Get Paid for Your Solar Power with the Smart Export Guarantee
If you’ve installed solar panels on your home, you’re already generating free electricity and saving up to 70% on your electricity bill, but did you know you can also earn money by exporting surplus electricity back to the grid?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows UK homeowners to get paid for energy they export to the grid from micro-generation systems such as solar panels. At SolarTherm UK, we help you install solar panels, maximise free electricity and take advantage of government schemes like the SEG to make your solar PV system pay for itself sooner.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The SEG is a UK government backed scheme that pays homeowners for surplus electricity they generate and export. It replaced the Feed-in Tariff in 2020, giving homeowners the flexibility to choose the best energy supplier and tariff.
The SEG is particularly useful for solar panel owners who haven’t installed solar battery storage alongside, as you’ll often export around half of your generated electricity back to the grid. By combining your solar PV installation with the SEG you can offset your installation costs faster and enjoy free electricity while earning extra income.
How Does the Smart Export Guarantee Work?
Most households don’t use all the electricity that their solar panels generate. Rather than generation ceasing, the excess is automatically sent back to the National Grid. Your solar inverter balances this and directs electricity into your home when its needed and to the grid when its not. Under the SEG energy suppliers pay you for exported electricity. Rates will vary depending on the supplier and whether you have a solar battery installed and most suppliers offer a preferential rate to their import customers over customers who are only exporting.
Octopus Energy offer an export rate of 27p/kWh on their Intelligent Octopus Flux if you have a GivEnergy, Tesla Powerwall, Enphase or SolarEdge battery or 23.5p/kWh on Octopus Flux for any other solar battery. If you don’t have a solar battery installed you can earn 15p/kWh with Octopus Outgoing Fixed which is compatible with most of Octopus Energy’s import tariffs.
Using a solar battery can significantly increase your SEG earnings as it allows for controlled export during peak times, maximising your returns.
How to Apply for the Smart Export Guarantee
Applying for the SEG is straightforward, but cannot be done until your solar installation is completed and you have received your handover pack. You’ll need:
- A solar PV system with a capacity under 5MW.
- Your MCS certificate.
- An export meter, used to measure how much electricity you send to the grid. If you have a smart meter installed, this usually qualifies automatically.
- Your export MPAN, a 13-digit reference that identifies your electricity connection to your DNO (Distribution Network Operator).
Once you have these, contact your chosen SEG supplier, complete their application and start receiving payments for your surplus electricity.
Benefits of Combining Solar Panels with the Smart Export Guarantee
- Free electricity – solar panels reduce your electricity bills immediately from install.
- Earnings from export energy – the SEG pays you for surplus energy that you won’t use, which without signing up to receive payments you will be giving away for free.
- Faster payback – additional income reduces the time it takes for your solar panel investment to pay for itself.
- Environmental impact – using and exporting renewable energy contributes to the UK’s Net Zero carbon goals.
Optional upgrades like solar batteries or solar diverters allow you to store or redirect surplus electricity, reducing the need for you to import expensive grid electricity in the evenings or on low generation periods.
Why Choose SolarTherm UK for Your Solar Installation
At SolarTherm UK we’ve specialised in professional solar panel installation across Essex, Kent, London and the wider South East for over 15 years. We help homeowners save money on their energy bills, earn income through the SEG. Our solar PV installations use the latest in solar technology. From start to finish we handle the whole process, guaranteeing your installation meets UK safety standards by only installing MCS certified components. We’ll guide you through the process from design to installation to first class aftercare. Our expert team are available for any questions you may have about SEG or other export tariffs, making sure you get the most from your solar PV investment.
Start Earning with Your Solar Panels Today
Switch to solar and start benefiting from free electricity and the Smart Export Guarantee. Contact SolarTherm UK today for a free no obligation quote and design, tailored to your property, usage and future energy needs. No hard sell, just honest, expert advice.
Your home. Your energy. Your future.
