The best solar export tariff depends on more than the highest advertised rate. Some of the best-paying tariffs require you to buy your imported electricity from the same supplier, use its installation service or have a compatible home battery.
For a solar-only home, a competitive flat rate export tariff is often the simplest option. If you have a battery, a time-of-use tariff may offer a better return by allowing you to store electricity and export it when rates are higher.
This guide compares the main solar export tariffs available in the UK, including their rates, restrictions and the types of solar setup they are likely to suit.
Which Solar Export Tariff Is Likely to Suit You?
The best starting point depends on your equipment and how much control you have over when electricity is exported.
Solar panels without a battery: Look for a competitive flat rate. You cannot easily move your exports into a different time of the day, so predictable payments are normally more useful than variable half-hourly pricing.
Solar panels and a battery: Compare flat rates with time-of-use tariffs. A battery can store daytime solar generation and export it during a higher-paying evening period.
Solar panels and an electric vehicle: Compare your import and export tariffs together. A high export rate may not compensate for an expensive import tariff, particularly if you charge an EV at home.
Keeping your current electricity supplier: Look for an export tariff that does not require the supplier to provide your imported electricity. These usually pay less than bundled tariffs.
Solar or battery installed by an energy supplier: Check whether you qualify for an exclusive rate. Some of the highest headline export tariffs are reserved for households that bought their equipment through the same company.
Best Solar Export Tariffs Compared
The rates below were checked on 19 July 2026. Export tariffs can change, so confirm the latest rate and eligibility directly with the supplier before applying.
| Supplier and tariff | Export rate | Main eligibility | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive | 25p/kWh | Solar panels and battery installed by Good Energy | 12-month exclusive rate |
| So Energy So Bright Export | 20p/kWh | Check current So Energy eligibility | 12 months |
| OVO SEG Install Exclusive | 20p/kWh | Solar and battery bought through OVO, OVO electricity supply and smart meter | Flat rate |
| EDF Export Exclusive 12m V3 | 18p/kWh | Solar, battery or both installed through EDF or Contact Solar | 12-month fixed rate |
| E.ON Next Export Premium v3 | 17.5p/kWh | System installed by E.ON from 10 November 2025 | 12-month fixed rate |
| Prime Outgoing Octopus | 16p/kWh from 4pm to 7pm; 9p otherwise | Compatible Octopus import tariff | Two fixed time periods |
| EDF Export 12m | 15p/kWh | Existing EDF electricity customer | 12-month fixed rate |
| ScottishPower SmartGen Premium Plus | 15p/kWh | ScottishPower electricity customer and system installed by ScottishPower | Variable flat rate |
| E.ON Next Export Exclusive v3 | 13p/kWh | E.ON Next import customer, excluding most time-of-use tariffs | 12-month fixed rate |
| Outgoing Octopus | 12p/kWh | Compatible Octopus import tariff | Variable flat rate |
| Good Energy Solar Savings | 12p/kWh | Good Energy electricity customer | Variable flat rate |
| British Gas Export Premium | 12p/kWh | British Gas electricity customer and system up to 15kW | Variable flat rate |
| ScottishPower SmartGen Premium | 12p/kWh | ScottishPower electricity customer | Variable flat rate |
| ScottishPower SmartGen | 6p/kWh | No ScottishPower import tariff required | Variable flat rate |
| E.ON Next Flex Export | 6p/kWh | No E.ON Next import tariff required | Variable flat rate |
| EDF SEG Export Variable Value | 5.6p/kWh | EDF electricity customer | Variable flat rate |
| So Energy So Export Flex | 4.5p/kWh | Import supply can remain elsewhere | Flat export rate |
| Octopus SEG | 4.1p/kWh | Import supply can remain elsewhere | Flat export rate |
Good Energy currently pays 25p/kWh for 12 months where it installed both the solar panels and battery, while its standard Solar Savings tariff pays 12p/kWh to eligible supply customers.
So Energy lists So Bright Export at 20p/kWh for 12 months and its more widely accessible So Export Flex tariff at 4.5p/kWh. OVO’s 20p/kWh rate is restricted to customers who buy solar panels and a battery through OVO, take their electricity supply from OVO and have a smart meter.
EDF pays 18p/kWh on its installation-exclusive tariff and 15p/kWh on Export 12m for existing EDF electricity customers. E.ON Next offers 17.5p/kWh for eligible E.ON installations, 13p/kWh for most E.ON import customers and 6p/kWh on its open Flex Export tariff.
ScottishPower currently lists rates of 15p, 12p and 6p depending on whether it installed the system and supplies the home’s electricity. British Gas pays 12p/kWh to eligible electricity customers and 3p/kWh on its basic tariff for households whose import supply remains elsewhere.
