Smart Export Guarantee: Earn from Your Solar Panels
The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for every kilowatt-hour of surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. D&R Energy's MCS-certified installations qualify automatically, and we help you secure the best available tariff.
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What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government-mandated scheme introduced in January 2020. It requires all licensed electricity suppliers with more than 150,000 domestic customers to offer a tariff that pays small-scale generators for surplus renewable electricity exported to the national grid. For solar panel owners, this means every kilowatt-hour of electricity your panels generate that you do not use in your home is exported to the grid and you receive a payment for it.
The SEG replaced the old Feed-in Tariff (FIT), which closed to new applicants in March 2019. While the FIT offered generous fixed-rate payments guaranteed for 20 years, the SEG operates differently. Energy suppliers set their own tariff rates and terms, which means rates vary between providers and can change over time. This creates an opportunity for savvy homeowners to shop around for the best deal and switch SEG providers when better rates become available.
There is one critical requirement for SEG eligibility: your solar PV system must be installed by an MCS-certified installer. This is a legal requirement, and systems installed by non-MCS companies cannot register for the SEG. D&R Energy is fully MCS certified, and we register every installation on the MCS database as part of our standard service. We also help you sign up for the best available SEG tariff at the time of your installation.
How SEG Tariffs Work
SEG tariffs fall into two broad categories: fixed-rate tariffs and variable (or flexible) tariffs. Understanding the difference is important because the type of tariff you choose can significantly affect your annual export earnings.
Fixed-rate SEG tariffs pay a set price per kWh for every unit of electricity you export, regardless of the time of day or the wholesale market price. These tariffs offer predictable income and are straightforward to understand. Typical fixed SEG rates in 2026 range from 3p to 15p per kWh, with the best rates often requiring you to be on a specific electricity import tariff from the same supplier.
Variable or agile SEG tariffs link the export payment to the wholesale electricity price, which changes every half hour based on market supply and demand. When demand is high and wholesale prices spike, you can earn significantly more per kWh exported. Conversely, during periods of low demand, the rate may be lower. Variable tariffs tend to reward homeowners who have battery storage, because a battery allows you to choose when to export, selling electricity back to the grid during the most expensive periods rather than exporting automatically during the middle of the day when wholesale prices are often lower.
Fixed-Rate SEG Tariffs
- Predictable, stable income per kWh exported
- Typical rates: 3p-15p per kWh in 2026
- Simple to understand with no market tracking required
- Best for solar-only systems without battery storage
- Payments are consistent regardless of time of day
Variable/Agile SEG Tariffs
- Rates linked to half-hourly wholesale electricity prices
- Potential for higher earnings during peak demand periods
- Best combined with battery storage for export timing control
- Rates can exceed 30p+ per kWh during price spikes
- Requires smart meter for half-hourly export data
Maximising Your SEG Earnings with Battery Storage
Battery storage fundamentally changes the economics of the Smart Export Guarantee. Without a battery, your solar panels export electricity to the grid automatically whenever they generate more than your home is consuming at that moment. This typically happens during the middle of the day when your panels are producing the most power but your home demand is at its lowest, particularly if no one is home during working hours. Unfortunately, the middle of the day is also when wholesale electricity prices tend to be lowest because every other solar installation in the country is exporting at the same time.
With a battery, you gain control over when you export. Instead of automatically sending surplus electricity to the grid at midday prices, your battery stores that energy. You can then choose to export it during the evening peak period (typically 4pm to 7pm) when wholesale prices are significantly higher. On variable SEG tariffs, this timing difference can mean the difference between earning 5p per kWh at midday and 15-30p+ per kWh during the evening peak.
Both the GivEnergy and Tesla Powerwall battery systems that D&R Energy installs support scheduled export functionality. The GivEnergy app allows you to set discharge schedules that prioritise self-consumption and then export to the grid during the most profitable time windows. The Tesla Powerwall offers similar functionality through the Tesla app. Our team configures these settings as part of your installation and shows you how to adjust them to match your energy usage patterns and the SEG tariff you have chosen.
For a typical 4.5kWp solar system with a 5.12kWh battery in Bristol or Somerset, annual SEG earnings can range from £100 to £400+ depending on your tariff type, export volume, and timing strategy. When combined with the primary benefit of solar panels, which is reducing your import electricity costs by 60-95%, the total financial return makes solar plus battery one of the best investments available to UK homeowners.
SEG Requirements: What You Need
MCS-Certified Installation
Your solar PV system must be installed by an MCS-certified company. D&R Energy is fully MCS certified, and every system we install is registered on the MCS Installation Database. This is a legal requirement for SEG eligibility.
Smart Meter
You need a SMETS2 smart meter that can record half-hourly export data. If you do not yet have a smart meter, your energy supplier must provide one free of charge. Some SEG tariffs will work with first-generation SMETS1 meters, but SMETS2 is recommended.
Up to 5MW Capacity
The SEG covers installations up to 5MW in capacity, which is far above any domestic system. All residential solar installations from D&R Energy, ranging from 3.6kW to 7kW, are well within this limit.
DNO Notification
Your Distribution Network Operator must be notified of your solar installation. D&R Energy handles this G98/G99 notification as part of our standard installation service at no additional cost.
Best SEG Tariff Rates (April 2026)
SEG rates are set by individual suppliers and change regularly. The table below shows the best available rates as of April 2026. Always check the supplier's current offer before switching, as rates update frequently.
| Supplier | Tariff name | Export rate | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Agile Export | Variable (avg ~15p) | Agile | Best for battery owners — export timing control |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Fixed | 15p/kWh | Fixed | Must be on Octopus import tariff |
| E.ON Next | E.ON SEG | 15p/kWh | Fixed | Competitive flat rate, no import restriction |
| Octopus Energy | Flux Export | ~24p (16:00–19:00) | Time-of-use | Best with GivEnergy Flux integration |
| EDF | EDF SEG | 12p/kWh | Fixed | Available to non-EDF customers |
| British Gas | Solar Export | 5.5p/kWh | Fixed | Lower rate — consider switching |
Rates correct as of April 2026 — verify current rates with each supplier before applying. You can switch SEG provider at any time without penalty. Full SEG rate comparison guide →
How D&R Energy Helps You Get the Best SEG Deal
When you choose D&R Energy for your solar panel installation in Bristol, Somerset, or the wider South West, SEG registration and advice are included as part of our standard service. We do not simply install your panels and leave you to figure out the SEG on your own. Our team actively helps you navigate the SEG landscape and secure the best available tariff for your situation.
After your installation is complete and registered with MCS, we advise you on which SEG tariffs are currently offering the best rates. We explain the pros and cons of fixed versus variable tariffs based on your system size, whether you have battery storage, and your typical energy consumption patterns. We then help you set up your SEG account with your chosen supplier and ensure your smart meter is properly configured to record export data.
Remember, you are not locked into one SEG tariff forever. You can switch between SEG providers at any time, just as you can switch your electricity supply tariff. We recommend reviewing your SEG tariff annually to ensure you are always getting the best available rate. If you have any questions about your SEG payments or want advice on switching to a better tariff, our team is always available to help. Call us on 0800 772 0758 for friendly, expert advice.
SEG-Eligible Solar Installation Areas
Every solar installation by D&R Energy across Bristol, North Somerset, and the wider South West is MCS certified and SEG eligible. Explore our local service areas below.
