What are the best solar panel and battery tariffs in the UK for 2025?

The best UK solar panel and battery tariffs in 2025 combine a low unit rate for imported electricity with a high Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or export rate for your excess solar. The most competitive tariffs typically offer: 1) Preferential import prices for EV, solar or battery owners; 2) Export rates that fairly reward every kWh you send back to the grid; 3) Time-of-use pricing that lets your battery charge when electricity is cheap and discharge when prices are high. To see the latest deals and find the best tariff for your home, compare live solar and battery tariffs on the Energy Plus website and request a tailored quote.

How do solar and battery tariffs work in the UK?

A UK solar and battery tariff is a specialist energy tariff designed for homes with solar panels, and often with battery storage. You still buy electricity from the grid when you need it, but you can also get paid for the surplus electricity your system exports. Many smart tariffs use half-hourly or time-of-use pricing, so your battery can automatically charge when prices are low and discharge when prices are high. This maximises your bill savings and speeds up your payback period. With the right tariff and a well-sized battery, some homes can cover most of their annual electricity needs from their own solar and cheap off-peak energy.

How much can I save with a solar panel and battery tariff in 2025?

Savings depend on your roof size, where you live, your battery capacity, and your chosen tariff. In 2025, many UK households with a modern solar PV system and a home battery can cut their electricity bill by 50–80% when they combine: 1) A competitive smart import tariff; 2) A strong export rate for surplus solar; 3) Smart charging of the battery during off-peak periods. The highest savings are often seen in homes that shift usage to daylight hours and allow the battery to manage price differences throughout the day. For a personalised estimate, you can share your annual usage and current tariff details with Energy Plus and receive a tailored savings projection.

Do I need a battery to benefit from a solar export tariff?

You can benefit from a solar export tariff without a battery, because most UK suppliers pay you for every eligible kWh you export under the Smart Export Guarantee. However, pairing solar with a home battery can significantly increase your self-consumption and give you more control over when you buy and sell electricity. A battery lets you: 1) Store surplus solar to use in the evening; 2) Charge when grid prices are cheap; 3) Export when rates are higher, on tariffs that support this. If your goal is maximum bill reduction and energy independence, a solar-plus-battery system with an appropriate tariff usually offers the strongest overall return.

What should I look for when choosing a solar and battery tariff?

When choosing a UK solar and battery tariff, focus on more than just the headline price. Key things to consider include: 1) Import unit rate and standing charge, especially at peak times; 2) Export rate, measurement method and any caps or minimum terms; 3) Whether the tariff supports smart control of your battery and EV; 4) Requirements such as a smart meter, specific inverter brands or minimum system sizes; 5) Exit fees and contract length; 6) Customer service and app quality. Energy Plus can help you compare the latest 2025 tariffs side by side and highlight which deals best suit your property, system size and usage profile.

Am I eligible for a solar panel and battery tariff?

Most households with a certified solar PV system and a smart meter are eligible for a specialist solar or export tariff. Some of the more advanced battery tariffs also require: 1) MCS-certified solar installation and an eligible battery system; 2) Half-hourly smart meter data; 3) Installation by an approved installer; 4) Proof of system capacity and commissioning date. If you are unsure whether your current or planned installation qualifies, you can share your installation details with Energy Plus, and we will check your options and match you with tariffs that you are eligible for in 2025.

How do I switch to a solar and battery tariff in 2025?

Switching to a solar and battery tariff in 2025 follows a similar process to a normal energy switch, with a few extra checks. You typically need: 1) A working smart meter capable of half-hourly readings; 2) Evidence of your solar installation, and your battery if you have one; 3) Your current supplier and tariff details. Once you have chosen a tariff, your new supplier will usually handle the switch, and there is no interruption to your electricity supply. To make the process easier and avoid being moved onto an unsuitable standard tariff, you can compare options and start your switch via Energy Plus, where you will be guided through each step.

Will solar panel and battery tariffs still be good value if energy prices fall?

Even if wholesale energy prices fall, solar and battery tariffs can still offer strong value because they maximise how much of your own low-cost generation you use. Falling prices may slightly lengthen the payback period of a new system, but a well-designed solar-plus-battery setup typically continues to deliver: 1) Long-term protection against future price spikes; 2) Lower and more predictable energy bills; 3) Income from export payments; 4) Increased energy independence. The right 2025 tariff will help you capture these benefits over the full life of your system, which is often 20–25 years or more.

