Solar Panel Installation in Burbank, California

Common questions about solar in Burbank

How much do solar panels cost in Burbank?

A typical Burbank home with a $300 monthly electric bill needs about a 7.98 kW system — roughly 19 panels. Installed, that lands between $28,500 and $36,000 before any incentives. The range is wide because a firm price depends on the roof's condition, pitch and shading, the electrical service, and whether the system is financed. Note that the federal Section 25D tax credit ended on 31 December 2025, so a cash or loan purchase in 2026 receives no federal credit.

How much electricity does a solar panel produce in Burbank?

In Burbank, one kilowatt of south-facing rooftop solar produces about 1,718 kWh per year, measured by NREL's PVWatts model at the city's coordinates using satellite irradiance data. That is roughly 29% above the US average of 1,329 kWh per kilowatt. A 7.98 kW system — about 19 panels — therefore generates around 13,023 kWh a year, enough to cover approximately 110% of the 10,322 kWh a $300-a-month household uses.

Is solar worth it in Burbank?

Burbank gets 29% more sun per installed kilowatt than the US average, and California electricity averages 33.3¢ per kWh — well above the national 18.4¢. Those two facts are what make the economics work here. A 7.98 kW system on a $300 monthly bill saves roughly $162 a month. The complication in California is NEM 3.0: exported power is credited well below the retail rate, so self-consumption matters and battery storage changes the return more than it does in other states.

How many solar panels does a house in Burbank need?

It depends on electricity use, not house size. Divide annual kWh by the 1,718 kWh a kilowatt produces in Burbank, then divide by panel wattage. For a Burbank home using 10,322 kWh a year — about a $300 monthly bill — that works out to 19 panels at 420 watts each, or 7.98 kW. A roof also has to physically hold them: 19 panels need roughly 409 square feet of unshaded, well-oriented roof.