Switching supplier when you have solar panels can save or cost you more than £150 a year depending on your export tariff
For a household with solar panels, changing energy supplier is not simply a matter of finding the cheapest electricity import rate. The export tariff you receive for electricity sent back to the grid can be worth hundreds of pounds annually, and switching to a supplier with a low export rate may wipe out any savings on your import bills.
Switching supplier with solar panels can save or cost you over £150 a year, depending on your export tariff. A high export rate like Octopus’s 15p/kWh earns £375, while a default 4p/kWh rate earns only £100, so compare both rates before switching.
- Check your export rate before switching supplier to avoid losing £275 annually.
- Octopus Energy pays 15p/kWh export, earning £375 for a typical 4kW system.
- National default SEG rate of 4p/kWh cuts export earnings to just £100.
- A cheap import tariff may not offset a low export rate on solar panels.
- Compare both import and export rates using the OFGEM SEG register.
- Switching supplier when you have solar panels can save or cost you more than £150 a year depending on your export tariff
- Quick numbers export rates and import rates for the main UK suppliers in 2026
- The direct answer to "should I switch supplier if I have solar panels?"
- How the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) works when you change supplier
- Eligibility and certification what you need to switch supplier with solar panels
- The hidden cost of switching losing a fixed export rate for a variable one
- How to check if your current supplier’s export rate is still competitive in 2026
The net financial effect depends entirely on the ratio of electricity you export versus what you import. A typical 4kW solar panel system in the UK generates around 3,500 kWh per year, of which roughly 2,500 kWh is exported to the grid, according to the Energy Saving Trust (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). If your current supplier pays 15p/kWh for that exported power, you earn £375 annually. A standard variable export rate of 4p/kWh would reduce that to £100 — a loss of £275 that easily outweighs a typical £150 saving on import costs from a cheaper tariff.
Quick numbers export rates and import rates for the main UK suppliers in 2026
The table below shows import and export rates for major UK suppliers as of April 2026, based on OFGEM’s Smart Export Guarantee register and supplier tariff pages. Annual export earnings assume a 4kW system exporting 2,500 kWh. Annual import cost assumes a typical 3-bed home importing 2,900 kWh at the standard variable import rate.
| Supplier | Import rate (p/kWh) | Export rate (p/kWh) | Annual export earnings (£) | Annual import cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Energy (Outgoing Fixed) | 24.5 | 15.0 | 375 | 710 |
| EDF (Export+) | 25.0 | 12.0 | 300 | 725 |
| British Gas (Export Guarantee) | 24.0 | 4.1 | 103 | 696 |
| E.ON Next (Next Export) | 24.8 | 6.5 | 163 | 719 |
| Scottish Power (Smart Export) | 25.2 | 5.0 | 125 | 731 |
| National default SEG rate | 25.5 | 4.0 | 100 | 740 |
Source: OFGEM SEG register (OFGEM, 2026); supplier tariff pages for standard variable rates.
The direct answer to “should I switch supplier if I have solar panels?”
Switch only if the new supplier’s combined import and export deal leaves you with a higher net annual saving than your current deal. To calculate this, subtract your annual import cost from your annual export earnings for both your current and proposed supplier. The higher net figure tells you which is better.
The threshold rule is simple: if your export rate drops by more than the import rate saving, do not switch. For example, a drop from 15p/kWh to 4p/kWh on 2,500 kWh exported loses you £275, while an import rate saving of 1p/kWh on 2,900 kWh imported saves only £29. There is no universal yes or no — the answer depends entirely on your export-to-import ratio. Households that export more than they import (common in summer or with low occupancy) should prioritise a high export rate. Households that import far more than they export (winter-heavy usage) may benefit from a low import rate even with a modest export rate. The Energy Saving Trust’s solar calculator can model your specific figures (Energy Saving Trust, 2026).
How the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) works when you change supplier
The Smart Export Guarantee is a legal obligation for suppliers with 150,000 or more domestic customers to pay you for electricity you export to the grid. However, each supplier sets its own export rate, and there is no minimum rate above zero. When you switch your import supplier, your existing SEG contract automatically ends with the old supplier. You must sign a new export agreement with the new supplier — this is not automatic.
