Selling electricity back to the grid in Scotland: your Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) guide

Got solar and sometimes make more power than you use? Don’t let it go for free. In Scotland, you can get paid for your excess electricity. This guide explains how the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) works here, what to get ready, and how to choose an export deal that actually suits your home.

What is SEG exactly?

Certain electricity suppliers in Great Britain (Scotland included) pay you for each unit of electricity your home exports to the grid. That’s the Smart Export Guarantee. Ofgem sets the rules; suppliers set the rates and terms. Northern Ireland has different arrangements, so we’re focusing on Scotland/GB.

What you’ll need in place

• MCS certification for your system (or an equivalent accredited certificate). In practice, suppliers expect MCS.
• A smart meter that can measure exports half‑hourly.
• An export MPAN (your chosen export supplier helps set this up).
• Your details (name, address) must match your energy account exactly, or you’ll go round in circles.

Here’s how the network side of things works (Scotland)

The DNOs in Scotland are SP Energy Networks and SSEN. Mostly the process is: the system goes in, it’s then commissioned, and the DNO is told afterwards — that’s the usual G98 route and it lets you export up to around 3.68 kW per phase. If you’re planning to export more, your installer will ask the DNO first under G99. It’s just permission to turn the tap further. Build in a week or two for that reply and you won’t be caught out by any unexpected cap once the scaffold’s away.

How to get paid

Let’s skip the jargon and get straight to the point.

• Start with the paperwork. Get the MCS certificate, the commissioning sheet, the inverter make and model, and the DNO note from your installer (either the notification email for G98 or the approval email for G99). Check that your name and address match your energy bill exactly — even a tiny mismatch can hold things up.

• Pick who buys your exports. It doesn’t have to be your current energy supplier. Some pay a straight flat rate, others pay a bit more around teatime. Don’t guess — open the supplier’s live tariff page and see today’s figures.

• Send the application. They’ll ask for the MCS certification, meter details, proof of address/ID and your bank details. They’ll create an export MPAN — that’s the number they use to pay you. They’ll tell you when it’s active and your meter is actually sending export reads.

• Watch for the first statement. Once exports are being recorded, you’ll get paid on their cycle — monthly or quarterly, depending on who you chose. Some suppliers backdate, some don’t — so ask before you sign up.

Picking an export deal that isn’t just a headline

There are three ways this tends to go.

• “I just want something that works.” Pick a flat rate. Ideal if you don’t have a battery, or you don’t want to think about time bands.

• “I’ve got a battery and a routine.” Time‑of‑use export can pay more at tea‑time when the grid’s busy. If you can spare a slice then, it can be worth it. If you can’t, don’t force it.

• “They’ll pay more if I switch my import too.” Some suppliers bundle. Sometimes it’s good value, sometimes it isn’t. Add the import and export together and compare the full package — not just the shiny export number.

One last thing: Ofgem doesn’t set the price, and there’s no magic floor beyond “above zero.” Rates change. Put a note in your calendar to check again next year.

The snags we see (and how to swerve them)

• The name on the MCS certificate doesn’t match the account. It sounds petty, but it will stop your application dead. Use exactly what’s on the bill.

• The smart meter isn’t actually logging exports. Your supplier can see this their end. Ask them to confirm half‑hourly export reads are coming through before you start chasing payments.

• You want to export more than 3.68 kW per phase, but nobody asked the DNO. If you’re heading that way, get the G99 request in early. It’s a form, not a court case — it just needs doing.

• No MCS certificate. Ofgem allows “MCS or equivalent,” but most suppliers ask for MCS. If you’ve mislaid it, your installer can re‑issue.

Planning permission in Scotland

Most roof‑mounted domestic solar is permitted development under Scotland’s 2024 updates. Listed buildings and some conservation‑area elevations (for example, the bit facing the road) can still need consent, and World Heritage Sites have their own rules. Unsure? A quick call to the council saves a long headache.

Will this make a dent in my bills?

It can, and for a lot of homes it does. Your roof, when you’re at home, your approved export limit, and the tariff you pick all play a part. In 2025 you’ll see plain flat export and peak‑time deals. If you’re out most days, you’ll export more. If you’ve got a battery, you might nudge a bit into the early evening. Just do the sums for your own routine rather than chasing the biggest number on a web page.

Quick answers

• Do I need MCS?
  Yes for most suppliers. Ofgem allows “MCS or an equivalent accredited certificate,” but MCS is what they expect to see.

• Can my export supplier be different from my energy supplier?
  Yes.

• I’m on the old Feed‑in Tariff. Can I get SEG too?
  If your FIT is generation‑only, many suppliers allow SEG export. If you already get FIT export, you can’t be paid SEG export as well. Check your exact setup with your supplier.

• How long does setup take?
  With paperwork in order, it’s usually a week or two to get the export MPAN live and exports reading correctly, depending on the supplier.

• Any Scotland gotchas?
  If you want to export more than 3.68 kW per phase, start G99 early with SP Energy Networks or SSEN. It’s much smoother if you plan it up front.

Helpful links

• Ofgem: Smart Export Guarantee (scheme overview)

• Ofgem: SEG for generators (eligibility and how to apply)

• Ofgem: current SEG supplier list (licensees)

Need a hand?

We install to MCS standards, handle G98/G99 with SP Energy Networks or SSEN, and give you a clean handover pack so your SEG application isn’t held up by missing paperwork. If you’ve already got panels and just need help with the admin, we can get you set up and point you to an export deal that fits how you use energy.

• Contact us
• Our solar services