A solar export tariff can turn unused daytime solar power into extra annual income, but the highest pence-per-kWh rate is not always the best deal.

Some SEG tariffs are open to most eligible solar owners, while others are tied to a supplier, installer, smart meter or battery setup. This guide compares the best SEG rates UK households may find in 2026, explains how payments work, and shows how to choose a tariff based on your export volume, import costs and energy habits.

What Are SEG Rates and How Do They Work in the UK?

SEG rates are the prices paid to households and small generators for electricity they export back to the grid. SEG stands for Smart Export Guarantee, a UK scheme that requires eligible electricity suppliers to offer payment for exported low-carbon electricity, including surplus power from solar panels. Under SEG, you are paid for each unit of electricity exported, usually measured in pence per kilowatt hour, or p/kWh. You are not paid for solar electricity used directly in the home.

Rates vary widely because suppliers set their own export tariffs. Some offer simple fixed rates, while others offer higher rates only to customers who also buy electricity from them, use an approved installer, own a battery, or join a smart time-of-use tariff. This is why the best SEG rate is not always the best choice for every household.

How SEG Payments Work Step by Step

• First, your solar panels generate electricity during the day. Your home uses what it needs, and any surplus electricity is exported to the grid.
• Second, an export meter or smart meter records how many kilowatt hours leave your property.
• Third, your SEG supplier multiplies the exported units by your agreed export rate. For example, exporting 1,000 kWh at 15p/kWh would produce £150 before any supplier-specific conditions.
• Finally, the supplier pays you monthly or quarterly, depending on the tariff. 

Some suppliers pay after receiving meter readings, while others use smart meter data automatically. British Gas, for example, describes SEG payments as quarterly and based on exported electricity and the agreed tariff.

Best SEG Rates UK in 2026: Who Pays the Most?

The best SEG rates in the UK are usually found in two places: exclusive fixed-rate tariffs linked to a supplier’s own solar or battery installation, and smart time-of-use export tariffs that reward households for exporting at certain times. For most homeowners, the highest advertised rate is not automatically the best tariff. Eligibility, import tariff cost, payment frequency, smart meter access and whether you own a battery all affect the real value.

As of 2026, some of the strongest fixed or fixed-style export rates come from Good Energy, OVO Energy, EDF Energy, E.ON Next and British Gas. Octopus Energy is also important because its Flux and Intelligent Flux tariffs can pay higher peak export rates, but these are more complex and usually depend on having solar, a battery and an Octopus import tariff.

Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive

Good Energy currently offers one of the highest fixed-style SEG rates, with Solar Savings Exclusive paying 25p/kWh for eligible homes. The catch is that it is not a general open-market tariff. It is aimed at customers who have had solar panels and a battery installed through Good Energy, and the higher rate applies for a limited period before the customer moves to the standard Solar Savings rate.

The tariff works well for households already planning a combined solar and battery installation. Instead of simply exporting spare electricity at a low standard SEG rate, the homeowner can receive a premium price for measured export during the introductory period. To sign up, the customer needs a smart meter and should apply through Good Energy’s export tariff process after installation.

OVO SEG Install Exclusive

OVO’s SEG Install Exclusive pays up to 20p/kWh, making it one of the strongest export tariffs for households choosing a supplier-installed system. The highest rate is generally linked to customers who have both solar and home battery storage installed by OVO and take their electricity supply from OVO.

This tariff suits homeowners who want the supplier, installation and export payments arranged through one provider. It is less flexible for people who already have solar panels or want to use a different installer. To sign up, customers normally choose the eligible OVO solar and battery installation route, confirm they have a smart meter and then apply for the matching SEG export product.

EDF Export Exclusive 12m V3

EDF’s Export Exclusive 12m V3 sits below the very highest exclusive rates but remains competitive at 18p/kWh. It is designed for customers who take electricity from EDF and install through the qualifying EDF or Contact Solar route. Because it is a 12-month fixed tariff, it gives more predictable income than a variable export tariff.

