The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Turn Sunlight into Income

Kate McCann
June 24, 2025

More and more businesses and households are turning to solar to lower their energy bills – but did you know you can actually earn money from your unused energy too? That’s where the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) comes in.

What is the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

The Smart Export Guarantee is a government-backed initiative that allows businesses and households that generate their own electricity using renewable sources – like solar panels – to sell any excess energy back to the grid.

Instead of just consuming the power you generate, SEG ensures you get paid for the surplus you don’t use.

How Does It Work?

Install solar panels (or another renewable system such as wind or hydro).
Generate electricity and use it during the day.
Export the excess (unused energy) back to the national grid.
Get paid through an SEG tariff from a licensed energy supplier.

Why SEG Is a Win

Here’s why you should seriously consider going solar and tapping into the SEG:

Save on Your Energy Bills
Generating your own electricity reduces your dependence on the national grid, helping to lower your energy costs, especially during peak hours.
Earn Extra Income
With SEG, you’re not wasting the energy you don’t use - you’re selling it. That’s passive income simply for being energy smart!
Boost Your Sustainability Credentials
More consumers and investors are choosing businesses that actively reduce their carbon footprint. Solar energy helps your business stand out while contributing to a greener future. Plus, having solar panels can increase the property value of houses, making them more attractive to eco-conscious buyers and reducing long-term energy costs for households.
Future-Proof Against Rising Energy Costs
By producing your own power, you stay protected from volatile energy prices and benefit from more predictable, manageable operating costs.

Do You Qualify for SEG?

To be eligible for SEG payments, you must:

Be generating electricity using a certified renewable source (like MCS-approved solar panels)
Have a smart meter that measures how much energy you export
Register with an SEG-licensed energy supplier (you don’t have to receive your energy supply from them)

At Reduce My Costs, we can guide you through the process – from assessing your energy usage to selecting the best supplier and SEG tariff for you.

Ready to Reduce Costs and Generate Income?

Whether you’re just starting to explore solar or you’re ready to make the switch, we’re here to help. We’ll assess your current setup, advise on installation options, and help you start saving, and earning, through solar and the Smart Export Guarantee.