Understanding the Smart Export Guarantee (SEGs): Opportunities for Social Housing

Over the past year, TPAS Cymru has been hearing more and more questions about the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) the scheme that allows households generating their own renewable electricity (through solar panel) to earn money by exporting excess energy back to the grid.

But when we spoke to our network, the picture wasn’t consistent. Some landlords are claiming the benefit, while others are unsure whether tenants can keep the SEG income or how it should be managed. Some aren’t engaging with it at all.

This uneven understanding means that the benefits of SEGs risk being lost or unfairly distributed and that’s a tenant issue at the heart of a fair transition to decarbonisation.

That’s why TPAS Cymru, supported by Sero, is launching a new series of sessions to raise awareness, spark discussion, and share practical solutions across the housing sector.

We want to be clear our purpose isn’t to make anyone’s job harder or to challenge existing approaches. Instead, it’s to help the sector find workable solutions and share ideas that make SEGs easier to understand, fairer to apply, and more accessible for everyone.

Here’s what’s coming up…

1. SEGs Made Simple: Introductory Session
   A short, accessible explainer webinar introducing what SEGs are, how they work, and what they mean for both tenants and landlords. We’ll explore key benefits, barriers, and current questions in plain terms.

Audience: tenants, housing staff, and anyone who wants to listen, learn, and contribute

Facilitated by: TPAS Cymru

Supported by: SERO

(Free for tenants / £39 for staff and professionals)

2. Expert Roundtable Discussion
   A roundtable discussion for decision makers and practitioners. We’ll bring together experts, landlords, and sector partners to share approaches, barriers, and ideas for moving forward. The discussion will start with short insights from organisations like Sero to shed light on some practicalities and things to consider.

Audience: staff, officers, and sector stakeholders (tenants’ attendance not required)

More details on how to register will be available here soon
(Free for housing staff and invited stakeholders)

3. Video Explainer
   Additionally, we also plan to create a short, easy to share video that breaks down SEGs in everyday language for tenants and staff helping to keep the conversation going long after the sessions.

• Tenants: join our free “SEGs Made Simple” webinar to learn the basics.  Full details on the session and registration link can be found here
• Housing staff and professionals: attend both the introductory session (£39) and our free roundtable discussion to exchange ideas and help shape fairer SEG approaches. Date and registration details coming soon!
• Sector partners: help us spread the word, share this post or invite your colleagues to take part.