A complete 2026 guide to the Smart Export Guarantee. Compare the best SEG tariffs from Octopus, British Gas, E.ON Next, EDF, and OVO, see what a typical 4kW system can earn, and find out which tariff suits homes with batteries, heat pumps, or solar only.
If you own solar panels, every kilowatt hour that you generate but do not use is potential income. The Smart Export Guarantee, known as the SEG, is the regulatory framework that requires larger electricity suppliers to pay you for surplus solar energy that you send back to the grid. In 2026 the gap between the best and worst export tariffs has never been wider. Choosing the right one can be worth several hundred pounds a year on a typical home solar system, and switching is far easier than most people realise.
This 2026 guide explains exactly how the Smart Export Guarantee works, lists the best fixed and variable export tariffs available right now, walks through the eligibility rules, and shows what a real 4kW system in the south of England could earn. We also cover the smart tariffs that work best with batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, and the common mistakes that leave homeowners earning a fraction of what they should.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the closed Feed in Tariff in January 2020. It is a regulatory requirement set out by Ofgem that obliges every large licensed electricity supplier in Great Britain to offer at least one tariff that pays small scale generators for the renewable electricity they export to the grid.
The rules are straightforward in principle. Any electricity supplier with 150,000 or more domestic electricity customers as at 31 December of the preceding year must notify Ofgem by 14 February each year that it is a Mandatory SEG Licensee. Smaller suppliers can opt in voluntarily. There is no government set minimum rate. Suppliers are free to choose whatever rate they like, provided it is greater than zero. That freedom is why the spread between providers is so wide. The best fixed tariff in 2026 pays more than ten times the worst.
To be eligible for SEG payments your installation must meet four basic tests:
- The system must be solar PV, wind, hydro, micro CHP, or anaerobic digestion with a capacity of 5MW or less. Battery storage on its own is not eligible, but a battery installed alongside qualifying solar panels can support exports.
- The installation must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, known as MCS. Without an MCS certificate you cannot claim SEG payments even if everything else is in place.
- You must have an export capable smart meter that records your half hourly exports. Most modern SMETS2 meters do this automatically. If your meter is older you may need an upgrade before signing up.
- You must have applied for and received either a G98 or G99 connection notification from your distribution network operator. Your installer normally handles this on your behalf.
Once you meet those tests you can sign up to any SEG tariff with any participating supplier. You do not have to take your import electricity from the same provider, which is one of the most useful and most underused features of the scheme.
The Best Fixed SEG Tariffs in 2026
Fixed SEG tariffs pay the same flat rate for every kilowatt hour you export. They are predictable, easy to understand, and well suited to most households who simply want a fair return without managing battery import and export schedules. Here are the leading fixed rates in April 2026.
E.ON Next Export Premium v3 at 17.5p per kWh. Currently the highest fixed export rate available, but only to E.ON Next customers who have purchased solar panels or a solar plus battery system through E.ON. The contract runs for 12 months. If you are buying solar this year and considering E.ON as your installer, the bundled tariff is genuinely competitive.
E.ON Next Export Exclusive at 16.5p per kWh. Slightly lower than Premium but available more broadly to E.ON Next customers without the requirement to install through E.ON. Useful if you already have solar from another installer and want to switch to E.ON for export.
British Gas Export and Earn Plus at 15.1p per kWh. Open to British Gas import customers with a smart meter and an MCS certified solar PV or solar plus battery system. The eligibility rule that you also take your grid electricity from British Gas is the trade off here.
OVO Smart Solar Export at 15p per kWh. A simple flat rate available to OVO import customers. Easy to set up if you are already with OVO for your gas and electricity.
EDF Export 12m at 15p per kWh. Open to EDF import customers as a fixed 12 month rate. EDF also runs a higher rate Export Exclusive tariff which has moved between 18p and 24p per kWh in recent years. As of March 2026 the Export Exclusive rate is set at 18p per kWh, but eligibility is restricted and the rate is tied to specific bundles.
Octopus Outgoing Fixed at 12p per kWh. Once the headline benchmark of the SEG market at 15p per kWh, Octopus reduced this rate to 12p per kWh on 1 March 2026. It remains a strong option for solar only households who want a simple fixed rate without the complexity of time of use tariffs, and Octopus continues to dominate variable export tariffs (see below).
If you are a solar only household with no battery, the most important number is whichever fixed rate you can access without needing to bundle hardware or switch import supplier on unfavourable terms. For most households that means looking at British Gas Export and Earn Plus or OVO Smart Solar Export first, then comparing against Octopus Outgoing Fixed if you prefer to keep flexibility.
The Best Variable and Time of Use SEG Tariffs in 2026
Variable export tariffs pay different rates at different times of day. They reward households who can shift exports to peak demand windows, typically in the late afternoon and early evening. To benefit you usually need a battery and a smart inverter that can be controlled remotely or scheduled to discharge to the grid at the right times.
