Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for businesses
Generate more renewable energy than you use? With the Smart Export Guarantee, you’ll be paid for exporting the surplus back to the grid. A simple government‑backed way to earn more and support a cleaner energy future.
Why sell your surplus energy using the Smart Export Guarantee?
Earn money from surplus energy
Get paid for the renewable electricity your business exports back to the grid.
Simple and low‑admin
Generate extra income from your energy generation with less ongoing effort.
Help create a greener future
Every kilowatt hour you export helps reduce carbon emissions and lowers reliance on fossil fuels across the grid.
Keep the grid steady
Exporting surplus energy supports a more stable electricity supply for everyone.
Our Smart Export Guarantee tariffs for your business
The amount you earn depends on how much surplus energy you generate. You'll receive a better rate if we supply you with business electricity.
Low-capacity rate
- For existing businesses electricity customers
- Total installed capacity of below 15kW
High-capacity rate
- For existing businesses electricity customers
- Total installed capacity of above 15kW
Non-supply rate
- For customers not supplied with electricity by British Gas
- Up to 5MW total capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydro or anaerobic digestion (AD) installations
- Up to 50kW for micro-CHP
What do I need to get a smart export tariff?
To qualify for our Smart Export Guarantee, your business needs to generate it’s own electricity onsite, and meet the four criteria.
Eligible low carbon energy generation installation
You need to have one of the following systems up to a capacity of 5MW, or 50 kW for micro CHP.
- Solar PV panels
- Wind
- Hydro
- Anaerobic digestion (AD)
- Micro combined heat and power (micro CHP)
Correct certificates
Your installation needs to be accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent.
- Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate, Flexi-Orb certificate or accreditation certificate
- Proof of grid connection (G98/G99) from your Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
Smart meter
We need you to...
- Have a working smart meter installed that records export readings every 30 minutes
- Be based in England, Scotland or Wales
If you don't have a smart meter, we'll install one free if you’re a British Gas customer.
Bank details for payment
As part of your application, we'll need your bank details.
- We'll send a payment every 3 months directly to your bank account
- We will make the payment within 28 days of receiving your export meter reading
How does applying for Smart Export Guarantee work?
Fill in our application form and upload the documents that we need, such as your MSC certificate. Once we've received your form, the following things will happen.
1. DNO creates your MPAN
If you’ve already got one then great, we can use that. If not, one will need to be created.*
2. Your MPAN is enrolled
Once created, we’ll enrol your meter so that it supports your exporting of energy.
3. You give us your meter reading
Which is the reading that we will start paying you from.
4. You start getting paid
Every 3 months we’ll pay you for any energy that you’ve exported back to the grid.
*We can contact your DNO if your capacity is less than 30kW. If your capacity is over 30kW, then you may need to contact them directly.
Ready to apply?
Apply for Smart Export Guarantee for your business today
If your business meets all the criteria, apply for Smart Export Guarantee today - and sell the surplus energy generated by your renewable energy installation generating income.
Smart Export Guarantee for your home
If you are not a business and want to export surplus renewable energy from your home, you’ll need our residential Smart Export Guarantee.
We recommend you read our:
Get ready to generate your own green energy
Not got solar panels yet?
If you’re not yet generating electricity, then a popular choice is solar panels. Once you’ve got solar panels installed you can join our SEG scheme and get paid for any excess electricity you don’t use.
Frequently asked questions about Smart Export Guarantee for your business (SEG)
How do SEG payments work?
We’ll send you a SEG payment every three months. The amount you receive will depend on your SEG tariff and how much electricity you export to the grid.
We’ll pay you within 28 days of receiving your latest export meter reading. Either by cheque, or by bank transfer if we have your account details.
What’s an export MPAN?
Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) is a supply number that's unique to each meter. Your export supply number (Export MPAN) is linked to the electricity you export to the grid.
It'll be different to the supply number you'll see on bills you receive from your energy supplier, which is for the electricity you import from the grid.
If you’re joining the SEG scheme for the first time and have an installation under 30kW, we’ll create and register your export MPAN for you.
If you’re moving your SEG to us from another provider, we’ll get your export MPAN directly from them. If your installation is equal to 30kW or more, then you’ll need to contact your local electricity distribution network operator.
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.
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.
Can I receive both Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and SEG payments?
Unfortunately, your business can’t receive both the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) export payments at the same time.
If your business has FiT export currently, you can opt out of FiT export and into the SEG export plan. Your business will continue to receive FiT generation payments.
It’s a good idea to check your FiT rates and compare them with SEG tariffs from other providers to see what works best for you.
It’s important to note:
- You can only opt out of FiT export payments once every 12 months.
- If you switch from deemed to metered export payments under the FiT scheme, this change is permanent - you can’t switch back.
Why is the SEG tariff separate from my existing energy tariff?
The SEG tariff has been set up specifically so that you can export renewable electricity to the grid and is separate to your import tariff where you are charged for the electricity you import from the grid to power your business.
The flow of electricity into your business (known as consumption) and from your business (known as export) are measured separately by your smart meter. We'll use the export meter readings you give us to pay you for your exported electricity.
You don't need to have an import tariff with us to qualify for our Export and Earn Flex tariff.
What happens if I cancel or switch my SEG tariff to another provider?
If you change Smart Export Guarantee providers, we will be notified by your new SEG provider.
We'll request a final export meter reading from you, issue a final payment and close your British Gas SEG account.
What happens if I add capacity to my installation?
You can install additional capacity to an eligible system. Please remember that if you do this, anything over 5MW for solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, hydro or anaerobic digestion (AD) installations, or over 50kW for micro-CHP won’t be paid for.
If you add capacity to an existing SEG installation or have any questions, please contact us to let us know and discuss further.
What happens if I switch my electricity supply to another provider?
We'll automatically switch you to our Non Supply Export tariff from the date you change Import supplier. You may need to provide an up-to-date export reading so we can calculate what we owe you at the higher rate.
Can I apply for the Smart Export Guarantee if my renewable energy generation system wasn’t installed by British Gas?
Yes. You can apply for the Smart Export Guarantee whether your renewable system was installed by British Gas or another provider.
Have a question about a SEG tariff?
If you have read our frequently asked questions and still have an unanswered question about SEG or our export tariffs, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Email us
Send us an email at smartexportguarantee@britishgas.co.uk and we’ll reply within 5 working days.
Call us
Speak to one of our advisors, we’re available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
