Plug-in solar savings on Burbank Water and Power
Last updated
The short answer: on Burbank Water and Power's Basic Service rate of 27.82¢/kWh,[source] the example kit (800 W, $1,000) saves about $220 a year and pays for itself in about 4.5 years, assuming typical placement and that you use most of its power at home.
What the example kit saves on Burbank Water and Power
| Where the panels go | Saves a year | Pays back in |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent: south-facing, tilted, no shade | $290 | 3.4 years |
| Typical: well-placed | $220 | 4.5 years |
| Shaded or vertical balcony | $160 | 6.2 years |
Power you send back to the grid is valued at $0, so a kit sized to what you use during the day saves the most. Run your own numbers, including how savings add up over the years.
Where this rate comes from
Burbank's residential composite rate (energy plus ECAC), in effect from January 1, 2026: $0.1800 for the first 300 kWh and $0.2782 above that. The kit cuts your highest-priced usage first, so we use the higher rate. The ECAC can change monthly; taxes are excluded.[source]
Discounts
CARE and FERA are CPUC programs for investor-owned utilities, so they don't apply here. City and district utilities run their own discount programs, which we haven't verified.
SB 868 and Burbank Water and Power
SB 868 covers local publicly owned utilities such as Burbank Water and Power, as well as investor-owned utilities. Burbank Water and Power may ask you to register a qualifying kit through a simple online form, but can't charge fees related to it.[source] Read SB 868 explained and run through the checks before you buy.
Estimates only. Not electrical, legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
- How much could a plug-in solar kit save on Burbank Water and Power?
- About $220 a year for an example 800 W kit with typical placement, at Burbank Water and Power's Basic Service rate of 27.82¢/kWh, paying back in about 4.5 years. Your result depends on your usage and where the panels go.
- Does SB 868 apply to Burbank Water and Power customers?
- Yes. The law covers both investor-owned and local publicly owned electric utilities. Burbank Water and Power may ask you to register a qualifying kit online, but can't charge fees related to it.