This option can be attractive if the household already wants EDF as its import supplier and is comfortable using the approved installation pathway. To apply, customers usually need an MCS certificate or suitable commissioning paperwork, an electricity account, bank details and a smart export meter reading.

E.ON Next Export Premium v3

E.ON Next Export Premium v3 pays 17.5p/kWh for eligible customers. It is a fixed 12-month SEG tariff, with no exit fees, but it comes with specific conditions. The home must usually have a qualifying solar and/or battery installation through E.ON Installation Services, and the customer needs a smart export meter with half-hourly data consent.

This tariff is a good example of why the best SEG rate is often tied to the buying journey. The export rate looks strong, but the value depends on the total cost of the solar or battery installation, the customer’s import tariff and how much electricity is exported rather than used at home.

British Gas Export and Earn Plus

British Gas Export and Earn Plus pays up to 15.1p/kWh for eligible British Gas electricity customers. It is not the highest export tariff in the UK, but it is relatively straightforward compared with installer-exclusive offers. For households already with British Gas, it can be a practical option if they want a simple SEG arrangement without moving to a more complex time-of-use tariff.

Payments are usually made quarterly and are based on the amount of renewable electricity exported. Customers need a qualifying solar or renewable system and suitable export metering. The main limitation is that non-British Gas customers may receive a much lower export rate under the standard British Gas SEG option.

Fixed vs Variable: Which Type Pays More?

Fixed export tariffs are easier to understand. If the rate is 18p/kWh and you export 1,500kWh per year, your annual export income is around £270 before any other changes. Variable and time-of-use tariffs can pay more at certain times, but they need more active management. This is where a home battery can change the calculation.

A battery does not increase the amount of solar electricity your roof produces. It changes when that electricity is used or exported. For example, a household may use more solar power in the evening instead of importing from the grid, or export stored power during a higher-value export window. Storage products such as the Jackery SolarVault 3 Series are relevant in this context because they can help households think beyond a simple daytime export model. The key question is whether storing electricity for later use or timed export is worth more than exporting it immediately.

For most households, the best SEG rate is not just the highest number in the table. It is the tariff that fits the system size, export volume, battery setup, import tariff and supplier conditions with the least unnecessary cost.

Best SEG Rate for Different Households: Low, Medium and High Export  

The best SEG rate depends on how much electricity your home actually exports. A small city home with modest roof space may only export a small surplus in summer. A typical family home may export regularly during the day but still use plenty of power in the evening. A high-export household, especially one with a battery, may be able to choose tariffs more strategically.

Small solar systems: urban homes with low export

Small solar systems are common on terraced houses, flats with suitable roof access, compact semi-detached homes and urban properties with partial shading. These homes often use a high share of their solar electricity directly, especially if someone works from home or appliances are scheduled during daylight hours. In this case, chasing the highest exclusive SEG rate may not be worth changing installer or supplier.

For low-export homes, the best SEG rate is usually a straightforward tariff with low admin effort. If annual export is only 500kWh, the difference between 12p and 15p is £15 per year. That matters, but it may not justify switching your whole import tariff if the electricity you buy becomes more expensive.

Average UK households: medium export

A typical solar household may have a 3kW to 5kW system and export more electricity from late spring to early autumn. These homes often have meaningful daytime surplus, but still import electricity in the morning, evening and winter. For this group, the best SEG rates UK suppliers offer can make a noticeable difference, especially when export reaches 1,000–2,000kWh per year.

For medium-export homes, eligibility becomes more important. A 1,500kWh annual export at 12p/kWh gives about £180. At 20p/kWh, it gives about £300. At 25p/kWh, it gives about £375. That difference is meaningful, but only if the tariff conditions do not force you into a poor-value installation package or an import tariff that costs more overall.

High export households with batteries

High-export homes usually have larger solar systems, lower daytime consumption, or battery storage. A battery changes the calculation because it can reduce evening imports and, on some tariffs, support timed export during more valuable periods. This does not mean every battery household should export as much as possible. Often, using stored solar power at home is worth more than exporting it, especially when import rates are higher than export rates.

