Sell Solar Electricity to the Grid: The Complete Guide for Businesses
- elliebrear
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Commercial solar panels are no longer just about reducing your company’s energy bills, they’re also a proven way to create an additional revenue stream. Thanks to the UK’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), organisations of all sizes can now sell surplus solar electricity to the grid, turning unused generation into income.
Whether you’re running a manufacturing facility, office building, retail outlet, or warehouse, your solar PV system may produce more energy than you consume during daylight hours. With the right setup, that excess power can be exported, paid for, and reinvested into your business.
Why UK Businesses Are Choosing Commercial Solar Panels
Rising energy costs, ESG commitments, and the push towards net zero have driven rapid growth in commercial solar installation. A professionally designed PV system can:
Cut grid electricity consumption
Reduce carbon emissions for sustainability reporting
Deliver predictable long-term cost savings
Generate revenue through SEG export tariffs
Many businesses discover that during sunny hours, especially weekends or periods of low activity, their system generates more electricity than they need. Without export capability, that surplus is simply lost.
What Happens to Surplus Solar Power?
For commercial solar systems, there are four main ways to handle excess electricity:
Store it in commercial battery systems: Use it later to avoid buying peak-rate electricity.
Sell it via the Smart Export Guarantee: Feed it directly into the grid for payment.
Offset other on-site operations: Power EV charging points, lighting, or HVAC systems.
Donate to community projects: Strengthen corporate social responsibility initiatives.
For most businesses, a hybrid approach, storing some energy and selling the rest, delivers the best financial and operational outcomes.
How the Smart Export Guarantee Works for Businesses
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a UK government-backed initiative introduced in January 2020 to replace the former Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme. For businesses with commercial solar panels, it offers a straightforward route to monetise surplus renewable electricity by selling it back to the national grid.
This applies not only to solar PV, but also to wind, hydro, micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP), and anaerobic digestion systems. However, for most UK companies, commercial solar panels are the most practical way to benefit.
The Smart Export Guarantee requires participating UK energy suppliers to pay for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of renewable electricity you send to the grid.
To qualify, your business must have:
An MCS-certified commercial solar installation
A system capacity of up to 5MW (suitable for most commercial sites)
An export meter or smart meter for accurate measurement
A contract with an SEG-licensed supplier
GB Location
As a specialist solar installation company, we guide our commercial clients through the SEG registration process, ensuring the best export tariff for their operation.
Earnings Potential for Commercial Solar Exports
Your income from selling solar electricity depends on:
System size: Larger PV arrays produce more exportable energy
Usage patterns: Sites with low daytime demand can export more
Tariff rate: Rates vary by supplier, so choosing the right one is critical
While small businesses may earn hundreds of pounds annually, large commercial systems can generate thousands of pounds per year in export revenue, in addition to on-site savings.
Maximising ROI from Commercial Solar Panels
To ensure your commercial solar PV system delivers maximum return:
Position panels for maximum sunlight and minimal shading
Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance to sustain efficiency
Monitor generation and export data to spot opportunities for improvement
Integrate with other green technologies like EV chargers or heat pumps
Work with an experienced MCS-certified installer to design for performance and compliance
Commercial Benefits of SEG Participation
For UK companies, participating in the SEG offers several advantages:
Revenue Diversification: Turn unused solar generation into a new income stream.
Improved ROI: Shorten the payback period on your commercial solar investment.
Sustainability Credentials: Demonstrate commitment to renewable energy and corporate responsibility.
Grid Support: Contribute to a more stable and cleaner national electricity supply.
When combined with on-site consumption savings, the SEG can significantly boost the financial and environmental value of a commercial solar installation
Why Choose Us for Your Commercial Solar Project
As a specialist solar panel installation company, we deliver end-to-end commercial solar solutions from feasibility studies and system design to SEG registration and performance optimisation. Our expertise ensures your installation maximises both on-site savings and export earnings.
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