Best UK solar panel & battery tariffs 2025

See the best UK solar panel and battery tariffs for 2025, including top export rates, smart time-of-use tariffs and how to maximise savings on your home energy bills.

Turn your solar panels into a monthly income

With the right solar panel and battery tariff, your roof can work like a mini power station – cutting your bills, protecting you from price rises and paying you for every spare unit of electricity you export back to the grid.

In this 2025 guide we explain how UK solar export tariffs work, which suppliers are offering some of the most competitive SEG and smart battery tariffs right now, and how to choose the best option for your home.

Compare typical export rates for 2025
Understand battery-friendly smart tariffs
See what you could save with solar + storage

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How solar panel & battery tariffs work in the UK

Since the Feed-in Tariff closed, homeowners earn money through Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs and new smart time-of-use deals designed for batteries and electric vehicles. Understanding the differences is the first step to picking the right plan.

1. Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs

SEG tariffs pay you for each kWh of electricity your solar system exports to the grid. You must have:

MCS-certified solar panels
A smart or export meter installed
An SEG-licensed energy supplier

2025 SEG export rates typically range from around 3p/kWh on basic tariffs up to 30p/kWh or more on dynamic smart tariffs linked to wholesale prices.

2. Solar battery & smart time-of-use tariffs

If you have a home battery, you can move to a smart time-of-use tariff. These usually offer:

Cheap overnight electricity to charge your battery
Higher daytime or peak export rates for selling stored energy
Half-hourly pricing that reacts to demand on the system

Paired with a battery, the right tariff can dramatically reduce what you pay for grid electricity while increasing how much you earn from your solar exports.

Best UK solar panel & battery tariff types for 2025

There is no single tariff that suits every home. The best deal for you depends on whether you have (or plan to install) a battery, your usage patterns and whether you have an EV.

Flat-rate SEG tariffs

Simple export tariffs that pay the same rate for every unit you send to the grid.

Easy to understand and compare
Works with and without a battery
Good if you're at home during the day

Best for:

Homeowners who want straightforward payments without changing how or when they use electricity.

Dual-rate solar & battery tariffs

Offer cheaper off-peak electricity for charging your battery and a higher rate during peak times.

Charge your battery overnight at low cost
Use cheap energy during the day
Export at premium peak prices

Best for:

Homes with a battery that can shift most grid use to off-peak periods while exporting surplus energy in the evening.

Dynamic smart tariffs

Advanced tariffs where import and export prices change every half hour based on the wholesale market.

Highest potential export rates
Best results with an optimised battery
Requires a smart meter and app

Best for:

Tech-confident homeowners or those using automated battery control who want to squeeze every extra saving from solar.

Typical 2025 UK solar export & tariff rates

Exact prices move regularly and differ between suppliers. The table below shows indicative ranges to help you understand what "good" looks like in 2025. Always check current rates before switching.

Tariff type	Typical export rate*	Import rate / notes	Works best with
Basic SEG export	3p – 8p / kWh	Standard variable or fixed home tariff	Solar panels only
Premium fixed SEG	8p – 20p / kWh	May require same supplier for import & export	Solar panels, optional battery
Time-of-use solar + battery	15p – 30p+ / kWh peak export	Off-peak import often 8p – 15p / kWh	Solar + home battery
Dynamic smart export	From near 0p up to 40p+ / kWh	Half-hourly variable import prices	Solar + smart battery, app automation

*Illustrative 2025 ranges based on publicly advertised UK tariffs. Rates and availability change frequently and vary by region and supplier.

How to choose the best solar panel & battery tariff for your home

The right tariff can be worth hundreds of pounds a year. Use the steps below to narrow down which solar and battery deals could work for you in 2025.

1. Decide if you want a battery now or later

If you are just starting your solar journey, decide whether to install a solar battery from day one or leave room to add one later.

Without a battery: focus on simple, higher-paying SEG tariffs.
With a battery: look at time-of-use or dynamic tariffs tailored to storage.
Future-proofing: choose kit that is battery-ready even if you are not installing one yet.

EnergyPlus can help you compare the payback of panels alone versus panels plus battery based on your real usage.

2. Look at when you use electricity

Tariffs are increasingly about when you use power, not just how much.

