Solar Sanity Checksolar, decoded Independent. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

BWP - Burbank Water and Power

California Utility Interconnection & net metering rules
Net Metering Allowed1
Line Taps Allowed0
Load Taps Allowed0
AC Disconnect RequiredYes

Net metering & export

Net Metering Allowed
1
Post Solar Billing Method
Net Metering
Rebates Offered
0
Allows Standby
0

Interconnection & taps

Approval Req To Install
Yes
Interconnection Level
3
Line Taps Allowed
0
Load Taps Allowed
0
Automatic Transformer Upgrade Size
0

System size & offset

System Size Restrictions
0
System Size Restriction Type
No Restrictions
System Size Battery Included
0
System Size Includes Existing Systems
0
Offset Type
Percentage
Offset Value
100
Offset Calculation Basis
Historical
Offset Calculation Period
12
Industry Standard Watts Sqft
2
System Size Justification
Load Justification
System Offset Notes

Load Justification Form required if less than 12 months data usage is available.


System Sizing: California law requires that solar systems be sized to provide an amount of energy less than or equal to the annual kilowatt-hour (kWh) use of the building on which they are installed. To figure out your annual kWh usage you can access your previous bills through your online account.

Offset Calc Tool
N/A

Metering & disconnect

Production Meter Required
Yes
Production Meter Position
Inv-Disco-PM-POI
Production Meter Labeling
Production Meter
AC Disconnect Required
Yes
AC Disconnect Labeling
Visible Lockable Labeled Disconnect
Allowed Meter Adapter
None

Plans & docs

Site Plan Reqs
  • Site Plan: Provide a fully dimensioned site plan showing property lines, all structures, and the arrangement and locations of major equipment including the main electrical service, performance meter socket, AC and DC disconnect(s), inverter(s), combiner boxes, etc. The site plan should show the placement of the arrays; and the route of the wiring connecting different elements of the system.
  • DC Disconnect is required (Inverter integrated is not acceptable)
  • Elevation Page is required
SLD Reqs

All Projects:

  • See Planset Requirements in files section for examples
  • Meter socket required (PV PANEL > DC DISCO > INVERTER > AC DISCO > PERFORMANCE METER) Ring-less sockets are not acceptable
  • Draw ELD to show the wires from the AC disco going to the top of PM and the bottom of PM going to the POI.
  • DC Disconnect is required for SolarEdge projects. (Inverter integrated Disconnect is not acceptable)
  • Equipment Elevation Drawing required: Provide a diagram to show where the photovoltaic system equipment is to be placed on the building structure(s), the height dimensions of the equipment from the ground floor, the clearance dimensions in front of the equipment, and the clearance dimensions from any pertinent obstructions such as: windows and doors, landings, gates and walls, gas meter/lines, crawl spaces, corners, etc. Three Examples include:
  • 1) Show performance meter (PM) height requirement at a minimum of 48 in. and a maximum of 75 in. from the ground to the center of the new meter.
  • 2) Show a minimum of 36 in. of clearance from the edge of the new performance meter (PM) socket to the nearest gas line.
  • 3) Show a minimum of 4 in. of clearance between all solar photovoltaic equipment and to any obstructions.


Battery

  • Line Diagram to include an AC disconnect between each POWERWALL and the TESLA gateway. (AC and/or DC disconnects that are built into the inverter are not an acceptable alternative to the required external disconnects. All AC and DC disconnects shall be lever actuated, and lockable in the open position. )
Electric Service Reqs

Electrical Calculations: Provide electrical calculations for all pertinent solar photovoltaic equipment.


Engineering Calculations: Engineering calculations may be required on some photovoltaic systems to show that the existing roof is strong enough to support the added weight of the system.

Placards

Signage Specifications: Provide example labeling for photovoltaic system components as described below.

FOLLOW BWP’s SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC LABELING REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL PREVENT SOLAR INTERCONNECTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE NET METER. For labeling questions please contact them’s Test Shop at .


All National Electrical Code, BWP, and Fire Department required labeling will be made of sunlight and weather resistant material. Labeling on disconnects, inverters and service panels will be made of an engraved, plastic material and be permanently attached to its respective device. All labeling shall be red background with white lettering. Unless otherwise specified, the lettering should be 3/8” high, all capital letters, Arial or similar font, non-bold. All labeling shall be attached directly to those pieces of equipment. Labeling for circuit breakers shall be placed directly next to the circuit breaker. Minimize labeling to only what is required. See the Burbank Fire Department Photovoltaic Installation Guidelines for labeling requirements on conduits, raceways, enclosures, cable assemblies, and junction boxes.


The following labels are required where indicated:

• AC disconnects shall be labeled: “AC PHOTOVOLTAIC DISCONNECT”.

• DC disconnects shall be labeled: “DC PHOTOVOLTAIC DISCONNECT”.

• Where DC disconnects are not located near the electrical service, a label stating: “DC DISCONNECT IS LOCATED” and/or post a diagram showing and describing the location of the DC disconnect near the service entrance as required by BWP or City inspectors.

• On the service entrance, a label stating: “PV SYSTEM WARNING - ELECTRIC SHOCK. THIS EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED FROM MORE THAN ONE SOURCE. TERMINALS MAY BE ENERGIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION”.

• At the service entrance and the inverter, if not located at the same location, a label that provides the location and description of the service disconnecting means and the photovoltaic system disconnecting means.

• The circuit breaker(s) in the service entrance panel that connects to the solar photovoltaic system shall be labeled “PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - DO NOT RELOCATE THIS BREAKER” Plaque to be sized to facilitate placement immediately adjacent to the PV breaker with minimum ¼” horizontal lettering. If there are paralleled inverters then a load center is required between the inverter and the AC disconnect and shall be labeled, “SOLAR SOURCE ONLY. NO OTHER LOADS IN THIS PANEL.”

Meter Num Req SLD 3LD
0
ESID Num Req SLD 3LD
0
Rate Schedule Link
link
Website
link
Phone
(818) 238-3700

Other details

Restrict Inspection
0
Revision Required
1
Address ID
108090
Express Planset Eligible
No
Compiled from public records, 2026. Tariffs and interconnection rules change; verify with BWP - Burbank Water and Power before you rely on this. The useful move: if an installer says you need a main panel upgrade, ask how these tap and interconnection policies were considered first.