Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) - Earn money from the energy you generate
Updated on 31/07/26 by Chris_OVO
SEG - Smart Export Guarantee - Your FAQs
What is Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) lets people with solar panels earn money when they sell extra energy to the national grid. It replaced an older program called the Feed in Tariff (FIT), which stopped taking new applicants in 2019. With SEG, you only get paid for the energy you send out, not for all the energy you make.
Who can sign up to a SEG tariff?
If you have an energy generation system, like a small wind turbine or solar panels, you can apply for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). But you can't get FIT export payments while doing this. You can still receive FIT payments for the energy you create, even if you stop the export payments.
How much can I be paid via SEG from OVO?
The SEG tariff is decided by supplier so unlike FIT this may differ between suppliers. Here are the details of the current OVO SEG Tariffs:
| Tariff Name | Export rate | Eligibility | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEG | 4p per kWh | Open to anyone generating renewable energy. Max capacity 5MW (50kW for Micro-CHP). You don’t need to be an OVO Energy customer. | Flexible option regardless of your energy supplier. |
| SEG (Beyond exclusive) | 12p per kWh | Open to anyone that has their energy with OVO. Max capacity 30kW. | Higher rate for OVO energy customers |
| SEG (install exclusive) | up to 20p per kWh | OVO energy customers who have their solar panels and battery storage installed directly by OVO. Max capacity: 30kW. | Highest rate available; 20p per kWH when a battery and panels are installed or 15p per kWh if panels installed without a battery. |
For more information about SEG visit ovoenergy.com/seg
When will my SEG contract with OVO start?
It can take up to 4 weeks to get an export MPAN registered for your installation. Then we'll either ask you for your opening meter readings, or take these automatically from your smart meter. After that, your contract starts.
Can I switch to OVO's SEG if I already receive FIT payments?
Yes, but you’ll need to switch to SEG, and stop your FIT export payments (though you'll still get your FIT generator payments).
If you want to opt in and out of your FIT, bear in mind you can only do this once a year.
Where can I find the application forms?
Click the link to find our application form and supporting documents guide.
Your application will be reviewed, and if eligible, you will receive a welcome email confirming the tariff and payment information within four weeks of applying.
When do I need to give a reading?
The readings we use for payments will be sent automatically from your smart meter 4 times a year – in March, June, September, and December. But if for some reason they're not sent automatically, we'll ask you to send them to us. This guide will help you to take an export meter reading from your smart meter.
When do I receive a statement and payment?
| Quarter | Statements posted on (+3 working days for post): | Payments requested on (+ 3 working days for bank processing): |
| January - March | By the end of April | By the end of May |
| April - June | By the end of July | By the end of August |
| July - September | By the end of October | By the end of November |
| October - December | By the end of January | By the end of February |
Can I switch my SEG to another supplier?
As generators, you can switch away to another SEG licensee if you wish. You’ll need to stop your SEG contract with us before signing up to a new SEG contract with another SEG licensee.
What happens if I move into to a property receiving SEG?
If you’ve just moved in to a house which already receives SEG, you’d need to sign-up to a new tariff using the application form.
What do I need to do if I’m moving out of a property receiving SEG?
Your SEG contract ends when you sell your home. Please give 28 days' notice, and send a closing reading. If the new owners want to get SEG payments, they’ll need to sign up for it themselves. In order for us close your SEG account, all we need to confirm is your final export meter reading and the date you left the property. Email this to the team directly seg@ovoenergy.com ensuring your include your SEG ID, name and address along with your new address so we can send your final statement.
Once we have received the readings, these will be applied to the account and will send the final statement on the next statement date. The statement dates fall in April, July, October and January, with payments following two weeks later.
Where can I get more information about SEG?
You can find out more about SEG on our website or on our FAQs page. You can also contact us on seg@ovoenergy.com or call 0330 102 7421. We're here to help Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
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