Intelligent Octopus Flux is the standout option in 2026 for households with solar plus a compatible battery. Octopus controls the battery automatically, charging it from cheap grid electricity overnight when wholesale prices are low, then discharging at peak times when export rates spike. It is a smart import and export tariff bundled together. Eligible batteries include GivEnergy, Tesla Powerwall via the Octopus integration, and a growing list of other brands. Peak export rates can reach more than 30p per kWh on certain days.
Octopus Flux is the predecessor product. It is now closed to new sign ups but existing customers can stay on it. Flux pays peak, off peak, and overnight export rates that you can manually optimise if your battery system supports custom schedules.
Cosy Octopus is technically an import tariff for heat pump owners rather than an export tariff, but it is worth understanding because of the synergies. Between April and June 2026 Cosy Octopus charges around 14.53p per kWh during off peak windows, around 33.28p per kWh during the rest of the day, and around 51.68p per kWh at peak times. If you have solar, a battery, and a heat pump, pairing Cosy Octopus on the import side with a higher value export tariff on the export side can deliver dramatic running cost reductions.
The April 2026 Ofgem price cap sets the average single rate electricity unit price at 24.7p per kWh and the average electricity standing charge at 57.2p per day for direct debit customers. Time of use tariffs only beat the cap if you genuinely shift consumption away from peak hours, so they are not for everyone. For households with the right setup, however, they pay the highest export rates on the market.
Eligibility Recap and the MCS Question
The single most common reason that homeowners cannot access SEG payments is missing MCS certification. If you bought your solar panels from an installer who is not MCS certified, or you self installed, the system will work and you will save money on your bills, but no SEG licensee can pay you for your exports. The MCS certificate also has to be issued at installation. You cannot retroactively add it later.
If you are still in the planning stage, the rule is simple. Only use installers who hold MCS certification and who will issue you the MCS certificate at handover. Every accredited Cucumber Eco partner installer is MCS certified and will register your installation with the scheme on your behalf.
The other requirements are easier to meet. A SMETS2 smart meter is now standard with most suppliers. The G98 or G99 connection notification is handled by the installer. Capacity caps of 5MW are far above any domestic system. Battery only installations are not eligible for SEG payments by themselves. The battery must be paired with a qualifying generator such as solar PV.
How Much Can a Real 4kW System Earn in 2026?
A typical 4kW solar PV system in southern England generates around 3,400 to 4,400 kWh per year on a south facing pitched roof. North facing or shaded systems will generate less. The kWh that you actually export to the grid depends on how much you self consume during the day.
Most homes without a battery use around 40% of their solar electricity directly and export around 60% to the grid. On a 4kW system generating 4,000 kWh that means roughly 1,600 kWh of self consumption and 2,400 kWh of exports. The economics work out as follows on a small selection of 2026 SEG tariffs:
- E.ON Next Export Premium at 17.5p per kWh on 2,400 kWh exported is £420 per year.
- British Gas Export and Earn Plus at 15.1p per kWh on 2,400 kWh exported is around £362 per year.
- OVO Smart Solar Export at 15p per kWh on 2,400 kWh exported is £360 per year.
- EDF Export 12m at 15p per kWh on 2,400 kWh exported is £360 per year.
- Octopus Outgoing Fixed at 12p per kWh on 2,400 kWh exported is £288 per year.
That is the export income alone. The bill saving from self consumption is on top. At the April 2026 average electricity unit rate of 24.7p per kWh, 1,600 kWh of self consumption is worth around £395 per year in avoided imports. So a 4kW solar PV household on a strong SEG tariff is realistically saving and earning between £650 and £820 per year on top of any seasonal variation, with no battery in the picture.
Adding a battery typically reduces exports because more solar is stored and used at home. A 5kWh battery might cut exports to around 1,200 kWh per year while raising self consumption to roughly 2,800 kWh. On Intelligent Octopus Flux, where the battery is also charged from cheap overnight rates and discharged to the grid at peak times, the headline export figure can rise even with less solar going to the grid.
Tied Versus Untied SEG Tariffs
A tied tariff requires you to also take your import electricity from the same supplier. Untied tariffs allow you to keep any import provider you like. Most of the highest fixed rates in 2026 are tied, including British Gas Export and Earn Plus, OVO Smart Solar Export, EDF Export 12m, and the E.ON Next Export Premium. Octopus Outgoing Fixed is one of the few high profile untied tariffs.
The tied versus untied question matters because the cheapest import tariff for your household may not be from the same supplier as the best export tariff. Always run the numbers both ways.
- Calculate your annual cost on your current import tariff plus your current export earnings.
- Calculate your annual cost on the new bundle, including the new import tariff and the new export tariff.
- Compare the two totals, not just the export rate in isolation.
A 1p per kWh higher export rate can be wiped out by a 2p per kWh more expensive import rate if you import more than you export, which is the case for most households without a battery in winter.
How to Switch to a Better SEG Tariff in Four Steps
- Find your MCS certificate and installation paperwork. You will need the MCS certificate number, installation date, system size in kW, and your meter point administration number, known as your MPAN. The MPAN is on any electricity bill. If you cannot find your MCS certificate, contact your original installer or check the MCS database at mcscertified.com using your address.
