Smart Export Guarantee: best SEG tariffs in 2025 and how to switch

 


If you export any solar you don’t use, Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments help the numbers stack up. The trick is picking a tariff that matches your generation and usage profile — especially if you have a battery. Below you’ll find a brisk refresher on how SEG works, what to compare, and a step-by-step that makes switching painless.

SEG at a glance (GB only)

• SEG is a supplier-led scheme that pays small-scale generators (like solar panels uk for homes) for electricity exported to the grid. The export rate must be above zero, but each supplier sets its own rate and terms. You’ll need export metering — typically a smart meter set up to record export.

• Large suppliers must offer at least one SEG tariff; many smaller suppliers also participate. It’s not automatic — you must apply.

• SEG covers Great Britain; Northern Ireland has different arrangements.

Fixed vs dynamic export — which is right for you?

• Fixed tariffs pay the same p/kWh at all times — simple and predictable.

• Time-of-use or dynamic export tariffs pay more at certain times (often early evening peaks), sometimes linked to wholesale markets. These can be attractive if your system regularly exports at peak, or if you shape exports using a battery.

To scan what’s out there, start with supplier lists and independent round-ups, noting headline rates, tie-ins (some require you to also buy import), payment frequency and any caps/minimums.

Your quick comparison workflow

Your quick comparison workflow

1. Pull 12 months of generation and export from your inverter/app.

2. Estimate how a battery (if you have one) shifts exports from midday to peak times.

3. Shortlist tariffs by headline p/kWh and terms (import tie-in, contract length, payment frequency).

4. Check metering: your smart meter must support export; your supplier may need to enable it. cost of photovoltaic panels uk

5. Apply online; diary a 3-month review to confirm the tariff fits your pattern.

Switching steps (Evergreen’s checklist)

• Paperwork: Keep your MCS certificate and DNO notification handy; suppliers often ask for these.

• Metering: Confirm export is configured on your smart meter; if not, request activation.

• Application: Submit MPAN and bank details; provide an opening export read if asked.

• Validation: First payment timelines vary (monthly–annually). Put a reminder in the calendar to check statements.

How a battery changes the game

Batteries increase self-consumption, which can lower export volumes but also unlock time-of-use strategies. Some households charge the solar energy for home price off-peak and export or self-use when rates rise. The “best” tariff is often the one that, across the full year, leaves your total bill lowest, not just the highest export pence. (Pair this with the 0% VAT period if you’re still deciding on storage.)

Common questions

Do I have to buy my electricity from the same supplier?

Sometimes. Some top export rates require you to be an import customer too, but not all. Always check T&Cs and total annual value.

Can I get SEG without MCS?

Suppliers generally require MCS certification and proof of export metering.

Is SEG taxable?

Check HMRC guidance for your personal circumstances. Many households treat SEG as income for self-assessment if relevant.

What if my export seems too low?

Verify the smart meter is recording export correctly and that the account is on the export-enabled profile. If you have a battery, remember you may be self-consuming more than expected.

Location: United Kingdom

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