Your new supplier cannot refuse to offer you an export tariff, but they can offer a lower rate than your previous one. You do not lose your existing export meter when you switch — whether it is a smart meter or a dedicated generation meter, the meter stays in place and continues to record export readings. OFGEM’s SEG guidance confirms that switching supplier does not affect your metering arrangements (OFGEM, 2026).
Eligibility and certification what you need to switch supplier with solar panels
To qualify for any SEG export tariff, your solar panel installation must be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Without MCS certification, you receive 0p/kWh for exported electricity — no supplier is obliged to pay you. When you switch supplier, the new provider will ask for your MCS certificate number and your Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for the export meter. You can find the MPAN on your electricity bill or by contacting your network operator.
If you have a non-smart meter that cannot record export readings automatically, the new supplier may require a smart meter installation to enable export payments. They can arrange this free of charge under the smart meter rollout. TrustMark is not required for solar panels specifically, but MCS remains the only recognised certification for SEG eligibility. OFGEM’s SEG eligibility rules are clear on this point (OFGEM, 2026).
The hidden cost of switching losing a fixed export rate for a variable one
Many suppliers offer fixed export rates for a set period, typically 12 months. For example, Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Fixed tariff pays 15p/kWh for the duration of the agreement. If you switch supplier mid-way through that fixed term, you lose that guaranteed rate and move to whatever the new supplier offers — which may be a variable SEG rate that can change at any time. British Gas, for instance, reduced its export rate from 6.4p/kWh to 4.1p/kWh in 2025, a move that would cut annual earnings by £57.50 for a typical 2,500 kWh export.
A fixed export rate protects you from future cuts, while a variable rate leaves your income exposed to supplier decisions. Before switching, compare the fixed-term duration of your current export deal with the new supplier’s standard offering. If your current deal has several months remaining, the loss of guaranteed income may outweigh any import savings. OFGEM’s SEG rate change history shows that variable rates have fallen across the market between 2024 and 2026 (OFGEM, 2026).
How to check if your current supplier’s export rate is still competitive in 2026
To assess whether your current export rate is competitive, use the OFGEM SEG register, which is updated quarterly and lists all supplier export rates side by side. Compare your current rate (found on your latest statement or supplier portal) to the top three rates in your region. If your rate is more than 3p/kWh below the market leader — for instance, 12p/kWh versus 15p/kWh — you may be losing £75 or more per year on a 2,500 kWh export.
However, do not switch purely on export rate. Also check the import rate you would receive from the new supplier. Some suppliers offering high export rates have higher import rates that could offset your savings. The Energy Saving Trust’s solar payback tool and comparison sites like uSwitch and MoneySavingExpert allow you to model both sides of the equation. As a rule of thumb, if your current export rate is within 2p/kWh of the market leader and your import rate is competitive, the hassle of switching may not be worth it. How to read your solar panel energy bill Best solar panel tariffs for 2026 compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can switch supplier with solar panels, but you must check the export tariff offered. OFGEM’s Smart Export Guarantee requires suppliers to pay for exported electricity, so switching to a low export rate could cost you hundreds of pounds.
Octopus Energy offers one of the highest export rates at 15p/kWh under its Outgoing Fixed tariff, earning £375 annually for a typical 4kW system. Always compare both import and export rates, as per OFGEM data.
A typical 4kW system exporting 2,500 kWh per year can earn between £100 and £375 annually, depending on your export rate. The Energy Saving Trust estimates average export at 2,500 kWh for a UK home.
The national default SEG rate is 4.0p/kWh as of April 2026, according to OFGEM. Some suppliers offer higher fixed rates, such as Octopus at 15p/kWh or EDF at 12p/kWh.
Only switch if the combined import and export tariff leaves you better off. A supplier with a low export rate of 4p/kWh can cost you £275 in lost export earnings, outweighing a typical £150 import saving.
