Smart Export Guarantee Explained

What is the SEG?

The Smart Export Guarantee requires larger licensed energy suppliers to offer a tariff paying homeowners for renewable electricity exported to the grid. If your panels generate more than you use, the surplus earns you money.

How do you qualify?

You generally need an MCS-certified (or equivalent) installation and an export meter — usually a smart meter capable of half-hourly export readings. Your installer will handle certification.

Rates vary a lot

Crucially, SEG rates are set by each supplier, not fixed by government. They differ significantly, and you do not have to take the SEG tariff from the supplier you buy electricity from. Compare export rates once installed, and review them periodically.

Export vs self-use

Using your own electricity is almost always worth more than exporting it, because import rates exceed export rates. That is the main argument for battery storage — it shifts generation into your own usage rather than exporting it cheaply.

This article is general information. Costs and savings vary by property, energy use and tariff.