When your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses, that power doesn’t go to waste — it goes back to the grid.
And under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), your energy supplier pays you for every unit you export. Think of it as cash-back for unused energy.
What Is the SEG?
The Smart Export Guarantee is a UK government-backed scheme that requires large energy suppliers to pay homeowners for exporting solar energy.
- Replaced the older Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in 2020
- Applies to homes with solar panels or other renewable generators
- Works through smart meters or export meters
How Much Can I Earn?
| SEG Tariff Range | Example Supplier | Income (1,200 kWh/year exported) |
| 2p – 7.5p / kWh | Octopus, EDF, E.ON, others | ~£25-£90/year |
- The more solar you generate (and don’t use), the more you export
- Pairing with a battery can reduce exports — but boost total savings
- Tariff rates vary by supplier — you can shop around for the best
What You Need to Qualify
To earn SEG income, you must:
- Have a solar PV system that’s MCS certified
- Install a smart meter or export meter
- Choose and register with a participating SEG tariff provider
- Be generating surplus electricity to export
Why It Matters (Beyond Money)
Case Study:
- 3-bed semi in Surrey
- EPC upgraded from D to B
- Retrofit: Loft insulation, heat pump, new windows
- Energy bills dropped by £700/year
- Property sold for £18,000 more than pre-retrofit valuation
Did you know? You could earn enough SEG income each year to cover your boiler servicing or 1 month’s Wi-Fi.
Do I have to sell my electricity to my supplier?
No. You can choose any SEG provider — not just your current energy company.
What if I don’t have a smart meter?
You’ll need one to track export — we can help you arrange it.
Will this reduce my bill?
Not directly. SEG is a separate payment — like earnings, not a discount.
Get Paid for the Energy You Don’t Use. It’s That Simple.