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 June 2026 comparison.

Benchmark: the indicative average UK SEG rate in 2026 is around 7–8p/kWh; the best flat rate pays 15p (Octopus Outgoing Fixed) and the best dynamic tariffs reach ~30p in peak windows. Anything below ~6p is a default rate worth switching.

Reviewed by the Commercial Solar Grants funding team · Last updated June 2026 · Independent — we take no installer commission

Best SEG tariff 2026: which supplier pays most

Octopus pays the most overall — Outgoing Agile (dynamic) for battery sites and Outgoing Fixed (15p) for everyone else, both needing Octopus import. The best export-only tariff you can take without switching import is EDF (12–18p). The big-six defaults — Shell, OVO, E.ON Next, British Gas — are among the lowest and should be switched export-only inside 14 days at no exit fee.

Best overall

Octopus Outgoing Agile

Up to ~30p peak, 14–18p average. Dynamic — best with battery storage. Needs Octopus import.

Best flat rate

Octopus Outgoing Fixed

15p/kWh flat, no management needed. The highest predictable rate in 2026. Needs Octopus import.

Best export-only

EDF Export Standard/Variable

12–18p without switching import. The highest-paying SEG-only contract in the market.

Best for battery sites

Octopus Outgoing Agile

Store solar, discharge into 25–40p peak windows. Highest total return for actively-managed commercial battery sites.

SEG tariff rates compared — all UK suppliers

Every major UK SEG and premium export tariff in one ranked table — the comparison no single supplier page can give you, because each can only show its own rate. Ranked 1–10 by typical p/kWh, with whether you can switch export-only (keeping your import supplier) at a glance.

Data visualised

UK SEG export rates by supplier — 2026 (p/kWh)

Typical commercial rates, highest to lowest. Octopus and EDF pay 2–3× the big-six defaults.

Values in p/kWh. Indicative 2026 rates — verify with the supplier before switching.

Rank	Supplier / tariff	Type	Headline rate	Typical avg	Payment	Switch export only?	Best for
1	Octopus Energy Octopus Outgoing Agile	Dynamic	25–40p peak / 0–10p off-peak	14–18p avg	Monthly	No — needs Octopus import	Sites with battery storage; peak-aligned generation
2	Octopus Energy Octopus Outgoing Fixed	Flat	15p/kWh	15p	Monthly	No — needs Octopus import	Stable predictable rate without battery management
3	EDF Energy EDF Export Variable	Variable (semi-dynamic)	12–18p (banded)	13p avg	Quarterly	Yes	Mid-sized commercial sites wanting better than flat without dynamic complexity
4	EDF Energy EDF Export Standard	Flat	12p/kWh	12p	Quarterly	Yes	Sites already on EDF import; simple sign-up
5	Scottish Power Scottish Power SmartGen+	Flat	12p/kWh	12p	Quarterly	No — needs SP import	Existing SP customers
6	Good Energy Good Energy Generation Tariff	Flat	5–8p/kWh	6p	Quarterly	Yes	Brand alignment for green-credentials businesses
7	British Gas British Gas Export & Earn Plus	Flat	6.4p/kWh	6.4p	Quarterly	No — needs BG import	Sites bundled with BG import
8	E.ON Next E.ON Next Export	Flat	5.5p/kWh	5.5p	Quarterly	Yes	Default low-effort option for E.ON import customers
9	OVO Energy OVO SEG	Flat	4–5.5p/kWh	5p	Quarterly	Yes	Default; not competitive
10	Shell Energy Shell Energy Export	Flat	3.5p/kWh	3.5p	Annually	No — needs Shell import	Default for existing Shell customers (not recommended)

Rates verified June 2026, based on each supplier's published SEG and export-tariff rates. SEG tariffs reset periodically (typically annually) and dynamic rates move daily; always confirm the 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

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

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

Shell Energy — Shell Energy Export

Worst commercial SEG rate among major suppliers in 2026. Switch.

