Sharing the benefits of the Energy Revolution
Solar panels are being installed on social housing at record rates, but who actually benefits from the surplus electricity exported back to the grid?
Social housing providers are increasingly installing solar panels to tackle fuel poverty, lower tenants’ energy bills, and hit net-zero targets, with government funding schemes driving widespread adoption.
Most households with solar PV can earn money for any surplus solar electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), but many tenants and landlords remain unclear on the process and SEG payments are often unclaimed entirely. For households experiencing fuel poverty, even a relatively small payment can make a big difference.
How much could a household earn? If a household had eight solar panels and were home using energy all day, they could expect to be paid around £200 each year for the excess exported energy.
It’s up to social landlords to offer this benefit to their tenants, and is a direct and meaningful step toward a fairer energy transition. BB:CoP has co-produced guidance for social landlords with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to help navigate the process and remove the barriers that often leave this benefit unclaimed.
Social Housing Scheme with Solar Panels: Bell Close “Gap House” in Bristol – BDP and Etopia, 2025.
Why should landlords help tenants apply for SEG payments?
Directly addresses fuel poverty: SEG payments reduce tenants’ electricity costs by providing an income from surplus energy. This helps to ensure they can pay their bill and keep their home warm.
Supports a fair transition to net-zero carbon emissions: Passing on SEG payments actively involves tenants in the energy transition, builds awareness of renewable energy and encourages broader engagement with more sustainable living.
Shares the financial benefits of renewables: The financial benefits of renewable technology are often left unclaimed and wasted. Passing SEG payments directly to your tenants ensures those rewards are shared fairly.
Fosters positive tenant-landlord relationships: Showing a commitment to the welfare of residents demonstrates that landlords see their tenants as partners in a shared building.
Landlords are ultimately responsible for determining whether their tenants are eligible and provide the relevant documentation to them. This guidance makes that process simple and straightforward.
It includes:
– Guidance to confirm tenant eligibility
– Guidance on the documents landlords must provide to tenants
– Template permission letter
– Tenant Handover Guide, for tenants once eligibility is confirmed
Solar is not going anywhere- the opportunity now is capturing the value of exported energy and passing it on directly, so we can make clean energy something people actually feel in their daily lives. Reduced bills, greater financial resilience, and the knowledge that every household can feel the benefits of the energy revolution they are part of.
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