- Confirm your meter is export capable. Almost all SMETS2 smart meters are capable of recording exports. If you have an older SMETS1 meter or no smart meter, contact your import supplier and request a smart meter installation. There is no charge for this.
- Compare current SEG tariffs against your situation. Use the rules above. Solar only households should compare untied flat rate tariffs first. Solar plus battery households should compare time of use tariffs from Octopus and similar providers. Heat pump households should look at Cosy Octopus on the import side and pair with the best export rate available.
- Apply directly with your chosen SEG supplier. Most applications are online and take 10 to 15 minutes. The supplier will arrange the rest, including taking over your export readings. Switching SEG suppliers does not affect your import contract unless the export tariff is tied.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Staying on a legacy export rate. Many homeowners signed up to a 5p per kWh tariff in 2020 or 2021 and have never reviewed it. Moving to a 15p per kWh tariff on a 4kW system can be worth £200 to £300 a year on its own.
Choosing a time of use tariff without a battery. Variable rates only pay off if you can shift exports to peak windows. Without a battery your exports happen during the daytime middle of the solar curve, not at peak times. A flat rate tariff usually wins.
Bundling export with an expensive import tariff. A flashy export rate is no use if you are paying 5p per kWh more than the price cap on your import side.
Forgetting MCS certification on a new install. If you are getting solar installed in 2026 and the installer cannot issue you an MCS certificate, walk away. You will lose access to SEG payments for the lifetime of the system.
Ignoring battery export economics. A battery reduces the volume you export but can increase the value of every kWh exported on the right tariff. Run the maths before assuming a battery cuts your export income.
How the April 2026 Price Cap Changes the Picture
The Ofgem price cap for the period 1 April to 30 June 2026 is set at £1,641 per year for a typical household paying by direct debit. The average electricity unit rate is 24.7p per kWh and gas is 5.7p per kWh. Standing charges are 57.2p per day for electricity and 29.1p per day for gas.
The drop in the unit rate compared to 2025 makes self consumption slightly less valuable in pence per kWh terms, but the gap between import rates and the best export rates has narrowed significantly. The economics still strongly favour solar PV plus a battery on a strong export tariff, especially when paired with a heat pump on Cosy Octopus or a similar time of use import tariff.
Solar, Heat Pumps, and the Funded Routes
Solar PV pairs naturally with a heat pump because both produce or use electricity, not gas. Households that combine solar, a battery, and an air source or ground source heat pump under the right tariffs are the lowest running cost homes in the UK in 2026.
Three funded routes can help with the upfront cost.
The Warm Homes Plan offers up to £30,000 for whole house energy efficiency measures and low carbon heating, including solar PV, battery storage, insulation, and a heat pump. Eligibility requires a household income of £36,000 or less, or being in IMD deciles 1 or 2, and a property in EPC band D to G.
The Warm Homes Local Grant is delivered by local authorities, runs to March 2028, and supports similar measures with eligibility set by each council.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump and is open to all owner occupiers and small landlords in England and Wales. From April 2026 the EPC requirement was scrapped, the budget was increased, and air to air heat pumps were added to the eligible technologies. There is no income test for the BUS.
If you already have solar and are thinking about adding a battery and a heat pump, the BUS plus a strong SEG tariff plus a time of use import tariff together can transform your annual energy bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get paid for SEG exports? Most suppliers pay quarterly, in arrears, based on your half hourly meter readings. Some pay monthly. You will see the credit either as a cash payment to your bank account or as a credit against your electricity bill, depending on the supplier.
Is the SEG payment taxable? For domestic households exporting from a small home installation, SEG income falls within the tax free personal allowance for almost all homeowners. If you have a much larger system or commercial setup you should take HMRC advice.
Can I have a battery without solar and still get paid for exports? No. The SEG only pays for renewable generation. A battery on its own is not eligible. You must have solar PV, wind, hydro, micro CHP, or anaerobic digestion alongside.
What happens if my SEG supplier goes bust? Your import supply is protected by Ofgem's Supplier of Last Resort process. Your SEG agreement is a separate contract and will not transfer automatically. You may need to apply to a new SEG supplier directly. Keep your MCS certificate and installation paperwork safe so you can re register easily.
Do I have to use the same supplier for import and export? No. The SEG and your import electricity contract are completely separate. Many of the best deals are found by combining the cheapest import tariff with the highest export tariff from a different supplier. The exception is tied tariffs, which require both.
Get an Independent View on Your Solar and Tariff Setup
Cucumber Eco offers a free energy consultancy for homeowners and landlords across England and Wales. We will review your solar setup, compare your current SEG and import tariffs against the latest market, look at battery storage and heat pump options, and tell you exactly what to switch to and what to install to maximise your savings and earnings.
Book a free consultation at cucumbereco.co.uk and we will be in touch within one working day.
