Best SEG Tariff in the UK: All 27 Export Tariffs Ranked in 2024

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates in the UK allow solar panel owners to earn money by selling electricity back to the grid. The best SEG tariff currently available is Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Flux, which provides up to 30.31p/kWh for customers with solar panels and compatible batteries.

This tariff stands out in SEG tariff comparisons as one of the best export tariffs for solar panel owners. For example, by taking advantage of the SEG on top of the savings provided by a 4kW solar system with a 5.5p tariff rate alone, you can save up to £685 per year.

This article explores the best SEG rates in the UK and provides detailed information about top suppliers. We'll cover essential aspects such as rates and potential annual savings for each provider. Our comprehensive guide aims to help you understand your options. However, if you still have questions after reading, we recommend consulting a reliable specialist for personalised advice tailored to your situation.

Fortunately, with our service, finding a reliable professional and comparing quotes couldn’t be easier. Just fill in our short 30-second form, and we’ll connect you with up to 4 local solar panel suppliers. Spare yourself the hassle of endless googling, and just click below to get started—it’s quick, simple, and completely free!

Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Flux offers the best SEG tariff in the UK at 30.31p/kWh during peak hours (4-7 pm). The best tariff may vary based on individual circumstances, such as having a battery storage system or an electric vehicle.

Therefore, who pays the best SEG tariff? Octopus leads, but other providers, like Good Energy’s Solar Savings Exclusive at 20p/kWh and OVO’s SEG Tariff Exclusive at 20p/kWh, also offer competitive rates.

Here's a comprehensive table of SEG rates from various UK energy suppliers, ranked from highest to lowest:

For instance, ScottishPower’s SmartGen and British Gas Export & Earn Flex SEG tariffs emerge as the best SEG tariffs in the UK for those seeking the best export tariff without switching suppliers.

When conducting an SEG tariff comparison, consider factors like solar battery compatibility and payment schedules to find the best smart export guarantee rates for your situation. Remember, the best tariff for solar panels in the UK may vary based on individual circumstances and equipment.

Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Flux is currently the UK's best Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff for solar panel owners. This innovative tariff offers the highest SEG rates, up to 30.31p/kWh during peak hours (4-7 pm) and 22.73p/kWh at other times.

This tariff can save Octopus Energy customers up to £819.1 on their energy bills annually, taking into account a 4kW solar panel system and an average energy consumption of 2700kWh. Moreover, it combines import and export rates, optimising energy consumption and export for customers with solar panels and compatible home batteries (currently GivEnergy).

To qualify for this best solar export tariff in the UK, you’ll need the following:

1. A smart meter with half-hourly readings

2. Solar PV system and compatible battery

3. Octopus Energy as their supplier for both import and export

4. Proper certifications (MCS or Flexi-Orb) and notifications to the local energy network

These conditions apply to most SEG tariff rates. Moreover, for those seeking the best solar tariff in the UK, Intelligent Octopus Flux emerges as the top choice, surpassing other export tariff rates in the market.

Octopus Energy's Octopus Flux tariff offers a competitive rate of 21p/kWh, making it the second-best SEG tariff option in the UK. Designed for customers with solar panels and battery storage systems, this tariff provides potential annual savings of up to £747 for a typical 4kW solar panel system.

The Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive SEG Tariff comes third by offering a 20p/kWh rate for exporting excess solar electricity to the grid.

Exclusive to Good Energy electricity customers, this tariff provides potential annual savings of up to £740 for a typical 4kW solar panel system with battery storage. It requires a smart meter for accurate export measurement.

So Energy is a UK-based energy provider that stands out for its customer-focused approach and dedication to sustainable energy. Founded in 2015, the company has rapidly grown, offering competitive tariffs and exceptional service.

With a generous SEG rate of 20p/kWh, So Energy enables homeowners with a 4kW solar panel system to save up to £740 annually. This significant saving can substantially reduce the payback period for solar panel costs in the UK, making renewable energy more accessible and economically viable for households.

OVO Energy, a prominent UK energy supplier, offers an exclusive Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff for customers with solar panels. This tariff provides a rate of 20p per kWh for electricity exported back to the grid, allowing OVO members with eligible solar PV systems to save up to £740 annually on their energy bills.

This saving is based on an average 4kW solar system, typically suitable for a 2-3 bedroom house. To benefit from this tariff, customers must install a smart meter, ensuring accurate measurement and reporting of the exported electricity.

