Is balcony solar legal in Colorado?
Soon. Colorado's plug-in solar law takes effect Start of 2027.
No single cap confirmed in our review; one tracker reports 1,920 W. Signed May 7, 2026. Reported to take full effect at the start of 2027.
- Size limit
- Unconfirmed
- Utility notice
- No approval required
- Electricity price
- 16.8¢/kWh
- 800 W kit payback
- 5.5 years
The law at a glance
| Status | Signed, not yet in effect |
|---|---|
| Bill | HB26-1007, Improve Customer Use Distributed Energy Resources |
| Signed | May 7, 2026 |
| Effective | Start of 2027 (as reported by Colorado Public Radio) |
| Size limit | No single cap confirmed in our review; one tracker reports 1,920 W |
| Certification | Systems that can deliver more than 391 W must meet the UL safety standard for plug-in systems, as reported by Colorado Public Radio. |
What your utility can and can't require
- Electric providers may not require approval before you install or use a portable device.
- 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
- Covenants that unreasonably prohibit or restrict a portable device are void, but property owners may set reasonable restrictions.
- Renters may install a kit after notifying their landlord.
Other requirements
- Installation must follow fire and building codes.
What we could not confirm. We could not confirm a numeric wattage cap in the enrolled text. Treat 1,920 W as unverified until you read the act.
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 | 931 | $128 | 5.5 years |
| Hanging on an east- or west-facing railing | 722 | $111 | 6.3 years |
| Tilted 35° on a stand, facing south | 1388 | $168 | 4.2 years |
Assumes a 300 W always-on household load and 5.66 peak sun hours (NREL data for Colorado's largest city). 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?
Soon. Colorado's plug-in solar law takes effect Start of 2027. No single cap confirmed in our review; one tracker reports 1,920 W. Signed May 7, 2026. Reported to take full effect at the start of 2027. Status checked October 29, 2026.
What is the wattage limit for balcony solar in Colorado?
No single cap confirmed in our review; one tracker reports 1,920 W.
Do I need to tell my utility in Colorado?
Electric providers may not require approval before you install or use a portable device. 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?
Covenants that unreasonably prohibit or restrict a portable device are void, but property owners may set reasonable restrictions. Renters may install a kit after notifying their landlord.
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 $128 a year in our model, paying back a $700 kit in about 5.5 years. East- or west-facing railings save about $111.
Sources for Colorado
- Colorado General Assembly: HB26-1007 Bill text
- 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
- Peak sun hours by state (NREL PVWatts v8, 20° tilt, largest city), TheGreenWatt Tracker
Found something out of date? Email hiruben@gmail.com. We log fixes on the corrections page. This page is general information, not legal advice.