Smart Export Guarantee Rates for Businesses 2026

If your business has commercial solar panels, every kilowatt-hour of electricity you export to the grid earns you money through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). But the amount you earn varies enormously between suppliers and tariff types. Choosing the right SEG tariff can make a significant difference to the financial returns from your solar investment. This guide reviews the current landscape of commercial SEG rates in 2026 and explains how to maximise your export income.

How the Smart Export Guarantee Works

The SEG came into effect on 1 January 2020, replacing the previous Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which closed to new applicants in March 2019. Under the SEG, all licensed electricity suppliers with 150,000 or more customers are legally required to offer at least one export tariff to eligible generators. The rate must be above zero, but there is no minimum rate set by the government, meaning rates are entirely market-driven.

Eligible installations include solar PV systems up to 5MW, which covers the vast majority of commercial installations. To register, your system must be MCS-certified (or equivalent), and you must have a smart meter or half-hourly settlement meter installed. The export meter tracks how much electricity you send back to the grid, and you are paid per kWh exported.

Types of SEG Tariffs

Suppliers offer several types of SEG tariff, each with different characteristics:

Fixed Rate Tariffs

Fixed rate tariffs pay a set price per kWh for all electricity exported, regardless of when it is exported. This provides predictable income and is the simplest option. As of March 2026, fixed SEG rates from major suppliers range from 6p to 16p per kWh. Ecotricity currently offers the best flat rate at 16p/kWh for eligible businesses. Note that Octopus Energy reduced their widely-cited Outgoing Octopus tariff from 15p to 12p in March 2026 — many comparison sites still show the outdated 15p figure, so always verify current rates directly.

Variable Rate Tariffs

Variable tariffs adjust the rate based on wholesale electricity prices. When wholesale prices are high (typically during winter evenings), the export rate increases. When prices are low (overnight or during sunny afternoons when solar generation is abundant), rates decrease. Variable tariffs can deliver higher average returns than fixed rates but introduce income uncertainty.

Agile or Time-of-Use Tariffs

The most sophisticated option, agile tariffs change the export rate every half-hour based on real-time grid demand and wholesale prices. During periods of peak demand, rates can spike to 30p+ per kWh, while during periods of low demand and high renewable generation, rates can drop to 1-2p per kWh. These tariffs reward businesses that can time their exports using battery storage.

Current SEG Rates Comparison (Early 2026)

SEG rates change regularly as suppliers adjust their offerings. The following comparison represents rates as of March 2026 and should be verified directly with suppliers before making decisions. A significant change in March 2026: Octopus Energy reduced their Outgoing Octopus flat rate from 15p to 12p — the most-cited rate in comparison tables. Always verify current rates.

Rates as of March 2026. SEG rates change frequently — always verify current rates directly with the supplier before registering. 270,395 solar installations were enrolled in the SEG by March 2025, a 63% year-on-year increase, showing rapid uptake of the scheme.

Maximising Your SEG Income

While SEG rates are one part of the equation, there are several strategies to maximise your total export income:

Battery Storage for Export Timing

Without battery storage, you can only export electricity at the moment it is generated, typically during afternoon hours when SEG rates on variable tariffs are relatively low due to high solar output across the grid. A battery system allows you to store excess generation and export during evening peak hours when agile tariff rates are at their highest. The difference can be substantial: exporting at 25p per kWh during a winter evening peak versus 3p per kWh during a sunny afternoon.

Right-Sizing Your System

The most valuable kWh of solar electricity is one you use on-site, avoiding a 25-35p grid import. Exported electricity at 6-15p per kWh is worth significantly less. When designing your solar system, the priority should be maximising self-consumption. A system slightly undersized relative to your total consumption will export less but deliver a higher overall return than an oversized system that exports most of its generation. Use our solar ROI calculator to model different scenarios.

Switching SEG Providers

Unlike some energy contracts, switching SEG providers is straightforward and usually takes just a few days. There is no obligation to stay with a particular provider, and no exit fees on most SEG tariffs. Review rates quarterly and switch if a better rate becomes available. The process simply involves registering with the new provider and deregistering from the old one.

SEG vs Self-Consumption: Finding the Balance

For Essex businesses, the economics are clear: self-consumption should always be prioritised over export. At current commercial electricity rates of 25-35p per kWh, every kWh you use on-site saves you that full amount. Exporting the same kWh earns you only 6-15p via the SEG. The financial priority order is:

1. Use solar electricity directly (saving 25-35p per kWh)
2. Store in battery for later self-use (saving 25-35p minus battery cycling cost)
3. Export to grid during peak rates (earning 15-30p per kWh on agile tariffs)
4. Export to grid at standard rates (earning 6-15p per kWh on fixed tariffs)

A well-designed system with battery storage can achieve 70-85% self-consumption, meaning only 15-30% of generation is exported. At the best available SEG rates, even this relatively small export volume contributes meaningful income that improves the overall return on your solar investment.

How to Register for the SEG

Registering for the SEG is straightforward:

1. Ensure your system is MCS-certified. All installations by EC Eco Energy are MCS-certified as standard.
2. Have a smart meter or half-hourly settlement meter installed. Your electricity supplier can arrange this if you do not already have one.
3. Choose your SEG provider. Compare rates using the table above and contact your chosen supplier.
4. Complete the registration form. You will need your MCS certificate number, meter details and bank account information for payments.
5. Start earning. Payments are typically made quarterly based on your export meter readings.

Frequently Asked Questions