What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

SEG is the UK government scheme that pays solar PV, wind, hydro, and battery storage owners for surplus electricity they export to the grid. Replaced the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for new installations from January 2020. Operated by energy suppliers, not the government directly.

How much does SEG pay?

Rates vary by energy supplier — typically 3-15p per kWh exported. Top SEG rates (Octopus Outgoing, E.ON Next Export Premium) are 15p+; most standard SEG tariffs are 3-5p. Rate is fixed by your contract; switch suppliers to get better rates.

What documents do I need for SEG?

MCS certificate (proves the installation meets standards), DNO notification confirmation (G98 or G99), proof of address, and a smart meter or export meter. Without MCS you cannot register.

Can I get SEG without a smart meter?

No — most SEG tariffs require a smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings. Some legacy export meters work but are being phased out. The smart meter is non-negotiable for the best rates.

Can I switch SEG supplier separately from my import supplier?

Yes. SEG is independent of your import (electricity supply) contract. You can have one supplier for import and a different one for export — Octopus Outgoing is popular for this even when import is elsewhere.

Property Logbooks

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) UK: Application Guide for Solar Owners 2026

How UK solar panel owners register for the Smart Export Guarantee — MCS certificate requirement, DNO notification, SEG account setup, and how rates compare across UK energy suppliers.

Photo by Nuno Marques on Unsplash

Quick answer: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the UK government scheme that pays solar PV, wind, hydro, and battery owners for surplus electricity exported to the grid. Rates vary 3-15p per kWh depending on supplier. To register you need: MCS certificate, DNO notification confirmation (G98 or G99), a smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings, and a SEG-registered energy supplier. SEG replaced the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) for new installations from January 2020.

What SEG is

The Smart Export Guarantee, introduced by Ofgem in January 2020, requires all UK energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers to offer at least one SEG tariff. They pay you for surplus electricity your solar panels (or other low-carbon generation) export to the grid.

SEG replaced the older Feed-In Tariff (FIT) scheme. FIT paid both for generation and export; SEG pays only for export, but offers more competitive rates.

How SEG actually works

Your solar panels generate electricity
Your home uses what it needs in real time
Surplus exports to the grid via your smart meter
Your smart meter reports half-hourly export readings to your SEG supplier
The supplier pays you the agreed rate per kWh exported
Payment typically credits your account quarterly or annually

Required documents

Document	What it does	Where to get it
MCS certificate	Proves installation meets UK standards	From your MCS-certified installer
DNO notification (G98 or G99)	Confirms grid connection was authorised	From your installer; copy from DNO
Manufacturer warranty docs	Required by some suppliers	Installer / manufacturer
Proof of address	Standard utility account requirement	Council tax bill, etc.
Smart meter	Required for half-hourly export readings	Your import electricity supplier

SEG rates — current UK leaders (2026)

Supplier	Tariff	Rate per kWh exported
Octopus	Outgoing Octopus Agile	Variable, peaks 15p+ in evenings
Octopus	Outgoing Octopus Fixed	~15p
E.ON Next	Export Premium	16.5p (for E.ON Next import customers)
British Gas	Export & Earn Plus	~16p (for BG Smart customers)
OVO Energy	OVO Export	~15p
Standard SEG (most major suppliers)	SEG Standard	3-5p

Rates fluctuate. Compare current rates at Solar Energy UK or use a price comparison site.

The application process — step by step

Step 1: Get your installation documents in order

Before applying, gather:

MCS certificate (issued by your installer at commissioning)
DNO notification confirmation (G98 for systems ≤16A per phase; G99 for larger)
Smart meter installation confirmation (or arrange installation first)

Step 2: Choose a SEG supplier

You can use any supplier offering SEG — not necessarily your import supplier. Compare:

Rate per kWh exported (highest is best)
Payment frequency (quarterly vs annual)
Smart meter requirements (some suppliers need their own meter)
Contract length and termination conditions

Step 3: Apply online

Each supplier has its own SEG application portal. Typical process:

Upload MCS certificate (PDF or photo)
Upload DNO notification
Provide MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) — on your electricity bill
Confirm smart meter installed
Bank details for payment

Step 4: Wait for activation

Typical processing: 4-8 weeks. The supplier verifies your documents, confirms smart meter export readings, and activates your account. First payment usually credits at the end of the following quarter.

Battery storage and SEG

If you have battery storage:

Most SEG tariffs still pay for grid exports (whether from solar directly or from battery)
Time-of-use tariffs (Octopus Agile Export) reward exporting during peak demand
Smart battery management software can maximise SEG income by timing exports for peak rates
Battery storage installations need their own MCS certificate (separate from solar PV)

How much SEG income to expect

Typical UK 4kW solar PV system:

Annual generation: ~3,400 kWh
Self-consumption: 30-50% (~1,200-1,700 kWh)
Exported: ~1,700-2,200 kWh annually
At 15p/kWh SEG rate: ~£255-£330 annual income
At 5p/kWh SEG rate: ~£85-£110 annual income

The supplier-rate choice can triple your annual income from the same system.

Common SEG application failures

No MCS certificate (installer wasn't MCS-certified)
DNO notification missing — installer didn't notify the network operator
Smart meter not installed or not export-capable
MPAN mismatch between application and your import account
Installation predates 2020 and is still on FIT (cannot dual-claim)

If you have FIT — should you switch?

Original FIT installations (pre-March 2019) continue receiving FIT payments. You cannot have both FIT and SEG on the same installation. FIT generation tariff is higher than SEG export rates for most legacy installations — stay on FIT.

Tax on SEG income

SEG income is tax-free for individuals up to £1,000 per tax year (the Trading Allowance). Above £1,000, it's taxable. For most domestic installations (sub-5kW), SEG income stays well under £1,000 — no tax due.

FAQs

Do I need to be the property owner to get SEG?

Yes — you must be the keeper of the installation. Tenants generally can't claim SEG unless they own the panels (rare).

What if I install solar without MCS?

You cannot register for SEG. The MCS requirement is structural — supplier portals all require MCS evidence.

Can I change SEG supplier?

Yes — same process as switching import electricity supplier. Some 12-month minimum contracts apply.

What about Northern Ireland?

SEG applies in England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own scheme (Renewables Obligation Northern Ireland — partially closed). Check with your NI electricity supplier.

Last reviewed 2026-06-01 by Jamie Dawson, Editor.