Is balcony solar legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado has a plug-in solar law in effect.
Up to 1,920 W maximum output to the grid; one photovoltaic system per address. The act took effect August 12, 2026. Additional sales/listing and property-owner/HOA provisions start January 1, 2027; check your utility’s installation guidance during the transition.
- Size limit
- 1,920 W
- Utility notice
- Utility may require notice
- Electricity price
- 16.8¢/kWh
- 800 W kit payback
- 5.1 years
The law at a glance
| Status | Law in effect |
|---|---|
| Bill | HB26-1007, Improve Customer Use Distributed Energy Resources |
| Signed | May 7, 2026 |
| Effective | August 12, 2026; additional provisions January 1, 2027 |
| Size limit | Up to 1,920 W maximum output to the grid; one photovoltaic system per address |
| Certification | The act defines a qualifying device as labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Devices of 391 W or less are exempt from specified installation requirements and code/listing provisions that would require wiring alterations. From January 1, 2027, devices above 391 W may not be sold, leased or rented unless UL labeled and listed. |
What your utility can and can't require
- Electric providers may not require approval before you install or use a portable device.
- Providers may require notice of the device’s presence and size in kilowatts; no related fee or extra equipment beyond the device’s UL listing may be required.
- Provider liability for damage from these devices is limited.
- Regulated utilities must allow customer-owned meter collar adapters; the PUC must revise its rules by December 31, 2026.
Renters, landlords and HOAs
- From January 1, 2027, unreasonable prohibitions and covenants are unenforceable. Property owners may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, placement and fire/electrical safety conditions.
- The act’s HOA energy-efficiency protections also start January 1, 2027. Do not treat these future protections as permission to ignore a current lease or HOA rules.
Other requirements
- The device must stop energizing the grid during an outage. No more than one device may connect to a single wall outlet per address.
- Installation must follow applicable health-and-safety building codes and fire codes. LPEA advises members considering installation before January 1, 2027 to contact it first.
What a balcony kit would save in Colorado
Colorado's average residential price was 16.8¢ per kWh for January–August 2026, below the US average of 18.2¢ and up 9% from the same months of 2025 (EIA). That ranks 22 of 51 for price.
| 800 W kit, $700 | kWh per year | Savings per year | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanging on a south-facing railing | 1067 | $137 | 5.1 years |
| East / west railing (average of both directions) | 791 | $105 | 6.7 years |
| Tilted 35° on a stand, facing south | 1517 | $165 | 4.2 years |
Assumes a constant 300 W load, no additional shade and no export credit. Hourly-derived typical-year model for Denver, a representative location rather than a state average. How we calculate.
Before you buy
- Confirm the law is in effect on the day you plan to install.
- Choose a kit certified to the standard Colorado names. See UL 3700 explained.
- Check your lease or HOA rules. See renters and HOAs.
- Pick an outlet on a circuit without heavy loads. See safety.
- Send your utility any required notice before plugging in.
Common questions
Is plug-in solar legal in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado has a plug-in solar law in effect. Up to 1,920 W maximum output to the grid; one photovoltaic system per address. The act took effect August 12, 2026. Additional sales/listing and property-owner/HOA provisions start January 1, 2027; check your utility’s installation guidance during the transition. Status checked October 30, 2026.
What is the wattage limit for balcony solar in Colorado?
Up to 1,920 W maximum output to the grid; one photovoltaic system per address.
Do I need to tell my utility in Colorado?
Electric providers may not require approval before you install or use a portable device. Providers may require notice of the device’s presence and size in kilowatts; no related fee or extra equipment beyond the device’s UL listing may be required. Provider liability for damage from these devices is limited. Regulated utilities must allow customer-owned meter collar adapters; the PUC must revise its rules by December 31, 2026.
Can renters install balcony solar in Colorado?
From January 1, 2027, unreasonable prohibitions and covenants are unenforceable. Property owners may set reasonable restrictions, including prior notice, placement and fire/electrical safety conditions. The act’s HOA energy-efficiency protections also start January 1, 2027. Do not treat these future protections as permission to ignore a current lease or HOA rules.
How much would balcony solar save in Colorado?
At Colorado's average residential price of 16.8¢/kWh, an 800 W kit hanging on a south-facing railing would save about $137 a year in our model, paying back a $700 kit in about 5.1 years. The average of east- and west-facing railing scenarios saves about $105.
Sources for Colorado
- HB26-1007 signed act, §§2, 5 and 6 Bill text
- Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1007 Bill text
- LPEA: plug-in solar implementation guidance (August 12 effective date) Utility
- Colorado Public Radio: Colorado approves balcony solar (May 7, 2026) Reporting
- PV Tech: Colorado legalises balcony solar, mandates meter collar access Reporting
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (YTD through August 2026) Government
- JRC PVGIS ERA5 typical-year weather
Found something out of date? Email [email protected]. We log fixes on the corrections page. This page is general information, not legal advice.