Quick answer: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the scheme that pays you for surplus solar electricity you send back to the grid. It replaced the old Feed-in Tariff, which is closed to new applicants. Rates vary by supplier, so it pays to compare tariffs rather than accept the first offer.
If you’ve read older solar guides mentioning the Feed-in Tariff, this is the article that brings you up to date. The way you get paid for export has changed, and understanding the current scheme helps you choose the right supplier.
Ready to start saving? Request a free quote for solar panel installation in Edinburgh and across Scotland from one of our experts today.
What Is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
The SEG is a government-backed scheme requiring larger energy suppliers to pay solar owners for the surplus electricity they export to the grid.
When your panels generate more than your home is using, the excess flows back to the grid. Under the SEG, eligible suppliers must pay you for that exported electricity. It’s the mechanism that turns your unused daytime generation into income rather than a giveaway.
Is the SEG the Same as the Feed-in Tariff?
No — the SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) for new installations. The FiT closed to new applicants, so newly installed systems now use the SEG instead.
This is the crucial update, and it’s where older content trips people up. The Feed-in Tariff paid both for electricity you generated and exported, and was more generous, but it’s no longer open to new entrants. If you’re installing solar now, the SEG is the scheme that applies to you.
| Feed-in Tariff (old) | Smart Export Guarantee (current) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed to new applicants | Open |
| Pays for | Generation + export | Export only |
| Rate setting | Government-set | Set by each supplier |
| Best approach | N/A for new installs | Compare supplier tariffs |
Scheme details change — verify the current position before publishing.
How Much Does the SEG Pay for Solar Export?
Rates vary significantly between suppliers because each sets its own, so the amount you earn depends heavily on which tariff you choose.
Unlike the old fixed government rate, the SEG lets suppliers set their own export prices, which means shopping around genuinely matters. Some tariffs pay a flat rate per unit exported; others are variable and track the value of electricity at different times of day. The right choice depends on your generation pattern and whether you have a battery to time your exports.
Do You Need a Smart Meter for the SEG?
Yes — you generally need a meter capable of recording your export readings, typically a smart meter, so the supplier knows how much you’ve sent back.
The scheme pays for measured export, so there has to be a way to record it. A suitable meter is part of getting set up to earn, and it’s worth confirming your metering is SEG-ready as part of your installation planning.
Can You Switch Suppliers for a Better SEG Rate?
Yes — you don’t have to take your export payments from the same company that supplies your electricity, so you can choose the best available export tariff.
This is a point many owners miss. Your import supplier and your export (SEG) supplier don’t have to be the same, which opens up the market and lets you optimise both sides. As tariffs change over time, it’s worth reviewing periodically rather than setting and forgetting.
Does the SEG Change Whether Solar Is Worth It?
Export income is a genuine part of solar’s return, but the bigger saving still comes from using your own generation directly rather than buying from the grid.
The SEG is a welcome bonus, not the main event. Every unit you use yourself saves you the full price of grid electricity, while exported units earn the SEG rate, which is typically lower. That’s why self-consumption — and batteries that boost it — matters so much to the overall sums. The SEG rewards your surplus; smart usage rewards you more.
What Came Before the SEG?
The SEG replaced an older scheme. If you’re comparing what homeowners used to get paid, see our guide to the feed-in tariff and how it differs.
Get Solar Set Up Right for Export Payments
Choosing panels, metering and — if it suits you — a battery to make the most of both self-use and export is exactly the kind of thing worth planning properly from the start.
Book a free solar survey with our Edinburgh-based team and we’ll design a system that maximises what you use and what you can earn back, set up correctly for the SEG from day one.
