Smart Export Guarantee – rewarding renewable energy
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme that pays homes and businesses for any excess renewable electricity they export to the grid.
You don’t need to be an existing British Gas customer to sell electricity and benefit from our SEG tariff.
I want to export
Find out if you’re eligible, how to sign up for a SEG tariff, and how payments work.
I already export
Find out more about the SEG tariffs we offer and submit your export meter reading.
PeakSave – rewarding better energy use
Our SEG tariffs are just one of our PeakSave initiatives which are designed to reward our customers for better energy use. If you have a smart meter, or get one installed, you could benefit from our other PeakSave initiatives.
Register your details then we'll let you know when you can start enjoying other PeakSave benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEG?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme for suppliers to offer an export tariff. It pays customers for the electricity they send back to the National Grid from renewable technologies like solar panels. British Gas are a mandated SEG licensee.
SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme which ended on 1 April 2019 for new applicants. Smart Export Guarantee has been available since 1 January 2020.
I'm already a British Gas electricity and SEG customer, how do I get the SEG Export & Earn Plus tariff?
As an existing British Gas customer we will automatically put you on our best SEG tariff - you don't need to request it.
I’m interested in getting solar panels – can British Gas help?
Yes, we work with one of the UK’s leading providers of solar panels and battery storage. Get more information and find out how to book a free consultation.
How do I join the SEG scheme with British Gas?
If you’re eligible for the scheme and want to start exporting electricity, you can apply for one of our SEG tariffs. You’ll need to fill a SEG application form and send it back to us with information about your renewable system, as well as an opening meter export reading.
Find out everything you need to know about the application process, including how to get started.
Which renewable energy systems are eligible for SEG?
You can sign up to SEG if you’re generating electricity at your home or business using any of the following renewable systems:
- Solar photovoltaic (solar PV)
- Wind
- Hydro
- Anaerobic digestion (AD)
- Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP)
These systems must be small scale – up to a capacity of 5 MW, or 50 kW for micro-CHP.
Why should I choose a British Gas SEG tariff?
Both of our SEG tariffs offer competitive export payment rates. Particularly the special rate available to British Gas electricity customers on our Export and Earn Plus tariff.
Is there a limit to the amount of electricity I can export?
No, you can send an unlimited amount of excess electricity to the grid. But it can’t be any more than the amount your renewable electricity system is capable of generating.
Why is the SEG tariff separate from my existing energy tariff?
Your existing energy tariff is what’s called an import tariff. It’s the price you pay for the energy you buy from your supplier.
A SEG tariff is an export tariff. It’s the price you get paid for the energy you sell to the grid.
Import and export tariffs are separated because the prices of buying and selling energy are different. Your electricity meter also records your import and export readings separately. And it’s your export readings that are used to calculate your SEG payments.
You don’t need to be on a British Gas import tariff to apply for a SEG export tariff with us. But if we do supply your electricity, you receive a better export rate on our Export and Earn Plus tariff.
Can I apply for a SEG tariff if I have battery storage?
Yes, you can apply for a tariff and receive SEG payments whether the electricity you export comes directly from your renewable system, or from your battery storage.