How much can you earn selling solar back to the grid?
Most UK homes earn between £80 and £250 a year selling surplus solar electricity to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee, at around 15p per kWh. Homes without a battery export more and earn more from export, while homes with a battery export less but save more overall by using their own power instead of buying at 27p per kWh.
What drives your export income
- System size: a bigger system generates more surplus to export.
- Battery: a battery cuts export but increases total savings.
- Daytime usage: the less you use during the day, the more you export.
- Export rate: shop around, as rates differ between suppliers.
Export income vs self-use savings
Because imported electricity (around 27p) costs nearly twice what exported electricity earns (around 15p), the biggest financial win is using your own generation, not selling it. Export income is a useful bonus on top. The SunSum calculator weighs both to estimate your total annual benefit.
Frequently asked questions
- Is solar export income taxable?
- For typical domestic systems, SEG income is not usually taxed, but check current HMRC guidance if you have a very large system or other circumstances.
- How am I paid for exported solar?
- Your SEG supplier pays you per kWh exported, measured by your smart meter, usually monthly or quarterly.
Related questions
Indicative estimates based on UK average data. Last updated 27 May 2026.