Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) Experience

nobby1963

stejim1 said:

mvmccabe said:

Hi,
I'm looking for advice and other people's experiences with the Smart Export Guarantee scheme. We had solar panels fitted in January, and have already given the National Grid over 500kWh of free energy. So far, I've been finding it really hard to get onto SEG.

• The best deals are with Octopus. But our installation is Flex-Orb certified and not MCS. Octopus don't accept Flexi-Orb. To me, it seems bizarre that one type of certification should be less recognised than the other - it's still solar energy!
• The next best deal is with Scottish Power. However, I don't think we'll qualify as they insist on battery storage being separate from the export meter. I have no idea why energy that has come from solar via our battery storage should be any different from the energy straight from the panels.
• The next best deal after that is with British Gas, at 1/3 to 1/4 the price of Octopus.

Then, the application process is hard. My British Gas application has been sent back to me twice now, asking for additional info (e.g. I sent photos of smart meter with export reading and MPAN number, but now they insist on meter serial number on the photo as well!). It looks as if Scottish Power want different info (e.g. DNO confirmation reference number). 

To summarise, to get SEG payments the application process is both restrictive and difficult. And if successful, we'll probably get paid far less than the wholesale price of the energy!

What do others think

Hi 
Our solar panels were installed in July 2023, and since British Gas (BG) handles our energy income, it seemed logical for them to manage our export energy as well. Unfortunately, this decision has turned into a total disaster. First, the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) made errors on the G99 form, which delayed us until October 2023 to receive the correct documentation. Additionally, the installer made mistakes in both the MCS report and the installation. We were informed that our smart meter wasn’t capable of displaying export readings, and I’m still unsure if that issue has been resolved. As of now, we are still not in an export agreement with BG. I have called BG 46 times and sent 47 emails. We currently have an ongoing complaint with them, and the entire matter is being escalated to the energy ombudsman.

Hi,
Having been with BG but not by choice - was moved to them after the collapse of Neon Reef  - the BG customer service was the absolute worst I have ever experienced.
Very sad really as once upon a time they were a good company but the movement of much of their customer service to South Africa was a disaster in my opinion.
i understand feeling tied into BG due to your ongoing complaints but once it’s resolved or before if you wish, there are other companies who can handle your SEG very well.
Im with Octopus personally but others are available too.
Vote with your feet.
Cheers 
Nobby.

Qyburn

stejim1 said:

We were informed that our smart meter wasn’t capable of displaying export readings, and I’m still unsure if that issue has been resolved. 

Have you checked that yourself? A couple of button presses showed our was counting up "Total active export" from the moment the system was commissioned.