Panels generate
The solar array produces electricity from available daylight.
Smart Export Guarantee
Get paid for the solar power you do not use.
Generate clean electricity, use what the property needs and export eligible surplus energy through a tariff offered by a Smart Export Guarantee supplier.
Export payments are arranged with the chosen SEG supplier. Rates, eligibility and contract terms vary, and income is not guaranteed.
Generate solar electricity
Use household demand first
Export the measured surplus
Receive supplier payments
How SEG works
From the roof to your supplier's export payment.
The property uses solar generation first. Electricity that is not used or stored can be measured as export and paid under the chosen supplier tariff.
The property uses power
Current household demand is normally supplied before surplus electricity is exported.
Export is measured
An appropriate smart or export meter records the electricity sent to the grid.
The supplier pays
The SEG supplier applies its tariff to the eligible metered export readings.
Solar export flow
See surplus solar travel back to the grid.
The property uses the electricity it needs first. Once that demand has been met, the animated route follows the remaining solar energy through the inverter and out to the grid.
Export to grid
InverterRouting surplus energy
SolarGenerating electricity
HomeDemand met first
GridWaiting for surplus
Illustrative example only. Actual generation, self-consumption, export volume and income depend on the final system design, roof conditions, weather, household demand, battery settings, export limits, meter data and the supplier tariff. The example rate is not a current tariff quote or guarantee.
The certification gateway
Build the evidence your SEG supplier will ask for.
For a typical domestic system, the application route usually depends on suitable installation certification, an export-capable meter and the system information requested by the supplier.
- REST provides the MCS certificate for the completed qualifying installation
- REST completes the applicable G98 or G99 DNO process
- The customer confirms the supplier's meter and application requirements
- The customer selects and applies for the preferred SEG tariff
Typical application route
- 01Receive the installation certificate and system handover documents.
- 02Confirm a suitable smart or export meter is recording export.
- 03Compare current supplier tariffs and their qualifying conditions.
- 04Apply directly to the selected SEG supplier and provide the requested evidence.
Choosing an export tariff
Compare the complete tariff, not only the headline rate.
SEG suppliers set their own rates, contract lengths and eligibility conditions. A higher advertised rate may come with additional requirements.
Export rate
Check the payment per exported kilowatt hour and whether the rate is fixed, variable or time-based.
Contract length
Confirm whether the tariff has a fixed end date, rolls on or can be changed after notice.
Supplier conditions
Some tariffs may require the customer to import electricity from the same supplier or use particular equipment.
Battery export rules
Confirm whether the tariff permits exported battery energy and whether charging-source rules apply.
Rates change regularly. Always confirm the current tariff, terms and eligibility directly with the supplier before relying on an earnings estimate.
Track generation and export
See when the system is sending power back to the grid.
Compatible monitoring can show solar generation, household demand, battery state of charge and export activity. The supplier's meter remains the basis for SEG payments.
Live energy flow
See how current generation is divided between the property, battery and grid.
App-based visibility
Review compatible system data without relying on estimated export alone.
Accredited and independently verifiable
The standards and protection behind the installation.
REST combines recognised installation certification, consumer protection, proposal validation and regulated finance permissions.
MCS
Recognised certification evidence for qualifying small-scale renewable installations.
HIES
Independent consumer-protection framework for qualifying home-energy installations.
EPVS
Independent validation of proposal assumptions and estimated system performance.
RECC
Consumer-service standards for businesses selling or installing small-scale renewables.
FCA
REST UK is authorised and regulated for applicable consumer-credit activities.
Smart Export Guarantee questions
Understand certification, metering and supplier applications.
REST prepares the solar installation and supporting documents. The SEG agreement and export payments are provided by the customer's chosen supplier.
The Smart Export Guarantee is a supplier-led scheme that pays eligible small-scale generators for electricity exported to the grid. The export tariff, contract length and payment terms are set by the chosen SEG supplier.
No. Export payments come from the electricity supplier offering the SEG tariff. REST installs and commissions the system, provides the relevant certification and completes the applicable DNO notification or application. The customer applies to the chosen SEG supplier.
For a typical domestic solar installation, the supplier will usually ask for evidence that the system is suitably certified, an export-capable meter, the system details and proof of ownership or authority to receive the payments. Requirements can vary by supplier.
Export must be measured using an appropriate export-capable meter. Many domestic SEG applications use a compatible smart meter, but the chosen supplier confirms its exact metering requirements.
Often yes. A generator can shop around for a suitable SEG tariff, although individual suppliers may attach conditions to particular rates. Always check the current tariff terms directly with the supplier.
A compatible battery may allow stored energy to be exported at selected times where the equipment, tariff and supplier rules support it. This is not available on every tariff, and household use should still be considered when configuring the system.
You cannot receive FIT export payments and SEG payments for the same exported electricity. Existing FIT customers should confirm the effect of opting out of FIT export payments before changing arrangements.
No. Supplier rates, tariff conditions and contract lengths can change. Export volume also depends on system size, weather, household consumption, battery settings, export limits and meter data.
Plan an export-ready solar system
Tell REST where you are starting from.
Share the property, solar and meter details so REST can review the appropriate installation or upgrade route.