✉ sales@homeenergyquotes.co.uk
New 0% VAT on solar panels — check your eligibility →
Glossary

What is the Feed-in Tariff (FiT)?

By Home Energy Quotes · Updated March 2026

The UK scheme (now closed) that paid solar panel owners for electricity generated

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) was a UK government scheme that paid households a generation tariff for every kWh their solar panels produced. The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants on 31 March 2019 and was replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) from 1 January 2020.

Where it wins

  • Payments for 20-25 years for existing recipients
  • Paid for all generation not just exports
  • Index-linked so payments rise with inflation
  • Helped drive early UK solar adoption

Where it struggles

  • Closed to new applicants since March 2019
  • Replaced by the less generous Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
  • Generation meters need regular reading
  • Switching energy supplier can cause payment delays

How it works

01

Solar panels installed and properly certified before March 2019

02

Household registered with a licensed payment licensee

03

Generation meter read quarterly

04

Payment made for units generated plus units exported

Feed-in Tariff (FiT): common questions

What is the Feed-in Tariff (FiT)?
The UK scheme (now closed) that paid solar panel owners for electricity generated
How does the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) work?
The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) was a UK government scheme that paid households a generation tariff for every kWh their solar panels produced. The Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants on 31 March 2019 and was replaced by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) from 1 January 2020.

See what home energy work costs in your town

Prices for 160 towns, with the grant position for your nation.

Prices by town