In addition to the main generation tariff, you get an extra payment for electricity exported to the grid
What is the export tariff?
It is a bonus payment for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of surplus electricity your system exports to the electricity grid.
When this payment is received you are effectively selling that electricity to the energy supply company, who can then deliver it to other customers.
This payment has been established to provide an incentive for energy efficiency as you will get paid extra for every kWh you don’t use but export instead.
How much is the export tariff?
A ‘floor price’ has been set in the legislation. It is index-linked to the retail price index. The rate was originally 3p/kWh, but it was increased to 4.50p/kWh for new Solar PV systems installed after 1st August 2012, following the Phase 2A review, and for other technologies from 1st December 2012, following the Phase 2B review.
You are entitled to receive this or you also have the opportunity to opt out of this fixed price and try to negotiate a better rate with your electricity supplier. You have the opportunity each year to decide whether to accept the floor price or to opt out.
Unlike the generation tariff, this element will be the same whatever type of renewable energy is used, except for the change to PV export tariffs noted above.
The historical export tariffs paid in each period were:
Historical export tariffs
| Dates | Tariff p/kWh |
|---|---|
| 1 Apr 2010 – 31 Mar 2011 | 3.00 |
| 1 Apr 2011 – 31 Mar 2012 | 3.10 |
| 1 Apr 2012 until: | 3.20 |
| PV systems: 1 Aug 2012 – 31 Mar 2013 | 4.50 |
| Other systems: 1 Dec 2013 – 31 Mar 2013 | 4.50 |
| 1 Apr 2013 – 31 Mar 2014 | 4.64 |
| 1 Apr 2014 – 31 Mar 2015 | 4.77 |
| 1 Apr 2015 – 31 Mar 2016 | 4.85 |
How are the exports measured?
All the power flows relating to the tariffs will in due course be metered (as described in detail on our page about Measuring the energy).
However, in the initial years before Smart Meters are widely used, the export element will be deemed to be 50% of the power generated by the system.
Those generating electricity who believe their exports are substantially higher than this will be allowed to install suitable export meters and be paid on the metered level of exports.