Solar homes can earn hundreds of pounds per year from exporting electricity to the grid – as long as they sign up for the right tariff.

British Gas is one of the most popular export tariff providers in the UK, and supplies energy to more than eight million homes and businesses across the country.

In this guide, we’ll run through British Gas’s three export tariffs, analysing their rates, eligibility criteria, potential earnings, and how long it takes to sign up – plus which import tariff you should pair with each of them.

And if you’re wondering how much you could save with a solar & battery system, enter a few details below and we’ll provide an estimate.

What export tariffs does British Gas offer?

British Gas offers three export tariffs: 

1. Export Premium
2. Export Extra
3. Export SEG

All of these are Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariffs. The UK government launched the SEG in 2020, as a replacement for the export part of the Feed-in Tariff.

Energy suppliers in the scheme (which includes all the largest providers) must pay homes for all the electricity they send to the grid, as long as they’re signed up to an export tariff.

British Gas was the third-most popular SEG tariff provider between April 2024 and March 2025, with more than 20,000 households signing up for one of its tariffs.

In addition to the one export tariff it’s required to provide, British Gas also offers two more generous rates, though only for its import customers.

The supplier dropped its highest-paying tariff, Export and Earn Plus, in June 2026. The 15.1p per kWh rate attracted 7.1% of all SEG registrations in 2024-25, making it the fourth-most popular export tariff in the country.

For more information, read our comprehensive guide to the best SEG rates.

1. Export Premium

Export rate: 12p/kWh

British Gas's best export tariff pays 12p per kWh.

To qualify, all you need to do is buy your grid electricity from British Gas – which is standard for any export tariff that pays more than 6p per kWh – and own solar panels with a capacity of 15 kilowatts-peak (kWp) or less.

British Gas's former top tariff, Export and Earn Plus, allowed you to get started with just a battery, but not Export Premium.

However, this variable tariff comes with no exit fee or end date, and though it could technically change at any time, British Gas doesn't make a habit of altering its SEG rates.

Which import tariff should you use?

The best import tariff to use with Export Premium is British Gas Fix and Fall.

You have to be on a British Gas tariff to join Export Premium, which leaves you with this as the top choice.

This tariff starts off with a unit rate of around 27.4p per kWh, though this could get cheaper if the price cap drops.

To read about how likely that is, check out our guide to why energy prices are going up.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To sign up for Export Premium, you must own a smart meter and solar panels at your home.

Your solar installation can’t be under a rent-a-roof agreement, its capacity can't exceed 15kWp, and your property must be lived in.

These are the only major eligibility checks, making the process a simple one.

2. Export Extra

Export rate: 8p/kWh

Export Extra is for customers who'd qualify for Export Premium, except they have solar panel systems that are larger than 15kWp.

That's the only difference between Export Premium and Export Extra.

So if you want to stick with British Gas for your import tariff, but you've got a big installation, this is the one for you.

Which import tariff should you use?

You should sign up to British Gas Fix and Fall.

British Gas once again requires you to use one of its import tariffs with Export Extra, which is standard.

And this tariff can only go down, which offers you a significant amount of protection.

Even if energy doesn't get cheaper in the foreseeable future, any price cap rises won't affect you until the end of this tariff's 24-month duration.

What are the eligibility requirements?

To qualify, you just need to register for a British Gas import tariff, have a smart meter, and own solar panels.

Once again, your installation can't be part of a rent-a-roof scheme, and the property must be occupied.

If you’re wondering how much you could save with a solar & battery system, enter a few details below and we’ll provide an estimate.

3. Export SEG

Export rate: 3p/kWh

This is British Gas's basic, obligatory SEG tariff.

Any household that generates renewable electricity can sign up, regardless of which company installed its system or supplies its electricity.

You just need solar panels – or a different source of green energy, such as wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion, or micro combined heat and power.

However, as discussed, British Gas offers much better tariffs to its own import customers.

And even if you want a no-strings export option that allows you to join any import tariff, there are more appealing choices on the market.

To learn, more check out our guide to the best solar export tariffs.

Which import tariff should you use?

Since you're free to sign up for any import tariff, you should pick EDF Empower Fixed.

This time-of-use tariff is the go-to option for any household on a no-strings export tariff.

It comes with a 10.361p per kWh off-peak rate from 1am to 4am, during which time you can run your energy-intensive appliances and charge your battery with cheap power to use when your panels aren't productive.

You'll have to endure a 30.22p per kWh off-peak rate between 4pm and 7pm, but the rest of the time, electricity will cost you just 20.22p per kWh – which is significantly lower than the energy price cap.

What are the eligibility requirements?

You just need a solar panel system and its Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or Flexi-Orb certificate.

There are no other eligibility criteria, making it easy to sign up.

How much can you earn from British Gas’s export tariffs?

You can earn plenty of money from any of British Gas’s export tariffs, though Export Premium is the most profitable option.

The exact amount you’ll make depends on many factors, including the import tariff you choose, how much electricity you export, and where in the country you live.

Export Premium is a good tariff, allowing you to earn a substantial amount of money each year with its 12p per kWh rate.

It requires you to become a British Gas customer, but every high-paying export tariff comes with this requirement.

And the supplier’s 8p per kWh Export Extra tariff clearly isn’t as lucrative, but it does allow you to own a larger system.

How can you sign up for a British Gas export tariff?

You can apply online for either British Gas export tariff.

You’ll need to provide copies of documents that prove you own your system, as well as your MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate and a copy of your G98 or G99.

British Gas will also ask for your bank details, and a photo of your smart meter that doubles as an export reading and proof of its serial number.

You can email or post any of these pieces of evidence, though it’s usually easiest to attach them to your online form.

During this period, British Gas should get in contact with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) – that is, the company running the hardware that supplies your area of the UK with electricity.

The DNO should send British Gas your export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number), which is a unique, 13-digit number that identifies your electricity meter and makes it possible for the supplier to pay you export income.

How long does it take?

After you’ve applied for one of these tariffs, it should take British Gas four weeks at most to get you registered, at which point you can start selling electricity to the grid.

The supplier will then send your export earnings to your bank account every three months.

Are British Gas’s export tariffs worth it?

Export Premium is a worthy export tariff, and you can sign up without having to choose British Gas as your solar installer.

This sets the supplier apart from some of its counterparts, which attach this restrictive requirement to their top rates.

And thanks to Export Extra, households with systems above 15kWp can still benefit from a British Gas export tariff.

If you don’t fancy switching to British Gas for both your import and export, Export SEG will still earn you some money while leaving you free to choose any import tariff – though there are better options out there. 

If you’re wondering how much you could save with a solar & battery system, enter a few details below and we’ll provide an estimate.

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