Top 20 Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Tariffs

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) replaced the Feed in Tariff (FiT) in 2019. The FiT was more successful than planned with more people installing solar systems to their homes than anticipated resulting in lower priced export tariffs. These lower tariffs were thought to impact the take up of renewable energy in future, the government deciding to introduce the new SEG tariff.

There are now 15 energy providers that take part in the SEG scheme, participants must pay above zero pence per kWh for energy sent back to the grid.

The SEG scheme is available to owners of renewable energy generation systems including solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panels, wind, micro combined heat and power (CHP), hydro and anaerobic digestion (AD).

The installation must have a capacity of 5MW or less, a meter capable of providing half-hourly export readings and it must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or an equivalent scheme. This means that both the installer who fits the solar panels and the panels themselves have been approved by the (MCS), Wil-Lec GRP Ltd are MCS registered and all installs are MCS approved. The meter will need to be advanced, e.g. a second-generation smart meter, to be able to provide the required readings.

To apply for the SEG scheme you will need to apply to a SEG Licensed energy supplier. Your SEG licensee does not need to be the same company as your energy supplier so you can shop around to find the best tariff although the best tariffs tend to be those for existing customers so it maybe worth swapping suppliers, particularly now many variable energy tariffs are capped by the latest government intervention.

There are some rules around applying for a SEG scheme these include;

• Checking that the property is not already registered into the Feed in Tariff scheme and receiving export payments from that scheme.
• Have received the right paperwork for the tariff. Generally, this will consist of a copy of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate together with the application form. Wil-Lec GRP Ltd will provide all our customer installs with an MCS certificate.
• Check if an export mpan has already been created for this property. Wil-Lec GRP Ltd will apply on our customer’s behalf the request to the distribution network operator (DNO). Currently this is taking 45 working days to receive the relevant paperwork from the DNO to inform them this you have installed equipment generates electricity and will be exporting onto the grid.

SEG tariffs vary depending on whether you are an existing customer or not, the Tesla Energy Plan requires a Tesla Powerwall at a cost of £9000 for example as well as being an energy supply customer.

We have split the table into two those tariffs for exclusive (existing) customers and those who wish to stay with their existing supplier, maybe you're still on a fixed rate lower than current rates.

It is worth contacting those suppliers paying higher SEG tariffs to see if you can still join them, we have had customers telling us they have successfully switched to Octopus for example to take advantage of their new 15p fixed SEG tariff.

At the time of writing we have not included Octopus Agile as this tariff is currently closed to new customers, but again, call them for latest information on current Agile plan sign up.

The new SEG export tariff by Octopus makes installing a solar PV system from Wil-lec GRP Ltd more financially viable than ever with better return on investment, lower energy bills and reduced carbon footprints.

Call us to arrange your FREE quote on 01472 241881 or fill out the form here.