Requires: Shell Energy import

Export tariff vs SEG: what's the difference

The terms are used loosely, so here is the distinction that matters commercially. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the regulated floor — every licensed supplier with 150,000+ customers must offer at least one SEG tariff paying above 0p per exported kWh. An export tariff is the broader category: it includes the bare SEG rate and the premium branded products suppliers market on top of it (Octopus Outgoing, EDF Export, British Gas Export & Earn). In practice, a supplier's flagship "export tariff" usually pays far more than its minimum SEG obligation — which is exactly why the best move is to shop the export tariff, not accept the default. Both require an MCS-certified system under 5MW and a half-hourly export meter; both pay only on electricity you actually export, not generate.

SEG export revenue by system size

Indicative annual SEG income by commercial system size, comparing the best dynamic tariff (~15p effective), best flat rate (12.5p) and a worst-case 5p default. Assumes roughly half of generation is exported (typical commercial self-consumption ~50%) at ~950 kWh/kWp/year. Use it to size the switching prize before modelling your own demand profile.

System size	Indicative export	@ best dynamic (~15p)	@ best flat (12.5p)	@ worst default (5p)	Switching uplift / yr
50 kWp	~24,000 kWh/yr	£3,600	£3,000	£1,200	£1,800–£2,400
100 kWp	~48,000 kWh/yr	£7,200	£6,000	£2,400	£3,600–£4,800
250 kWp	~120,000 kWh/yr	£18,000	£15,000	£6,000	£9,000–£12,000
500 kWp	~240,000 kWh/yr	£36,000	£30,000	£12,000	£18,000–£24,000

Indicative only — actual export depends on your demand profile, shading, battery use and orientation. We model exact figures against your half-hourly data in the free funding review.

Worked example — 250kWp commercial site. Generating ~237,500 kWh/year and exporting ~120,000 kWh of it: on a 5p default that is £6,000/year; on a 12.5p flat tariff it is £15,000/year; on a well-managed dynamic tariff around 15p effective it is £18,000/year. The switch from default to a competitive tariff is worth £9,000–£12,000/year — for a 14-day, no-exit-fee export-only switch.

Best SEG tariff by site type

There is no single "best SEG tariff" — the right pick depends on your site. Because we take no installer or supplier commission, here is the neutral mapping a supplier page cannot publish.

Battery-equipped site

Go dynamic. A battery lets you store solar and discharge into 25–40p peak windows, which is where dynamic tariffs earn their headline.

Pick: Octopus Outgoing Agile

No-battery, stable export

Take the highest flat rate. Without storage you can't time exports, so predictable p/kWh wins. No management overhead.

Pick: Octopus Outgoing Fixed (15p) or EDF Export Standard (12p)

Locked into another import contract

Switch export-only. If breaking your import deal triggers exit fees, take the best SEG-only contract and leave import untouched.

Pick: EDF Export Standard/Variable (12–18p)

Who can get a SEG tariff? Eligibility checklist

A commercial site qualifies for a SEG tariff if it meets all of the following. Suppliers list these inconsistently — this is the complete checklist:

MCS or FlexiOrb certified — the solar PV (or wind, hydro, micro-CHP, anaerobic digestion) installation must carry MCS or equivalent certification, issued in the business name.
Capacity under 5MW — total installed capacity must be 5MW or below (50kW or below for micro-CHP).
Sited in Great Britain — England, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland runs a separate scheme.
Export-capable half-hourly meter — a smart or CT meter that records exported kWh. Most modern commercial meters qualify; the supplier upgrades yours if not.
Not receiving FiT export — you cannot claim SEG export on a system already paid an export rate under the legacy Feed-in Tariff.

How to apply for a SEG tariff (and the DNO export MPAN timeline)

Applying for a SEG tariff is straightforward, but it stalls in predictable places — usually the export MPAN. Writing and lodging these applications is our specialism; here is the exact process, whether you do it yourself or hand it to us.

