Smart Export Guarantee: Best Rates in 2026

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for every unit of solar electricity you export to the National Grid. Choosing the right SEG tariff can add hundreds of pounds per year to your solar returns. Here is the full picture for 2026.

What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?

Introduced in January 2020, the SEG replaced the old Feed-in Tariff export payments. Under the SEG, energy suppliers with 150,000 or more domestic customers must offer at least one export tariff to eligible solar owners. To qualify, you need an MCS-certified solar installation and a smart meter.

SEG Rates in 2026

Octopus Energy's Outgoing Octopus tariff leads the market at 15p per kWh fixed — the highest available. Eon Next offers 7.5p, British Gas offers 5.5p, OVO Energy offers 5p, and EDF offers 4p. Octopus also offers a variable Agile Export tariff that can exceed 30p at grid peak times for those willing to manage exports actively.

You do not need to use the same supplier for import and export — you can register for SEG export separately without switching your electricity supply.

How Much Can You Earn?

For a typical 4kW system in Yorkshire exporting approximately 1,200 kWh per year: at 4p per kWh you earn £48 annually, at 7.5p you earn £90, and at 15p you earn £180. The difference between best and worst tariff is over £130 per year — more than £2,600 over 20 years of operation.

Our Recommendation

For most Yorkshire solar owners in 2026, Octopus Energy's Outgoing Octopus at 15p per kWh is the clear leader. Switching SEG tariff is straightforward, costs nothing, and does not affect your electricity import supply. We recommend reviewing your rate annually.

Contact us if you have questions about maximising your solar returns — we are happy to advise on both SEG tariffs and battery storage strategies.