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: VAT, export registration + DNO clearance
The install was zero-rated for VAT — 0% applies to qualifying domestic installations until 31 March 2027 — and the system was registered for Smart Export Guarantee payments at commissioning. Customers spreading the cost use lender finance such as Ideal4Finance (FRN 703401), subject to status. 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) | -£14,500 paid outright, zero-rated for VAT |
| Year 1 saving | £1,840 (bill saving + Flux export income) |
| Year 1 net cash position | -£14,500 + £1,840 = -£12,660 |
| Year 5 | Roughly £9,200 of the outlay recovered |
| Year 9 | Cumulative savings cover the initial outlay |
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.
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