The short answer: the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) makes energy suppliers pay you for solar electricity you send to the grid. Rates run from about 2p to more than 30p per kWh, so the tariff you choose can be worth hundreds of pounds a year.
What the right tariff is worth
A typical 4 kW system generating 3,400 kWh a year exports about 2,800 kWh if the household is out during the day, based on the MCS standard method.
| Export rate | Yearly export income |
|---|---|
| 3p per kWh | £84 |
| 15p per kWh | £421 |
| 25p per kWh | £702 |
How the rates compare
| Tariff type | Typical rate | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Basic SEG tariffs | 2p to 5p | None, but poor value |
| Good fixed tariffs open to most homes | Around 15p to 16p | Check the contract length |
| Top flat rates | Around 24p to 25p | Usually require you to buy your electricity from the same supplier |
| Variable and battery-linked tariffs | Up to 30p or more at peak times | Need a battery or specific equipment |
Rates change often, so treat these bands as a guide.
For current rates, check each supplier's own export tariff page before you apply.
Who qualifies
- Your installation and installer must be certified through MCS or a scheme accredited as equivalent, such as Flexi-Orb.
- You need a meter that can provide half-hourly export readings, which is typically a smart meter.
- You do not have to use the same supplier for exporting as you do for buying electricity, although the best rates often require it.
Suppliers with at least 150,000 domestic electricity customers must offer at least one export tariff, and the rate must always be above zero.
How to apply
- Get your MCS certificate from your installer.
- Make sure your installer has registered the system with your network operator.
- Have a smart meter fitted if you do not have one.
- Compare tariffs and apply to your chosen supplier with your certificate and meter details.
Is a higher import price worth a higher export rate?
Not always. If a supplier pays 25p for exports but charges more for the electricity you buy, work out both sides. As a rule, the more you export, the more a high export rate is worth.
See how the export rate changes payback in are solar panels worth it.
Sources
Correct at the time of publication, 12 November 2026.
- GOV.UK, Smart Export Guarantee: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smart-export-guarantee-seg-earn-money-for-exporting-the-renewable-electricity-you-have-generated
- Ofgem, Smart Export Guarantee for electricity suppliers: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/smart-export-guarantee-seg/electricity-suppliers
- Which?, Smart Export Guarantee explained: https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/solar-panels/article/smart-export-guarantee-explained-at2wh8b519s2
- MCS 032, Solar PV Self-Consumption, 2025: https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/MCS-032-2025-V1.0.pdf
- Rate bands are drawn from published tariff comparisons and change often. Income figures are our own calculations.