Best UK Home Solar Panel & Battery Tariffs for 2026

1. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the current UK scheme that pays you for each unit of electricity (kWh) your solar panels export back to the grid. Energy suppliers set their own SEG rates, so choosing the right tariff can significantly affect your annual savings.

• Paid per kWh of electricity you export
• Available to homes with MCS-certified solar installations and a smart or export meter
• Usually paid as a credit to your electricity bill or via bank transfer

2. Solar battery storage tariffs

A home battery lets you store cheap or free solar energy to use later, and in 2026 more suppliers are offering battery-optimised tariffs. These tariffs reward you for shifting your usage away from peak times and sometimes for allowing the supplier to manage charging and discharging.

Key benefits of battery-friendly tariffs include:

• Very cheap off-peak electricity to charge your battery overnight
• Higher export rates during peak demand periods
• Additional payments if you join smart home or flexibility schemes

3. Time-of-use & smart tariffs

Time-of-use tariffs charge different rates depending on when you use electricity. In 2026, many smart tariffs now integrate with solar and batteries, offering:

• Low overnight or midday prices for charging batteries or EVs
• Higher prices at peak times – but your battery can shield you from these
• Bonus payments for exporting when the grid needs energy most

Suppliers launch and update tariffs regularly, so instead of listing rates that can quickly go out of date, we focus on the types of tariffs that consistently deliver strong value for UK homeowners with solar and batteries in 2026.

1. High-rate fixed SEG tariffs

These tariffs are ideal if you:

• Have a solar-only system or a small battery
• Prefer predictable, stable income from your exports
• Don’t want to actively manage when you export

Many UK suppliers now offer export-only contracts, meaning you can earn from your solar even if your import (usage) tariff is with a different company.

2. Agile or dynamic export tariffs

Dynamic tariffs link export rates to wholesale electricity prices or grid demand, paying more when electricity is scarce. They work best when you have:

• A medium to large battery (e.g. 5kWh+)
• Smart controls or an app that can decide when to export
• Flexibility in when you use high-energy appliances

Homeowners who actively optimise their exports can outperform standard SEG tariffs, especially during winter evenings and high-demand periods.

3. Day/night & off-peak charging tariffs

Time-of-use tariffs, sometimes called day/night or EV tariffs, offer cheap off-peak electricity. With a battery, you can top up overnight and use stored low-cost power during the day, reducing reliance on peak-time prices.

Smart use cases include:

• Charging your battery during low-price periods when there is less sun
• Pairing with an EV tariff to charge both car and home battery cheaply
• Covering evening cooking, heating and TV with stored energy

4. Combined import & export solar bundles

Some UK energy suppliers now offer "solar bundles" that package together:

• A competitive import tariff for your home usage
• Boosted SEG export rates for your solar generation
• Optional battery optimisation services or smart home rewards

These can be a strong choice if you prefer a single supplier and a simple, integrated bill.

Finding the ideal tariff is about matching your home, lifestyle and hardware to the right supplier offer. Use these steps as a practical checklist.

Step 1: Understand your current energy usage

Gather the last 12 months of electricity bills and note:

• Total annual kWh usage
• Day vs night usage, if your current tariff splits it
• Any high-demand appliances (EV chargers, heat pumps, electric showers)

Step 2: Check your solar and battery size

Tariffs can work differently depending on system size:

• Small solar only (e.g. 2kW–3kW) – a high fixed SEG rate may be best
• Medium solar + small battery – hybrid of fixed export and off-peak charging
• Larger solar + large battery – dynamic export and smart tariffs can shine

Step 3: Decide how active you want to be

Some tariffs reward regular monitoring and tweaking via an app. Others just work in the background. Ask yourself:

• Do you want to set and forget, or actively optimise?
• Are you comfortable with prices that change daily or hourly?
• Would household routines easily shift to off-peak times?

Step 4: Compare suppliers on more than just price

When reviewing 2026 tariffs, consider:

• Export rate level and structure (fixed vs variable)
• Standing charges and import unit rates
• Contract length, exit fees and eligibility criteria
• Compatibility with your inverter, battery and smart meter
• Customer service track record and UK-based support

Step 5: Get a tailored solar & battery quote

The best tariff is only half the story. To unlock maximum savings, you need the right system design for your roof and lifestyle. Our Energyplus experts design systems around current and future tariffs, including potential EVs or heat pumps.

Request your free solar & battery design

Many UK homeowners still remember the generous Feed-in Tariff (FIT). While FIT closed to new applicants in 2019, the Smart Export Guarantee has taken its place for new installations.

If you already receive FIT payments, you can usually stay on FIT for generation and still take advantage of modern batteries and smart tariffs to reduce your import costs. New solar customers will earn via SEG and other supplier schemes instead.

Energy prices remain volatile, and grid decarbonisation is accelerating. Solar and battery storage let UK households regain control by producing, storing and managing their own clean power.

Key benefits you can expect

• Lower bills: Replace expensive grid electricity with free solar
• Bill protection: Rely less on unpredictable price rises
• Income from exports: Get paid for surplus solar you don’t use
• Backup potential: Some systems can provide limited backup during power cuts*
• Greener home: Cut your carbon footprint and boost EPC ratings
• Future-proofing: Prepare for EVs, heat pumps and electric cooking

*Backup capability depends on system design, inverter choice and DNO approval. Our team will explain your options during the design stage.

Do I need a battery to get a good SEG tariff?

No. You can access the Smart Export Guarantee with solar panels only. However, a battery helps you use more of your own energy and opens up extra savings through smart tariffs and off-peak charging.

Will export rates go up or down in 2026?

Export rates are set by suppliers and can change, but the long-term trend is for the grid to value flexible, local generation more. That means well-designed solar and battery systems are likely to remain attractive, even if tariffs fluctuate.

Can I switch SEG tariff provider?

Yes. You can usually choose an SEG tariff even if your electricity import is with another supplier. Check contract terms and notice periods, then switch to pursue a better rate or a tariff that matches your usage pattern.

Is a smart meter required?

Almost all SEG tariffs require a smart meter or export meter so that your actual exports can be measured. During your solar quote, we’ll confirm what you need and help you plan the installation sequence.

Can I get paid twice for the same electricity?

No. You can’t be paid for the same unit of electricity under two schemes. But you can combine solar, batteries, smart tariffs and (if you already receive it) an existing FIT generation payment to maximise overall value.

Is it better to export or store in my battery?

It depends on the relationship between import price, export price and your usage. In many cases, it’s better to avoid buying expensive electricity by using stored energy first, then export anything left over at a fair rate. Smart battery controls can manage this automatically.