For high-export homes, the best SEG rate may be a time-of-use tariff rather than the highest flat rate. If a battery can export during peak periods and recharge when electricity is cheaper, the household may gain more flexibility.

This is where storage systems such as the Jackery SolarVault 3 Series become relevant: they can help shift surplus solar electricity away from the middle of the day and into periods when the household needs power or when export pricing is more attractive.

The Jackery SolarVault 3 Series is Jackery’s next-generation home solar storage solution, designed to help households generate, store, and use solar energy more efficiently. The series includes the SolarVault 3 Pro, SolarVault 3 Pro Max, and SolarVault 3 Pro Max AC, offering flexible options for balcony solar systems, existing PV installations, and larger home energy setups. With an integrated inverter, LiFePO4 battery technology, smart energy management, and expandable storage from 2.52 kWh to 15.12 kWh, the SolarVault 3 Series brings solar storage into a compact, modular, all-in-one system.

Best SEG Rates vs Best Energy Deals: Why the Highest Rate Isn’t Always Best  

The highest SEG rate is not always the best energy deal. Export income is only one side of the calculation; most homes still buy electricity from the grid in the evening, overnight and through winter. A tariff paying 20p/kWh for exports may look attractive, but if its import rate, standing charge or contract terms are poor, the total annual bill may not improve.

Contract length also matters. Some of the best SEG rates are introductory or installer-exclusive offers, often lasting around 12 months before the customer moves to a lower standard rate. Others require you to buy solar panels, a battery or electricity from the same supplier.

Export caps can also reduce the value. A tariff may limit the eligible system size, require a smart meter, or apply only to measured exports rather than estimated generation.

A better comparison is annual value: export income minus import electricity cost, standing charges and any restrictions. For many homes, the best SEG rate is the one that fits their actual usage pattern, not the highest headline number.

What Affects Your SEG Rate? 

SEG rates are not set by the government. Eligible suppliers must offer an export tariff, but they can decide the price, conditions and payment structure. This is why one household may receive only a few pence per kWh, while another qualifies for a much higher export rate.

Supplier Policy

Each supplier sets its own SEG rate and rules. Some offer a standard tariff for any eligible solar owner, while others reserve their best SEG rate for customers who also buy electricity from them, use a partner installer, or install a battery. Always compare both the export rate and the import tariff.

System Size

SEG tariffs usually apply to small-scale low-carbon systems, but suppliers may set technical limits or ask for installation documents. A larger solar system may export more electricity, but it does not automatically qualify for a better rate. The real benefit depends on how much surplus power leaves the home.

Export Meter Type

Measured export is important. A smart meter or export meter records how many kilowatt hours are sent to the grid. Without suitable metering, it may be harder to access the best SEG rates UK suppliers offer, especially tariffs using half-hourly readings.

Smart Tariff Eligibility

Some tariffs work best with smart meters, time-of-use pricing and battery storage. These can reward export at certain times rather than paying one flat rate. They may suit households that can shift usage, charge a battery cheaply, or export during peak windows.

Is the Highest SEG Rate Always the Best Option?

Not always. A high export rate may come with a higher import price, a short contract, installer-only eligibility, or strict metering rules. A lower but simpler tariff can be better if your home exports little electricity or you want fewer conditions. The best SEG rate is the one that gives the strongest overall annual value after import costs, standing charges and tariff restrictions are considered.

How to Compare SEG Tariffs Properly: A Step-by-Step Method 

Comparing SEG tariffs should be done in the same way as comparing an energy deal: look beyond the headline rate and calculate what it means for your home. A tariff paying the best SEG rate on paper may not be the best choice if you export very little electricity or need to accept a less competitive import tariff.

Step 1: Check Eligibility First

Start with the basic conditions. Most suppliers require an eligible solar PV system, an export MPAN, suitable metering and installation documents such as an MCS certificate. Some of the best SEG rates UK households see advertised are only available if the panels or battery were installed by that supplier or one of its partners. Check this before comparing numbers.

