The Smart Export Guarantee: A Guide to Selling Your Renewable Electricity

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed scheme that rewards homeowners for selling excess renewable electricity generated by their solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy sources back to the national grid. This scheme replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) in January 2020 and has been a welcome boost for homeowners looking to make the most of their renewable energy investments.

The SEG works by paying homeowners a set price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity exported to the grid. This price is set by energy suppliers, and it can vary depending on the supplier and the time of day. The SEG is designed to encourage the growth of renewable energy in the UK, and it provides a financial incentive for homeowners to invest in renewable energy technologies.

To benefit from the SEG, homeowners need to sign up for a specific SEG tariff with their energy supplier. This tariff will specify the price they will be paid for their exported electricity, which is often much higher than the price they pay for electricity they consume from the grid. However, it's important to remember that the SEG only pays for excess electricity exported, not for all the electricity generated.

The SEG is a valuable scheme for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills. It offers a financial incentive for investing in renewable energy technologies and can help homeowners to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The SEG is a complex scheme with many nuances. Here are some key points to consider:

• Eligibility: The SEG is available to all UK homeowners who generate renewable electricity, regardless of the size of their system. However, the SEG only applies to electricity exported to the national grid, not to electricity used within the home.
• Tariff Prices: Energy suppliers set their own SEG tariff prices, and these prices can vary widely. It is important to compare tariffs from different suppliers to find the best deal.
• Payment: Payments for exported electricity are made by energy suppliers on a monthly basis, usually based on meter readings.
• Switching Suppliers: Homeowners can switch energy suppliers to get a more favorable SEG tariff. They can also choose a different supplier for their renewable electricity than for their domestic electricity.

The SEG is a valuable scheme for homeowners looking to make the most of their renewable energy investments. By selling excess electricity back to the grid, homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint and earn money from their renewable energy systems. However, it is important to understand the intricacies of the SEG before making any decisions.