Home during the day? You will use more solar directly, so export rates matter a little less.
Out during the day? A battery and strong export tariff can significantly boost savings.
Heavy evening use? Time-of-use deals that reward battery discharge in peak hours could be ideal.

Most smart meters now provide half-hourly usage data. Sharing this with an expert helps identify the most suitable 2025 tariffs for your pattern.

3. Check eligibility and tech requirements

Every solar and battery tariff has conditions, such as:

Smart meter with half-hourly data enabled
MCS certificate and DNO approval for your system
Specific inverter or battery brands for smart control
Supplying both your import and export with the same provider

When we design your system, we make sure it meets the requirements of the leading 2025 tariffs so you can switch easily.

4. Compare the whole package, not just the headline rate

A high export price is great, but only if your import costs and standing charges are also competitive.

Balance import and export rates together.
Consider standing charges and any daily fees.
Check contract length and exit fees.
Look for any caps on export volumes.

Our solar advisors can model your likely import, export and on-site usage to find the best net saving, not just the highest advertised rate.

See what you could save with 2025 solar & battery tariffs

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Solar panels, batteries and UK home energy bills in 2025

Wholesale prices are still volatile and traditional fixed-rate tariffs no longer guarantee the cheapest bills. Solar and batteries give you more control.

How much can solar panels save on a typical UK home?

Savings depend on roof size, location, shading and your usage, but as a broad guide:

3–4 kWp system on a south-facing roof can generate around 3,000–4,000 kWh a year.
Many homes can use 40–60% of this directly, cutting grid import.
The rest can either be exported or stored with a battery.

With typical 2025 electricity prices, well-designed solar can knock hundreds of pounds off annual bills before you add a battery or optimised tariff.

What difference does a home battery make?

A battery increases how much of your solar power you use at home, and lets you take advantage of cheap off-peak electricity.

Boost self-consumption of solar to 70–85%+ in many homes.
Shift cheap overnight electricity into the daytime.
Earn more by exporting at premium evening rates on smart tariffs.

In many parts of the UK, combining solar, a battery and a smart tariff can deliver significantly faster payback than panels alone in 2025.

Find the best solar panel & battery options for your home

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Frequently asked questions about UK solar tariffs in 2025

Answers to common questions homeowners ask when choosing a solar panel and battery tariff in the UK.

Do I need to buy my electricity and export tariff from the same supplier?

Not always. Under the Smart Export Guarantee, you can often export to one supplier while buying electricity from another. However, many of the best 2025 battery and smart tariffs require you to have your import and export with the same company. When comparing deals, check whether "dual supply" is mandatory.

Can I get a solar export tariff if I already have panels?

Yes, as long as your system is MCS-certified and you have the right meter in place. If you previously received the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), you can usually add a SEG export tariff on top for newer panels, but you cannot claim SEG on the same generation as FiT.

Is a smart battery tariff worth it if I work from home?

Yes, often it is. Working from home typically means higher daytime usage, which makes solar more valuable on its own. A battery and smart tariff can still help you:

Store excess lunchtime solar for the evening peak.
Charge the battery cheaply on dark winter mornings.
Reduce exposure to high daytime peak prices during cold snaps.

Our advisors can look at your weekday and weekend usage to show how different 2025 tariffs would perform with and without a battery.

Do solar tariffs offer backup power during blackouts?

Standard solar and battery tariffs do not automatically give you backup during power cuts. For safety reasons, most systems shut down when the grid goes down. If backup is important to you, ask about:

Battery systems with islanding or backup modes
Essential circuits that can be powered in an outage
Any impact this may have on your tariff choice

Not all suppliers support backup-enabled systems on their most advanced tariffs, so it is important to design the whole package together.

Will solar tariffs in 2025 keep getting better?

The UK energy market is still evolving. As more solar and batteries are installed, suppliers are competing with new tariffs that reward flexibility and export. While rates can move up or down with wholesale prices, the overall trend is towards:

More choice of SEG and smart tariffs
Better tools and apps for battery optimisation
Greater rewards for shifting usage out of peak times

Installing solar and a battery now puts you in a strong position to take advantage of future 2025 and 2026 tariff innovations as they appear.

Ready to explore the best UK solar panel & battery tariffs for 2025?

From simple SEG export rates to advanced smart battery tariffs, EnergyPlus can help you design a system and tariff combination that works for your home and your budget.

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Updated on 14 Dec 2025