Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Get paid for your excess electricity.
As part of a government initiative, if you generate your own electricity through renewable sources, like sun or wind, you can get paid for surplus energy. So if you generate more electricity than you use in your home or business, and export it back to the grid, you could receive export payments.
What is SEG?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government obligation for larger suppliers to offer an export tariff that pays customers for excess electricity that they send back to the grid from renewable technologies such as solar panels. SEG replaces the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme which ended on 1 April 2019 for new applicants. The SEG tariff is available from 1 January 2020.
What do I need to have to get SEG?
To apply for SEG, you’ll need to have one of the below energy solutions:
Solar photovoltaic systems.
Solar panels are made up from solar cells with semiconducting properties that can generate electric current through a process called the photovoltaic (PV) effect and use an inverter to feed electricity into homes and businesses.
Hydro power.
This uses the natural flow of water to generate energy, as the flow of water creates electricity through a turbine. Types of installation vary depending on the individual site and the source of water to be used.
Onshore wind.
With the installation of a wind turbine, kinetic energy from wind can be used to generate electricity that can be used in your home or business.
Micro-Combined Heat and Power.
This can generate electricity and heat at the same time, with the intention of maximising the use of both of these, instead of wasting either (which often occurs when energy is produced through more traditional methods).
Anaerobic digestion.
Anaerobic digestion creates a biogas that can be used as a fuel in its own right or to generate electricity through a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engine.
You must also:
Be the owner of the generation unit e.g. solar panels.
Have a generation unit with a capacity of up to 5MW.
Have a meter that is able to record energy that’s exported to the grid, on a half-hourly basis.
Have an installation that is certified to the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), or Flexi-Orb.
Have the ability to opt out of FiT payments. or be prepared to lose your FiT export payment if you move to SEG.
Not be receiving SEG payments from another licensee.
How do I apply for SEG?
Once you've completed our application form online and sent it to us with the required documentation, it can take up to 8 - 10 weeks to process your application.
What to include with your application:
A valid MCS or Flexi-Orb Certificate.
Proof of Identification (ID) - a photocopy of your passport, driving licence or another I.D. document issued by an official body. Other accepted forms of ID that we accept can be found at gov.uk.
Proof of address - a utility bill issued within the last three months, a local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year or a statement from your Bank or Building Society.
Other accepted forms of proof of address that we accept can be found at gov.uk.
A photograph of your smart meter or export meter, showing the meter serial number, make, model and export reading, each time we request this from you. Please note, this is not your generation meter.
If you've battery storage on site, we'll need a schematic diagram and Battery Storage Declaration form.
If you're VAT registered, we'll need a self-billing form.
DNO approval/acceptance letter/email confirming the G98/G99 application has been received/processed.
How to apply as a business.
If your company is VAT registered then VAT will be added to your export payment. You’ll need to complete both the application form available above, plus the self-billing form, and declare any VAT received to HMRC as part of your tax return.
Fill out our self-billing form for VAT customers
What happens next?
We’ll need to do some checks to make sure we’ve received everything we need from you. If there isn’t already one set up, we’ll use an industry database to apply for an Export MPAN. This helps us to identify the export supply from your meter so we’re able to know how much energy you’re exporting, then we can make your export payments.
Once this has been set up, we’ll email you a link to our SEG terms and conditions which we’ll need you to accept. You can also view the terms and conditions online.
When we’ve received your acceptance we can finish setting up your account. After that, you'll receive your payments from us annually.
What’s on offer:
Next Export
Available to all customers that have brought their solar installation from an independent installer and have generators up to a maximum capacity of 5MW or customers who have had their solar installation installed on grant and have generators up to a maximum capacity of 5MW.
- 12-month fixed term export tariff.
- No exit fees.
- 3 pence per kWh paid for exported electricity.
Next Export Exclusive
Exclusively for any customers who bought their solar installation from E.ON solar after 1 January 2020. Our very best export rate.
- 12-month fixed term export tariff.
- No exit fees.
- 5.5 pence per kWh paid for exported electricity.
Our frequently asked questions.
How do I get an export reading from my smart meter?
How to get a reading from a separate export meter?
Do I need to contact you with my export readings?
How often will I receive SEG payments?
How do I let you know about a change in ownership of the solar panels?
What if I’m VAT Registered? (Businesses only)
I’m supplied by another company, but I’d like my SEG with you. Is that possible?
Why do you need my photo ID?
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) terms and conditions.
Need to talk to us?
Give us a call or drop us an email using the details below.
Not yet got solar panels?.
Get up to £200 off solar panels & batteries as an E.ON Next customer.
More about solar