Smart Export Guarantee rates 2026
Every SEG tariff compared for October 2026 — what each supplier pays per kWh, the conditions attached, and how to maximise your export income.
The short version: SEG rates range from 2p to 25p per kWh, but the headline rate isn't the whole story. The best rates require you to be a customer for import electricity too. The top no-switch rate is ScottishPower SmartGen at 6p/kWh. For most people, the biggest win isn't the export rate — it's using more of your solar yourself.
All SEG rates compared — October 2026
Rates change frequently. This table was last verified in October 2026. Tariffs are listed highest rate first.
| Supplier & tariff | Rate | Fixed? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive | 25p | Variable | Must be GE electricity customer |
| EDF Export Exclusive 12m | 18p | 12-month fix | Must be EDF customer |
| E.ON Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p | Variable | Installed after specific date + supply conditions |
| ScottishPower SmartGen Premium Plus | 15p | Variable | SP customer + installation conditions |
| EDF Export 12m | 13p | 12-month fix | Must be EDF customer |
| Octopus Outgoing | 12p | Variable | Must be Octopus customer |
| British Gas Export & Earn Plus | 12p | Variable | Must be BG customer |
| Good Energy Solar Savings | 12p | Variable | Must be GE customer |
| ScottishPower SmartGen Premium | 12p | Variable | Must be SP customer |
| ScottishPower SmartGen | 6p | Variable | No switch required ★ |
| Pozitive Energy SEG | 5p | Variable | No switch required |
| So Energy SEG | ~4.5p | Variable | No switch required |
| Octopus SEG | 4.1p | Variable | No switch required |
| British Gas Flex SEG | ~3p | Variable | No switch required |
| EDF Variable SEG | ~3p | Variable | No switch required |
| Utilita SEG | 3p | Variable | No switch required |
| UW (Utility Warehouse) SEG | ~2p | Variable | No switch required |
★ Best rate without switching supplier. All rates are per kWh exported. "Variable" means the supplier can change the rate with notice. Fixed tariffs lock the rate for the stated period. Rates verified October 2026 — check supplier websites for latest.
How much you'll actually earn
What you export depends on your system size, how much you use directly, and whether you have a battery:
| Scenario | Annual export | At 6p (no switch) | At 12p (customer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4kW, no battery, average use | ~2,000 kWh | £120/yr | £240/yr |
| 4kW, with battery | ~800 kWh | £48/yr | £96/yr |
| 6kW, no battery, daytime away | ~3,500 kWh | £210/yr | £420/yr |
Notice the pattern: a battery dramatically reduces your exports, so the SEG rate matters less. Without a battery, you export most of your daytime generation and the rate makes a real difference. The question becomes: is it more valuable to add a battery (use the solar yourself at ~24.5p/kWh) or export at a premium rate? For most households, self-consumption beats even the best export rate.
How to choose a SEG tariff
The right SEG tariff depends on your situation:
If you don't want to switch supplier
Sign up for ScottishPower SmartGen at 6p/kWh — it's the best standalone rate and has no switching requirement. You can stay with your current supplier for import electricity and just register with ScottishPower for export. Alternatively, Pozitive Energy (5p) and So Energy (~4.5p) also accept non-customers.
If you're happy to switch
Compare the total deal — import tariff plus export rate. A supplier offering 15p/kWh export but charging above Ofgem cap rates for import may leave you worse off overall. Check whether:
- The import tariff is competitive with Ofgem cap rates
- The export rate is fixed or variable (and what notice period for changes)
- There's an exit fee if you leave
- Any installation date requirements apply (some premium rates only apply to systems installed after a certain date)
If you have a battery
Your exports are low, so the SEG rate matters less. Focus on import tariffs instead — a time-of-use tariff like Octopus Go or Cosy lets you charge the battery cheaply overnight. See our Octopus tariff comparison.
If you have a large system (5kW+) and no battery
You export a lot, so the rate difference adds up. The 12–18p customer-only rates are worth switching for — at 3,500 kWh/year export, moving from 4p to 15p earns an extra £385/year. That easily justifies the hassle of switching supplier.
What you need to get SEG payments
- MCS-certified installation — your installer must be MCS-certified and the system must be registered. This is standard for any professional installation.
- Smart meter — must be able to record half-hourly export data. If you don't have a smart meter, your supplier will install one free. SMETS2 meters are preferred.
- System up to 5MW — domestic systems are well within this. Solar PV, wind, micro-CHP, hydro, and anaerobic digestion all qualify.
- Registration — you sign up with your chosen SEG licensee online. Processing takes 1–4 weeks.
You can register with any SEG licensee — it doesn't have to be your electricity supplier. To get the premium customer-only rates, you'd need to switch your import supply to that provider.
SEG vs the old Feed-in Tariff
If you installed solar before 31 March 2019, you may be on the old Feed-in Tariff (FiT), which typically pays much more than SEG rates — often 15–55p/kWh for generation plus an export payment. The FiT runs for 20 or 25 years from your installation date. Do not switch from FiT to SEG — you cannot go back.
If your FiT has expired or you installed after March 2019, SEG is your only export payment option.
Calculate your export income — our solar calculator estimates how much you'll generate, use, and export based on your specific roof and usage pattern. It shows the real SEG income for your setup, not a generic estimate. Run the calculator →
Updated October 2026. Rates sourced from supplier websites and Ofgem SEG register. Rates change frequently — verify with the supplier before signing up. This article is general information, not financial advice.