Is balcony (plug-in) solar legal in Colorado?
State law: yes. HB26-1007 (2026 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 127) covers plug-in (balcony) solar in Colorado, in force since Aug 12, 2026. Its landlord and HOA rules start on Jan 1, 2027. Limits and conditions are below.
Colorado law
LegalState law: plug-in solar is legal here.
- In force since
- Aug 12, 2026
- Size cap
- 1,920 W (output to the grid; one system per address; ≤391 W exempt from contractor and wiring-alteration rules)
- Law
- HB26-1007 (2026 Colo. Sess. Laws ch. 127)
- Progress
- Signed on May 7, 2026.
- Certification
- Labeled and listed by an NRTL; outage protection
- Landlord
- From Jan 1, 2027: No person may directly or indirectly unreasonably prohibit a device (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(7)(a)); the act doesn't mention landlords or tenants. A property owner may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, fire or electrical-overload limits, damage prevention and location (§ 40-2-140(7)(d)). Renting? Landlord and HOA rules by state →
- HOA
- From Jan 1, 2027: A covenant or restriction that unreasonably prohibits or restricts a device is void (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(7)(b)). The device counts as an energy-efficiency measure under the common-interest-community law, and an owner may install it on a limited common element (§ 40-2-140(7)(c); § 38-33.3-106.7). The owner may be required to secure it to their unit, patio, deck or balcony, and may be made responsible for its costs and to indemnify the association (§ 40-2-140(7)(e)).
- Tell your utility?
- No approval, fee or extra equipment. The utility may require you to notify it of the device and its size in kilowatts (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(4)(b)).
- Export credit
- Statute is silent on export credit. Utilities can't charge a fee related to the device (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(4)(a)).
Every plug-in solar law starting on Jan 1, 2027, state by state →
More about plug-in solar in Colorado
How big a plug-in solar kit is allowed in Colorado?
State law: up to 1,920 W (output to the grid; one system per address; ≤391 W exempt from contractor and wiring-alteration rules).
What certification does a kit need in Colorado?
State law: Labeled and listed by an NRTL; outage protection. How to check a kit →
Do I need to tell my utility in Colorado?
State law: No approval, fee or extra equipment. The utility may require you to notify it of the device and its size in kilowatts (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(4)(b)).
Can a landlord or HOA stop plug-in solar in Colorado?
State law. Landlords: From Jan 1, 2027: No person may directly or indirectly unreasonably prohibit a device (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(7)(a)); the act doesn't mention landlords or tenants. A property owner may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, fire or electrical-overload limits, damage prevention and location (§ 40-2-140(7)(d)). HOAs: From Jan 1, 2027: A covenant or restriction that unreasonably prohibits or restricts a device is void (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(7)(b)). The device counts as an energy-efficiency measure under the common-interest-community law, and an owner may install it on a limited common element (§ 40-2-140(7)(c); § 38-33.3-106.7). The owner may be required to secure it to their unit, patio, deck or balcony, and may be made responsible for its costs and to indemnify the association (§ 40-2-140(7)(e)).
Do I get paid for power a plug-in kit sends to the grid in Colorado?
State law: Statute is silent on export credit. Utilities can't charge a fee related to the device (C.R.S. § 40-2-140(4)(a)).
How much would a plug-in solar kit save in Colorado?
It depends on which way the panels face, their tilt, how much of the power your home uses as it is made, and your utility's rate. The average residential electricity price in Colorado was 16.6¢/kWh (our 12-month average of EIA data, Aug 2025–Jul 2026). The calculator on canipluginsolar.com models it hour by hour for your address.
Before you buy a kit in Colorado
Neighboring states
Planning a kit in Colorado? Get your step-by-step checklist, from the law's own wording.
Renting in Colorado? Write a letter to your landlord, matched to Colorado's rules.
Guides: Renting? What each state's plug-in solar law says about landlords and HOAs
A federal bill (H.R. 10851) would also require every state to consider plug-in rules; Colorado already has its own law. H.R. 10851 on congress.gov.