How does the export tariff work?

If you are eligible to receive FITs you will benefit in three ways:

• Generation tariff: your energy supplier will pay you a set rate for each unit (or kWh) of electricity you generate. Once your system has been registered, the tariff levels are guaranteed for the period of the tariff (up to 20 years), tax free and index-linked to keep pace with inflation
• Export tariff: you will get a further 4.77p/kWh from your energy supplier for each unit you export back to the electricity grid, so you can sell any electricity you generate but don't use yourself. This rate is the same for all technologies. This is estimated as being 50% of the electricity you generate, unless you are a big exporter, as is the case with solar farms for example
• Energy bill savings: you will be making savings on your electricity bills because generating electricity to power your appliances means you don’t have to buy as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending how much of the electricity you use on site. It will also offer you fuel independence in the future from energy price rises.

In the case of the export tariff , there is often much confusion :

In the case of a typical domestic solar array up to 4 Kwp , your "deemed export rate" estimated at 50% is actually very generous. Your export energy can be diverted back to your home for other uses such as water heating , storage heating , underfloor heating and a multitude of other applications. You can use 100% of your locally produced green energy at home, yet still receive 50% export payments as the export is "estimated".
The situation changes if you are have a slightly larger solar array between 10 Kwp - 30 Kwp (typically 40 - 120 panels). Until recently , energy providers would not fit an "export meter" unless your solar array was 30 kwp or above. This meant that if you were exporting more than 50%, you were losing out.
It is now possible, if you know that you export most of your electricity, to have an export meter fitted for systems of only 10 kwp and above. Thus boosting your financial returns substantially over your 20yr period.
Energy companies who are more forward thinking, such as "Good Energy" can fit an export meter for a small one-off fee (typically £80) with minimal operations costs. Speak to an advisor about export metering to find out more, the situation is constantly evolving. We aim to give our customers the most up to date advice

...self sufficiency...