Feed-in Tariff for businesses

Why are my Feed in Tariff export payments changing?

We can now collect export readings from your smart meter which means we no longer need to deem the export at 50% of your generation reading. This makes your payments more accurate.

Why can’t I continue to receive deemed export payments?

Now we’re able to use your smart export meter readings, we’re no longer able to deem your export readings. This is a regulatory requirement.

What are the FiT payment rates?

For the latest Feed-in Tariff rates, see the Ofgem website.

What does deemed export mean?

When the actual export reading isn’t available, deemed export readings are used, and are based on the generation reading. For Solar PV installations, export is deemed at 50% of the generation reading.

What does metered export mean?

Metered export uses an actual meter reading from the export register on your smart meter, or the Half Hourly data from a separate export meter if your installation is larger than 30kW.

What tariff will I be on/How much will I be paid?

Your FIT generation tariff will be the same for the duration of your FIT contract. Your export tariff can remain on FIT, or you can choose to opt out of FIT export payments and into payments from another export scheme, such as Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

For details on the British Gas SEG export scheme, including our current SEG export tariffs, visit our Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) page.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee scheme?

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government scheme that pays homes and businesses for selling electricity back to the grid. So you can earn money for the excess electricity you generate from renewable technologies, like solar panels.

Can I receive both FIT and SEG payments?

You can only receive one export payment.  So, you can receive FIT generation and SEG export payments, but you can’t receive export payments from both FIT and SEG.

If I move to SEG export, will I lose my FIT generation payments?

No, your FIT generation payments will continue for the duration of your FIT contract.

Can I change back to FIT export after I have moved to SEG export?

Yes, but there’s a 12 month opt in/out rule. This means you can only opt in and out of FIT export payments once every 12 months. After this time, you can move from SEG to FIT metered export payments, but it won’t be possible to go back to FIT deemed export payments.

Should I stay on FIT export or move to SEG export?

This is up to you – however, we’d recommend researching which export tariff would best suit your needs.  Your SEG supplier does not have to be the same company as your FIT supplier and/or your Energy supplier, and different SEG suppliers may offer different tariffs.

How do I get an export meter reading?

How you identify the export meter reading you need to give us will depend on the type of meter you have. It's always best to check your meter specifications on how to do this for your type of meter.

If you have a smart meter, the export reading will be available on the display on the smart meter itself.  To access the export meter reading you will need to press the button, or buttons on your smart meter to scroll through the information on the meter display or select the export register from a menu system – it will depend on the type of smart meter you have installed. 

• Send us your export meter reading by completing our online form.

• Find out more about How to read your meter.

• Find out more about How your electricity smart meter works.

Why do I need to send readings when I have a smart meter?

Sometimes meters can lose connection and stop communicating, if this happens, we may need you to send us the reading from your meter.

Which meter should I take the reading from?

For your export reading, read the export register on your smart meter – it’s on the same meter that’s read for your energy bill, but in a separate reading register. Take your generation reading from your generation meter.

Why do you need a photograph of my meter?

A photo helps us verify your meter serial number, and that your reading is for exported rather than imported electricity.

What’s a DNO?

A Distribution Network Operator (DNO), or "distributor", is a company that’s responsible for a region’s electricity infrastructure. Before installing a renewable electricity system, you’ll need to complete a DNO application first.

What’s an export MPAN?

A Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) is a supply number that’s unique to each meter. Your export MPAN is linked to the electricity you export to the grid.

It’ll be different to the supply number you’ll see on bills you receive from your energy supplier, which is for the electricity you import from the grid.

If you’re joining the SEG scheme for the first time, we’ll create and register your export MPAN for you. If you’re moving your SEG to us from another provider, we’ll get your export MPAN directly from them.

If your installation is equal to 30kW or more, then you’ll need to contact your local electricity distribution network operator.