourly export data — older generation (SMETS1) meters can sometimes do this, but SMETS2 smart meters are the standard. If you do not have a smart meter, contact your electricity supplier to request one. They are provided free of charge.

Second, gather your MCS certificate. This is the document your installer provided after commissioning the system. It confirms your installation meets the required standard for SEG eligibility. Keep this safe — you will need to share it when you apply.

Third, apply to your chosen supplier. You do not have to use your current electricity supplier for SEG payments. You can compare rates and apply to any eligible supplier directly. Most have an online application form. You will typically need your MCS certificate number, installation details (system size, panel type, inverter), and meter serial number.

Fourth, once approved, your supplier will begin measuring your exports at each half-hourly interval and paying you quarterly or monthly. Check your statements to ensure the payments are coming through correctly.

Maximising Your Export Income: Smart Tariffs and Battery Storage

Standard fixed SEG tariffs pay the same rate regardless of when you export. But time-of-use export tariffs, like Octopus Flux, pay much more for electricity exported during peak demand hours and less during off-peak periods. The Flux tariff pays 28.60p/kWh between 4pm and 7pm, when grid demand is highest.

Without a battery, you cannot control when your exports happen — panels send surplus energy to the grid whenever they generate more than you are using, which is mostly during midday when the peak rate does not apply. But with a battery, you can store solar generation during the day and then export it during the 4pm–7pm window for maximum income. On the same tariff, you also charge the battery overnight at 9.80p/kWh, reducing what you pay for evening electricity.

The combined effect of Octopus Flux (or a similar smart tariff) and a 10kWh battery typically adds £350–£450/year in income on top of standard bill savings — or around £30–£37 per month. This makes battery storage financially compelling even beyond the self-consumption benefit it provides on its own.

Do You Need a Smart Meter to Sell Solar Back to the Grid?

Yes. All SEG tariffs require a smart meter to measure your half-hourly exports accurately. A standard credit meter cannot do this — it only records total energy flow, not the direction or timing. If you currently have a standard meter, your supplier will need to upgrade it before your SEG payments can begin.

Smart meter installation is free and typically takes around an hour. Most suppliers can arrange this within a few weeks of your application. Some suppliers may require a SMETS2 meter specifically, so check with your chosen provider when applying.

Case Study: A Homeowner in Surrey Switches to a Better Export Tariff

Background

A homeowner in Guildford, Surrey, had a 4.5kWp solar system installed in 2022. The system was working well, but they were on their electricity supplier’s default SEG tariff paying 8p/kWh for exports. Their annual SEG income was around £140.

What They Did

After reading about better export rates, they applied to Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Octopus fixed tariff at 15p/kWh. The application took about 15 minutes online and required their MCS certificate number and meter details. Octopus approved the switch within a week.

Results

Their annual SEG income rose from £140 to approximately £255 — an increase of £115/year for less than an hour’s administrative effort. The following year, they added a 9.5kWh battery and switched to Octopus Flux. Combined export income and smart tariff savings added a further £380/year on top of their existing bill savings, bringing their total annual financial benefit from the solar installation to over £1,100/year.

Expert Insights From Our Solar Panel Installers About Selling Solar Back to the Grid

One of our senior solar panel installers with over 14 years of experience across the South East says: “One of the most common things we see is people who have had solar for a few years and are still on whatever SEG tariff their supplier signed them up to at the beginning. Often that is 8p or 10p/kWh when they could be on 15p by just making a phone call or filling in a form online. And if they have a battery, the case for switching to Octopus Flux is even more compelling — we see clients adding £300–£400 a year in pure export income once they optimise the tariff alongside the battery. It takes very little effort and the payoff is immediate.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Summing Up

Selling solar energy back to the grid in the UK is straightforward, well-established, and financially worthwhile. The Smart Export Guarantee ensures you are paid for every unit of surplus electricity you export, with fixed rates currently ranging from 10p to 15p/kWh from major suppliers. Switching to the best available SEG tariff is one of the easiest financial optimisations any solar homeowner can make — it takes minimal effort and delivers immediate benefit. If you have or plan to add a battery, a time-of-use export tariff like Octopus Flux can push your annual export income considerably higher still.

Updated April 2026