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01 · Ask
Heat pump, solar, battery or all?
Different priorities, different ROI. Describe the house, the bills and the budget — the AI tells you what stacks up.
Compare SEG tariffs.
Smart Export Guarantee tariffs from UK suppliers — pence per kWh paid for solar exports in 2026.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
20,000+UK homeowners
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Hire a renewables installer. MCS or no grant.
Read the brief on MCS, BUS grants, heat-loss surveys and right-sizing — then let Three local installers quote.
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02 · Read the brief
Walk in informed
BUS £7,500 heat pump grant, SEG export tariffs, MCS certification, EPC requirements, radiator upgrades. Know the rules.
60 seconds
03 · Compare
Compare 3 installer quotes
Three local installers quote on the same spec — heat-loss, sizing, grants, warranty — so the cheapest isn't accidentally the unfunded.
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Get renewables quotes Ready when you are
Enter your postcode and get free quotes from local pros.
Top tips
Hiring a renewable energy, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Use MCS-certified installers only.
BUS, ECO4, SEG payments all require MCS-certified installation. Any installer without MCS means no grants and no SEG export tariff.
Get a heat-loss survey for heat pumps.
Heat pumps must be properly sized to your house heat loss. Insist on a Heat Loss Calculation (MCS-recognised) — never a 'kW per m²' shortcut.
Check radiator compatibility.
Heat pumps run at lower flow temps (35–55°C vs 70°C for gas). Most existing rads are undersized. Cost: £200–£500 per upgraded rad — get this on the quote.
Don't oversize solar PV.
Generation beyond what you export earns 5–15p/kWh (SEG). Generation you use saves 30p+. Right-sized to consumption beats massive arrays for ROI.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Air source heat pump (install)Pre-grant
£8k–£14k
Ground source heat pump
£18k–£35k
Solar PV 4kW system
£6k–£9k
Battery storage (5kWh)
£3.5k–£6.5k
Solar thermal (hot water)
£4k–£7.5k
EV charger (Type 2, 7kW)
£800–£1.5k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
Infographic · VideoThe Renewable Energy briefing.
Infographic
Renewable Energy quick-view
Video guide
Renewable Energy explained
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays UK solar owners for exported electricity. Rates vary 4-30p/kWh between suppliers. Octopus Flux leads variable tariffs at 27p. Choosing right SEG can double your annual solar income. Expect £200–£600 per year from typical 4kW solar UK home.
What Does the Work Involve?
Solar owner switches energy supplier for SEG contract. Smart meter mandatory. MCS certificate uploaded. Export reading reported quarterly. Some tariffs require import from same supplier. Battery owners benefit from variable tariffs.
Top UK SEG Tariffs 2026
| Tariff | Rate (p/kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Octopus Flux (variable) | Up to 27p | Best for battery |
| Octopus Outgoing Fixed | 15p | Simple flat rate |
| British Gas Export+ Tariff | 15p | Customers only |
| EDF Energy Export | 5.6p | Lowest |
| E.ON Next Export | 16.5p | Mid-tier |
| OVO Energy Export | 15p | Mid-tier |
| Scottish Power Export | 15p | Mid-tier |
Battery Owner Strategy
Variable tariffs (Octopus Flux): import cheap at 3am, export at peak 27p. Battery cycle increases revenue 2-3x. Annual income £500-£1,000 vs £200-£400 fixed-rate.
UK Regulations
Smart Export Guarantee since 2020 (replaced FiT). Smart meter mandatory. MCS-certified install required. Suppliers >150k customers must offer SEG.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can switch SEG anytime?
Yes — no contract lock-in typically. Compare regularly.
Smart meter mandatory?
Yes — half-hourly export readings essential. Get free smart meter install.
FIT to SEG migration?
Old FiT lasts 20-25 years better than SEG. Keep FiT if existing. New installs SEG only.
Battery doubles income?
With variable tariff yes. Discharge battery at peak export price. Octopus Flux specifically.
Combined with EV?
Octopus Intelligent Go combines EV cheap-rate (7p) with solar export. Best ecosystem.
Tax on SEG income?
£1,000/year tax-free trading allowance covers most domestic. Above: HMRC self-assessment.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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