Export tariffs

If you generate your own renewable electricity through solar panels or wind turbines, an export tariff allows you to get paid for every unit (kWh) of electricity you don’t use and instead send back to the national grid.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the current UK government-backed scheme that requires energy suppliers with more than 150,000 customers to offer at least one export tariff to renewable generators.

Key features of SEG tariffs:

  • Metered payments: You are paid for the actual amount of electricity you export, measured by a smart meter.
  • Variable rates: Suppliers set their own rates. Some offer as little as 1p/kWh, while others offer 15p/kWh or more.
  • Freedom to switch: You do not have to have your export tariff with the same company that supplies your imported electricity.

Types of export tariffs

1. Fixed Export Tariffs

A set price for every unit you export, regardless of when it is sent. This provides certainty and is easy to understand.

2. Variable / Smart Export Tariffs

The price you receive changes based on the wholesale market. For example, Octopus Outgoing Agile pays you a different rate every 30 minutes.

  • Pros: You can get very high prices during the 4pm-7pm peak if you have a battery to discharge.
  • Cons: Prices can drop very low during times of massive renewable oversupply.

Maximising your export income

To get the most out of your export tariff, consider these strategies:

  1. Use a Battery: Store your solar power during the day and “dump” it back into the grid during the expensive evening peak (4pm-7pm) when export rates are often highest.
  2. Shop around: SEG rates vary wildly between suppliers. It is worth checking comparison sites annually to ensure you are getting a competitive rate.
  3. Check for “Bundled” deals: Some suppliers offer much higher export rates if you also have their specific EV or Heat Pump import tariff.

Important: To receive export payments, your installation must be MCS-certified (or equivalent), and you must have a smart meter installed.

Legacy: The Feed-in Tariff (FiT)

If you installed solar panels before March 2019, you might be on the legacy Feed-in Tariff (FiT). This often includes a “deemed” export payment (assuming you export 50% of what you generate).

  • Note: You can often switch your “export” portion from FiT to a modern SEG tariff if the SEG rate is higher, while still keeping your FiT “generation” payments.

Launch the Export Income Estimator

Use our tool to calculate how much you could earn annually based on your system size and chosen export tariff.