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The Smart Export Guarantee: getting paid for your spare electricity

How export payments work, who pays them and how to get the best rate.

4 min read Last reviewed: 28 September 2026

In short

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires larger energy suppliers to pay you for electricity you export to the grid from solar or other small-scale generation. Rates are set by each supplier and vary widely, so it pays to shop around. You'll normally need an MCS certificate and an export-capable smart meter.

How it works

Your smart meter records how much electricity you send to the grid. Your chosen SEG supplier pays you a rate per unit for it.

What you'll need

  • An MCS certificate for your installation (for systems up to 50kW).
  • A smart meter that can record exports.
  • To sign up with a supplier offering an SEG tariff. It doesn't have to be the one you buy electricity from, although some of the best rates are only for their own customers.

Export vs using it yourself

Export rates are usually well below what you pay to buy electricity. That's why using more of your own solar, with a battery, an EV or smart timing, normally saves more than exporting it.

Rules, rates and schemes change. This guide was last reviewed on 28 September 2026. If you're making a decision based on it, we'll confirm the current position when we quote.

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