Burbank’s Battery Rebate: Amounts, Rules and Tradeoffs

The published rebate

BWP lists $275 per kWh, or $530 per kWh for customers ineligible for the federal tax incentive. Rebates cover the first 100 kWh and cannot exceed eligible net installed battery cost. Funding is limited; a listed rate is not a guaranteed payment.

Core equipment and timing requirements

A qualifying battery must be purchased new, permanently installed, paired with new or existing solar, and at least 5 kWh. Apply within six months of installation. Confirm your specific model and required documents with BWP before ordering.

The operating commitment

BWP requires at least 80% of capacity to be discharged daily during 4–7 p.m. The installation has a ten-year service commitment; early removal can trigger a prorated fee. These are material conditions, not just paperwork.

A practical calculation

For an illustrative 10 kWh qualifying battery, 10 × $530 equals $5,300 before program caps and cost adjustments. This arithmetic is not a rebate approval. Ask BWP which rate applies to you and ask the installer to separate battery costs from solar costs.

Think about your backup priorities

If your goal is outage coverage, ask how the required daily discharge schedule affects energy remaining for an outage later that evening. Request a written operating plan showing the proposed settings and essential loads. Do not assume that the capacity printed on the equipment label is always available for backup.

Compare two project prices

Create one budget before the rebate and another after a confirmed eligible amount. Include the cost of electrical work and keep a record of the purchase, inspection and application dates. Before committing, ask BWP whether funding is available and who will assemble and submit the application.

Questions worth asking

• Which per-kWh rate applies to my project?
• Is the model eligible, and are all installation costs itemized?
• How will daily discharge affect my backup goal?
• Who tracks the six-month deadline and ten-year commitment?