Balcony Solar in Colorado: HB26-1007 1,920 W Law (2026 Guide)

Short answer: yes. Colorado's HB26-1007, signed on May 7, 2026, allows portable plug-in solar devices of up to 1,920 watts without utility approval. Devices above 391 W must be listed by a recognized lab such as UL. Renter and HOA protections and the listing rule start on January 1, 2027; until then, get your landlord's permission in writing.

Status: Signed into law; some parts start Jan 1, 2027
Law: HB26-1007 (2026)
Maximum output: 1,920 W
Listing required: Above 391 W (UL or equivalent lab)
Utility approval: Can't be required
Renters and HOAs: Can't unreasonably prohibit (from Jan 1, 2027)

Sources give different start dates. The act became law on August 12, 2026, the standard date for Colorado bills without a safety clause. Colorado Public Radio and pv magazine describe the plug-in rules as taking full effect at the start of 2027. We follow the more careful reading: plan on January 1, 2027 for renter, HOA and listing rules, and check the official bill page for the final text.

Colorado was the third state to sign a plug-in solar law, after Utah and Maine, and it went further than both. Its cap is 60% higher than the usual 1,200 W, and it is one of the few laws that limits what landlords and HOAs can do. For the rest of the country, see the 50-state map.

What HB26-1007 allows

A "portable-scale solar generation device" that plugs into a standard wall outlet, with up to 1,920 W of output.
No utility approval: retail electricity providers may not require you to get approval before installing or using one.
Safety codes still apply: installation must follow the fire code and applicable building codes.
No utility liability: your utility isn't liable for damage caused by your device.
Meter collars: separately, utilities must allow customer-owned meter collar adapters approved by a testing lab. These are for larger home systems, not plug-in kits.

The 391 W rule

Colorado draws a line at 391 watts. Small devices at or below 391 W are exempt from the product listing requirement. Above that, a device must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (UL, Intertek, CSA and similar). From January 1, 2027, unlisted devices above 391 W may not be sold, leased or rented in Colorado.

In practice, few products above 391 W carry a plug-in listing yet. The Colorado Solar and Storage Association advised buyers in May 2026 to wait for listed systems or to buy one under the threshold. Our UL 3700 guide explains what to look for.

Why 1,920 W doesn't mean "plug in 1,920 W anywhere"

An ordinary 15-amp, 120-volt household circuit can carry about 1,440 W continuously. A 1,920 W system is about 16 amps, more than that circuit should take on its own, before you add the fridge or a microwave. The bigger cap is useful if you have a dedicated 20-amp circuit, ideally checked by a licensed electrician. On a normal shared outlet, stay at 800 W or below. See 400 W vs 800 W vs 1,200 W and is plug-in solar safe?.

Renters and HOAs

From January 1, 2027, Colorado landlords can't unreasonably prohibit a qualifying device. You must notify your landlord first. The landlord can set reasonable rules about placement and about preventing fire and electrical overload of your unit's circuits.

HOA covenants that unreasonably prohibit or limit portable solar devices become unenforceable, as long as the device is properly attached and secured. Associations can still set reasonable restrictions on appearance and placement. Our landlord guide has a free request letter, and balcony solar and HOA rules covers associations.

Xcel Energy and other utilities

The law applies to retail electricity providers, which covers Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, municipal utilities and electric co-ops. None may require approval. The law doesn't say plug-in devices get net metering, so assume power your home doesn't use is not credited. Letting your utility know the size of your system is free and avoids surprises.

How much a kit saves in Colorado

Colorado gets plenty of sun, and its average residential price was about 17 cents per kWh in July 2026 (EIA). Xcel customers on time-of-use rates pay more in the afternoon peak, which can raise the value of solar a little.

Setup	Produced per year	Saved per year
400 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade	~390 kWh	~$63
800 W kit, vertical on a south railing, some shade	~780 kWh	~$106
800 W kit, tilted south, no shade	~1,240 kWh	~$169
1,200 W kit, tilted south, no shade	~1,860 kWh	~$206

Estimates assume you use 80% of the output (95% for 400 W, 65% for 1,200 W) at 17.0¢/kWh. A CU Boulder analysis cited by CPR put the savings of an 800 W setup for a typical Boulder household at about $206 a year. Try your own numbers with the calculator, preset for Colorado.

Before you buy in Colorado

Decide the size: 391 W or less if you want to avoid the listing question, or a listed kit above that.
Check the circuit: anything above about 800 W should go on a dedicated circuit.
Tell your landlord in writing, or check HOA rules, even before 2027.
Mount securely: Colorado's HOA protection depends on the device being properly attached and secured, and Front Range winds are strong.
Plug directly into the outlet, never through an extension cord or power strip.

Step-by-step details are in how to install balcony solar.

Frequently asked questions

Is balcony solar legal in Colorado?

Yes. Governor Polis signed HB26-1007 on May 7, 2026. It lets customers use portable plug-in solar devices of up to 1,920 W without utility approval. Several provisions, including renter and HOA protections and the listing rule for devices above 391 W, apply from January 1, 2027, so check the details for your situation.

What is the wattage limit for plug-in solar in Colorado?

Up to 1,920 W of output, the highest cap of any US state law so far. Devices above 391 W must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL. A 1,920 W system is too much for one ordinary 15-amp circuit alongside normal use, so larger setups usually need a dedicated circuit checked by an electrician.

Can my Colorado landlord stop me from installing balcony solar?

From January 1, 2027, a landlord can't unreasonably prohibit a qualifying device. You must notify the landlord, and the landlord can set reasonable rules about placement and about preventing fire and circuit overload. Until then, get written permission.

Can my HOA ban plug-in solar in Colorado?

HB26-1007 makes covenants that unreasonably prohibit or limit portable solar devices unenforceable, as long as the device is properly attached and secured. The association can still set reasonable restrictions.

Will Xcel Energy pay me for power my kit sends to the grid?

Don't count on it. The law stops utilities from requiring approval for plug-in devices but doesn't say they qualify for net metering. Ask your utility and size the kit so you use most of its output at home.

Balcony Solar in Colorado: HB26-1007 and the 1,920 W Limit