Confirm eligibility — check MCS/FlexiOrb certification, capacity under 5MW, GB siting and a half-hourly export-capable meter, and that you are not on FiT export (see checklist above).
Choose the best-paying supplier — highest flat rate for a no-battery site, dynamic for a battery site, best export-only tariff if you cannot switch import. Use the ranked table above.
Submit the application — through the supplier's SEG portal, with your MCS certificate (business name), export MPAN from your bill, smart-meter confirmation and bank details for quarterly payment.
DNO creates the export MPAN — if you don't already have one, your Distribution Network Operator generates an export MPAN. This typically takes 1–4 weeks and is the most common point of delay.
Enrolment and first meter reading — the supplier enrols the export contract and takes the first reading. The tariff goes live from your next billing cycle; you are paid quarterly against actual metered export, with no exit fees and your import contract untouched.

Because we are independent, we model SEG against your demand profile first, then write and lodge the application with the supplier that maximises your export revenue — no installer or supplier commission, no bias toward a particular brand.

Pair the best export tariff with a cheap import tariff

The export rate is only half the economics. The complete commercial play is to pair a high export tariff with a cheap import or EV tariff on the same supplier where the products bundle. Octopus is the clearest example: Outgoing Agile (export) sits alongside Intelligent Octopus Go (cheap overnight import), so a battery site can charge cheaply off-peak and export into peak — capturing the spread on both sides. Where you cannot or will not switch import (for example, you are mid-term on a competitive fixed import deal), take the best export-only tariff such as EDF and leave import in place — the export uplift alone usually outweighs any import saving you would have to break a contract to get.

SEG vs Feed-in Tariff (FiT)

The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants on 1 April 2019; SEG is its successor for export. If you hold a legacy FiT export contract you cannot also claim SEG export on the same system — but your FiT continues to its end date.

Feature	Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)	Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
Open to new applicants	Yes — current scheme	No — closed to new entrants since 1 April 2019
Generation payment	No — export only	Yes — paid per kWh generated and exported
Export payment	Per kWh actually exported (metered)	Per kWh exported (often deemed at 50%)
Rate setting	Each supplier sets its own rate	Government-set, index-linked, fixed 20–25 yrs
Can hold both?	No — existing FiT export blocks SEG export	Existing FiT contracts continue to their end date

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.

What is the best SEG tariff in 2026?

For 2026 the best SEG tariff overall is Octopus Outgoing Agile (dynamic, 14–18p average with 25–40p peaks) for battery-equipped sites that can shift export into peak windows. The best flat-rate SEG tariff is Octopus Outgoing Fixed at 15p/kWh. The best export-only SEG tariff you can take without switching import is EDF Export Standard/Variable at 12–18p. The lowest payers — Shell (3.5p), OVO (5p), E.ON Next (5.5p) and British Gas (6.4p) — should be switched export-only.

What is an export tariff?

An export tariff is the rate a supplier pays you per kWh of solar electricity you export to the grid rather than use on site. In the UK the regulated baseline export tariff is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which every licensed supplier with 150,000+ customers must offer above 0p. Some suppliers also run premium branded export tariffs — Octopus Outgoing, EDF Export, British Gas Export & Earn — that pay more than their bare SEG rate. Export tariffs require an MCS-certified system and a half-hourly export meter.

Which SEG tariff pays the most in 2026?

Octopus pays the most in 2026. Octopus Outgoing Agile reaches 25–40p in winter peaks (14–18p annual average) and Octopus Outgoing Fixed pays 15p flat — both require Octopus import. If you cannot switch import, EDF Export Variable (12–18p banded, ~13p average) is the highest-paying SEG-only contract. Big-six defaults from Shell, OVO, E.ON Next and British Gas pay the least, often a third of the market leaders.

How much does SEG pay per kWh?

