Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme
What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme is a UK Government-backed initiative that launched on 1 January 2020. It requires the larger electricity suppliers, known as SEG Licensees, to pay small-scale generators, known as SEG Generators, for low-carbon electricity which they export back to the National Grid, providing certain criteria are met. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme replaces the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which ended on 1 April 2019 for new applicants.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme aims to encourage more people to install renewable energy technologies in their homes or businesses, such as solar panels, wind turbines, hydro power, or micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP). By doing so, they can reduce their carbon footprint, they can save money on their energy bills, and they can earn extra income by selling their surplus renewable electricity back to the National Grid.
Understanding the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme
How does the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme work?
To be eligible for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme, you need to have a renewable electricity generating system that meets the following criteria:
- It has a capacity of up to 5MW (5,000kW), or up to 50kW for micro-CHP.
- It is located in Great Britain (GB).
- It is certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent.
- It has a meter capable of providing half-hourly export readings (usually a smart meter).
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme tariff from any SEG Licensee of your choice. You can find the list of current SEG Licensees below, with their website details. Your SEG tariff supplier does not need to be the same as your energy supplier, but if your SEG tariff supplier is the same as your energy supplier you can get better SEG tariff rates.
SEG Licensees are free to determine the rate, contract length, and other terms of the SEG tariff or tariffs they offer. However, they must always pay you more than zero for your exported electricity. You should shop around and compare different SEG tariffs to find the best deal for your situation. Remember your SEH tariff supplier doesn’t have to be your energy supplier.
SEG payments are calculated by using your export meter readings. You will be paid by your chosen SEG Licensee for the electricity that you export back to the National Grid. You will not be paid for the electricity that you use yourself, but you will save money by importing less from the National Grid.
If you have a storage device, such as solar battery storage or an electric vehicle, that can import and export electricity, you may also be able to benefit from the SEG. Your prospective SEG tariff supplier can advise you on how this works.
How much can you earn from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme?
The amount of money that you can earn from the SEG depends on several factors, such as:
- The size and type of your renewable energy system.
- The amount of electricity that you generate and export.
- The rate and terms of your SEG tariff.
- The time of day and season that you export electricity.
To get an estimate of how much you could save and earn from installing a renewable energy system and joining the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme, you can use the Energy Saving Trust calculator. This tool will also help you compare different technologies and suppliers.
How to apply for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme?
If you are interested in applying for a SEG tariff, here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Install a renewable energy system that meets the eligibility criteria and get it certified by MCS or equivalent.
- Get a smart meter installed if you don’t already have one.
- Contact a SEG Licensee and ask for their application form and terms and conditions.
- Fill out the application form and provide proof of ownership and certification of your system.
- Sign a contract with your chosen SEG Licensee and start receiving payments for your exported electricity.
You can switch between different SEG Licensees at any time, as long as you comply with their terms and conditions. You should regularly check the market to see if there are better offers available.
To receive Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme payments, you’ll first need to apply directly to an energy supplier which offers a SEG tariff. Energy suppliers who offer SEG export tariffs are listed below:
Full list of licensees who advised Ofgem that they are SEG Licensees for the fourth SEG year: 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
Mandatory Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme Licensees
British Gas
- Smart Export Guarantee – British Gas
- Business Smart Export Guarantee | Help & support | British Gas business
E (Gas & Electricity)
E.ON
- Sell energy with the Smart Export Guarantee | E.ON Next (eonnext.com)
- smart export guarantee terms conditions final (002).pdf (eonenergy.com)
EDF Energy
Octopus Energy
OVO Energy
Scottish Power
Shell Energy
So Energy
The Utility Warehouse
Utilita
Voluntary Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme Licensees
Pozitive Energy
Rebel Energy
Best & Worst SEG Tariffs/SEG Rates out there, as of June 2024.
| Energy Company | SEG Tariff Name | Who Can Access This SEG Tariff | SEG rate per kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| E.ON Next | Next Export Premium Plus | E.ON Next customers who have had both solar panels and a battery installed by E.ON after 1/1/2024 | 40p(a) |
| Octopus Energy | Intelligent Octopus Flux | Octopus customers who have solar panels and a GivEnergy battery | 27p(b) |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Premium | E.ON Next customers who have had solar panels installed by E.ON after 1/1/2024 | 25p(a) |
| Octopus Energy | Octopus Flux | Octopus customers who have solar panels and a battery | 21p(c) |
| Ovo Energy | Ovo SEG Tariff | Ovo customers in eligible area who bought solar panels and battery through Ovo | 20p |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings Exclusive | Good Energy customers in eligible area who have solar panels and battery installed by Good Energy solar installers | 20p |
| So Energy | So Bright | So Energy customers who have solar panels and battery installed through So Energy | 20p(d) |
| E.ON Next | Next Export Exclusive | E.ON Next customers, or non-customers who solar installed by E.ON | 16.5p |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Fixed | Octopus customers(e) | 15p |
| Ovo Energy | Ovo SEG Tariff | Ovo customers in eligible area who bought solar panels through Ovo | 15p |
| Scottish Power | SmartGen | Anyone who bought solar panels and/or battery through Scottish Power | 15p |
| British Gas | Export and Earn Plus | British Gas customers | 15p |
| Good Energy | Solar Savings | Good Energy customers | 15p |
| Scottish Power | SmartGen | Everyone | 12p |
| Octopus Energy | Outgoing Fixed Lite | Octopus customers who have an EV | 8p |
| British Gas | Export and Earn Flex | Everyone | 6.4p |
| Rebel Energy | SEG Tariff | Everyone | 6p |
| EDF Energy | Export Variable Value | EDF customers | 5.6p |
| Utility Warehouse | UW SEG – Bundle | Utility Warehouse customers who use three or more Utility Warehouse services | 5.6p |
| So Energy | So Export Flex | Everyone | 4.5p |
| Octopus Energy | SEG Tariff | Everyone | 4.1p |
| Ovo Energy | Ovo SEG Tariff | Everyone | 4p |
| Good Energy | Export Only | Everyone | 4p |
| Utilita | Utilita Smart Export Guarantee | Everyone | 3p |
| EDF Energy | Export Variable | Everyone | 3p |
| E.ON Next | Next Export | Everyone | 3p |
| Utility Warehouse | UW SEG – Standard | Everyone | 2p |
| E | E SEG January2020v.1 | Everyone | 1p |
Rates correct in 3 June 2024. (a) Rate fixed for 12 months. (b) Time-of-use tariff, approx. 27p average. Peak rates 4-7pm. (c) Time-of-use tariff, approx. 21p average. Peak rates 4-7pm; low rates 2-5am. (d) Fixed for 12 months; thereafter So Export Flex rate, 4.5p/kWh. (e) Only Octopus Energy customers (not white labels) can benefit from its Outgoing Fixed 15p/kWh rate. White labels include Affect Energy, M&S Energy, London Power and Co-op Energy.
You should note that your current energy supplier does not need to be your Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme tariff supplier – these can be two separate companies. Any energy suppliers who are part of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme are obliged to offer you a SEG tariff, and this can be either fixed or variable; with the terms and conditions being set by the energy supplier. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Scheme tariffs can change over time, so be sure to carry out regular checks on whether your SEG tariff is still competitive.
If you are interested in installing solar panels at your home or business, contact us today on 01268 928 690 or via the ‘Enquire Now’ button below. We are an accredited MCS installer of solar panels and battery storage solutions so we can install your complete Solar PV System to MCS Standards and we can help you with every step of the process, from a free no-obligation quote and solar PV system design service to installation to aftercare.
