Burbank Water and Power just raised electricity rates 9.9% — and another hike is already scheduled for 2027. If you have solar panels but no battery, you're still buying expensive peak-hour power from BWP every single day. Here's why adding battery storage in 2026 makes more financial sense than ever, how BWP's rebate program can offset thousands in costs, and how US Power makes the whole process simple from start to finish.
You made the smart move. You went solar, you cut your bill, and you felt good about it. But then your BWP statement arrived — and it was higher than expected.
That's not a coincidence. Burbank Water and Power approved a 9.9% electricity rate increase starting January 2026, with another identical hike already locked in for 2027. If you have solar panels without a battery, you're still buying expensive peak-hour power from BWP every single evening — right when your panels have stopped producing.
A solar battery changes that math entirely. And right now, rising electricity costs in Southern California make 2026 one of the strongest years on record to add one. This article breaks down exactly why — and what to do about it.
You're not imagining it. Burbank homeowners are paying more than ever — and the increases are structural, not temporary.
Burbank City Council approved a 9.9% electricity rate increase effective January 1, 2026. The same 9.9% increase is already scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027. This isn't a one-time adjustment. It's the new normal for BWP customers.
The drivers are real: aging infrastructure being replaced at dramatically higher costs, renewable energy contracts required by California's 2045 clean energy mandate, and wildfire mitigation work across the grid. These costs land on ratepayers — including you.
The average Burbank household currently pays around $216 per month on electricity. At 9.9% annual growth, that becomes roughly $237 next year and over $260 the year after.
There's another shift that solar-only homeowners need to understand. BWP launched a new Solar Net Billing program on January 1, 2026. Under this structure, excess energy your panels export to the grid is credited at BWP's avoided cost of energy — not at the retail rate you pay when you buy it back.
That means the old "bank your excess solar during the day, use it at night for free" model no longer works the same way. A battery keeps that energy on your property, so you use what you generate instead of selling it cheap and buying it back expensive.
If you're skeptical about whether solar batteries are worth it in California, the math in Burbank is clearer than most cities.
BWP electricity costs the most between 4 PM and 7 PM — the hours when you're home, the oven is on, and your air conditioning is running hard. That's also exactly when your solar panels have stopped producing.
Without a battery, you're buying expensive grid power every single evening. With a battery, you stored cheap solar energy midday and you're drawing on that instead. BWP's own rebate program requires batteries to discharge at least 80% of their capacity during that 4–7 PM window daily — which is precisely when it saves you the most money.
Standard solar panels shut off automatically when the grid goes down — it's a safety requirement. That means a power outage leaves you in the dark even if the sun is shining.
A battery system changes that completely. Understanding how long a solar battery can power your home depends on your system size, but most home batteries can keep essential circuits — refrigerator, lights, phone charging, medical devices — running for 12 to 24+ hours. Pair a battery with solar and you can recharge it the next morning automatically.
With California's wildfire seasons growing more intense, solar and battery systems during grid failures are becoming less of a "nice to have" and more of a practical necessity for Burbank homeowners in hillside areas.
When BWP raises rates again in 2027, you won't feel it the same way. Homeowners with battery storage are shielded from peak-hour pricing because they're not buying from the grid during those expensive hours. That insulation from rate increases grows more valuable every year..
Burbank has one of the most generous local battery rebate programs in Southern California. Here's what you need to know.
BWP offers $275 per kWh of installed battery capacity, up to a maximum of $27,500 for 100 kWh. For most residential customers installing a single battery like a Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh) or Enphase IQ Battery 10 (10 kWh), the rebate comes to roughly $2,750–$3,713 depending on the system.
Homeowners who don't qualify for the federal investment tax credit may receive a higher rate of $530 per kWh — potentially worth over $7,000 on a single battery. Applications are first-come, first-served, and funding is not guaranteed indefinitely.
Both existing and new solar customers are eligible. Your battery must be permanently installed and paired with solar panels — portable systems don't qualify. The system must have a minimum capacity of 5 kWh, be certified by an NRTL like Underwriters Laboratories, and be programmed to discharge during BWP's 4–7 PM peak period daily.
You must submit your application within six months of installation. BWP reserves the right to inspect the system and verify programming at any time.
It's important to understand how incentives interact. The BWP rebate is calculated based on net cost after other financial incentives are applied. Working with an experienced installer like US Power ensures your application accounts for all applicable rebates correctly — so you don't leave money on the table or trigger an eligibility issue.
Additionally, California's SGIP program may offer additional support. SGIP battery rebates in California have helped thousands of homeowners layer incentives, though availability varies by utility territory and income qualification.
Choosing the right system depends on your energy usage, budget, and backup power goals. Choosing the right backup for Southern California involves more than just picking a brand name.
BWP's eligible battery list includes Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, SolarEdge, Franklin, Sonnen, and Eguana systems. Each has different strengths:
Tesla Powerwall (13.5 kWh) is the most recognized name and integrates seamlessly with solar systems. It's a solid whole-home backup option for most Burbank households.
Enphase IQ Battery (5 or 10 kWh) works best if you already have an Enphase solar system, offering module-level monitoring and a modular expansion path.
Franklin aPower (13.6–15 kWh) offers strong capacity at competitive price points and has grown rapidly in the California market.
Sonnen ECO systems range from 5 to 20 kWh, giving homeowners flexibility to size precisely for their usage patterns.
Most Burbank homes with moderate energy usage do well with one battery (10–15 kWh) for daily peak-hour shifting and overnight essentials backup. Larger homes or households with EVs may benefit from two batteries. Your US Power consultant will size the system based on your actual BWP usage data — not a generic estimate.
Understanding NEM 3.0 and what it means for solar owners under California's evolving billing structure also factors into sizing decisions, even though BWP operates its own Solar Net Billing program distinct from SCE or PG&E's NEM 3.0.
There's no shortage of solar and battery installers in the LA area. Here's why Burbank homeowners choose US Power.
US Power is an exclusive QCells partner, which means American-made panels at factory-direct pricing — 15–20% below market rates. That same buying relationship extends to battery systems: lower overhead means a lower final price for you, backed by a 25-year comprehensive warranty covering panels, workmanship, and performance.
With 200+ five-star Google reviews, US Power's track record in Southern California speaks for itself.
The solar installation timeline in California can drag on with other companies — sometimes months of waiting. US Power's process moves from approval to installation in as little as 3–4 weeks. CSLB-licensed consultants handle permitting, city approvals, and BWP rebate application paperwork so you're not managing an administrative maze.
That speed matters because BWP's rebate funding is limited and first-come, first-served. Every week you wait is a week someone else's application is moving ahead of yours.
BWP rates rose 9.9% in January 2026. Another 9.9% is coming in January 2027. Solar Net Billing means your excess midday solar is now credited at a lower rate — making it smarter to store and use than to export. And BWP's battery rebate program is funded, first-come, first-served, and not guaranteed to last indefinitely.
The financial case for adding battery storage to your Burbank solar system has never been stronger. And with US Power's factory-direct pricing, 3–4 week installation timeline, and expert handling of every permit and paperwork step, getting started is simpler than most homeowners expect.
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