MCS, grants and export
How to Switch Your Smart Export Guarantee Supplier in the UK
Switching the supplier you export to under the Smart Export Guarantee is straightforward and takes no more than 20 minutes. There is no risk to your MCS certification, no need to involve your original installer, and no fixed penalty for leaving. Here is the full process, including what to check before you leave your current deal.
SEG switching is separate from switching electricity supplier
Your Smart Export Guarantee agreement and your electricity import tariff are two entirely separate contracts with two separate suppliers. Switching one does not affect the other. You can hold an SEG agreement with Octopus Energy while buying your electricity from British Gas, for instance. The only requirement is that your SEG licensee is a licensed Ofgem SEG supplier and that your installation remains MCS-certified.
1. Check your current SEG agreement terms
Log in to your current SEG licensee's portal or find your original welcome email. You need to confirm two things before shopping around: the rate you are currently on, and whether your tariff has a tie-in period.
Fixed-rate SEG tariffs typically run for 12 months and may include a notice period of 30 days, or require you to remain until the term expires before you can switch. Variable tariffs, such as the Octopus Outgoing rate, generally have no tie-in and can be left at any time.
If you cannot locate your agreement, call your current licensee and ask. They can tell you your current rate, the term length, and what the switching process involves on their side.
2. Compare SEG rates from other licensees
SEG licensees are energy suppliers with more than 150,000 domestic customers, which Ofgem requires to offer at least one export tariff above 0p per kWh. The Ofgem SEG register lists current licensees and their tariff types.
In late 2026, fixed-rate offers vary from around 4p to 15p per kWh depending on the supplier. Variable tariffs can pay significantly more during periods of high grid demand, but can also drop well below the fixed-rate floor. For most households with a modest export volume, a competitive fixed rate is more predictable and easier to manage.
If your battery system can export to the grid (some hybrid systems do, particularly those with G100 approval), confirm whether the new licensee's tariff covers battery exports as well as direct panel exports. Some tariffs exclude battery discharge to the grid and only pay for panel generation that flows straight out.
3. Gather your documents
You need the same information you provided when you first registered. Have the following ready before starting the application:
- Your MCS installation certificate number (or reference from the MCS database at mcscertified.com)
- Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), found on any electricity bill
- Your system size in kilowatts peak (kWp)
- The installation date
- Your smart meter serial number (required by most licensees)
If you added a battery since your original SEG registration, you do not need to re-register the solar array, but the new licensee may ask for the battery capacity and whether it has grid-export capability.
4. Apply to your new SEG licensee
Go to your chosen licensee's website and find their SEG application form, usually under a section called Solar, Renewables or Export payments. Most applications take five to ten minutes and are confirmed immediately by email.
The new licensee will set a payment start date, typically 5 to 20 working days after approval. Some licensees allow you to select a specific start date to align with the end of your old agreement; others assign a date automatically. Confirm this before proceeding so you can give the correct end date to your old licensee.
5. Give notice to your current SEG licensee
Contact your current licensee by email or through your account portal to give notice that you are leaving. State clearly the date from which you want to stop, and keep a written record (a confirmation email or a screenshot of a support ticket).
Your old licensee is required to pay for all exports up to your agreed end date. Note your smart meter reading on the handover day: this gives you a reference figure if there is a dispute about the final payment. The final payment usually arrives in the next billing cycle after the account closes.
6. Confirm your first payment with the new licensee
After your first billing period with the new licensee, check that your statement shows the correct pence-per-kWh rate and a plausible export figure. Cross-reference the kWh exported against your inverter or battery monitoring app: total generation minus self-consumption gives a rough approximation of what you export.
If the statement shows zero exports, call the new licensee and ask them to confirm that your smart meter is linked and sending half-hourly data to their system. This is the most common cause of a zero first payment, and is usually resolved within a few days once identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does switching my electricity import supplier affect my SEG payments?
No. Your SEG export agreement is completely separate from your electricity import tariff. You can switch your electricity supplier at any time without affecting your SEG registration, and you can hold an SEG agreement with a different supplier from the one you buy your electricity from. The two accounts are independent and handled separately by each company.
Will I lose any export payments during the switch?
You should not lose payments if you manage the changeover correctly. Your old licensee must pay for all exports up to your stated end date. Your new licensee pays from their agreed start date. There may be a gap of a few days between the two, but most licensees back-date to the start of the billing period. Keep a note of your smart meter reading on the handover day as evidence in case a query arises.
Can I switch SEG supplier if I am on a fixed-rate deal?
It depends on your agreement terms. Many fixed-rate SEG tariffs run for 12 months and include a 30-day notice period, or require you to stay until the term ends before switching. Check the terms in your original welcome email or your online account. Variable-rate tariffs typically have no tie-in and can be left at any time. If you are unsure, call your current licensee and ask them directly.