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• To sell any surplus energy back to the grid, you need a special import/export meter installed. That's where Contact comes in. These special meters can have two or more registers with at least one that records the surplus energy exported from your solar/generation equipment to the network. 
• If you're not already a Contact customer, you’ll need to choose a plan and sign up with us (note: solar/DG isn’t available on our Good Nights plan). When you're ready, complete your application form to request a distributed generation meter be installed.
  Terms and conditions apply. 
  Terms and conditions for residential customers. 
  Terms and conditions for business customers.
• Provided you have met all the requirements on the application form and your electrician has the wiring and required certification has been done, Contact will arrange for a new meter to be installed if your current one isn’t compatible. 
• Once your solar/DG equipment is installed and certified and your new import/export meter is in place, time to start selling your surplus energy to Contact. 
• Some pricing plans and/or offers may not be available with a distributed generation meter and/or solar system. 

• Contact doesn't sell or install solar panels/systems or other generation equipment. This is organised by specialist generation providers/solar installers. Your first step is to contact your preferred provider to find the best solution. 
• Your next port of call is your network company to apply for a connection contract. The connection contract will permit you to connect your new solar or other distributed generation (DG) equipment and allows you to send any surplus energy into the network. Contact your local network company. Your specialist generation provider/solar installer may apply to the network company on your behalf.
• With the help of your generation provider/solar installer, you can then arrange a qualified installer/electrician to help with the job (including certification of the generation equipment). 

For most customers, you will see the amount of electricity you’re selling back to us credited on your bill, where applicable. 

Check out our buyback rates. 

For our Residential customers, you can contact us on 0800 266 841 or click here to send us an email if you have any questions. 

For our Commercial and Industrial customers with a Time of Use meter, you will need to invoice us for your surplus export meter units. Please contact our Collaborative Solutions Team on 0800 100 249 who can explain how to do this or email us. 

If a new meter or an update to your current meter is needed, we charge an electricity meter change fee. Methods vary from remote meter updates to manual replacements.    

We may not be able to install distributed generation metering at sites where there is asbestos, a meter mounted directly to a house with no fireproof meter box or where the meter is not protected from the elements, substandard wiring, etc. If our contractor finds your meter board or the wiring doesn’t measure up or a remote meter update didn’t go as planned, we'll let you know your options. 

Your current pricing plan may need to change to make sure it’s compatible with the new import/export meter set up. If that’s the case, we’ll contact you to discuss your pricing plan options.

If you signed up for our Good Charge plan before 29 June 2026, you’ll receive the flat buyback rate under your existing plan. To get the higher time of use buyback rates, you’ll need to switch to the new version of Good Charge.  When you switch, your electricity rates will change. Before doing this, please check the current electricity rates on the new Good Charge plan and ensure it’s right for you. Once you switch, you won’t be able to return to your previous Good Charge plan.

How to I switch to the new Good Charge plan? 
Simply log into My Account/App and go to ‘Change Plans’.