Smart Export Guarantee: Best SEG Rates for 2026
We compare SEG rates across UK energy suppliers so you can maximise earnings from your solar panels.
In This Article
- 1. What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
- 2. Comparing the Best SEG Rates in 2026
- 3. How to Maximise Your SEG Earnings
- 4. SEG vs Self-Consumption: What Pays Better?
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee is a UK government scheme that requires licensed electricity suppliers to pay small-scale renewable energy generators for electricity they export to the grid. If you have solar panels installed on your home, you earn money for every kilowatt-hour of surplus electricity you do not use. The SEG replaced the old Feed-in Tariff in January 2020 and remains the primary export payment mechanism in 2026.
To qualify, your installation must be MCS-certified, have a capacity of up to 5MW, and you need a smart meter fitted at your property. You can only register with one SEG supplier at a time, but you can switch between providers to take advantage of better rates.
Comparing the Best SEG Rates in 2026
SEG rates vary considerably between suppliers, so comparing options is essential to maximise your earnings. In 2026, the top fixed-rate tariffs offer between 12p and 15p per kWh exported, while some agile or variable tariffs can pay even more during periods of high grid demand. Major suppliers like Octopus Energy, EDF, and British Gas all offer competitive SEG tariffs.
Octopus Energy typically leads the market with flexible export tariffs that track wholesale electricity prices, meaning you can earn significantly more during peak demand periods. Fixed-rate options provide more predictable income and are better suited for homeowners who prefer certainty. Your choice should depend on your circumstances and whether you have battery storage that allows you to time your exports.
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How to Maximise Your SEG Earnings
The simplest way to boost your SEG income is to export more electricity, but the smarter approach is to balance self-consumption with export timing. If you have battery storage, you can store solar energy during the day and export it during peak evening hours when agile tariffs pay the most. This strategy can double or triple your export earnings compared to a flat-rate tariff.
System size also matters. A larger solar panel system naturally generates more surplus for export. Homes in Doncaster and Sheffield with south-facing roofs and 5-6kW systems can export several thousand kWh per year, earning £300-£600 annually from SEG payments alone.
SEG vs Self-Consumption: What Pays Better?
While SEG payments are welcome income, using solar electricity yourself is almost always more valuable. At current electricity rates of around 24.5p/kWh, every unit you consume directly saves you 24.5p, compared to the 12-15p you might earn from exporting. This is why adding battery storage is such a powerful financial strategy: it shifts more of your generation into self-consumption.
The ideal approach for most homeowners is to maximise self-consumption through battery storage and smart energy management, then export any genuine surplus at the best available SEG rate. ElectriFusion Solutions designs every system with this balance in mind, ensuring you get the greatest total financial return from your solar investment.
Get Expert Advice from ElectriFusion Solutions
At ElectriFusion Solutions, we are MCS-certified, NAPIT-registered, and TrustMark-endorsed specialists in solar panel installation, battery storage, and EV charger installation across South Yorkshire and Northern England. Our team has completed over 200+ installations and maintains a 4.7/5 rating on Trustpilot from 31+ verified reviews.
Whether you are considering solar panels for the first time or looking to add battery storage to an existing system, we offer free, no-obligation site surveys with transparent pricing and no pushy sales tactics. Every installation comes with our industry-leading warranty package, including 15 years workmanship, lifetime inverter, and lifetime battery warranties.
Contact our team today on 01302 203 755 or request a free survey online. We cover Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and the wider South Yorkshire region.