Solar Export Tariffs Explained
Quick answer
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is using, the surplus flows to the grid. An export tariff pays you for it. This guide explains the Smart Export Guarantee and the main types of export tariff available to Scottish homes. We install through MCS-certified partners across Scotland.
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When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is using, the surplus flows to the grid. An export tariff pays you for it. This guide explains the Smart Export Guarantee and the main types of export tariff available to Scottish homes.
The Smart Export Guarantee
Under the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), larger electricity suppliers must offer at least one tariff that pays for exported electricity. Rates and terms are set by each supplier, so they vary widely. You do not have to use the same supplier for import and export, though some of the better rates are only available to their own import customers.
What you need to qualify
You need an MCS-certified installation and a meter that can record exports, usually a smart meter. Your installer provides the MCS certificate after commissioning, along with the network notification or approval.
Fixed, variable and time-of-use export
Some export tariffs pay a fixed rate, others vary over time, and some pay more at peak times. Time-of-use export can suit battery owners who can choose when to export. Check minimum terms and any equipment requirements before you switch.
Tariff rates change regularly, so compare current offers when your system is commissioned.
Solar on Scottish roofs
Scottish roofs vary more than most. Sandstone tenements in Glasgow and Edinburgh often have natural slate on steep pitches with valley gutters and rear slopes facing back greens. Granite houses in Aberdeen and the north-east frequently have dormers and chimneys that cast shade. Interwar and post-war council-built homes usually have concrete interlocking tiles that are straightforward to work on, while newer estates around Livingston, Dunfermline and Inverness tend to have simple gable roofs that suit a neat array.
Fixings are chosen for the roof covering and for the wind exposure of the site, which matters on the west coast, in the islands and on high ground. A survey also checks the roof timbers and slate condition before any panels go up, because it is far easier to fix a roof problem before an installation than afterwards.
How our survey works
Every project starts with a no-obligation survey. We look at your roof orientation, pitch, shading and condition, your fuse board and meter position, where a battery or inverter could go, and how your household uses electricity through the day and across the Scottish seasons. You then receive a written quote showing the equipment, the expected generation for your roof and the full price, so you can compare it fairly. We handle the network connection paperwork with your local distribution network operator, which is SP Energy Networks in central and southern Scotland and SSEN in the north, Highlands and islands. We install through MCS-certified partners. Solar panels and batteries are 0% VAT until March 2027. Finance available, subject to status.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a smart meter to export?
For most SEG tariffs, yes, so exports can be measured.
Can I export from a battery?
Some tariffs allow it. Check the terms.
Is export income taxed?
For domestic installations, HMRC guidance generally treats it as not taxable, but check current guidance for your circumstances.
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Get your solar and battery quote
Tell us about your home and we will arrange a survey and a written, no-obligation quote. Finance available, subject to status.