Do Not Compare by the Export Rate Alone
The tariff with the highest export rate will not necessarily leave you with the lowest overall electricity bill.
A premium export tariff may require you to move your imported electricity to the same supplier. You could earn more from exporting but pay more for the electricity you use from the grid.
When comparing tariffs, consider:
- how much electricity you export each year
- how much electricity you import
- the supplier’s import unit rates and standing charge
- whether you have an EV or heat pump
- whether the export rate is fixed or variable
- how long an exclusive rate lasts
- what rate applies when the initial term ends
- whether the supplier must have installed your system
This is particularly important with solar and battery tariffs that combine import and export pricing. A high evening export rate can look attractive, but your overall result also depends on what you pay when charging the battery and powering the home.
Fixed or Time-of-Use Export Tariff?
A flat export tariff pays the same rate for every unit you send to the grid, regardless of when it is exported.
This is normally the easiest option for solar panels without a battery. Your surplus electricity is exported whenever the panels generate more than the home is using, so you have limited control over timing.
A time-of-use export tariff pays different rates at different times. Prime Outgoing, Octopus Flux and Intelligent Octopus Flux use set pricing periods, while Agile Outgoing changes every 30 minutes.
These tariffs are more relevant when you have a battery. You may be able to store solar generation during the day and export it when the tariff pays more.
The highest time-of-use rate should not be treated as the rate you will receive for every exported unit. The result depends on how much electricity you can move into that particular window.
Best Export Tariff for Solar Panels Without a Battery
For most solar-only homes, a competitive flat tariff is the clearest option.
If you qualify for an installation-exclusive rate from Good Energy, So Energy, OVO, EDF or E.ON, that may provide the highest return. These tariffs are restricted, however, and may only last for 12 months.
For households that did not buy their panels through an energy supplier, compare tariffs available to existing import customers. EDF Export 12m currently pays 15p/kWh, E.ON Next Export Exclusive pays 13p/kWh, and several suppliers offer flat rates of 12p/kWh.
Outgoing Octopus pays 12p/kWh regardless of when electricity is exported. It may suit solar-only homes that already use, or are willing to move to, a compatible Octopus import tariff.
Avoid choosing a dynamic export tariff simply because it occasionally offers high rates. Without a battery, most of your exports are likely to occur during daylight hours, which may not coincide with the most valuable periods.
Best Export Tariff for Solar Panels and a Battery
A battery gives you more choice because it can change when electricity is exported.
You could still choose a high flat rate, particularly if you qualify for one of the exclusive 18p to 25p tariffs. This provides predictable payments without requiring you to manage the battery around changing export prices.
Alternatively, a time-of-use tariff may reward you for storing solar generation and exporting it later. The best option depends on:
- the size and usable capacity of the battery
- how much solar electricity is left after household use
- how much can be exported during higher-paying periods
- the cost of charging from the grid
- conversion and battery losses
- how much manual scheduling you are prepared to do
A time-of-use tariff is not automatically better than a flat rate. Compare the whole import and export arrangement using your actual electricity use.
Our Best Home Batteries for Solar guide explains how battery size, compatibility and smart tariff support can affect the result.
Comparing the Octopus Export Tariffs
Octopus offers one of the widest selections of export tariffs, from simple flat payments to options designed around battery storage.
Outgoing Octopus pays a flat 12p/kWh. It is the simplest Octopus option for solar-only homes and anyone who wants predictable payments without managing export times.
Prime Outgoing Octopus pays 16p/kWh between 4pm and 7pm and 9p/kWh during the rest of the day. It may suit homes with a battery that can regularly shift exports into the evening but do not want to follow half-hourly prices.
Agile Outgoing Octopus changes its export rate every 30 minutes according to day-ahead wholesale prices. It is most relevant to households that can monitor prices and control when their battery exports.
Octopus Flux combines time-of-use import and export rates for homes with solar panels and a battery. You manage the battery’s charging and discharging schedule yourself.
Intelligent Octopus Flux also combines import and export pricing, but Octopus controls compatible batteries automatically. At the time of writing, Octopus says Intelligent Octopus Flux is temporarily unavailable to new customers.
Octopus SEG pays 4.1p/kWh and allows you to keep your imported electricity with another supplier. Its rate is much lower than the other Octopus options, but it does not require an Octopus import tariff.
For a full comparison of eligibility, pricing and which setup each option is likely to suit, read our Octopus Energy export tariff comparison.
Can You Use Different Import and Export Suppliers?
Yes. Your export supplier does not legally have to be the same company that provides your imported electricity. The SEG agreement is separate from your import supply.
In practice, many of the better export rates are reserved for the supplier’s import customers or installation customers.
