As more UK businesses turn to renewable energy, understanding government-backed incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) can unlock real savings — and even generate revenue.

🔄 What is the Smart Export Guarantee?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme introduced in January 2020. It requires certain licensed electricity suppliers in the UK to pay small-scale low-carbon electricity generators — including businesses — for the surplus energy they export back to the grid.

If your business generates electricity through solar panels, wind turbines, micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP), hydro, or anaerobic digestion, you may be eligible to earn money from your unused power.

✅ Key Features of SEG

Tariff Types: SEG suppliers can offer fixed or variable rates, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.

Eligibility: Your business must generate electricity using approved renewable technologies and have a smart meter or export meter installed.

Export Payments: Payments are made per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity exported.

Licensed Suppliers: Only suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are obligated to offer SEG tariffs — but many others offer them voluntarily.