Most solar owners are losing money every month — not because their panels aren't working, but because they're on a rock-bottom SEG rate, or they've never signed up to one at all. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for every unit of surplus solar electricity you send back to the grid, but in 2026 the gap between the best and worst rates is enormous: we're talking 3p/kWh at the bottom versus 15p or more at the top, on the same electricity, from the same panels.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The SEG is a UK government scheme that requires every licensed electricity supplier with more than 150,000 customers to offer solar owners a payment for electricity they export to the National Grid. It launched in January 2020, replacing the old Feed-in Tariff (FiT).
The key difference from FiT: the SEG only pays for what you export — there is no separate generation payment. And crucially, the government sets no minimum rate. Suppliers set their own figures, which creates real competition — but also means a lot of homeowners end up on poor-value tariffs without knowing better.
Signing up is not automatic. As the Energy Saving Trust confirms, payments don't happen unless you actively register with a supplier. If you installed solar and never applied, you have been exporting electricity for free.
Which supplier pays the most for solar export in 2026?
Rates shift regularly — suppliers can change them with 30 days' notice — so always confirm the current figure on a supplier's own website before signing up. That said, here is a clear picture of where the market sits in mid-2026.
- Highest bundled fixed rates (require you to import from the same supplier): E.ON Next Export Exclusive at around 16–17.5p/kWh and British Gas Export & Earn Plus at around 15p/kWh are currently among the top payers — but only if you take your electricity import from them too.
- Best supplier-agnostic fixed rate: Good Energy's Solar Savings Export tariff sits at around 15p/kWh and does not require you to switch your import supply. This makes it an attractive option for homeowners who want a clean, simple arrangement.
- Variable / time-of-use tariffs: Octopus Energy's Outgoing Agile and Flux tariffs track wholesale prices half-hourly, with peak rates that can reach 25–30p/kWh during high-demand periods. These need a compatible battery to capture peak-hour export windows — without one, most of your surplus leaves the roof during the middle of the day, when rates are lower.
- Bottom of the market: Several suppliers offer minimum-compliance tariffs in the 3–5p/kWh range. These are technically legal but offer poor value. If your supplier is in this bracket, you can switch your SEG provider without changing your electricity import supplier.
That last point is worth underlining: your SEG provider and your electricity supplier do not have to be the same company. You can import from one supplier and register your export with a completely different one — whichever pays the most.
How much could a 4kW system actually earn from SEG?
A typical 4kW solar panel system in the UK generates around 3,400 kWh per year on a south-facing roof at average UK irradiance. Without a battery, most households use roughly 50% of that generation directly in the home, with the remaining 50% — around 1,500–1,700 kWh — exported to the grid.
To put some numbers on what that export is worth at different SEG rates (these are worked examples, not guaranteed figures — your actual export will depend on your usage patterns, roof orientation, and location):
At a low rate of 4p/kWh, 1,600 kWh of annual export earns around £64 a year.
At a mid-market rate of 12p/kWh, the same export earns around £192 a year.
At a competitive rate of 15p/kWh, that rises to around £240 a year.
That's a difference of roughly £175 a year — just from choosing the right tariff. Over ten years, that's £1,750 in additional income from panels you've already paid for. The difference between the best and worst SEG tariff in the mainstream market is not trivial.
For more context on what a 4kW system costs and what the total savings picture looks like, see our guide to Solar Panels Cost UK 2026: What Homes Actually Pay.
What do you need to qualify for SEG?
Three things are required, and all three need to be in place before any supplier will accept your application.
1. An MCS-certified installation. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the recognised UK quality standard for small-scale renewable energy. According to Ofgem's eligibility rules, installations up to 50kW must be certified under MCS (or an equivalent scheme) to qualify for SEG payments. A DIY install, or one fitted by a non-certified installer, will not qualify — regardless of how good the panels are.
MCS certification is a "double-lock" standard: both the installer company and the products they fit must be certified. Your installer should hand you an MCS Installation Certificate on completion. You can verify any installer's status at mcscertified.com before you sign a contract.
2. A smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings. The SEG measures what you actually export, so a SMETS2 smart meter is required. If you don't have one, your SEG supplier can usually arrange installation when you sign up.