Step 2: Compare the Export Rate

Next, compare the p/kWh export rate. A fixed export rate is simple: exported units are multiplied by the agreed price. For example, 1,200kWh exported at 15p/kWh would provide £180. Variable or time-of-use tariffs need more care because the average value depends on when electricity is exported, not just how much is exported.

Step 3: Check Import Rates and Standing Charges

Most homes still import electricity at night, in winter and during cloudy periods. A high SEG rate can lose its advantage if the import unit rate or standing charge is higher than alternatives. Compare the full annual bill: imported electricity cost, standing charges and expected export income.

Step 4: Review Contract Length

Some premium SEG tariffs last for 12 months, then move to a lower standard rate. Others are variable and can change with notice. Look at the rate today, the tariff length, exit rules, payment frequency and what happens after the introductory period.

Step 5: Match the Tariff to Your Usage

Low-export homes often benefit from a simple tariff. Medium-export homes should compare supplier-exclusive offers carefully. High-export homes with batteries may gain more from smart tariffs that reward timed export. The best SEG rate is the one that gives the best net annual result for your actual system, not the biggest number in a comparison table.

How to Maximise Your SEG Income in the UK?

Maximising SEG income is not only about finding the best SEG rate. It is also about exporting at the right time, using more solar electricity at home and avoiding tariffs that look attractive but do not match your usage pattern.

Smart Export Timing

With a standard fixed SEG tariff, every exported kilowatt hour is paid at the same rate. This is simple, but it does not reward timing. Smart or time-of-use export tariffs can work differently, with higher export prices during peak periods and lower rates at other times. These tariffs are more useful for households that can control when electricity is exported, especially if they have a home battery.

Battery Storage Usage

A solar battery can change the whole SEG strategy. Without storage, surplus solar electricity is usually exported automatically once the home’s immediate demand is covered. With a battery, some of that surplus can be stored and used later in the evening, when the household would otherwise import electricity from the grid.

This means a battery does not simply increase SEG income. In many cases, it reduces unnecessary export and increases self-consumption. That can be more valuable than exporting, especially when the import price is higher than the export rate. For example, if you avoid importing electricity at 25p/kWh, that may be worth more than exporting the same unit at 12p/kWh.

The Jackery SolarVault 3 Series fits naturally into this type of strategy because it is designed to store surplus solar power and give households more control over when energy is used. For homes comparing SEG tariffs, battery storage can support a more flexible approach: use solar power directly where possible, store useful surplus, and export only when the tariff makes sense.

Tariff Switching Cycles

SEG rates can change, and some of the best SEG rates UK suppliers offer are introductory, fixed-term or linked to specific installation packages. Review your export tariff at least once a year. Check whether your premium rate is ending, whether a better tariff is available, and whether switching your import supplier would affect your export payments.

How Do Solar Batteries Change Your SEG Income Strategy？

Before installing a battery, the strategy is often simple: use solar electricity during the day and export the rest. After adding a battery, the decision becomes more flexible. You can store midday surplus, run evening appliances from stored solar power, and reduce grid imports. On certain smart tariffs, a battery may also help export electricity during higher-value windows.

The key is to compare export income against avoided import cost. If the import price is much higher than the SEG rate, self-consumption usually comes first. If the export rate is unusually high, exporting more may become attractive.

Real Example: How Much You Can Earn in a Year?

Take a 3kW solar system generating around 2,700kWh per year. If the household exports 30–50% of generation, annual export would be around 810–1,350kWh.

This example shows why the best SEG rate matters more as export volume rises. A low-export household may gain more from self-consumption, while a high-export household should compare tariffs more closely and consider whether battery control could improve the overall return.

Fixed vs Variable SEG Rates: Which Is Better in 2026? 

Fixed SEG rates are usually better for households that want simple, predictable export income. The supplier pays one agreed pence-per-kWh rate for exported electricity, regardless of the time of day. This makes annual income easier to estimate. For example, if you expect to export 1,200kWh and your rate is 15p/kWh, your export income would be around £180.