If you want to keep your current electricity tariff, some of the more widely available options include:
- ScottishPower SmartGen at 6p/kWh
- E.ON Next Flex Export at 6p/kWh
- So Export Flex at 4.5p/kWh
- Octopus SEG at 4.1p/kWh
Do not switch your import tariff for a small increase in export income without comparing the full cost. The additional amount paid for imported electricity could be greater than the extra amount earned from exports.
What Do You Need to Join a Solar Export Tariff?
The exact requirements vary, but most suppliers will ask for:
- a meter capable of recording exported electricity
- half-hourly export readings
- proof that you own the solar panels
- an MCS or equivalent installation certificate
- DNO confirmation, normally through G98 or G99 documents
- an export MPAN
- confirmation that no other supplier is paying for the same exported electricity
The Smart Export Guarantee pays for metered electricity exported to the grid. Suppliers set their own rates, contract terms and additional eligibility requirements, but compliant SEG rates must remain above zero.
Your export MPAN identifies the export side of the electricity connection. If one has not already been created, the chosen supplier may be able to request it from your Distribution Network Operator. This can add several weeks to the application process.
How to Switch Solar Export Tariff
1. Check Your Current Export Rate
Look at your latest export statement or supplier account and confirm the tariff name, rate and any contract terms.
If you have not reviewed it recently, compare it with the current market before assuming it remains competitive.
2. Compare Import and Export Together
Work out roughly how much electricity you import and export each year.
A bundled tariff should only be considered better if the overall import and export result improves, not simply because its export rate is higher.
3. Gather Your Documents
You will usually need your MCS or equivalent certificate, DNO confirmation, export MPAN and smart meter details.
If you bought a home with panels already installed, you may also be asked to provide proof that you now own the system.
4. Apply to the New Export Supplier
Export applications are normally separate from standard electricity switches. Complete the supplier’s form and provide all requested documents.
Do not close the existing export account until you understand the new supplier’s process and proposed start date.
5. Check the First Payment
Once the account is active, confirm that your export readings are being received and that the correct rate has been applied.
What if You Receive Feed-in Tariff Payments?
Existing Feed-in Tariff customers should compare their current export payment with the SEG rate available.
You can normally keep your Feed-in Tariff generation payments while opting out of its export payment and joining a SEG tariff. You cannot receive FIT export payments and SEG export payments for the same electricity at the same time. Changes to FIT export status are generally limited to once every 12 months.
Do not leave your FIT generation payments when moving only the export element. Contact the FIT provider and proposed SEG supplier to confirm how the change should be handled.
How Much Could You Earn From Solar Exports?
Your export income depends on:
- the size and direction of the solar array
- annual solar generation
- how much electricity you use directly
- whether you have a battery
- the export tariff rate
- when electricity is exported
A home that uses more solar electricity directly may export less, but self-consumption can still be more valuable than exporting because it avoids buying electricity at the full import rate.
The aim should therefore not be to maximise exports at any cost. Compare the value of using, storing and exporting each unit of electricity.
Which Solar Export Tariff Should You Choose?
Start with the tariffs you are actually eligible for.
If your system was installed by an energy supplier, check whether you qualify for one of its exclusive rates. These currently offer some of the highest flat export payments, but they may only last for a limited period.
If you have solar panels without a battery, compare straightforward flat rates from your import supplier and the open-market alternatives.
If you have a battery, compare those flat rates with time-of-use tariffs that reward evening exports. Include the import rates and battery charging costs rather than focusing only on the highest export window.
The best solar export tariff is the one that produces the strongest overall result for your home, not necessarily the one with the highest number in the advert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Solar Export Tariff in the UK?
Good Energy Solar Savings Exclusive currently has one of the highest flat rates at 25p/kWh, but it is restricted to eligible homes where Good Energy installed both the solar panels and battery.
The best widely accessible tariff depends on your import supplier, whether you have a battery and whether you are willing to switch electricity supplier.
Do I Need a Battery to Get a Good Export Rate?
No. Several competitive flat tariffs work with solar panels alone.
A battery gives you more control over when electricity is exported, which can make time-of-use tariffs worth considering.
Is a Fixed or Variable Export Tariff Better?
A flat rate is usually simpler and may be more suitable when you cannot control the timing of exports.
A variable or time-of-use tariff may offer more value when a battery lets you export during higher-paying periods.
Do I Have to Use the Same Supplier for Import and Export?
No, but many of the highest-paying tariffs require the supplier to provide your imported electricity or to have installed the solar system.
Open export tariffs are available, although their rates are generally lower.
Can I Change Solar Export Tariff?
Usually, yes. Check whether the current tariff has a fixed term, notice requirement or other conditions.
The application process can take several weeks because the supplier must check the installation documents, export MPAN and meter readings.