SEG Income Estimator
SEG Income Estimator
See what your roof could earn from exporting spare solar power
Lower if you’re usually out during the day, higher if you have a battery.
Does your tariff choice matter?
Same export volume, three different SEG rates — the difference is bigger than most people expect:
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK scheme that pays you for the extra solar electricity you send back to the grid instead of using yourself. Any electricity supplier with more than 150,000 customers is required to offer at least one SEG tariff, and plenty of smaller suppliers offer one too. Rates vary hugely between suppliers — from a penny or two per kWh right up to 15p or more on the best fixed tariffs — so it’s genuinely worth comparing before you commit. Switching your export tariff is usually quick and free, and it won’t affect your main electricity supply contract.
⚠️ Export income depends on your actual generation, consumption pattern and chosen supplier’s live SEG rate — this is an estimate to guide comparison, not a quote.
How much can you actually earn from SEG?
Your SEG income comes down to three things: how much electricity your system generates, how much of that you export rather than use yourself, and the rate your supplier pays per kWh. A typical UK home with a 4kWp system exporting at
a mid-range tariff earns somewhere in the region of £80–£170 a year — but the gap between the lowest and highest tariffs on the market is large enough that switching your export tariff alone can be worth £50–£100 a year for the exact
same electricity.
A few things worth knowing before you register for SEG:
- You need a smart meter (or export meter) that records exported electricity, plus an MCS certificate for your installation — your installer usually arranges this.
- You don't have to use your main electricity supplier's SEG tariff. You can switch your export tariff to a different supplier entirely, for free, without touching your main electricity contract.
- A battery isn't required for SEG, but it lets you shift more of your generation into self-consumption or export it at the times your tariff pays the most.
Use the estimator above with your own system size, orientation and expected self-consumption to see where you'd realistically land.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I earn from the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
It depends on your system size, how much of your generation you export rather than use yourself, and your supplier's SEG rate. A typical home earns roughly £80–£170 a year, though this can be higher with a larger system or a top fixed tariff. Use the estimator above for a figure based on your own roof and usage.
Do I have to use my energy supplier's SEG tariff, or can I switch?
No — you don't have to stick with your main electricity supplier's SEG tariff. You can switch to a different supplier for your export payments alone, while keeping your existing electricity contract in place. Switching is usually free and takes a few weeks to set up, so it's worth comparing rates rather than accepting your supplier's default offer.
Do I need a smart meter or battery to get paid under SEG?
You need a smart meter (or export meter) that can record how much electricity you send back to the grid, plus an MCS certificate for your installation, to register for SEG. A battery isn't required, but it increases how much of your generation you can use yourself and lets you store extra power to export at better times of day if your tariff rewards that.