Solar PV
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays solar panel owners for every unit of electricity they export to the grid. Rates vary by supplier but typically run between 3p and 15p per kWh in 2026. For a well-sized solar system, this can mean £100–£400/year in export income on top of your electricity savings.
When your solar panels generate more electricity than you're using at that moment, the surplus flows back to the grid. Under the SEG, your energy supplier is legally required (if they have 150,000+ customers) to pay you for that exported electricity.
The rate varies significantly by supplier. Fixed-rate tariffs (e.g. 5p/kWh) are predictable. Flex or time-of-use rates (e.g. Octopus Outgoing, which pays market rate) can earn considerably more if you can export during peak demand hours.
| Supplier | Tariff | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus (Agile) | Variable — peaks 15p+/kWh |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Octopus (Fixed) | ~7.5p/kWh |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Exclusive | ~5.5p/kWh |
| British Gas | Export | ~4p/kWh |
| EDF Energy | SEG Export | ~4p/kWh |
Rates change regularly. Always check the supplier's current tariff before registering.
With a battery storage system, you can choose when to export. Rather than exporting midday (when export rates are lowest), you store that energy and export during the evening peak when rates are highest. This is most effective with variable-rate tariffs like Octopus Outgoing Agile.
A well-configured solar + battery system can double or triple SEG earnings compared to solar alone, while also reducing your import costs. The combination is increasingly the standard recommendation for new installations.
AFTA Electrical covers Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire. NAPIT & TrustMark registered.
SEG rates vary by supplier — from around 4p/kWh with standard tariffs to 15p+ per kWh at peak times with variable tariffs like Octopus Outgoing Agile. A typical 4kW system earns £100–£400/year in exports.
Yes — certification through an approved government scheme is a mandatory requirement for SEG registration. Always use a registered installer.
Apply directly to your chosen energy supplier (or switch to one with a better SEG tariff). You'll need your installation certificate and a smart meter. Your installer should provide all the paperwork needed for registration.
Yes — a battery lets you store excess solar generation and export it at peak demand times when rates are highest. This can significantly increase your annual SEG earnings compared to exporting immediately.
Related: View Service Page · View Pricing · Get a Free Quote