EDF Energy Export SEG Tariff Guide: Rates and Solar PV Rules

Key Takeaways

• EDF Energy offers Export Exclusive 12m V3 paying 18p per kWh on a 1-year fixed agreement for electricity supply customers.
• The Export 12m V2 tariff provides 13p per kWh fixed for 12 months, open to generators regardless of their electricity supplier.
• Variable export tariffs range from 5.6p per kWh for customer accounts down to 3.0p per kWh on the standard open variable tariff.
• Fixed and exclusive export contracts enforce a 50kW maximum capacity ceiling and apply strictly to solar PV installations.

How does EDF Energy structure its Smart Export Guarantee tariffs?

EDF Energy Customers Limited is designated as a mandatory SEG licensee under statutory Ofgem regulations. Under this framework, the supplier is obligated to offer an export contract to eligible low-carbon electricity generators across England, Scotland, and Wales.

EDF divides its export tariff offerings into fixed-term contracts that lock in predictable revenue and variable-rate options that adjust over time:

1. Export Exclusive 12m V3: A premier fixed contract offering 18p per kWh for the energy you export, reserved for EDF domestic electricity supply customers.
2. Export 12m V2: A 1-year fixed contract offering 13p per kWh for exported energy, open to solar generators whose import electricity is supplied elsewhere.
3. SEG Export Variable Value: A variable tariff paying 5.6p per kWh exclusively to EDF electricity supply customers.
4. SEG Export Variable: A baseline variable tariff paying 3.0p per kWh, accessible to all renewable generators.

To evaluate how mandatory licensees are regulated under national policy, read our overview of the Smart Export Guarantee explained.

Comparing EDF export tariffs: Fixed vs Variable options

The choice between EDF export contracts depends on your current electricity supplier and your preference for rate certainty.

Fixed tariffs guarantee your unit export rate for 12 months, protecting your return on investment from energy market price drops. Households pairing an EDF domestic electricity tariff with solar PV achieve the highest return through the 18p per kWh rate on Export Exclusive 12m V3.

If you prefer not to switch your import electricity supply to EDF, the Export 12m V2 plan still provides an attractive 13p per kWh fixed return for a full year.

For variable tariffs, the rate can move upward or downward over time, with EDF providing advance notice of rate adjustments.

Detailed guidance on selecting between competing supplier tariffs is available in our guide on how to choose a SEG tariff.

Capacity rules and technology restrictions

When applying for an EDF export tariff, system owners must observe key technical boundaries:

• Capacity limits: EDF applies a ceiling of 50kW for its Export Exclusive and Export fixed tariffs. Systems up to this limit can access fixed payments, while larger commercial installations must use alternative commercial export arrangements.
• Technology restrictions: Export Exclusive and Export fixed tariffs are strictly available for solar PV systems. Installations utilising wind, micro-hydro, or anaerobic digestion qualify under variable export arrangements.
• No volumetric export cap: There is no limit on the total volume of electricity that can be exported to the grid, provided generation reflects the genuine renewable output of the certified installation.
• Exclusivity rules: Under UK statutory regulations, you cannot apply for more than one export scheme for the same installation. Claiming SEG payments requires opting out of legacy Feed-in Tariff export agreements.

For technical specifications regarding half-hourly metering infrastructure, consult our smart export guarantee metering guide.

Fixed versus variable export strategy for UK homeowners

Choosing between EDF's fixed export contracts and variable alternatives involves balancing payment security against changing market conditions:

• Revenue certainty during summer generation: A 12-month fixed export agreement locks in a guaranteed rate for the entire annual generation cycle. Because the bulk of domestic solar electricity is produced and exported during sunny spring and summer months, securing an 18p or 13p fixed rate guarantees your returns regardless of wholesale power market dips.
• Protection against negative daytime wholesale rates: As renewable generation capacity expands across the national grid, sunny summer afternoons can cause wholesale power prices to fall sharply. Fixed export tariffs shield residential generators completely from these wholesale downward fluctuations.
• Variable tariff flexibility: The variable rate options (such as the 5.6p customer rate or 3.0p standard rate) offer maximum contractual flexibility with zero exit penalties, enabling homeowners to monitor emerging export tariffs across the energy market and switch suppliers whenever higher rates become available.

Application and export reading submission

Setting up an EDF export tariff follows an established administrative sequence:

1. Submit application details: Complete the online registration form, uploading your MCS certificate, electrical schematic, and local DNO connection acceptance.
2. Meter reading verification: Provide an initial photograph of your export meter register to confirm the baseline index.
3. Identifier assignment: EDF issues a dedicated 9-digit Smart Export Guarantee identification number to reference your account.
4. Export settlement: Where smart meters are configured for automated communication, half-hourly readings are gathered remotely to calculate payment credits.

For comprehensive statutory context on licensee requirements, review our SEG supplier rules guide.