The Smart Export Guarantee Explained
Your solar panels can earn as well as save. The Smart Export Guarantee pays you for the energy you generate but don't use — here's how it works and how to get the best from it.
On this page
- The SEG pays you for surplus solar you export to the grid.
- Rates vary by supplier, so it pays to compare tariffs.
- You don’t need a battery, but one lets you export more strategically.
- You need an MCS-certified install and a smart meter to qualify.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government-backed scheme that requires larger energy suppliers to pay you for surplus solar electricity you send back to the grid. In other words, on top of the money you save by using your own solar, you also get paid for what you don't use — turning your roof into a small second income.
How the Payments Work
Your smart meter measures how much electricity you export. You sign up to an SEG tariff with a participating supplier — it doesn't have to be the same one that supplies your electricity — and they pay you per unit (kWh) exported, usually as a credit on your account.
Rates and structures vary: some are a flat price per unit, others are variable and pay more at times when grid demand is high.
How Much Can You Earn?
What you earn depends on how much you export and the rate you're on, so it pays to compare tariffs. Generally, the more of your own solar you use yourself, the less you export — but the more you save on bills, which is usually the bigger win. The ideal is to use cheap solar yourself first, store some in a battery, and export the rest when rates are most attractive.
Getting the Best Rate
A few simple things help you earn more: compare SEG tariffs rather than defaulting to your supplier's standard rate; consider a battery so you can choose when to export; and pair with a smart, time-of-use tariff to make the most of higher-rate periods. To qualify you'll need an MCS-certified installation and a smart meter — both of which a Spark install includes, and we help you set up your export tariff.
Your Questions, Answered.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
It's a UK scheme that requires larger energy suppliers to pay solar owners for surplus electricity they export to the grid — income on top of your bill savings.
How much does the SEG pay?
Rates vary by supplier and tariff, so it pays to compare. A battery and the right tariff help you earn more from what you export and save more on what you keep.
Do I need a battery to get SEG payments?
No — you can earn with panels alone. A battery lets you keep more of your cheap solar for yourself and export strategically when rates are higher.
What do I need to qualify?
Usually an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter that measures export. Spark installs are MCS-certified and we help you set this up.
Get Paid to Generate
A free Spark quote shows your bill savings and your potential export income together.
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