SEG rates range roughly 10x across the UK market in 2026 — from about 3.5p/kWh (Shell Energy, the lowest) to 15p/kWh flat (Octopus Outgoing Fixed) and up to ~30p in dynamic peak windows (Octopus Outgoing Agile). The indicative all-supplier average sits around 7–8p/kWh, but a commercial site on a competitive flat tariff should expect 12–15p. The exact rate depends on the supplier, the tariff type (flat vs dynamic) and whether you bundle import.

How much does SEG pay per year?

Annual SEG revenue depends on system size, how much you export and the rate. A 250kWp commercial system exporting around 120,000 kWh/year earns roughly £6,000/year on a 5p default tariff, £15,000/year at 12–15p flat, and £18,000+/year on a well-managed dynamic tariff. The switching uplift alone — moving from a 5p default to a 12–15p flat tariff — is typically £9,000–£12,000/year on a 250kWp site. See the export-revenue-by-system-size table above for indicative figures.

Do I need a battery for the best SEG rate?

No — you do not need a battery to get a good flat SEG rate such as Octopus Outgoing Fixed (15p) or EDF Export Standard (12p). A battery only matters for dynamic tariffs like Octopus Outgoing Agile, where storing solar and discharging into 25–40p peak windows is how you capture the headline rate. Without a battery, a dynamic tariff still pays slightly above flat on average, but the best risk-free choice for a no-battery commercial site is the highest flat rate.

Can I switch SEG without changing my import supplier?

Yes. SEG is a separate 14-day contract from your import supply, with no exit fees on standard agreements. You can move your export-only contract to a higher-paying supplier — EDF, Good Energy and most big-six SEG products accept export-only customers — while keeping import exactly where it is. The exceptions are bundled products: Octopus Outgoing, British Gas Export & Earn and Scottish Power SmartGen+ require you to take that supplier for import too.

Can I switch from FiT to SEG?

If you hold a legacy Feed-in Tariff (FiT) export contract, you generally cannot also claim SEG export on the same system — the two export payments cannot run concurrently. Your FiT generation payments continue to the end of the 20–25 year FiT term regardless. Some FiT holders on a deemed 50% export choose to switch the export element to a metered SEG tariff if their actual export is higher than 50%; we can model whether that switch is worthwhile for your site.

Do I need a smart meter for SEG?

Yes. SEG pays on actual exported kWh, so you need a meter that records half-hourly export — typically a SMETS2 smart meter or, for larger commercial sites, a CT-metered half-hourly meter. Most modern UK commercial meters already qualify. If yours cannot record export, the SEG supplier arranges an upgrade, usually free; budget an extra 2–4 weeks for the meter exchange before payments begin.

Is SEG income taxable for my business?

Yes — SEG export income is taxable revenue for a UK business, sitting alongside your on-site electricity savings as the two returns from solar. There is no specific tax relief on the SEG income itself. However, the solar capex that generates it qualifies for Full Expensing (a 25% effective corporation-tax saving in year one) plus 0% VAT on the install, which is what brings post-stack payback down to 4–6 years.

SEG tariffs by supplier — full breakdowns

More on the 2026 funding stack

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Export tariffs, SEG & financing

Turn exported generation into revenue and remove capital cost — every Smart Export Guarantee tariff and zero-capex structure compared.

Best SEG tariffs 2026 — UK Smart Export Guarantee rates, every major supplier compared.

Best SEG tariff 2026: which supplier pays most

SEG tariff rates compared — all UK suppliers

UK SEG export rates by supplier — 2026 (p/kWh)

Export tariff vs SEG: what's the difference

SEG export revenue by system size

Best SEG tariff by site type

Battery-equipped site

No-battery, stable export

Locked into another import contract

Who can get a SEG tariff? Eligibility checklist

How to apply for a SEG tariff (and the DNO export MPAN timeline)

Pair the best export tariff with a cheap import tariff

SEG vs Feed-in Tariff (FiT)

SEG tariff FAQs

SEG tariffs by supplier — full breakdowns

More on the 2026 funding stack

See which grants your business qualifies for — free 20-minute funding review.

Export tariffs, SEG & financing

Commercial solar funding across the UK