Most warehouse solar analysis focuses on self-consumption. But optimising the export fraction adds £15,000-£30,000 per year to project economics for a typical 1 MW system.
SEG rates 2026
Flat-rate: Octopus Business 11p/kWh; E.ON Next Business 9.5p/kWh; OVO Business 9p/kWh. TOU: Octopus Agile Export — peak export 4pm-7pm at 14-22p/kWh (variable). For 200,000 kWh/yr export: flat-rate SEG = £18,000-£22,000/yr; TOU optimised = £22,000-£30,000/yr. SEG registration requires MCS certification — we register on your behalf.
Flexible export (DNO curtailment agreements)
For large systems (above 1.5 MW) in constrained grid areas: flex connection allows faster/cheaper DNO connection in exchange for curtailment rights (<5% of generation curtailed in practice). Increasingly common in SSEN and SP Networks territories. We evaluate flex connection viability during G99 pre-application.
Grid services revenue (battery required)
FFR (Firm Frequency Response): £20,000-£60,000/yr for 500 kWh battery. Dynamic Containment: £40,000-£90,000/yr. Balancing Mechanism: variable. Most warehouse batteries below 5 MWh participate via aggregator (Flexitricity, Limejump, Centrica). Total annual revenue (SEG + DC + avoided grid) for 500 kWh battery: £90,000-£130,000.
Export strategy by warehouse type
DC (daytime, high self-consumption): flat-rate SEG — simple. Cold chain (24/7, 90%+ SC): export <10%, SEG minimal. Battery for grid services only. Last-mile depot (EV charging): TOU SEG + battery stacking. Manufacturing (shift pattern, evening gaps): battery captures daytime generation, exports during evening peak 14-22p/kWh — best TOU + grid services candidate.
See more
Export tariff guide: /guides/warehouse-solar-export-tariff/. Battery guide: /guides/warehouse-solar-battery-storage/. Finance options: /guides/warehouse-solar-finance-options/. Contact: /contact/.