Plug-in solar in Colorado
Law in effect Checked November 10, 2026
Colorado allows the largest plug-in devices of any state: up to 1,920 watts to the grid, one system per address. Utilities cannot require approval or fees but may ask you to report the device and its size. From January 1, 2027, landlords and HOAs cannot unreasonably ban these devices.
Effective date: August 12, 2026 (derived from the law's effective-date clause)
The law
| Bill | Stage | Last action | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB26-1007 Improve Customer Use Distributed Energy Resources | Signed into law | Became Law (Signed Act dated 05/07/2026) (May 7, 2026) | Signed: May 7, 2026 Effective: August 12, 2026 (derived) |
Derived from the act's effective-date clause: 90 days after adjournment (session adjourned sine die May 13, 2026, per the legislature homepage). No referendum on HB26-1007 appears on the Secretary of State's list of 2026 ballot measures.
The rules
| Rule | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum size (output) | 1,920 W A device may supply a maximum power output of not more than 1,920 watts to the grid, and only a single system per address (C.R.S. 40-2-140(1)(e)). Only one device per wall outlet per address (40-2-140(3)). | Source |
| Panel (DC) limit | No limit set The law caps output to the grid only. | Source |
| Plug-in batteries | Not mentioned in the law The law does not mention batteries for plug-in devices. | Source |
| Tell your utility? | Only if your utility asks A utility may require the customer to notify it of the device's presence and size in kilowatts (40-2-140(4)(b)). | Source |
| Utility approval needed? | No A provider may not require approval, a fee, or extra equipment beyond what the UL listing integrates (40-2-140(4)(a)). | Source |
| Renters and landlords | Tenant protections From January 1, 2027, no person may unreasonably prohibit installation or use, and restrictive covenants are void; a property owner may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, fire or overload prevention, and location (40-2-140(7)). | Source |
| HOAs and condo associations | Bans limited From January 1, 2027, the device counts as an "energy efficiency measure" that a common interest community may not prohibit, including on limited common elements such as balconies; the HOA may require secure mounting and indemnity (40-2-140(7)(c)-(e); 38-33.3-106.7). | Source |
| Safety certification required | Certified by UL or an equivalent lab Device must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. From January 1, 2027, no device over 391 watts may be sold, leased or rented in Colorado unless UL labeled and listed. Devices up to 391 watts are exempt from rewiring-related listing provisions (40-2-140(1)(e)(II), (5), (6)). | Source |
| Net metering | Not mentioned in the law The plug-in section does not mention net metering. | Source |
What's next
January 1, 2027: renter and HOA protections start, and devices over 391 watts must be UL labeled and listed to be sold. The PUC must also adopt meter collar adapter rules by December 31, 2026.
Kits in Colorado
| Kit | AC output | UL 3700 | Fit in Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| APsystems EZ1-LV plug-in microinverter | 900 W | Certified (certificate seen), component only | Likely compatible: confirm with seller certificate |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter | 1,200 W | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter + 2 x 400W Rigid Solar Panels | 1,200 W | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-391-1WM-LV | 391 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Hoymiles HiFlow Pro LV HMS-420-1WM-LV | 420 W | Claimed by maker, not verified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 180 W | Not stated | Not certified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 180 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| Bright Saver Balcony Solar Kit, 360 W | Not stated | Not certified | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim Output not stated, but its panels total 360 W, so it cannot exceed the limit. |
| CraftStrom 800 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 700 W (estimated) | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| CraftStrom 1200 Watt Plug&Play Solar | 1,050 W (estimated) | Unknown | Listing claimed, no certificate seen maker’s claim |
| EcoFlow STREAM Ultra | 800 W | Unknown | No certification evidence found |
What these labels mean
- Likely compatible: confirm with seller
- Within the size limit, and we have seen a lab certificate for the kit’s inverter. The law asks for lab certification without naming a standard, so confirm with the seller that the whole kit qualifies.
- Listing claimed, no certificate seen
- The maker says the product is lab-listed (for example to UL 1741), but we have not seen a certificate.
- No certification evidence found
- We found no certificate and no claim for the certification this state requires.
What could it save?
For an 800 W panel kit at Colorado's average residential price of 16.61¢/kWh (September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months)):
- Ideal tilt (20°, south)
- 1,280 kWh a year: about $147 typical (69% used at home), up to $213 best case (100%)
- Vertical railing (90°, south)
- 884 kWh a year: about $101 typical (69% used at home), up to $147 best case (100%)
"Typical" uses HTW Berlin's model for an 800 W system without a battery; exports are assumed to earn nothing. Solar data: NREL PVWatts for Denver (capital). Try your own numbers · Is it worth it? · Railing vs tilted
Price source: EIA residential average, September 2025 – August 2026 (12 months).
Questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado allows the largest plug-in devices of any state: up to 1,920 watts to the grid, one system per address. Utilities cannot require approval or fees but may ask you to report the device and its size. From January 1, 2027, landlords and HOAs cannot unreasonably ban these devices.
How big can a plug-in solar system be in Colorado?
A device may supply a maximum power output of not more than 1,920 watts to the grid, and only a single system per address (C.R.S. 40-2-140(1)(e)). Only one device per wall outlet per address (40-2-140(3)).
Do I have to tell my utility in Colorado?
Only if your utility asks. A utility may require the customer to notify it of the device's presence and size in kilowatts (40-2-140(4)(b)).
Can my landlord stop me from using plug-in solar in Colorado?
From January 1, 2027, no person may unreasonably prohibit installation or use, and restrictive covenants are void; a property owner may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, fire or overload prevention, and location (40-2-140(7)).
What certification does a kit need in Colorado?
Device must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. From January 1, 2027, no device over 391 watts may be sold, leased or rented in Colorado unless UL labeled and listed. Devices up to 391 watts are exempt from rewiring-related listing provisions (40-2-140(1)(e)(II), (5), (6)).
Which kits are confirmed to qualify in Colorado?
None yet. We have not seen a certificate covering a complete kit, so no kit is marked compatible in Colorado.
Neighbouring states
- Arizona: Status not yet confirmed
- Kansas: No bill found
- Nebraska: No bill found
- New Mexico: Bill failed or died
- Oklahoma: Bill failed or died
- Utah: Law in effect
- Wyoming: Bill failed or died
Related: is it worth it? · railing vs tilted panels · renters guide · all kits · Certification watch · how we verify
Sources
- Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1007 bill page (Legislature bill page; accessed November 10, 2026)
- HB26-1007 Signed Act (PDF, version dated 05/07/2026) (Law text; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Colorado General Assembly homepage: 2026 session adjourned sine die May 13, 2026 (Official legislature record; accessed November 10, 2026)
- Colorado Secretary of State: Amendments and Propositions on the 2026 Ballot (Official legislature record; accessed November 10, 2026) State election office list; no referendum on HB26-1007 appears.
Research note: Effective August 12, 2026: 90 days after the May 13, 2026 adjournment (legislature homepage). We checked the Secretary of State's list of 2026 ballot measures: no referendum on HB26-1007 appears, so the act was not suspended by a petition.
This page is general information, not legal or electrical advice. Laws change and utilities differ. Check the linked official sources, your lease or HOA rules, and your utility before you buy or install anything. Full disclaimer.