Deemed vs Metered Export: Which Pays More?

When you generate more solar electricity than you use, the surplus goes to the grid. You can be paid for this export in two ways: deemed (estimated) or metered (actual). The right choice can make a meaningful difference to your annual payments.

How Deemed Export Works

Under deemed export, your energy supplier calculates your export payment based on an assumed percentage of your total generation — typically 50%.

Example:

• Your system generates 3,600kWh per year
• Deemed export: 50% = 1,800kWh
• At an export rate of 12p/kWh: £216 per year

This payment is the same regardless of how much you actually export. If you only export 1,000kWh because you're at home all day using solar electricity, you still get paid for 1,800kWh. Conversely, if you actually export 2,500kWh, you only get paid for 1,800kWh.

How Metered Export Works

With metered export, a smart meter (SMETS2) or dedicated export meter measures exactly how much electricity you send to the grid. You're paid for that precise amount.

Example:

• Your system generates 3,600kWh per year
• Actual measured export: 2,200kWh
• At an export rate of 12p/kWh: £264 per year

The payment varies based on your real consumption pattern, season, and whether you have a battery.

Which Pays More?

It depends entirely on your self-consumption rate — the percentage of solar electricity you use directly rather than exporting.

Assumes 12p/kWh export rate for illustration

The crossover point is at 50% self-consumption. Above 50%, deemed pays more. Below 50%, metered pays more.

Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and Export Measurement

Under the SEG (which replaced the Feed-in Tariff for new installations), energy suppliers can offer either deemed or metered export payments. Most now prefer metered export using SMETS2 smart meters, because it gives them accurate data about grid flows.

Some SEG tariffs are only available with a smart meter (metered export). Others accept deemed export for customers without smart meters.

Getting a Smart Meter

If you don't have a SMETS2 smart meter and want one:

• Contact your energy supplier to request an installation
• Smart meters are free — there's no charge for the meter or installation
• Installation typically takes 1–2 hours
• Make sure you request a SMETS2 meter (second generation), not a SMETS1

Impact of Battery Storage

A battery significantly changes the calculation:

Without a battery, a typical household self-consumes 30–50% of solar generation. With a 5kWh battery, self-consumption typically rises to 60–80%. This means:

• Without battery: metered export may be comparable to deemed
• With battery: deemed export almost certainly pays more (you're exporting less but getting paid for 50%)

If you have a battery or plan to get one, deemed export is usually the financially better choice.

Feed-in Tariff Specifics

For legacy FIT recipients, the deemed vs metered question was set at the time of registration:

• Most domestic FIT installations use deemed export at 50%
• Some (particularly larger systems) had export meters fitted and use metered export
• You generally cannot switch between deemed and metered on an existing FIT installation without your licensee's agreement

If you're on FIT with deemed export and your self-consumption is high (using a lot of solar directly), the deemed arrangement benefits you. If you export most of your generation, you might be losing out — but changing is difficult.

Switching Between Deemed and Metered

SEG

Under the SEG, you can potentially switch between deemed and metered export by changing your SEG tariff or supplier. Check with your supplier what options they offer.

FIT

Switching from deemed to metered (or vice versa) on FIT is not straightforward. Your FIT licensee may not allow it, and the process involves installing or removing an export meter. Generally, it's not worth the hassle unless the financial difference is very large.

The Best Strategy

1. Estimate your self-consumption rate based on your lifestyle and whether you have a battery
2. If self-consumption is above 50%: Stick with or opt for deemed export
3. If self-consumption is below 50%: Opt for metered export with a smart meter
4. If you plan to add a battery: Deemed export will likely be better going forward
5. Check tariff rates: Some metered export tariffs offer higher per-kWh rates than deemed tariffs, which can offset lower export volumes

Adding a battery boosts self-consumption and makes deemed export more valuable. This is the model most UK installers are fitting:

GivEnergy All-in-One 5kW Hybrid Inverter

£1,200

rated power kw

5

max pv input kw

7.5

mppt channels

2

battery voltage v

48V

View on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

For panels that maximise generation and therefore your export income:

LONGi Hi-MO X6 450W

£85

watt peak

450

efficiency pct

23

dimensions mm

1722 x 1134 x 30

weight kg

21.3

View on Amazon

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

Share this article