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Solar tariffs and export payments
Solar can reduce your bills in two ways: using the power yourself, and being paid for what you export. Tariffs also matter for batteries and night-time charging.
Rules are changing quickly. This page reflects what we could confirm on 21 September 2026. Check GOV.UK, your network operator and a qualified installer before you buy or connect anything. General information, not legal or electrical advice.
Smart Export Guarantee (Great Britain)
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires larger licensed suppliers in Great Britain to offer payments for electricity you export from a qualifying small generator. Rates and terms are set by each supplier, so compare them. To qualify, your installation generally needs to be suitably certified (for example, MCS), and you need a smart or export-capable meter arrangement. The SEG does not apply in Northern Ireland.
Plug-in solar and exports
Plug-in kits are designed for self-consumption. They generally earn little or nothing for any small surplus, so savings depend on how much of the power you use in the daytime.
Time-of-use and night-rate tariffs
Some suppliers offer cheaper electricity at set times, which can suit batteries and electric vehicles. Compare the standing charge and unit rates, and check whether the tariff works with your system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
It is a scheme in Great Britain under which larger licensed suppliers must offer payments for electricity you export from a qualifying small generator, at rates each supplier sets.
Does the Smart Export Guarantee apply in Northern Ireland?
No, it applies in Great Britain.
Will a plug-in solar kit earn export payments?
Generally little or nothing, because plug-in kits are designed for self-consumption.
Are time-of-use tariffs worth it with solar?
They can be, especially with a battery or an electric vehicle, but compare unit rates and standing charges for your usage.
Related questions
- What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
- Do I need MCS certification to get Smart Export Guarantee payments?
- How much will my supplier pay for exported electricity?
- Do I need to tell my home insurer before installing solar panels?
- Are solar panels covered by buildings insurance?
- Do I need my mortgage lender's permission to fit solar panels?
Official sources
- Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee, guidance for generators
- Energy Saving Trust: Plug-in solar panels
- Citizens Advice: six things to know before plug-in solar panels hit the shelves
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Open Be Solar WiseBrowse all guidesReviewed 2026-09-21. General information, not legal, electrical or financial advice. Confirm current rules before you buy or connect anything.