Export rates

The Smart Export Guarantee, rate by rate

What every UK supplier pays for exported solar, whether the rate is tied to taking your import from them, whether it is still open to new customers, and the date each row was last checked.

Most recently reviewed 2026-09-02 3 of 8 pages written

What each supplier pays for exported solar

SupplierTariffRate TypeTied to import? Open to new?Battery needed? Last verified
Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive
Fixed for 12 months. Requires solar panels and a battery installed by Good Energy, plus Good Energy import supply.
25p Flat Tied Open Yes 2026-09-01
EDF Export Exclusive 12m V3
Fixed for 12 months. For eligible residential customers buying a new solar or battery system through EDF/Contact Solar after 2 March 2026; EDF import supply required.
18p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
Octopus Energy Prime Outgoing
Pays 16p/kWh from 4pm to 7pm and 9p/kWh at other times. Designed for compatible battery customers; check current eligibility before switching.
9p
peak 16p
Time of use Tied Open Yes 2026-09-01
ScottishPower SmartGen Premium Plus
Requires ScottishPower import supply and an eligible solar or battery installation bought through ScottishPower.
15p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
E.ON Next Next Export Exclusive v3
Fixed for 12 months. Requires an eligible E.ON Next import tariff; time-of-use import tariffs are excluded. Residential systems up to 15kW.
13p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
EDF Export 12m V2
Fixed for 12 months for eligible existing EDF residential electricity customers.
13p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
Octopus Energy Outgoing Octopus
Flat variable export rate for Octopus import customers.
12p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
British Gas Export Premium
Variable. Requires British Gas electricity supply; published for systems up to 15kW.
12p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
Good Energy Solar Savings
Variable. Requires Good Energy electricity supply.
12p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
ScottishPower SmartGen Premium
Requires ScottishPower import supply.
12p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
E.ON Next Next Flex Export
Variable export tariff. E.ON Next import supply is not required.
6p Flat Untied Open No 2026-09-01
ScottishPower SmartGen
Available without moving import supply to ScottishPower.
6p Flat Untied Open No 2026-09-01
EDF SEG Export Variable Value
Variable rate for eligible existing EDF electricity customers.
5.6p Flat Tied Open No 2026-09-01
Octopus Energy SEG tariff
Standalone SEG option for eligible generators whose import supply is with another supplier.
4.1p Flat Untied Open No 2026-09-01
British Gas Export SEG
Variable standalone export tariff for customers whose import supply is elsewhere.
3p Flat Untied Open No 2026-09-01
EDF SEG Export Variable
Variable standalone tariff; EDF import supply is not required.
3p Flat Untied Open No 2026-09-01

Every row is re-read from the supplier’s own tariff page monthly. Compare the untied column before the rate: a higher tied export rate can still lose once the import tariff is counted.

Why every site gives you a different "best rate"

They are not lying to you. They are collapsing four separate variables into one headline number, and the four move independently:

  • Tied or untied. A tied tariff pays well for export but requires you to buy your import electricity from the same supplier. If their import rate is uncompetitive, a high export rate can leave you worse off overall.
  • Flat or time-of-use. Peak rates of 25–32p per unit apply for a few hours in the evening. Solar exports at midday. Without a battery to shift it, the peak rate is a number you will rarely be paid.
  • Open or closed. Several of the most-quoted tariffs closed to new sign-ups in March 2026 and are still headlined as available on pages that have not been touched since.
  • Battery required or not. Some of the best rates assume storage, which is a £4,000–£8,000 precondition rarely mentioned next to the rate.

The table above separates all four, and stamps each row with the date it was last read from the supplier's own tariff page rather than from a comparison site.

Applying and switching

How to get on a tariff, and how to move once you are on a bad one.

Common questions

What is the best SEG rate right now?
There is no single best rate. Some tariffs require import supply from the same company, while others pay more only during set hours. Compare the import condition, time window and total annual bill.
Do I have to take my export tariff from my electricity supplier?
No. Import and export can be with different suppliers. Compare standalone export tariffs with any higher rate offered by your import supplier.
Do I need a smart meter?
Yes, in practice. SEG payments use export meter readings, normally from a smart meter in smart mode. Solar PV up to 50kW also needs an MCS certificate or equivalent.
Does the Smart Export Guarantee apply in Northern Ireland?
No. SEG is a Great Britain scheme. Northern Ireland has a different regulator and a different network operator, and most UK solar guides silently mean GB when they say UK.

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