Maximising Your Solar Earnings: A Complete Guide to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) in 2025
💰 The £400/Year Decision
Choosing the right Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff is NOT an afterthought - it's a critical financial decision that can make a difference of over £400 per year in your solar income. Yet most homeowners choose their SEG tariff based on whoever calls them first after installation, leaving hundreds of pounds on the table annually.
If you have solar panels or are planning to install them, understanding the Smart Export Guarantee is essential. This guide explains what SEG is, compares the best tariffs available in 2025, and shows you how to maximize your export income.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
The Smart Export Guarantee is a government-backed scheme that requires licensed energy suppliers to pay homeowners for surplus electricity they export to the national grid from renewable technologies like solar panels.
When your solar panels generate more electricity than you're using, that excess is automatically exported to the grid. Under the SEG, you get paid for this exported energy. However, unlike the old Feed-in Tariff (FIT), SEG rates are:
- Not standardized - Each supplier sets their own rate
- Competitive - Rates vary massively from 1p/kWh to 25p/kWh
- Your choice - You can switch SEG provider independently of your import supplier
🔑 Key Point
The best SEG rates (20-25p/kWh) often require you to be an electricity customer of that supplier AND may require specific equipment like a battery. Lower rates (1-6p/kWh) are available to non-customers but represent poor value.
The Best SEG Tariffs in 2025
Here's a comprehensive comparison of the top SEG tariffs available as of January 2025, ranked by export rate:
| Supplier & Tariff | Export Rate | Key Requirements | Annual Income* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Intelligent Flux | 25.13p | Octopus customer + compatible battery | £486 |
| Good Energy Solar Exclusive | 25p | Solar installed by Good Energy | £484 |
| EDF Export Exclusive V2 | 24p | EDF customer + specific installer | £464 |
| E.ON Next Export Premium V2 | 21p | E.ON customer | £406 |
| OVO SEG Install Exclusive | 20p | OVO customer + battery | £387 |
| British Gas Export & Earn Plus | 15.1p | British Gas customer | £292 |
| Octopus Outgoing Fixed | 15p | Octopus customer | £290 |
| ScottishPower SmartGen | 6p | No specific requirements | £116 |
| E.ON Next Export | 3p | Available to non-customers | £58 |
*Based on a 4kW system exporting 1,935 kWh/year (65% of generation without battery, 30% with battery)
⚠️ The £428 Mistake
The difference between the best rate (Octopus Intelligent Flux at 25.13p) and the worst readily-available rate (E.ON Next Export at 3p) is £428 per year.
Over 25 years (typical solar panel lifespan), choosing the wrong SEG tariff costs you over £10,000 in lost income.
How Much Solar Energy Do You Export?
The amount you export depends on your consumption patterns and whether you have a battery:
🏠 Solar Panels Only
For a 4kW system generating 3,600 kWh/year, you'd export approximately 2,340 kWh
🔋 Solar Panels + Battery
For a 4kW system generating 3,600 kWh/year, you'd export approximately 1,080 kWh
The Battery Paradox: Export Less, Earn More
This might seem counterintuitive, but adding a battery to your solar system typically increases your overall savings even though you export less electricity.
💡 Why This Happens
The value of using your own electricity (saving ~26p/kWh) is much higher than the value of exporting it (earning ~15p/kWh).
A battery lets you store daytime generation for evening use, dramatically increasing self-consumption from 35% to 70%.
How to Choose the Best SEG Tariff for You
Follow this decision tree:
Step 1: Check If You Can Access Top-Tier Rates
Do you have OR can you install:
- • A compatible battery (Enphase, GivEnergy, Tesla, SolarEdge)?
- • Willingness to switch electricity supplier to Octopus/EDF/E.ON?
✅ Yes → Target 20-25p/kWh tariffs
Step 2: Consider Mid-Tier Customer-Only Rates
Are you willing to switch your import supplier?
- • British Gas: 15.1p (customer only)
- • Octopus Outgoing Fixed: 15p (customer only)
✅ Yes → Aim for 15p/kWh tariffs
Step 3: Avoid Low-Value Rates
Rates below 10p/kWh (like ScottishPower 6p or E.ON Next 3p) represent poor value. Always try to access at least a mid-tier rate.
SEG Application Process
To receive SEG payments, you must:
- Have an MCS-certified installation - Your solar system must be installed by an MCS-certified installer
- Have a smart export meter - This accurately measures exported electricity
- Apply to your chosen SEG provider - You can do this independently of your import supplier
- Provide MCS certificate - Proof your system meets the required standards
⏰ When to Choose Your SEG Tariff
Research and decide BEFORE your installation is completed.
Many installers will automatically sign you up for their preferred SEG provider (often a low-rate one). Tell your installer which SEG tariff you want BEFORE they complete the paperwork. You can also switch SEG providers later, but it's easier to get it right from day one.
Can I Switch SEG Provider Later?
Yes! You can switch SEG provider at any time, completely independently of your electricity import supplier. The process typically takes 2-6 weeks.
If you're currently on a low-rate SEG tariff (under 10p/kWh), switching could instantly increase your annual income by £200-400.
SEG + Solar Battery: The Winning Combination
The highest SEG rates (Octopus Intelligent Flux, OVO Install Exclusive) require a compatible battery. This creates a virtuous circle:
- The battery increases your self-consumption, saving you more on bills
- You qualify for premium SEG rates on the electricity you do export
- Despite exporting less, your total savings increase substantially
📊 Real Example: 4kW System
Our Recommendation
Always research SEG tariffs BEFORE your solar installation is completed.
If you're installing solar panels in 2025, the optimal setup is:
- 1. Install solar + compatible battery from day one
- 2. Sign up for Octopus Intelligent Flux (25.13p/kWh) if you have a compatible battery
- 3. Switch your electricity import to Octopus to access the tariff
- 4. Enjoy £1,525/year in total benefits (£1,254 bill savings + £271 SEG income)
If a battery isn't viable, aim for at least a mid-tier SEG tariff (15p/kWh) by becoming a customer of British Gas or Octopus.
Calculate Your Solar Savings with Different SEG Tariffs
Compare all tariffs • Solar + battery options • See your ROI
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