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Is plug-in solar legal in Colorado?
- Introduced
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Signed
- In effect (2026-08-12)
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Plug a certified kit of up to 1,920 W into a standard outlet without a utility interconnection agreement.
- Install after the required notice (only if your utility asks); no approval or fee.
- Install up to 391 W yourself with no wiring changes or listing paperwork.
- Point to the law if a landlord or HOA tries an outright ban: From Jan 1, 2027: unreasonable prohibitions barred; covenants void; device is an energy efficiency measure under 38-33.3-106.7; reasonable restrictions, notice and indemnity allowed.
✕ Not yet / not allowed
- Get paid for power you export; size the kit to your daytime use.
- Avoid wiring-alteration and listing rules above 391 W.
- Use an uncertified marketplace inverter; it is outside the law and unsafe.
- Run more than one system per address or meter under the exemption.
What the rules say
Colorado has the highest cap in the country: 1,920 W to the grid, in force since August 12, 2026. One system per address, one device per outlet, NRTL-listed. Devices up to 391 W are exempt from PV-installation and wiring-alteration rules; from January 1, 2027, anything above 391 W must be UL-listed to be sold, and HOA covenants or landlord bans against plug-in solar are void.
Before you plug in: Colorado checklist
- Keep the system at or under 1,920 W of inverter output; at or under 391 W you also avoid the wiring and listing rules that apply to bigger units.
- Buy a kit whose certification matches the law (UL / NRTL listed). Check the label, not the marketing copy.
- Tell your utility: Only if your utility asks. Optional: provider MAY require notification of presence and size in kW.
- Renting or in an HOA? From Jan 1, 2027: unreasonable prohibitions barred; covenants void; device is an energy efficiency measure under 38-33.3-106.7; reasonable restrictions, notice and indemnity allowed.
- Plug into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip, and keep shared-circuit kits under about 400 W.
The rules in detail
| Law | HB26-1007: Measures to improve a customer's ability to use distributed energy resources |
|---|---|
| Signed | May 7, 2026 |
| Effective | August 12, 2026 |
| Max system size | 1,920 W |
| Certification | Labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; >391 W devices must be UL labeled and listed to be sold/leased/rented on or after Jan 1, 2027; anti-islanding feature. |
| Utility notice / approval | Optional: provider MAY require notification of presence and size in kW. |
| Permit / electrician | <=391 W exempt from 40-2-128 PV installation requirements and building-code/listing provisions requiring wiring alterations; fire and local building codes apply. |
| Exported power | Silent on export compensation and net metering. |
| Renters & HOAs | From Jan 1, 2027: unreasonable prohibitions barred; covenants void; device is an energy efficiency measure under 38-33.3-106.7; reasonable restrictions, notice and indemnity allowed. |
| Avg. electricity price | 17¢ per kWh |
- Sponsor: Reps. Lesley Smith, Rebekah Stewart; Sens. Matt Ball, Cathy Kipp.
- Outlet / circuit: one device per single wall outlet per address.
- Utility liability: retail/wholesale provider not liable (40-2-140(8)).
Legislative background
- Meter-collar adapter rules by 2026-12-31; providers not liable for device damage.
Savings preview: 800 W kit in Colorado
Adjust for your setup →≈ $169/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado has a plug-in solar law in force allowing systems up to 1,920 W (HB26-1007).
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in Colorado?
Not required by the law. The statute says: <=391 W exempt from 40-2-128 PV installation requirements and building-code/listing provisions requiring wiring alterations; fire and local building codes apply. A dedicated circuit is still a sensible safety practice.
Do I have to tell my utility in Colorado?
Only if your utility asks. Optional: provider MAY require notification of presence and size in kW.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in Colorado?
Roughly 992 kWh and about $169 per year at Colorado's average residential rate of 17¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.
Can my landlord or HOA stop me in Colorado?
From Jan 1, 2027: unreasonable prohibitions barred; covenants void; device is an energy efficiency measure under 38-33.3-106.7; reasonable restrictions, notice and indemnity allowed.