Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government-backed initiative that requires energy suppliers to pay homeowners for the renewable electricity they export back to the national grid.

If you have solar panels and you generate more electricity than you use, you can earn money for every unit (kWh) you send back to the grid.

How it works

  1. Generation: Your solar panels generate electricity.
  2. Usage: You use what you need to power your home.
  3. Export: Any excess power is automatically sent back to the grid.
  4. Measurement: A smart meter tracks exactly how many kWh you export.
  5. Payment: Your SEG licensee (energy supplier) pays you based on their set export rate.

Eligibility requirements

To apply for an SEG tariff, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Technology: Your system must be one of the following: Solar PV, wind, micro-CHP, hydro, or anaerobic digestion.
  • Capacity: The system must have a capacity of up to 5MW.
  • Certification: Your installation must be MCS-certified (or equivalent).
  • Smart Meter: You must have a smart meter capable of taking half-hourly export readings.

Choosing an SEG tariff

You do not have to get your SEG payments from the same company that supplies your electricity. You are free to shop around for the best export rate.

There are two main types of SEG tariffs:

  • Fixed: You get a set price for every kWh you export (e.g., 5p or 15p).
  • Variable/Agile: The price you get changes based on the wholesale market price of electricity. This can be very profitable if you have a battery and can export during peak demand times.

How to apply

  1. Find a licensee: Check the Ofgem list of SEG licensees.
  2. Gather documents: You will need your MCS certificate and proof of property ownership.
  3. Contact the supplier: Complete their application form and provide your export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), which your supplier will help you find.

Important: You cannot receive both Feed-in Tariff (FiT) export payments and SEG payments for the same installation. However, you can choose to opt-out of FiT export and switch to SEG if the SEG rates are higher.

More information