Best Solar Export Tariffs UK 2026
Rates and eligibility checked on 28 July 2026. Tariffs can change, so confirm the live terms before switching.
The best solar export tariff is not always the one with the highest pence-per-kilowatt-hour rate. In 2026, many leading offers are restricted to customers who buy solar panels or batteries from the supplier, take its import tariff, or meet specific metering and system-size rules.
This guide compares current UK Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) options for homeowners, landlords and small businesses. It explains eligibility, fixed and variable rates, likely earnings, battery considerations and how to compare the total import-and-export cost.
Quick Answer
The highest advertised fixed solar export rate checked in July 2026 is Good Energy’s 25p/kWh Solar Savings Exclusive tariff, limited to homes that have solar panels and a battery installed by Good Energy. It lasts 12 months. Other installation-linked offers include OVO at up to 20p/kWh, EDF at 18p/kWh and E.ON Next at 17.5p/kWh.
For existing systems, competitive options include EDF at 15p/kWh for eligible customers, E.ON Next and Fuse at 13p/kWh, and several supplier-linked tariffs around 12p/kWh.
The best choice is the tariff producing the lowest total annual energy cost after import rates, standing charges, eligibility and battery operation are included.
Best solar export tariff rates in the UK
| Supplier and tariff | Advertised export rate | Main eligibility and rules | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive | 25p/kWh | Good Energy installs solar and a battery; Good Energy supply required; 12 months, then standard tariff | New complete systems |
| OVO SEG Install Exclusive | Up to 20p/kWh | OVO supply; solar and battery installed by OVO; eligible solar-only installs receive 15p/kWh | New OVO systems |
| EDF Export Exclusive 12m V3 | 18p/kWh | Purchase eligible solar, battery or both from EDF; 12 months; no exit fee | New EDF systems |
| E.ON Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p/kWh | E.ON installation from 10 November 2025; residential system up to 15kW; 12 months; no renewal | New E.ON systems |
| ScottishPower SmartGen Premium Plus | 15p/kWh | ScottishPower supply and installation; variable | ScottishPower customers |
| EDF Export 12m | 15p/kWh | Existing residential EDF electricity customer; 12-month fixed tariff; check eligibility | Existing systems |
| E.ON Next Export Exclusive v3 | 13p/kWh | E.ON import tariff, excluding specified time-of-use tariffs; up to 15kW; 12 months | Standard E.ON customers |
| Fuse export tariff | 13p/kWh | Offered with Fuse energy tariffs; confirm live quote and meter eligibility | Simple flat-rate users |
| Octopus Outgoing | 12p/kWh | Octopus import customer; variable flat rate; battery alternatives available | EV and smart-tariff homes |
| British Gas Export Premium | 12p/kWh | British Gas electricity customer; system up to 15kW; variable | British Gas customers |
Good Energy confirms that its 25p/kWh offer is installation-linked and lasts 12 months before moving to Solar Savings, currently 12p/kWh. OVO advertises up to 20p/kWh for an OVO-installed solar-and-battery system; EDF and E.ON Next publish 18p/kWh and 17.5p/kWh installation-linked rates.
EDF lists 15p/kWh for eligible existing residential electricity customers, E.ON Next offers 13p/kWh on its qualifying import tariffs, and Fuse advertises 13p/kWh. ScottishPower, Octopus and British Gas publish supplier-linked rates of 15p, 12p and 12p respectively.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee requires participating suppliers to offer eligible small-scale generators a payment above zero for measured electricity exported to the grid.
Solar PV, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion and micro-CHP can qualify. The general capacity limit is 5MW, or 50kW for micro-CHP, and the installation must be in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements.
You normally need:
- Ownership of the renewable energy system.
- An MCS certificate or accepted equivalent.
- A meter capable of recording exported electricity.
- An export MPAN for the property.
- Appropriate Distribution Network Operator connection evidence.
- An approved application with one export supplier.
Your export supplier does not legally have to supply your imported electricity. However, many premium commercial rates require both services to be with the same company.
Which solar export tariff is best?
Best headline rate: Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive
At 25p/kWh, this is the leading fixed headline rate in this comparison. It can be compelling for a homeowner already considering a new solar-and-battery installation.
The important limitation is that the tariff is installer-linked and temporary. Compare the complete installation price and the tariff you will move to after the 12-month introductory period.
Best alternative new-system offer: OVO SEG Install Exclusive
OVO’s rate of up to 20p/kWh is strong for a combined solar-and-battery system. Eligible solar-only installations receive a lower rate.
Compare the equipment specification, inverter capability, warranties, import tariff and total installation cost before valuing the export incentive.
Best for an existing solar system: EDF Export 12m
EDF’s advertised 15p/kWh Export 12m tariff may suit eligible existing EDF electricity customers. E.ON Next’s 13p/kWh tariff is another competitive fixed option where its import-tariff restrictions fit the household.
Before moving your electricity supply, calculate whether any additional import cost outweighs the higher export income.
