How many watts can I plug in in Colorado?

Up to 1,920 watts to the grid, from a single system per address, with no more than one device per wall outlet.

Do I need to tell Xcel Energy?

No approval is needed, but your utility may require you to notify it that the device is there and how big it is in kilowatts.

Can my HOA or landlord ban it?

From January 1, 2027, no one can unreasonably ban it. They can still set reasonable rules on notice, location and safety.

Does the device need to be certified?

Yes. It must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing lab, and from January 1, 2027 devices over 391 W sold in Colorado must be UL labeled and listed.

Is Balcony Solar Legal in Colorado?

Yes. Colorado's HB26-1007, signed in May 2026, took effect August 12, 2026. It allows one plug-in solar system per address of up to 1,920 watts, the highest cap in the US, with no utility approval or fees. From January 1, 2027, landlords, HOAs and covenants can't unreasonably ban it.

Colorado balcony solar at a glance

Status	✅ Signed
Bill	HB26-1007, Reps. Lesley Smith and Rebekah Stewart, Sens. Cathy Kipp and Matt Ball
Signed	May 7, 2026
Effective	August 12, 2026
Size limit	1,920 W to the grid, one system per address
Utility interconnection agreement	Not required
Utility fees	Not allowed
Certification	Labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing lab (UL-listed required for devices over 391 W sold from Jan 1, 2027)
Renter / HOA rules	From January 1, 2027 no one can unreasonably ban it and covenants that do are void; landlords and HOAs can set reasonable rules such as prior notice, location and overload safety
Last checked	October 28, 2026

What HB26-1007 actually does

One system per address, with a maximum of 1,920 W to the grid.
Only one device per wall outlet at an address.
No utility approval, fees or extra equipment beyond what's built into the UL-listed device. Your utility may ask you to tell it the system is there and its size in kilowatts.
The device must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and must not energize the grid during an outage.
Devices of 391 W or less are exempt from solar installation rules and code provisions that would require rewiring.
From January 1, 2027, sellers can't sell, lease or rent devices over 391 W in Colorado unless they're UL labeled and listed.
From January 1, 2027, nobody can unreasonably ban plug-in solar, and covenants that do are void. HOAs can't prohibit it.
Property owners and landlords can still set reasonable rules: prior notice, location, and limits that prevent fire, electrical overload or damage. In an HOA you may have to secure the device and cover its costs and liability.
Installation must follow the fire code and health and safety building codes.

Renters, landlords and HOAs in Colorado

From January 1, 2027 no one can unreasonably ban it and covenants that do are void; landlords and HOAs can set reasonable rules such as prior notice, location and overload safety. Even so:

Read your lease and HOA rules for anything about balcony attachments or electrical devices.
Ask in writing before mounting anything to a railing.
Prefer clamp-on or freestanding mounts that don't drill into the building.

How much can balcony solar save in Colorado?

Find your price per kWh on your Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy, co-op or municipal utility bill.
Check the kit's estimated yearly output for your location and the way your balcony faces (south is best, then east or west).
Multiply: yearly kWh × your price per kWh = rough yearly savings. Or use the balcony solar calculator.

Shade, railing angle and how much of the power you use while it's being made all change the result. Plug-in systems are meant to offset what your home uses, not to sell power back.

Timeline

January 14, 2026: HB26-1007 introduced.
April 28, 2026: Final act passed by the General Assembly.
May 7, 2026: Signed into law.
August 12, 2026: The act takes effect (90 days after the session ended).
January 1, 2027: Ban protections and the UL-listing sales rule start.

FAQ

Is balcony solar legal in Colorado?: Yes. HB26-1007 took effect August 12, 2026 and allows one plug-in system per address of up to 1,920 watts.
How many watts can I plug in in Colorado?: Up to 1,920 watts to the grid, from a single system per address, with no more than one device per wall outlet.
Do I need to tell Xcel Energy?: No approval is needed, but your utility may require you to notify it that the device is there and how big it is in kilowatts.
Can my HOA or landlord ban it?: From January 1, 2027, no one can unreasonably ban it. They can still set reasonable rules on notice, location and safety.
Does the device need to be certified?: Yes. It must be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing lab, and from January 1, 2027 devices over 391 W sold in Colorado must be UL labeled and listed.

Sources

This page explains the law in plain language. It is not legal advice. Last checked October 28, 2026.