As of August 2026 the best export rates open to new customers are bundled deals at roughly 15–16.5p/kWh (E.ON Next ~16.5p, British Gas Export & Earn Plus ~15.1p, Good Energy ~15p standalone), plus installer-exclusive bundles at ~24–25p on conditions. Octopus Flux and Intelligent Flux — the old 29–32p peak time-of-use tariffs — are CLOSED to new customers. Standard SEG defaults pay only ~10–12p, so switching still pays.
SEG Rates Compared (2026)
Here is how the leading SEG and export tariffs compare. Time-of-use rates assume a compatible battery; you do not need to buy your electricity from the same supplier for most flat-rate tariffs, though the best rates are usually reserved for that supplier's import customers.
| Tariff | Type | Export rate | Status | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installer-exclusive bundled export | Flat | ~24–25p/kWh | Open (conditional) | Bundled with a qualifying install — we check who is paying most at survey |
| E.ON Next Export (bundled) | Flat | ~16.5p/kWh | Open | E.ON Next import customer |
| British Gas Export & Earn Plus | Flat | ~15.1p/kWh | Open | British Gas import customer |
| Good Energy Solar Savings | Flat | ~15p/kWh | Open | Standalone — no import bundling required |
| Octopus Outgoing (Fixed) | Flat | ~12p/kWh | Open | Smart meter |
| OVO Energy SEG | Flat | ~12p/kWh | Open | Smart meter |
| E.ON Next Standard SEG | Flat | ~10.5p/kWh | Open | Smart meter |
| Octopus Intelligent Flux | Time-of-use | up to ~32p peak (historic) | CLOSED to new | Existing customers only — battery + Octopus import |
| Octopus Flux | Time-of-use | up to ~29p peak (historic) | CLOSED to new | Existing customers only — battery + Octopus import |
Best SEG Rates in 2026
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) requires all licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000+ customers to offer a tariff for exported solar electricity. Over 270,000 installations were on SEG tariffs by March 2025 — a 63% annual increase. The best rates come from time-of-use tariffs rather than flat rates.
The picture changed in 2026. Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux — the time-of-use tariffs that paid up to ~29p and ~32p at peak — are now CLOSED to new customers; existing customers keep their rate. For anyone signing up today the best open rates are bundled: E.ON Next at ~16.5p/kWh and British Gas Export & Earn Plus at ~15.1p/kWh, both requiring you to import with them, and Good Energy Solar Savings at ~15p/kWh with no bundling. Installer-exclusive bundled export deals reach ~24–25p/kWh on conditions. Standard flat SEG sits at ~10.5–12p (E.ON Next Standard, Octopus Outgoing, OVO).
Flat Rate vs Time-of-Use: Which Pays More?
Time-of-use tariffs pay more but require a battery and active management: you charge cheaply overnight (around 7p/kWh) and export during the 4-7pm peak. That arbitrage could earn £300-£600 a year on top of self-consumption savings — but with Octopus Flux and Intelligent Flux closed to new customers, that route is only open to households already on them. If you are on one, stay on it.
For everyone signing up today the practical choice is a flat rate, and the question is whether you are willing to move your import supply. Bundled tariffs (E.ON Next ~16.5p, British Gas ~15.1p) pay the most but require you to buy your electricity from the same supplier; Good Energy ~15p does not. For solar-only installations without a battery, a good flat rate is the right answer anyway. We act as your free energy broker and point you to whoever pays most at commissioning — including installer-exclusive bundles at ~24-25p where you qualify.
How Much Can You Earn from SEG?
A 4kW solar system in East Anglia exporting approximately 1,500-2,000 kWh per year earns roughly £160-£330 a year on a good open flat rate (~15-16.5p), or £160-£250 on a standard ~10.5-12p SEG tariff. Households still on a legacy Flux tariff with a battery can reach £400-£800+ by exporting into the peak. The key point holds either way: self-consumption savings (avoiding buying at ~24.5p/kWh) are almost always worth more than export income, so size the battery for self-use first and treat export as the secondary return.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SEG rate in 2026?
For new sign-ups as of August 2026, the best open rates are E.ON Next at ~16.5p/kWh and British Gas Export & Earn Plus at ~15.1p/kWh (both require you to import with them), and Good Energy Solar Savings at ~15p/kWh with no bundling. Installer-exclusive bundled deals reach ~24–25p/kWh where you qualify. The old Octopus Flux and Intelligent Flux time-of-use tariffs paying up to ~29–32p at peak are closed to new customers.
Do I need a smart meter for SEG payments?
Yes. SEG payments are based on actual half-hourly export readings, so a smart meter capable of half-hourly reporting is required by every SEG tariff. If you do not have one, your electricity supplier will usually fit one for free.
Can I be on a different supplier for import and export?
Yes — SEG export and your import supply are separate contracts and can be with different suppliers. However, the highest open rates (E.ON Next ~16.5p, British Gas ~15.1p) are bundled, meaning they are reserved for customers who also import with that supplier. Good Energy at ~15p is the best standalone option if you want to keep your current electricity supplier.
Is it worth switching from my default SEG tariff?
Usually yes. Standard SEG rates sit around 10.5–12p/kWh while the best open rates reach ~15–16.5p (or ~24–25p on a qualifying installer-exclusive bundle). On a typical 1,500–2,000kWh annual export that is roughly £60–£280 a year more for a few minutes of paperwork. Check whether the bundled tariff on offer raises your import price by more than the export gain — we run that comparison for you.
Does MCS certification matter for SEG?
Yes — suppliers require MCS certification (or equivalent) for your solar installation before they will pay SEG export rates. Every Green Hat installation is MCS certified and we handle the SEG registration paperwork during commissioning.
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