Solar + Battery Install in Livingston — Full Walk-Through
Behind the video: a real 4-bed Livingston solar+battery install. Sizing, install timeline, Octopus Flux config, year-one savings.
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📺 Solar & Battery Installation Livingston (2:54)
The setup
A typical 4-bed detached home in Livingston — three teenagers, two adults, one EV-curious driver. Combined gas+electric annual bills had crossed £3,400.
Quote: 8kWp solar + 10kWh battery + future-EV-charger pre-wire. Install timeline: 38 days from first call to commissioning.
What we installed
- 8kWp solar: 18 × JA Solar 435W all-black panels, split across south-facing rear roof + east return
- Battery: EcoFlow PowerOcean 10kWh in the integral garage
- Inverter: EcoFlow PowerOcean P1-5kW single-phase
- EV pre-wire: Type 2 socket + dedicated 32A spur (for the future Tesla)
- Monitoring: EcoFlow app + Octopus Mini integration
Day 1: Roof survey + structural assessment
Standard concrete tile, late-1990s build. Structural fine for the array weight. South-facing rear roof oriented at 175° (close to ideal 180°), pitch 35°. Predicted yield 7,200 kWh/year via PVGIS modelling.
Day 28: HES loan approval + DNO clearance
HES interest-free loan approved at £11,000 (6,000 for solar + 5,000 for battery). SP Energy Networks G99 application accepted in 5 weeks.
Day 32-33: Install
Two-day install. Day 1: scaffolding, panel mounting, DC string runs. Day 2: inverter + battery commissioning, MCS sign-off paperwork.
First full month performance
May 2025 generation: 1,180 kWh. Self-consumed: 850 kWh. Exported: 330 kWh. Octopus Flux peak export: £62. Day-rate import: down 78% vs pre-install baseline.
Five months on — October bill: £18
This is the line that sticks — October bill came in at £18 (vs ~£280/month gas+electric pre-install).
The maths
| Year | Cash position |
|---|---|
| Year 0 (install) | -£3,500 outright + £132/mo HES (£11k over 7yr) |
| Year 1 saving | £1,840 |
| Year 1 net cash position | -£3,500 + £1,840 - £1,584 HES = -£3,244 |
| Year 7 (HES paid off) | All saving is yours |
| Year 9 | Cumulative savings cover initial outlay + financing |
Related
- 🎥 Watch: Solar & Battery Installation Livingston
- 📍 Read: Solar panels in Livingston
- 📖 Case study: Livingston 8kWp + 10kWh battery
- 💷 Calculator: Postcode ROI tool
Call 03330 384 380 for a free quote in your postcode.
Call 03330 384 380 or get a quote online — survey + quote within 24 hours.
Want to see more real installs? Watch our other YouTube videos and read the full deep-dives.
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