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Solar export (SEG) earnings calculator
Estimate your yearly Smart Export Guarantee income and see how much difference the choice of export tariff makes.
Defaults from our data file, last updated 2026-10-20.
Estimates only, not financial advice. Results use average UK figures and the assumptions shown. Your real costs depend on your home, tariff, region and installer quotes. Always get several quotes from certified installers and check current tariff rates before deciding.
What the Smart Export Guarantee is
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed obligation, run by Ofgem, that requires larger electricity suppliers to offer at least one tariff paying you for electricity you export from small-scale renewables such as solar panels. There is no minimum rate set by law beyond it having to be above zero, so the rates offered vary hugely, from about 3p to over 20p per kWh. To qualify you normally need an MCS-certified installation and a smart meter that records exports. You can choose any supplier offering SEG, not only your import supplier, but the best rates often require you to buy your electricity from them as well.
How the calculator works
Enter your yearly generation, which you can get from our payback calculator, your installer's quote or your inverter app. Then enter the share you export. We multiply the exported kWh by the rate you choose. Without a battery, a typical home exports around 50–70% of its solar. With a battery, that might fall to 20–40%.
Example rates (October 2026)
These rates were read from supplier pages in early October 2026. They change often, so always confirm before switching:
- Octopus SEG: 4.1p per kWh, fixed, open to anyone regardless of supplier.
- Outgoing Octopus: 12p per kWh, variable, needs an Octopus import tariff.
- Prime Outgoing Octopus: 16p per kWh from 4pm to 7pm and 9p at other times, aimed at battery owners.
- EDF Export Exclusive 12m: 18p per kWh fixed for 12 months, according to an independent comparison (check eligibility).
- Basic SEG tariffs from some large suppliers pay around 3p per kWh.
Worked example
A 4 kWp system generating 4,000 kWh a year and exporting half (2,000 kWh) earns:
- £60 a year at 3p
- £82 a year at 4.1p
- £240 a year at 12p
- £360 a year at 18p
Over 10 years the gap between a basic and a good tariff can be £2,000–£3,000, which is a big part of a solar system's payback. Even so, using a unit yourself saves about 26p at current cap prices, which is more than any standard export rate. So it usually pays to use as much solar as you can first and export the rest.
How to get paid
- Make sure your installation is MCS-certified and you have the certificate.
- Have a smart meter that records exports. Your supplier may need to reconfigure it.
- Apply to your chosen SEG supplier with your MCS certificate and meter details.
- Payments are usually monthly or quarterly, often credited to your energy account.
Is SEG income taxable?
HMRC has confirmed that SEG payments to households are generally not taxable where the system is sized mainly for your own use. If you run a larger commercial installation, take professional advice.
FAQs
What is the best SEG rate right now?
In October 2026 most good variable or fixed rates were 12–18p per kWh, with higher installer-linked deals. Basic tariffs paid 3–4.1p. Rates change often.
Can I get SEG from a different supplier to my import?
Yes. You can choose any SEG licensee, though many of the highest rates require you to import from them too.
Do I need MCS certification for SEG?
For solar PV, suppliers generally require MCS certification (or an equivalent) to prove the installation is eligible.
Does a battery affect SEG?
A battery usually reduces exports. Some suppliers allow battery exports, and some time-based tariffs reward them.
Related calculators
Sources
- Ofgem – Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
- Octopus Energy – Octopus SEG tariff
- Octopus Energy – Outgoing Octopus export tariffs
- Smart Export Guarantee rates compared, October 2026 (solarbatterygrants.co.uk)
- MCS – Find a certified installer
Estimates only, not financial advice. Results use average UK figures and the assumptions shown. Your real costs depend on your home, tariff, region and installer quotes. Always get several quotes from certified installers and check current tariff rates before deciding.