For those seeking cheap solar panels, OVO's SEG tariff can significantly offset the initial investment by providing substantial savings. However, checking directly with OVO Energy for the most current information is crucial, as tariff rates and terms can change. The rate mentioned, 20p per kWh, is based on the latest available data, but energy market rates are subject to fluctuation.

E.ON offers the Next Export Exclusive tariff under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. This tariff provides a rate of 16.5p per kWh for electricity exported back to the grid. For customers with a 4kW solar system, this can result in savings of up to £715.50 annually.

Since 2009, they've invested £3.5 billion in renewables and installed over 4 million smart meters. With 8,000 UK employees, E.ON is shaping the green energy workforce. Their commitment to sustainability extends to a fleet of 159 ultra-low emission vehicles and 1,200 business EV charging points installed by 2022, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to creating a more sustainable and efficient energy future for the UK.

Good Energy, a UK renewable energy sector pioneer, is the country's largest voluntary Feed-in Tariff (FIT) administrator. Although the FIT scheme closed to new applicants in 2019, Good Energy continues to support existing FIT customers, demonstrating their commitment to renewable energy not out of obligation but genuine dedication to sustainable power generation.

Good Energy ensures continued support for their contracts for homes already receiving FIT payments, even allowing customers to switch administrators. This commitment extends to their current Solar Savings SEG tariff, which provides a competitive rate of 15p/kWh for exported electricity. A typical 4kW solar panel system can translate to annual savings of up to £705, making Good Energy an attractive option for homeowners looking to maximise their solar investments.

ScottishPower, one of the UK's "Big Six" energy companies, offers the SmartGen tariff as part of their Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. This tariff is available to all eligible solar panel owners, even if they're not ScottishPower customers. It is an accessible option for many solar panel owners looking to maximise their investment in renewable energy.

The SmartGen tariff offers competitive rates for excess electricity exported to the grid, with a 12p/kWh rate and annual savings of up to £684 for a typical 4kW solar panel system. As part of the Iberdrola Group, a global leader in renewable energy, ScottishPower has pledged £5.4 billion towards the UK's green recovery, focusing on green energy infrastructure.

British Gas, a member of the UK's "Big Six" energy companies, offers the Export & Earn Flex tariff under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme.

This tariff is available to all eligible solar panel owners, even non-customers, at a rate of 6.4p/kWh. An average 2 to 3 bedroom household with a typical 4kW solar panel system can save £644.80 annually.

Like similar offerings from other major suppliers, the Export & Earn Flex tariff doesn't require customers to switch their energy supply to British Gas, making it an accessible option for solar panel owners looking to maximise their investment in renewable energy.

Last on our list is Rebel Energy, an innovative UK energy supplier that offers a competitive SEG tariff of 6p per kWh, potentially saving households £642 annually based on a 4kW solar system.

The company’s unique vision to empower local, community-led energy generation distinguishes it. Rejecting the use of REGOs due to concerns about greenwashing, Rebel Energy invests directly in environmental restoration and poverty alleviation initiatives.

They describe this approach as a self-imposed "tax" channelled through an independent charity to ensure funds are used effectively for social and environmental benefits. Rebel Energy's competitive rates and strong ethical stance make it a standout choice for socially conscious solar panel owners. You don't need to be a Rebel Energy customer to take advantage of their SEG tariff.

Due to the difficulty of understanding all the tariffs and savings involved, we’ve compiled a comprehensive table summarising everything you need to know about the best 10 SEG tariffs in the UK.

These numbers are based on a 4kW solar panel system for the average 2-3 bedroom house, which consumes 2,700 kWh of electricity.

It's important to note that these figures are estimates, and we strongly recommend consulting with a specialist for information tailored to your specific circumstances. Finally, solar panel owners must meet several key requirements to qualify for SEG tariffs in the UK.

Firstly, they must have a smart meter that records half-hourly readings to accurately measure exported electricity. Secondly, a certified solar PV system with proper MCS or Flexi-Orb certification and appropriate notifications to the local energy network is necessary. 

Many suppliers also require customers to use their service to import and export electricity. Meeting these criteria helps homeowners maximise the benefits of exporting excess solar energy to the grid.

Are you still wondering if it's worth getting solar panels? Considering that you can save up to £819.1 per year, significantly reduce your energy bills, take advantage of the various solar panel grants available, and potentially pay off your 4kW solar panel system in just 10 years, we can confidently say that solar panels are definitely worth it.

Interested in taking advantage of the SEG for your solar panels? We can help you get the best deal! Don’t waste hours contacting installers; simply fill out our 30-second form, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll connect you with up to 4 solar experts near you for free and without obligation to accept their quotes. Click below to get started!