What Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the UK regulatory framework requiring electricity suppliers above 150,000 customers to offer at least one SEG tariff to renewable generation customers. SEG replaced the closed Feed-in Tariff scheme from January 2020.
How it works in detail
SEG tariffs in 2026 vary widely: top tariffs (Octopus Outgoing Agile, E.ON Next Export Exclusive) average 11-15p/kWh; mid-tier tariffs (Good Energy, SO Energy) 9-12p/kWh; weakest tariffs from major suppliers (EDF Export, British Gas Export Reward, Scottish Power standard SEG) 4-7p/kWh. The difference matters for any farm export — for a 200 kW system exporting 50,000 kWh/year, the gap between a 5p tariff and a 12p tariff is £3,500/year of income.
Application process
Requirements: MCS commercial certificate; SEG-compatible smart meter (SMETS2 or HH-capable AMR); contract with an SEG-offering supplier. Application: submit to chosen supplier with MCS certificate. Supplier responds within 4-6 weeks. Payments quarterly or monthly depending on supplier.
Limits and constraints
5 MW maximum per installation (above this requires separate market trading arrangements). Smart meter required for half-hourly export tracking. Some suppliers limit SEG eligibility by import-supply relationship (some require you to also be their import customer).
How Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) stacks with other schemes
SEG is universal — applies to every commercial farm PV install. The tariff selection is independent of import supplier. Smart switching: review SEG provider annually; switch if your current rate is below 8p/kWh. We provide SEG application support as part of every install.
How we handle Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) in farm projects
We integrate Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) planning into every relevant farm proposal. For AIA: invoice itemisation supporting tax claim. For SFI 2025: timing recommendation aligned with annual SFI application windows. For FIF: paired-project coordination via specialist rural advisors. For SEG: tariff comparison and switching support. For Welsh and Scottish schemes: coordination with country-specific advisors. The aim is to maximise total post-grant return rather than treating each scheme in isolation.
For wider context on UK farm solar grants and funding routes, see our main grants and funding page.
Common questions
How much can we save through Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
Varies by project. For typical farm installs in 2026, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) contribution is material to overall economics — frequently 15-40% of project value depending on eligible cost basis and scheme intervention rate.
Can we combine Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) with other grants and tax reliefs?
Most schemes stack with 100% AIA and SEG. Some specific scheme combinations have restrictions — for example, some FIF rounds restrict combination with certain other capital grants. We coordinate scheme stacking in every proposal.
What does the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) application timeline look like?
Application windows and approval timelines vary by scheme. Most UK farm grant applications run 8-16 weeks from submission to approval. We schedule solar project delivery around grant application windows to avoid missed eligibility.
Do we need professional advisory support for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
For complex grant applications, professional advisory support is usually worthwhile. We work with specialist rural advisors (Strutt & Parker, Carter Jonas, Brown & Co, GSC Grays) who handle grant applications alongside our solar delivery scope.