Selling solar electricity back to the grid sounds straightforward until you start reading the small print. The reality is that the rules, the money, and the paperwork vary significantly depending on whether you own a house or a flat, whether you’re in the UK or elsewhere in Europe, and which energy supplier you’re dealing with. This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll walk you through how the main export schemes work, what legal steps are involved, how much you can realistically earn, and what the latest changes mean for apartment dwellers and balcony solar users in 2026.
Table of Contents
- How does selling solar electricity to the grid actually work?
- What do UK and European regulations require?
- How much can you earn selling solar electricity?
- Balcony solar and apartments: special cases explained
- Why exporting solar power isn’t always the best move
- Ready to go further? Next steps for your solar journey
- Frequently asked questions
Key Takeaways
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Schemes differ by country | UK and European nations have different export compensation models and approval processes for solar electricity. |
| Regulations vary for flats vs houses | Apartment dwellers face unique steps and often require landlord consent, while single-family homes can typically connect directly with proper registration. |
| Export earnings may be modest | Most solar owners save more money using their power than exporting it, and grid payments are often less than retail energy prices. |
| Balcony solar becomes easier in 2026 | UK rules for plug-in systems are being relaxed, which will benefit more flat-dwellers starting this year. |
How does selling solar electricity to the grid actually work?
When your solar panels generate more electricity than you’re using at that moment, the surplus flows out through your meter and onto the local grid. In return, you receive a payment or a bill credit. Simple enough in principle. But the mechanism behind that payment depends entirely on which country you’re in and which scheme applies to your system.
In the UK, the old Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme closed to new applicants in 2019. It has been replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which requires licensed energy suppliers with over 150,000 customers to offer at least one export tariff. Under SEG, you’re paid a rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for every unit you export. Rates vary between suppliers and are not fixed by the government, which means shopping around genuinely matters.
Across Europe, the picture changes again. Export policies across Europe differ considerably: Germany uses a Feed-in Tariff (paying around 8p per kWh over 20 years), France offers a guaranteed purchase tariff, Spain and Italy primarily use net metering or net billing, and the Netherlands is gradually phasing out net metering in favour of reduced compensation. Each approach has its own strengths.
| Country | Scheme type | Typical export rate | Contract length |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Smart Export Guarantee | 4p to 15p/kWh | Varies by supplier |
| Germany | Feed-in Tariff | ~8p/kWh | 20 years |
| France | Feed-in Tariff | €0.09 to €0.12/kWh | 20 years |
| Spain | Net metering/billing | ~6p to 10p/kWh | Annual review |
| Netherlands | Phasing out net metering | Declining | Year by year |
The benefits of export schemes include passive income from unused generation and reduced pressure on the grid during sunny periods. The drawbacks include relatively low export rates compared to retail electricity prices, administrative steps to register, and in the Netherlands, declining certainty. You can keep an eye on industry trends and events to stay ahead of policy changes.
Pro Tip: Always check the current export tariff rate, whether it’s fixed or variable, and the minimum contract length before you commit to a supplier. A higher advertised rate can sometimes come tied to conditions that don’t suit your situation.
What do UK and European regulations require?
With the technical basics covered, attention turns to the rules and paperwork. This is where many homeowners get caught off guard, particularly those in flats or shared buildings.
In the UK, rooftop solar for flats requires landlord consent, a notification to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) using either the G98 or G99 form, and installation by an MCS-certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) installer. Without MCS certification, you cannot register for the SEG. These rules apply to both homeowners and leasehold flat owners wanting to install rooftop systems. European approaches, including balcony plug-in systems, operate under different frameworks that vary by country.
| Country | Key legal requirement | Apartment rules |
|---|---|---|
| UK | MCS cert, G98/G99 DNO notification, SEG registration | Landlord consent required |
| Germany | Notify grid operator, tax registration for FiT | Balcony solar up to 800W simplified |
| France | Declare to tax authority, notify grid | Landlord approval often needed |
| Spain | Municipal licence for larger systems | Community vote may be required |
| Netherlands | Notify grid operator | Metering rules apply per property |
For UK installations, follow these steps to gain approval and grid connection:
- Confirm your roof or building is suitable and obtain any planning permission needed.
- Get quotes from MCS-certified installers only.
- Have your installer notify the DNO using form G98 (for systems under 3.68kW per phase) or G99 (for larger systems).
- Ensure a smart meter is installed so your exports can be measured accurately.
- Register with an energy supplier offering a SEG tariff.
- Begin receiving export payments once your registration is confirmed.
If you live in a flat, your freeholder or landlord must agree before any rooftop system is installed. Export payments then typically go to whoever holds the electricity supply contract. For a complete walkthrough of the process, the UK installation steps guide covers every stage in detail. It’s also worth exploring whether you qualify for solar panel grants to reduce upfront costs.
How much can you earn selling solar electricity?
Knowing the rules is just part of the story. What does the earning potential actually look like in practice?
Under the UK’s SEG, export rates in 2025 and 2026 typically range from around 4p to 15p per kWh, depending on the supplier and tariff type. Some tariffs are fixed, others are variable or time-of-use based. A standard 4kW residential solar system in the UK might generate around 3,400 kWh per year. If you self-consume roughly half of that and export the rest, you’d export approximately 1,700 kWh. At an average export rate of 8p per kWh, that’s around £136 per year in export income.