Variable SEG rates can be more flexible, but they carry more uncertainty. The rate may change with supplier policy, wholesale electricity conditions or tariff updates. Some smart export tariffs also use time-of-use pricing, where exported electricity is worth more during certain windows and less at other times.

For households without a battery, a fixed SEG rate is often easier to manage because solar export mostly happens when the sun is shining, not necessarily when peak prices apply. For homes with battery storage, variable or time-of-use tariffs can become more attractive. Stored solar power may be shifted away from low-value midday export and used or exported later when the tariff is more favourable.

The risk is that variable rates can fall, terms can change, and the highest-paying windows may not match your system or daily routine. In 2026, the safer choice is usually a competitive fixed tariff. The more advanced choice is a smart variable tariff, but only if your household can actively control when electricity is stored, used and exported.

FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the best SEG rates in the UK:

1. Who pays the best SEG payments?

The best SEG payments usually come from suppliers offering premium or exclusive export tariffs. In 2026, some of the strongest rates are linked to suppliers such as Good Energy, OVO, E.ON Next, EDF, British Gas and Octopus Energy.

However, the highest payment depends on eligibility. Some top rates are only available if you are already an electricity customer, use a specific installer, have a smart meter, or install a battery.

2. What is the current SEG rate?

There is no single current SEG rate in the UK. The Smart Export Guarantee does not set one national price. Each supplier decides its own rate, contract length and conditions. Basic SEG rates can be only a few pence per kWh, while more competitive fixed or smart tariffs may pay much more. Always check the supplier’s latest tariff page before signing up.

3. What is the 20% rule for solar?

The “20% rule” is not an official SEG rule. In solar discussions, it is sometimes used as a rough idea that a household may export around 20% or more of its solar generation, depending on system size and daytime electricity use. In reality, export levels vary widely. A home with daytime occupancy may export less, while a home that is empty during the day may export much more.

4. What is the best SEG tariff 2026?

The best SEG tariff in 2026 depends on your household. If you want a simple fixed rate, look at the highest flat-rate tariffs you are eligible for. If you have solar panels and battery storage, a smart time-of-use tariff may be better because it can reward export at certain times. The best tariff is the one with the strongest annual value after import costs, standing charges, contract rules and export volume are considered.

5. Which is better, FiT or SEG?

For many older solar owners, the Feed-in Tariff is better because it pays for generation as well as export, and many FiT customers receive deemed export payments. SEG only pays for electricity actually exported to the grid. However, FiT is closed to new applicants. New solar owners normally use SEG, while existing FiT customers should be careful before giving up any FiT export payments.

6. Which electricity tariff does Martin Lewis recommend?

Martin Lewis and MoneySavingExpert do not usually recommend one universal electricity tariff for every home. Their guidance is to compare based on your usage, region, meter type, standing charge, unit rate and any special needs such as EV charging, heat pumps, solar panels or battery storage. For solar owners, the export tariff should be compared together with the import tariff, not separately.

7. Does Martin Lewis recommend solar panels?

Martin Lewis does not treat solar panels as an automatic yes for every household. The usual message is that solar can be worthwhile, especially if you have a suitable roof, high daytime electricity use, a long-term home and access to a decent export tariff. The payback can be weaker if the roof is shaded, electricity use is low, or you may move home soon. A proper calculation is needed before buying.

8. Who has the best solar feed-in tariffs?

For new solar installations, the relevant scheme is usually SEG rather than the old Feed-in Tariff. The best solar export tariffs in 2026 are often from suppliers with premium SEG products, including Good Energy, OVO, E.ON Next, EDF, British Gas and Octopus Energy. The best choice depends on whether you qualify for their highest rate, whether you need to switch electricity supplier, and whether you have a battery that can support smart export timing.

Final Thoughts

The best SEG rates in 2026 can improve the return from solar panels, but the right tariff depends on more than the export rate alone. A strong choice should match your system size, export level, import tariff, smart meter setup and battery strategy. For many homes, the best result comes from using more solar electricity directly, storing useful surplus where possible, and exporting only when the tariff genuinely adds value.