Best for battery optimisation: time-of-use export tariffs
Octopus Flux or Intelligent Octopus Flux may outperform a flat tariff when a compatible battery can charge and discharge at useful times.
Results depend on regional prices, battery capacity, inverter output, household demand and how much energy can be exported during valuable periods. Octopus describes Flux as a combined import-and-export tariff built around battery scheduling.
Best for simplicity: a flat export tariff
A flat rate is easier to understand and forecast. It may suit solar-only homes, smaller systems and owners who want to maximise self-consumption rather than actively trade stored electricity.
How to compare solar export tariffs
Check seven factors before switching:
- Export price: Is it fixed, variable or time-of-use?
- Import price: A better export rate can be erased by higher import costs or standing charges.
- Eligibility: Check installer, supplier, system-size, meter and battery requirements.
- Contract term: Look at the introductory period, renewal rate and exit rules.
- Battery policy: Confirm whether grid-charged electricity can be exported and whether the supplier controls the battery.
- Payments: Check payment frequency, meter-reading requirements and whether money goes into your bank or energy account.
- Whole-home cost: Model imports, solar self-consumption, exports, EV charging and heat-pump use together.
Export earnings and cost guide
Export income is calculated by multiplying your exported electricity by the tariff rate.
Joining an export tariff normally has no separate tariff fee, but you need suitable metering and compliant installation paperwork. A property survey and generation model are required for an accurate solar quotation.
| Export rate | 1,000kWh exported | 2,000kWh exported | 3,000kWh exported |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4p/kWh | £40 | £80 | £120 |
| 12p/kWh | £120 | £240 | £360 |
| 13p/kWh | £130 | £260 | £390 |
| 15p/kWh | £150 | £300 | £450 |
| 20p/kWh | £200 | £400 | £600 |
| 25p/kWh | £250 | £500 | £750 |
A home exporting 1,500kWh would earn £180 at 12p/kWh or £300 at 20p/kWh—a difference of £120 per year.
However, using one kilowatt-hour of solar electricity in your home can be worth more than exporting it when the avoided import price is higher than the export payment.
SEG income can shorten the payback period for solar panels, but neither future rates nor annual generation are guaranteed. Roof direction, shading, location, weather, system design and tariff changes all affect your return.
Batteries, winter generation and Feed-in Tariffs
Solar panels continue generating and exporting during winter, including on cloudy days, but shorter daylight hours normally produce less surplus electricity.
A battery can store daytime generation for evening use and may support time-of-use export strategies. Battery conversion losses, cycling limits, inverter capacity and warranty conditions should all be included in the calculation.
Battery storage can be used with SEG, but suppliers decide whether they will pay for electricity originally imported from the grid. A supplier may require evidence that renewable generation can be distinguished from grid electricity.
If you receive Feed-in Tariff payments, you can keep your FiT generation payment and opt out of the FiT export payment to join SEG. You cannot receive both export payments for the same electricity.
Owners receiving deemed FiT export payments should compare carefully. Deemed payments may assume that 50% of generation is exported, regardless of the amount actually sent to the grid.
How to choose the right tariff
- Download 12 months of import and export data.
- Estimate annual solar generation and exported kWh.
- Decide whether self-consumption or export income is your priority.
- Compare the complete import-and-export bill.
- Confirm smart-meter communication, export MPAN and MCS paperwork.
- Read the battery, renewal and installer conditions.
- Review the tariff after adding an EV, heat pump or battery.
Why the installer matters
Installation quality affects electricity generation, safety, warranty protection and SEG acceptance.
A competent solar installer should:
- Assess roof direction, shading and available space.
- Size the panels, inverter and battery correctly.
- Explain any export limitation imposed by the local network.
- Complete the required DNO notification or application.
- Commission the metering and monitoring equipment.
- Supply the MCS certificate and handover documentation.
Poor design can restrict export, increase inverter clipping or leave the owner without the documents required by an SEG supplier.
British Gas, for example, requests system certification and grid-connection evidence, while suppliers generally require a meter capable of measuring exported electricity.
Book a free home survey: Simple Green Energy can model generation, self-consumption, battery sizing and export earnings, then provide a property-specific quotation.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Clear answers about Smart Export Guarantee eligibility, export rates, smart meters, MCS certificates, export MPANs, supplier requirements and payment schedules. Speak to Simple Green Energy .
Need help with solar export payments?
Speak with Simple Green Energy about export-ready solar installations, smart-meter requirements, MCS certification and choosing a suitable Smart Export Guarantee tariff.
Discuss my export optionsConclusion
The best UK solar export tariff in 2026 depends on more than the headline rate.
Good Energy currently leads this comparison at 25p/kWh, while OVO, EDF and E.ON Next offer strong installation-linked alternatives. Existing-system owners should compare EDF, E.ON Next, Fuse, Octopus and their current supplier—but only after modelling import costs and eligibility.
Choose using annual pounds saved and earned, not pence per exported unit alone. Sound system design, complete paperwork and a tariff matched to your household will usually deliver more dependable value than chasing a short promotional rate.