Across Europe, feed-in tariff rates vary notably: Germany pays around 8p/kWh over a fixed 20-year period, France offers between €0.0886 and €0.1243 per kWh, and Spain’s net billing rates range from approximately 6p to 10p per kWh subject to annual review.
| Country | Annual export income (4kW system, 50% export) | Key variable |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £100 to £200 | Tariff and self-consumption rate |
| Germany | £130 to £160 | Fixed FiT over 20 years |
| France | €120 to €175 | Government-set purchase price |
| Spain | €80 to €140 | Net billing rate, variable |
Several factors influence how much you actually earn:
- Panel size and orientation: A south-facing 4kW system will always outperform a smaller or poorly oriented one.
- Self-consumption rate: The more you use at home, the less you export, but also the less you buy from the grid.
- Tariff type: Fixed tariffs offer predictability; variable ones carry risk.
- Building type: Flats face complications around metering and ownership of the supply contract.
- Battery storage: Adding storage reduces exports but increases self-use savings.
“Many owners overestimate export earnings. For most households, maximising self-consumption delivers far greater long-term savings than chasing the highest export tariff.”
For a full picture of upfront costs and how they affect your payback timeline, the guide to solar panel costs in Europe is worth reading alongside this one.
Balcony solar and apartments: special cases explained
Lastly, let’s focus on apartments and the fast-evolving world of balcony solar. For flat-dwellers across the UK and Europe, the picture is genuinely changing for the better.
In the UK, balcony plug-in solar is set to be legalised in 2026 through updates to BS7671 wiring regulations and the G98 notification framework. This means residents will be able to connect small plug-in solar panels directly to a standard socket, reducing their electricity bills without needing a full rooftop installation or landlord cooperation at the same level previously required.
Across Europe, the rules are already more established. Germany, for instance, allows balcony solar systems up to 800W under a simplified notification process. Many EU countries treat these small systems as tax-exempt up to 30kW per unit, making them accessible for renters and flat owners alike. France and the Netherlands have their own variations, though landlord approval remains common for anything mounted on shared building fabric.
The main challenges for apartment dwellers remain:
- Landlord consent: Required in most countries for any fixed installation.
- Metering complexity: Without a smart export meter, measuring what you send back is difficult.
- Legal responsibility: Who owns the system and who receives any export payments must be agreed in writing.
- Limited roof access: Most flat-dwellers rely on balcony-mounted panels rather than rooftop arrays.
Here’s how to get started safely as a flat-dweller:
- Check whether your lease or tenancy agreement permits energy installations.
- Speak to your landlord or building management company early.
- Look at plug-in balcony systems as a low-barrier entry point.
- Understand that export metering may not be available for plug-in systems.
- Calculate your bill savings first, rather than focusing on export income.
Pro Tip: Small-scale plug-in systems may not deliver direct cash income from exports, but they can meaningfully reduce what you pay for electricity every month. That quiet bill reduction adds up over time. Find out more in our guide on is balcony solar worth it, or get the full technical picture with balcony solar explained.
Why exporting solar power isn’t always the best move
Before you design your solar system around maximising exports, here’s a perspective worth sitting with: export rates are almost always lower than the retail price you pay for grid electricity. In the UK, you might pay 24p to 28p per kWh for electricity you buy, yet receive just 8p for what you export. That gap is significant.
Every unit you generate and use yourself saves you the full retail rate. Every unit you export earns you a fraction of that. From a purely financial standpoint, self-consumption beats export income almost every time. This is why pairing solar with a solar battery storage guide often delivers better long-term returns than chasing the highest export tariff.
Both UK and EU policy is shifting in this direction too. Regulators increasingly reward self-consumption and local energy resilience over pure grid export. Building your system around your own energy use first, then exporting the genuine surplus, is where the smart money sits in 2026.
Ready to go further? Next steps for your solar journey
If you’ve reached this point, you now understand the mechanics, the rules, and the realistic returns of selling solar electricity back to the grid. The next step is making it work for your specific property and situation. Whether you’re a homeowner weighing up a full rooftop system or a flat-dweller exploring a plug-in balcony kit, there are practical resources to guide you forward. Discover how solar panels affect solar panels and home value before committing to a larger system. Ready to explore compact options? Browse our top balcony solar kits for flat-friendly solutions. And if you’re ready to move from planning to action, the full how to install solar panels guide walks you through every step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get paid for all the solar electricity I export?
In most schemes, you are paid for measured exports through a smart meter or based on an assumed amount, but net billing and export metering rules vary by country and supplier, so you may not receive payment for every unit you send to the grid.
Can tenants and apartment owners sell solar power directly back to the grid?
In the UK, export payments usually go to the building owner rather than the tenant. In parts of Europe, balcony solar and tax exemptions for multi-family units in Germany and elsewhere make it easier for flat-dwellers to benefit financially.
Is it worth installing a small plug-in balcony solar kit in 2026?
Balcony plug-in solar becoming legal in the UK in 2026 makes these kits increasingly accessible, and in the EU they already yield genuine bill savings, though direct export earnings for plug-in systems are often limited or unavailable.
How do Feed-in Tariffs and net metering differ?
Feed-in Tariffs pay a fixed rate per unit of electricity you export to the grid, while net metering offsets your energy bill based on the value of what you export, reducing what you owe rather than paying you directly.
What is required to sell solar electricity back to the grid in the UK?
You need an MCS-certified installation, a G98/G99 DNO notification submitted by your installer, a smart meter to measure your exports, and registration with an energy supplier that offers a Smart Export Guarantee tariff.
