Solar panels do not just cut your bills. When they generate more than your home can use, that surplus flows back to the grid, and thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee, you get paid for it. It is one of the most misunderstood parts of going solar, and one of the most rewarding once you know how it works.
This guide explains the Smart Export Guarantee in plain English: what it is, the rates on offer in 2026, how to earn more with a battery, and what you need to qualify. It comes from Cre8 Zero, an MCS-certified solar, battery and EV charging installer based in Brighton and serving Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Brighton & Hove.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee, usually shortened to SEG, is a government-backed scheme that requires larger energy suppliers to pay you for the surplus solar electricity you export to the grid.
It launched at the start of 2020 to replace the old Feed-in Tariff, which had closed to new applicants in 2019. There is a key difference between the two. The Feed-in Tariff paid a set, government-fixed rate for both generation and export. The SEG instead makes suppliers set their own export rates and compete for your business, so it pays to shop around.
Key takeaway: the SEG pays you for exported solar, and because suppliers set their own rates, the tariff you choose makes a real difference to what you earn.
Which suppliers have to offer it?
Under the rules, every energy supplier with 150,000 or more domestic customers must offer at least one SEG tariff. Smaller suppliers can offer one voluntarily but are not obliged to.
That means all the big names provide an export tariff, and there is genuine variety in what they pay and how. Some offer a simple flat rate for every unit you export. Others offer time-of-use tariffs that pay more when demand on the grid is high.
SEG rates in 2026: what you can earn
Export rates vary widely, so treat these as indicative figures that change over time. In 2026 the landscape looks roughly like this:
- The full range: from around 1p per unit at the bottom end to 30p or more per unit on the best battery-linked tariffs.
- Solid fixed rates: many good flat-rate tariffs sit in the region of 12p to 16.5p per unit, paying the same regardless of when you export.
- Time-of-use tariffs: these pay a variable rate, often much higher during peak demand periods, which rewards exporting or discharging a battery at the right moment.
The lowest rates tend to come bundled with other conditions, while the highest usually require a battery and a compatible smart tariff. The best choice depends on your setup and habits.
You are not tied to your import supplier
Here is a point many people miss. Your SEG export tariff does not have to come from the same company that supplies your electricity.
You can buy your electricity from one supplier and sell your surplus to another. That freedom lets you pair a competitive import tariff with a strong export tariff, rather than settling for whatever one company offers on both. It is worth reviewing periodically, because rates move.
Key takeaway: shop for your export tariff separately from your import tariff, because the best deal is rarely both from the same supplier.
What you need to qualify
Getting paid through the SEG is straightforward, but there are two firm requirements.
- An MCS-certified installation. Your solar system must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (or an equivalent recognised standard). This is why choosing a certified installer matters, because without it you cannot claim SEG payments.
- A smart meter. You need a meter capable of recording your export in half-hourly readings, so the supplier can measure and pay for exactly what you send back.
Once both are in place, you apply to your chosen SEG supplier, provide your MCS certificate and meter details, and payments follow. At Cre8 Zero, every system we fit is MCS-certified and installed by fully qualified electricians, so you are set up to claim from day one.
Thinking about solar and want to be sure you can earn from it? Book a free energy assessment and we will make sure your system is SEG-ready.
How a battery increases what you earn
A battery changes your relationship with the SEG in a clever way. Without storage, your surplus is exported the moment it is generated, whatever the rate happens to be at that time.
With a battery and a time-of-use tariff, you gain control. You can store solar generated in the middle of the day and choose to export it during the peak-rate window, when each unit is worth far more. You can also store cheap off-peak grid power and use it yourself at peak, cutting your import costs.
There is a balance to strike. The more solar you use yourself, the less you export, but self-consumed electricity is usually worth more to you than the export rate anyway. A good installer helps you plan the mix that suits your usage and tariff.
A worked, indicative example
Let us put rough numbers to it. These are indicative figures to show the principle, not a guarantee.
Picture a 4kW system generating around 3,700 units a year. If the household uses about half directly and exports the other half, that is roughly 1,850 units exported. On a fixed SEG rate of, say, 15p per unit, that is in the region of £275 a year in export income, on top of the savings from the electricity used directly.
Add a battery and a time-of-use tariff, and the value of each exported or shifted unit can rise, though you may export fewer units because you are using more of your own solar. The overall benefit often improves, but the exact figure depends on your tariff, your battery and your habits.
Making the most of the SEG
To get the best from the scheme:
- Compare export tariffs regularly, since rates change and you are free to switch.
- Match your tariff to your setup. Flat rates suit simple systems, while time-of-use tariffs reward batteries.
- Keep your smart meter working, as it is what proves your export.
- Consider a battery if you want to actively manage when you export.
Why choose Cre8 Zero
Claiming the SEG starts with a properly certified installation, and that is exactly what we provide. Every Cre8 Zero system is MCS-certified and fitted by qualified electricians, so your export payments are never at risk over paperwork.
Our installations are backed by an insurance-backed workmanship warranty, and our 5-star ratings on Trustpilot and Google reflect the standard we bring to every job. We install across Brighton & Hove, Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire, and we are always glad to explain how the SEG will work for your specific system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Smart Export Guarantee? The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a scheme that requires larger energy suppliers to pay you for surplus solar electricity you export to the grid. It launched in 2020, replacing the Feed-in Tariff, and suppliers set their own rates, so it pays to compare tariffs.
What are the best SEG rates in 2026? In 2026, SEG rates range from around 1p to 30p or more per unit. Solid fixed-rate tariffs sit in the region of 12p to 16.5p per unit, while the highest rates usually come from battery-linked time-of-use tariffs that pay more at peak times. Rates change, so compare regularly.
Do I need a battery to claim the SEG? No. Any MCS-certified solar system with a smart meter can claim the SEG. A battery is optional, but combined with a time-of-use tariff it lets you export when rates are highest, which can increase what you earn.
Can I use a different supplier for export and import? Yes. Your SEG export tariff is decoupled from your electricity supplier, so you can buy your power from one company and sell your surplus to another. This lets you combine a competitive import tariff with a strong export tariff.
What do I need to qualify for the SEG? You need an MCS-certified solar installation (or an equivalent recognised standard) and a smart meter that records your export in half-hourly readings. Once both are in place, you apply to your chosen SEG supplier with your MCS certificate and meter details.
How much can I earn from the SEG? As an indicative example, a 4kW system exporting around 1,850 units a year on a 15p tariff could earn roughly £275 a year, on top of bill savings from the solar you use directly. Actual earnings depend on your system, tariff and how much you export.
Get an SEG-ready solar system
The Smart Export Guarantee turns your spare solar into a genuine income, but only if your system is properly certified from the start. That is where the right installer makes all the difference.
Let our MCS-certified team design a system that saves you money and earns from every exported unit. Book your free energy assessment online, call us on (020) 3038 4595, or email enquiries@cre8zero.com.
