If you’ve invested in solar panels, or are considering a new installation, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is one of the ways to get financial benefit from the electricity your system produces. It pays you for the surplus electricity you export to the grid, helping you maximise the value of your solar investment.
At Green Sky Renewables, we don’t just install solar panels and leave you with a handover pack. We guide you through setting up your SEG tariff, help you understand the payments, and provide ongoing support whenever you call on us.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The SEG is a government-backed scheme that requires large electricity suppliers to offer an export tariff to small-scale renewable generators. Here’s what you need to know:
- Payments are only for electricity exported to the grid, not for what you use on-site.
- Your exported electricity is measured using a smart meter.
- You must sign up with a supplier offering a SEG tariff, it’s not automatic.
- Suppliers set their own tariffs, so rates vary. You can choose the tariff that best matches your export profile.
Most domestic and small commercial solar systems qualify for SEG, provided they are MCS-certified and have export metering.
How SEG Payments Work
When your solar panels generate electricity, some of it is used on-site and some is exported. SEG payments apply only to the exported portion.
Your earnings depend on:
- How much electricity is exported – systems with high daytime generation or lower self-consumption export more.
- The tariff you select – some suppliers pay more per kilowatt-hour than others.
- System management – adding a battery, adjusting usage patterns, or managing exports strategically can improve returns.
A battery can also be a solution if you don’t want to join a SEG tariff or can’t export for other reasons. Stored electricity can be used later, saving you money on your energy bills.
Green Sky Renewables’ SEG Support
We know that setting up a SEG tariff can be confusing, which is why we make it simple for our customers:
- After a Green Sky install, we provide all the information you need to arrange a SEG tariff, including your MCS certificate.
- We offer hands-on help if you want us to manage the process with your supplier.
- If you’re not one of our install customers but are struggling with SEG, we can still advise and help you navigate the process.
- If your current system lacks an MCS certificate, we cannot issue one nor can anyone else, as this would breach the MCS regulations. However, we can quote and install a new system that we can certify, allowing you to access SEG payments.
- We also offer ongoing maintenance and an assess-and-takeover service for systems we didn’t install, ensuring your solar setup is safe, remains reliable and efficient, SEG eligible or not.
Our goal is to make sure your solar system is performing at its best and generating the maximum possible value.
SEG vs the Old Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
For context, some existing solar owners are still receiving FiT payments. The main differences are:
- FiT paid for both generation and export, often using estimated export values.
- SEG pays only for actual exported electricity.
- You can retain FiT generation payments while switching the export portion to SEG, but you cannot receive both export payments for the same electricity.
- You can extend your existing solar, installing a second system, and have a SEG tariff, separate to your existing FiT arrangement.
SEG is the current and relevant route for new solar systems and for owners wanting to optimise export income with a new installation. An existing FiT contract can be switched onto the SEG should you alter your existing eligible system. Most suppliers who provide FiT payments would prefer to switch you onto the SEG as this unfortunately is not as financially beneficial for the owner.
How to Maximise Your SEG Earnings
- Select the right tariff – shop around to find the supplier offering the best rate for your export pattern. You do not need to have your export tariff with the same provider as your current import tariff; however, most suppliers offer better rates of export if you also buy your import from them.
- Consider battery storage – store surplus electricity for later use or export when rates are higher should your tariff have this option.
- Manage exports strategically – adjusting usage and generation can maximise payments.
- Keep your system maintained – a reliable system ensures maximum generation and export. Testing performance of your array, to cleaning the panels, it’s all part of the maintenance we offer at Green Sky to keep your generation at peak performance.
At Green Sky Renewables, we combine installation, SEG support, and ongoing maintenance so that your solar system works as hard as you do.
The Bottom Line
The SEG ensures solar owners are rewarded for exported electricity, but the benefit depends on how well your system is managed and whether you choose the right tariff. For those without SEG access or MCS certification, batteries or system upgrades are viable alternatives. SEG is only part of the return of your investment into solar, in most cases, it is better to use as much of your generation on site, than export it to later buy it back when your demand rises.
Green Sky Renewables provides end-to-end support: installation, SEG guidance, maintenance, and system takeovers. Our approach ensures your solar system is not just installed, but delivering maximum value year after year. Contact our team today to discuss battery storage to capture more of the energy your exporting, or how we can help keep your installation at peak performance.
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