SEG Registration Guide: How to Get Paid for Your Solar Export

What is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme that requires all UK electricity suppliers with more than 150,000 domestic customers to offer at least one tariff that pays you for electricity you export to the grid from a small renewable generator. It's been in force since 1 January 2020 and replaced the closed Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, which ended for new applicants in March 2019.

Under the SEG, you get paid only for electricity you export— the surplus your panels produce that you don't use yourself. Your smart meter measures this, and your SEG supplier installs it free of charge. The tariff rate has to be above zero, but suppliers set their own rates. Many offer noticeably better rates if you also buy your import electricity from them.

The SEGapplies to solar PV, wind, hydro, and anaerobic digestion generators with a maximum capacity of 5 MW. Your plug-in solar kit (typically 400–800 W) is well within this limit. Before you can register for the SEG, you need to have completed your G98 network notification.

Who offers SEG tariffs?

All large UK energy suppliers (those with more than 150,000 domestic customers) have to offer at least one SEG tariff by law. Many smaller suppliers also offer SEG tariffs voluntarily.

For SEG Year 7 (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027), the licensed suppliers are British Gas, E.ON Next, EDF, Octopus, OVO, ScottishPower, So Energy, Utilita, and Utility Warehouse. Good Energy also holds a SEG licence and offers a tariff to its solar customers. Not every licensee publishes an open-to-all tariff — several reserve their best rates for existing import customers.

As of August 2026, SEG export rates have shifted upward. Good Energy advertises a flat 25p per kWh exclusive rate for eligible solar-and-battery customers, EDF's primary page shows 18p for Export Exclusive 12m V3, and Octopus Flux is a time-of-use tariff with a 29.32p/kWh peak export rate for customers with batteries. Open-market rates can now beat the old 3–4p baseline, but the best headlines are still restricted. Check the supplier comparison table for current figures, because rates change frequently.

Tariff names, rates, and eligibility rules change frequently. For current rates and a live comparison, see our full SEG supplier comparison table.

SEG tariff comparison: which rate is best?

SEG tariffs fall into two broad categories: fixed-ratetariffs that pay a set rate per kWh exported, and variable-rate tariffs (like Octopus Outgoing Agile) that pay a half-hourly rate tracking wholesale electricity prices. Variable tariffs can pay more on average, but they fluctuate throughout the day.

Here's what really matters: whether a tariff is open to everyone or restricted to people who also buy their import electricity from the same supplier. The higher advertised rates are often reserved for existing import customers or specific hardware, while open-to-all tariffs can be much lower. Check the supplier page before you rely on any rate.

View the full comparison with requirements and application links →

How to apply for the SEG: step by step

Applying for a SEG tariff takes about 15–30 minutes online once you've got all your documents ready. Here's the full process:

1. Complete your G98 network notification.Before any SEG supplier will accept your application, you need evidence that you've notified your electricity network about your installation. Use our free G98 form generator and keep the confirmation. See our G98 notification guide for the full process.
2. Gather your installation evidence. Most suppliers want an MCScertificate. If you installed the kit yourself, you might not have one — some suppliers accept alternative evidence for small sub-800 W installations. Contact the supplier to confirm what they'll accept before applying. See the MCS section below for detail.
3. Compare SEG tariffs. Use our SEG supplier comparison table to find the best rate for your situation. Consider whether you need to switch import supplier to access the best rates, and weigh the SEG gain against any import cost difference.
4. Apply on the supplier’s website.Each supplier has an online SEG application form. You'll need your network acknowledgement reference, your MCS certificate or equivalent evidence, your MPAN (the 13-digit supply-point reference from your electricity bill), and your bank details for payments. The supplier may also arrange an export MPAN; that's an account identifier, not your kit capacity or your network reference.
5. Get the right smart meter setup.The SEG needs half-hourly export readings. SMETS2 is usually the simplest route, but some suppliers can use compatible SMETS1 meters. If you don't have a suitable meter, your SEG supplier will tell you what they can install.
6. Start getting paid. Once registered, your smart meter sends export readings automatically. Payments are typically credited to your electricity account monthly or quarterly, depending on the supplier.

For a detailed walkthrough with tips for each supplier, see our step-by-step SEG registration guide.

What you need to apply

Before you start a SEG application, have these ready:

• G98 notification confirmation.Evidence that you've notified your electricity network. This is usually the acknowledgement email, portal reference, or reference number from the network. Generate yours free at /g98.
• MCS certificate or equivalent. Proof that your installation meets UK standards. If you installed the kit yourself, see the MCS section below for alternatives.
• Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number). This is the 13-digit supply-point reference from your electricity bill. Some bills show it inside a 21-digit Supply Number. Your SEG supplier uses it to identify the property, and may create a separate export MPAN for payments. Neither MPAN is the same thing as inverter capacity or your DNO acknowledgement reference.
• Your smart meter details. If you already have a smart meter, have the make and model handy. If not, your supplier will arrange one.
• Bank details. SEG payments are credited to your electricity account or paid to your bank account, depending on the supplier.
• Installation details.Inverter make and model, installed capacity in kW, and installation date — the same details from your G98 form.

MCS requirements: what if you don’t have a certificate?

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a quality assurance scheme for small renewable installations. Most SEG suppliers want an MCS certificate as evidence that your installation meets UK standards. An MCS certificate is issued by an MCS-certified installer after they complete and register your installation.

The good news: some suppliers accept alternative evidence for small sub-800 W plug-in installations where an MCScertificate isn't available. What they accept varies:

• A G98 notification confirmation (proof you have notified your electricity network).
• Receipt or invoice for the solar kit showing the inverter model.
• Evidence that the inverter is on the ENA G98 Type Test Register.
• Photos of the installation.

Not all suppliers accept alternatives. Contact your preferred supplier beforestarting the application to confirm what evidence they'll accept for a self-installed plug-in kit. If your preferred supplier insists on an MCS certificate, try another supplier — the SEGmarket is competitive and policies vary.

If you're planning a new installation and want guaranteed SEG access, consider using an MCS-certified installer for the connection work even if you mount the panels yourself. The installer can issue an MCS certificate for the electrical connection.

How much can you earn from the SEG?

Your SEGearnings depend on how much electricity you export, the tariff rate, and whether you're an import customer of the supplier offering the tariff. A typical plug-in solar kit (400–800 W, legal from 27 August 2026) generates 300–900 kWh/year. How much of that you export depends on how much you use while the panels are generating. A household that runs appliances during sunny periods might self-consume 50–70%, exporting the rest.

Illustrative calculations. Actual earnings depend on generation, consumption patterns, weather, orientation, and the specific tariff terms.

Here's the context that matters: SEG earnings are a bonus on top of self-consumption savings, which are usually larger. If you pay 27 p/kWh for imported electricity and self-consume 350 kWh of your 700 kWh annual generation, you save £95/year on your bill. Add SEG export earnings on the remaining 350 kWh and your total benefit is £95 + SEG. For most plug-in solar owners, the self-consumption saving is the main financial benefit, with SEG as a useful secondary income. See our complete plug-in solar guide for the full savings breakdown.

Frequently asked questions