Solar PV Panels - Smart Export Guarantee
Make money from the electricity you don’t use!
What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The Smart Export Guarantee was launched on 1st January 2020, to replace the Feed-in Tariff.
Some energy providers are offering around 5.4p/kWh for your exported electricity!
A 4kWp solar panel system could make around £355 per year!
Homeowners with solar panels can start making money again!
How much will I earn?
Depending on which electricity supplier you choose will determine a) the rate you are paid and b) the length of time you are paid.
According to calculations by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) last year, a household with a 4kWp solar panel system, a grid electricity price of 18p/kWh, and an SEG rate of 5.4p/kWh could make £355 per year.
Impact will provide a list of the best rates and term lengths on offer and you can choose the best.
How does the SEG work?
The SEG Licensee (EON / EDF etc) have processes in place to pay you for your exported electricity.
SEG Licensees compete to offer you a competitive rate and a contract length; you can choose who you sell your electricity to.
How do I apply?
Impact Services will guide you through the whole process!
Please note that there is no requirement for the SEG licensee to be the same company as your energy supplier. You can choose to use separate companies for your SEG export payments, electricity supply and your gas supply if you wish.
All MCS accredited Solar PV installations need to apply to an SEG Licensee to receive the SEG payments.
What rate will I receive and how long will I receive SEG payments for?
The details of SEG payments, including the amount of money received and the length of the contract are offered by the supplier you apply to (EON / EDF etc).
Instead of a fixed rate being set by the government, it is instead set by the energy suppliers themselves – this helps it to maintain competitive.
Energy companies are free to set whatever rate they want, so long as it’s more than zero.
Impact will help you find the best deal. See below for the current list of offers.
Types of SEG – Fixed Rate or Flex Rate
You could be paid by energy suppliers in two different ways: a fixed rate or a flexible rate.
A fixed rate SEG is a set amount of money for each kWh of renewable electricity you export to the grid, irrespective of the time of day.
A flexible rate SEG pays different amounts of money for renewable electricity depending on the time of day. For example, you might be paid more for the electricity you export in the evening (when there is higher demand), and be paid less in the morning.
Do you need a smart meter to receive SEG payments?
To start receiving accurate SEG payments, it’s likely you will need a smart meter installed.
Am I eligible for the SEG payments?
You must be the owner of the generation unit e.g. solar panels.
You must have a meter that is able to record energy that’s exported to the grid, on a half-hourly basis
You must have an installation which is certified to the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
You must not be receiving SEG payments from another licensee
Current SEG tariffs?
Check out the table below to see the full rundown of energy suppliers and their SEG rates.
| Energy supplier | Price | Name of tariff |
| Social Energy | 5.6p/kWh | Smarter Export |
| Octopus Energy | 5.5p/kWh | Outgoing Fixed |
| E.On (for new customers with solar PV from 1st January 2020) | 5.5p/kWh | Fix & Export Exclusive |
| Bulb | 5.38p/kWh | Export Payments |
| OVO | 4p/kWh | OVO SEG Tariff |
| Scottish Power | 4p/kWh | Smart Export Variable Tariff |
| SSE | 3.5p/kWh | Smart Export Tariff |
| EDF | 3.5p/kWh | Export+Earn |
| Shell Energy | 3.5p/kWh | SEG V1 Tariff |
| E.On (for all other customers) | 3p/kWh | Fix & Export |
| Utilita | 3p/kWh | Utilita Smart Export Guarantee |
| British Gas | 1.5p/kWh | Export & Earn Flex |
| Green Network Energy | 1p/kWh | SEG Tariff |
| Utility Warehouse | 0.5p/kWh | UW Smart Export Guarantee |
Presently, Social Energy are offering the best rate – 5.6p for every kWh of renewable electricity a household sends back to the grid.
How much could you earn?
The Energy Saving Trust (EST) suggested that a household with a 4kWp solar panel system, and a grid electricity price of 18p/kWh, and an SEG rate of 5.4p/kWh could make £355per year.
Assumptions
The 4kWp system generates 3,852kWh of electricity per annum.
The house exports 70% back to the grid.
Variables
how much electricity your solar panels can generate
how much electricity you send to the grid
how much you pay for grid electricity
what SEG rate you receive.
What you need to know
To qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee Payments your home requires a current Energy Performance Certificate and achieve a rating of D or above.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on your current energy usage and how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce your energy costs.
How to get an EPC