SEG tariff comparison — May 2026
Best SEG tariffs 2026 — UK Smart Export Guarantee rates, every major supplier compared.
All Ofgem-licensed suppliers above 150,000 customers must offer at least one SEG tariff. The actual rates vary by 10x across suppliers — from 3.5p (Shell Energy, worst) to 25–40p peak (Octopus Outgoing Agile, best). For commercial operators, switching export from a low-paying default supplier to a competitive offer is typically a £400–£1,500/year revenue uplift on a 250kWp system. This is the May 2026 comparison.
| Supplier / tariff | Type | Headline rate | Typical avg | Payment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy Octopus Outgoing Agile | Dynamic | 25–40p peak / 0–10p off-peak | 14–18p avg | Monthly | Sites with battery storage; peak-aligned generation |
| Octopus Energy Octopus Outgoing Fixed | Flat | 15p/kWh | 15p | Monthly | Stable predictable rate without battery management |
| EDF Energy EDF Export Variable | Variable (semi-dynamic) | 12–18p (banded) | 13p avg | Quarterly | Mid-sized commercial sites wanting better than flat without dynamic complexity |
| EDF Energy EDF Export Standard | Flat | 12p/kWh | 12p | Quarterly | Sites already on EDF import; simple sign-up |
| British Gas British Gas Export & Earn Plus | Flat | 6.4p/kWh | 6.4p | Quarterly | Sites bundled with BG import |
| E.ON Next E.ON Next Export | Flat | 5.5p/kWh | 5.5p | Quarterly | Default low-effort option for E.ON import customers |
| OVO Energy OVO SEG | Flat | 4–5.5p/kWh | 5p | Quarterly | Default; not competitive |
| Scottish Power Scottish Power SmartGen+ | Flat | 12p/kWh | 12p | Quarterly | Existing SP customers |
| Good Energy Good Energy Generation Tariff | Flat | 5–8p/kWh | 6p | Quarterly | Brand alignment for green-credentials businesses |
| Shell Energy Shell Energy Export | Flat | 3.5p/kWh | 3.5p | Annually | Default for existing Shell customers (not recommended) |
Rates as of 4 May 2026. SEG tariffs reset periodically (typically annually); always confirm current rate with the supplier before signing. Suppliers' import-bundling requirements vary — see notes per row below.
Octopus Energy — Octopus Outgoing Agile
Half-hourly variable rate published 24h ahead. Best total return for active management or battery sites.
Requires: Octopus import + smart meter
Octopus Energy — Octopus Outgoing Fixed
Highest commercial flat rate in 2026. Octopus is consistently the highest-paying SEG supplier.
Requires: Octopus import + smart meter
EDF Energy — EDF Export Variable
Banded variable rates by daypart. Less aggressive than Outgoing Agile but cleaner economics than basic flat.
Requires: Export-capable smart meter
British Gas — British Gas Export & Earn Plus
Lower than competitive market rate. Worth switching export-only to a higher-paying supplier.
Requires: British Gas import
E.ON Next — E.ON Next Export
Also low. Switch export-only.
Requires: Smart meter
OVO Energy — OVO SEG
Among the lowest commercial SEG rates in 2026.
Requires: Smart meter
Scottish Power — Scottish Power SmartGen+
Reasonable flat rate; export-bundling-required.
Requires: Scottish Power import
Good Energy — Good Energy Generation Tariff
Premium brand, mid-pack tariff. Other suppliers pay more.
Requires: Smart meter
Shell Energy — Shell Energy Export
Worst commercial SEG rate among major suppliers in 2026. Switch.
Requires: Shell Energy import
SEG tariff FAQs
Which SEG tariff pays best for UK commercial solar in 2026?
For sites with battery storage and capacity to manage peak-shifting, Octopus Outgoing Agile (dynamic, 14–18p average, 25–40p peak) pays best. For sites without battery management, Octopus Outgoing Fixed (15p flat) or EDF Export Variable (13p average) are the highest-paying flat structures. For Scottish Power import customers, SmartGen+ at 12p is competitive. The lowest-paying major suppliers are OVO, E.ON Next, Shell Energy and British Gas — switching export from these to Octopus or EDF is typically a £400–£1,500/year improvement on a 250kWp commercial system.
Can I switch SEG tariff without switching import?
Yes. SEG is a separate contract from import supply. You can switch your export-only contract to any SEG-licensed supplier in 14 days, while keeping import where it is. There are no exit fees or penalties on standard SEG agreements.
Are dynamic tariffs only worth it with battery storage?
No, but battery storage materially improves the economics. Without storage, dynamic tariffs still pay slightly more on average than flat tariffs (because solar generation often coincides with mid-tier wholesale prices, not the lowest periods). With storage, the active management of when to export captures the peak rates and dramatically improves total return.
How are SEG payments treated for accounting?
SEG payments are taxable income for UK businesses. They sit alongside electricity savings as the two solar revenue streams. There is no specific tax allowance — they are simply revenue. The corresponding capex (the solar system itself) qualifies for Full Expensing or AIA.
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