3. Active registration with an SEG supplier. You must apply — payments are not automatic. The process is usually done online and takes a few weeks to process from application to first payment.
How do I sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee?
The steps are straightforward. Compare current rates from the major suppliers — the spread between best and worst is wide enough to make this worth fifteen minutes of your time. Then apply directly to your chosen supplier online. You'll need your MCS Installation Certificate, your smart meter details, and proof of your system size and installation date.
One thing to check before you apply: some of the highest headline rates require you to be an import customer of the same supplier. If you're not willing to switch your electricity supply, filter for supplier-agnostic tariffs — Good Energy's fixed rate is currently one of the strongest in that category.
Once you're registered, payments arrive quarterly or monthly depending on the supplier, and you can switch SEG providers at any time if a better rate comes along — there is no lock-in.
When SEG isn't the whole story
It's worth being straight about one thing: SEG income is the smaller part of the solar financial case. The bigger saving comes from the electricity you don't export — solar you use directly in your home replaces grid electricity at the Ofgem price cap rate, currently around 26p/kWh. That's worth significantly more per unit than even the best SEG export rate.
This is why self-consumption matters: running the dishwasher or washing machine during the day, when your panels are generating, is more financially valuable than exporting that electricity for 15p and buying it back later at 26p. A battery can shift unused daytime generation to the evening, boosting self-consumption further — but whether that stacks up financially depends on the cost of the battery and your specific usage. Our guides cover the battery question in more detail.
If your roof faces north, is heavily shaded, or your panels are in poor condition, SEG income will be lower than the worked examples above. The SEG is a genuine income stream, but it doesn't rescue a poorly sited or poorly installed system.
The MCS rule is the one you can't skip
Every article about SEG rates is really, at heart, an argument for getting the installation right in the first place. A non-MCS install doesn't just lose you the SEG — it loses you 0% VAT on the system, eligibility for schemes like ECO4, manufacturer warranty protection, and potentially your home insurer's goodwill. Over the lifetime of a system, losing SEG payments alone can be a substantial sum.
All the installers FairSolar connects homeowners with are MCS-certified. That's a baseline, not a selling point — it's simply what a properly done solar installation looks like.
If you're thinking about solar and want to understand what a system would earn — and what it would cost — getting a few quotes is the only way to get numbers that actually reflect your roof, your usage, and your area. FairSolar connects you with vetted, MCS-certified local installers for free, with no obligation to go ahead. Get free quotes here and see what your home could earn.
Frequently asked questions
Which energy supplier pays the most for solar export in 2026?
It depends on your circumstances. Among tariffs that don't require you to switch your electricity import, Good Energy's fixed rate (around 15p/kWh) is currently one of the strongest. Bundled tariffs from E.ON Next and British Gas offer higher headline rates but only if you take your import supply from the same supplier. Variable tariffs like Octopus Outgoing Agile can pay more at peak times but work best with a battery. Always check current rates on the supplier's own website before applying, as rates can change with 30 days' notice.
How much can I earn from SEG with a 4kW system?
A typical 4kW system generates around 3,400 kWh a year in the UK. Without a battery, roughly half of that — around 1,500–1,700 kWh — is likely to be exported. At a competitive fixed rate of 15p/kWh, that works out to around £225–£255 a year from SEG income alone. At a low rate of 4p/kWh, the same export earns around £60–£68. Your actual figure will vary with your roof orientation, location, and how much solar you use directly in the home.
Do I have to use the same supplier for SEG as for my electricity?
No. You can register your solar export with a completely different supplier from the one that supplies your household electricity. This means you can stay on your current import tariff and independently shop for the best SEG rate on the market — the two are entirely separate.
What do I need to qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee?
You need three things: an MCS-certified solar installation, a smart meter capable of measuring half-hourly exports, and an active application with an SEG supplier (payments aren't automatic). Your installer should provide your MCS Installation Certificate on completion — you'll need this when you apply. If you don't have a compatible smart meter, your chosen SEG supplier can usually arrange one.
Can I switch SEG suppliers if I find a better rate?
Yes. There is no lock-in period for SEG tariffs. You can switch to a different SEG provider at any time if a better rate becomes available, without affecting your electricity import contract. It's worth reviewing the market every year or so, as rates move and new tariffs appear.