How to Enable Your Smart Meter Export Register for Solar Panels

Your smart meter might have an export register that's switched off. Here's how to check, how to get it enabled, and why it matters for SEG payments.

What the Export Register Does

Your SMETS2 smart meter has two registers. The import register measures electricity you draw from the grid — that's what you pay for. The export register measures electricity flowing the other way — from your home to the grid. That's what you get paid for under the Smart Export Guarantee.

The problem: many suppliers don't enable the export register by default. They assume you don't need it. If you've installed plug-in solar panels and you're exporting surplus, that energy is going unrecorded.

How to Check If Yours Is Active

Method 1: Supplier app. Log into your energy supplier's app and look for export data. If you see a separate export figure (even if it's tiny), the register is active. If there's no mention of export at all, it's probably off.

Method 2: In-home display. Some IHDs show export data on a separate screen — cycle through the display modes. If there's no export reading, either you're not exporting or the register is off.

Method 3: Ask your supplier. Call or live-chat and ask: "Is my smart meter's export register enabled?" This is the definitive check.

How to Get It Enabled

Contact your electricity supplier and request they enable the export register. This is done remotely via the DCC network — no engineer visit needed, no cost to you. It typically takes 24–48 hours.

Script for the call:

"I've installed plug-in solar panels and I'd like to apply for the Smart Export Guarantee. Could you please enable the export register on my SMETS2 meter? I'd also like to ensure half-hourly settlement is active."

Some suppliers will handle the SEG application at the same time. Others treat it as a separate process — ask to be sure.

Which Suppliers Pay for Exports?

Under SEG, licensed suppliers with 150,000+ customers must offer an export tariff. Current rates vary:

Octopus Energy — typically the most competitive; their Flux tariff pays variable rates tied to wholesale prices
EDF — fixed SEG rate
British Gas — fixed SEG rate
E.ON — fixed SEG rate
OVO — fixed SEG rate

You don't have to take your export tariff from your import supplier. You can be with British Gas for import and Octopus for export. Compare rates before committing. See our supplier comparison for solar users.

For plug-in solar at 400–800W, export volumes are modest. A typical 800W system might export 300–500 kWh/year, which at current SEG rates (4–15p/kWh depending on tariff) works out to roughly £15–75/year. Not life-changing, but it's free money once the register is on.

What If You Have a SMETS1 Meter?

SMETS1 meters generally cannot record export. If you have one, you need a free upgrade to SMETS2 before you can receive SEG payments. Request this from your supplier — expect a 2–4 week wait for installation.

The Export Register and DNO Notification

When you notify your DNO about your plug-in solar installation (required within 28 days under G98), the DNO doesn't automatically tell your supplier. These are separate processes:

DNO notification → tells the network operator you're generating
Export register activation → tells your meter to record exports
SEG application → gets you paid for exports

Do all three. They take about 10 minutes total.