A Brighter Future with Solar Energy
As part of Burbank Water and Power's (BWP) ongoing commitment to sustainable energy and community engagement, BWP is exploring updating our rate structure to a Solar Net Billing system.
The proposed Solar Net Billing update will make it easier for future solar customers to make the switch by removing size caps, simplifying the project approval process, and providing clarity on BWP’s solar payment system. This update aims to enhance the efficiency of energy distribution and ensure the sustainability of our solar programs.
Burbank Solar Updates
Current Customers
If you are already a part of Burbank's solar community under the existing net energy metering system, your rates will not change.
BWP is grandfathering existing customers into their existing rates.
GET INVOLVED
Burbank Water and Power values your input as we shape the future of solar energy in Burbank. Join us at our upcoming public meetings to learn more, share your thoughts, and engage with community leaders and experts. Your participation is crucial as we move forward with these changes.
Missed the last meeting?
You can see a recording of our previous meetings here.
Introducing Solar Net Billing for New Customers
After incorporating community and City leadership feedback, BWP will launch the new Solar Net Billing program at a to be determined date in 2025. After that date, all new solar installations in Burbank will work under the new Solar Net Billing rate. Whenever a solar system generates more electricity than what is consumed on-site, BWP will compensate customers at BWP's avoided cost of energy (ACOE) at the time. The proposed rate changes will come after substantial analysis and will offer advantages for Burbank ratepayers.
INCREASED SIZE LIMITS FOR SOLAR SYSTEMS
BWP proposes supporting solar systems up to 5 megawatts, and removing size limits based on annual energy use, allowing residential and commercial customers to install larger systems.
WIN-WIN FOR BWP AND CUSTOMERS
By changing BWP’s solar rate structure to compensate over-generators at BWP’s avoided cost of energy, BWP no longer risks overpaying for power. Now, BWP can allow for larger system sizes to help customers reduce their monthly bills even lower.
REDUCE COSTS WITH SOLAR OVERSIZING
Customers will be allowed to “oversize” their solar systems and sell any extra energy they generate back to BWP as a bill offset. This update will help customers reduce their monthly energy costs and allow customers to “future-proof” their properties.
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR HOME FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
A customer may want to buy an electric vehicle in the future but wants to install a solar system soon. By installing a larger solar system, the customer’s system would generate enough energy to power their home and more, so it can accommodate an electric vehicle once the customer is ready to purchase.
FAIR COMPENSATION FOR OVERGENERATION
Our new ACOE compensation will help provide clarity to BWP’s solar compensation system. Instead of the previous system, which involved energy credits and a cash-out process, the new system applies customers’ savings directly to their next bill. After a customer generates the equivalent of “netting out” their bill, any additional dollar amount they have generated goes toward the customer’s next bill. Upon request, excess dollars can also be sent via check on an annual basis.
STREAMLINED PLAN REVIEWS & SIMPLER FORMS
Solar Net Billing will also speed up how long it takes BWP to review solar plans by removing a step for staff review, saving new solar customers from a multi-day review process.