Gov. Jared Polis has signed House Bill 26-1007, clearing the way for so-called "plug-in" or "balcony" solar across Colorado. The measure, signed May 7, gives the green light to small photovoltaic kits that can sit on a balcony or patio and plug into a standard outlet. The law is pitched as a way to cut red tape and lower costs for renters and other residents who lack rooftop access, while also spelling out safety and interconnection rules for these devices. Polis publicly thanked the bill’s sponsors and said the measure will expand access to home solar.
What HB26-1007 changes
The new law creates a formal legal category for "portable-scale solar generation devices" and caps the maximum output per address at 1,920 watts. It requires that these devices be labeled and listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, closing the door on uncertified plug-in kits at higher wattages.
On the utility side, the bill bars providers of retail electric service from demanding pre-approval for these devices, charging device-related fees, or forcing customers to buy extra equipment beyond what is already integrated into a listed device. It also tells the Public Utilities Commission to update interconnection rules so utilities must allow customer-owned meter-collar adapters and avoid requiring separate production meters for small customer-sited systems.
The act carries a standard effective date after the legislature adjourns and then layers on extra requirements over time. Certain labeling rules and restrictions on the sale of non-listed devices begin January 1, 2027, according to the bill text on the Colorado General Assembly.
How the law will work for renters and property rules
Supporters say the bill is aimed squarely at renters and residents in multifamily buildings who have largely been shut out of rooftop solar. The law voids covenants that "unreasonably" prohibit portable systems, while still letting property owners set reasonable, safety-focused limits, such as requiring notice or making sure devices are secured.
Advocates also argue that clearer rules on meter collars and interconnection could chip away at the so-called soft costs of adoption and speed up installations for small-scale systems. The Colorado House approved HB26-1007 on a 48–16 vote before it moved through the Senate, as reported by PV Magazine.
Safety and certification
The law tries to tie consumer protection directly to product standards. It requires UL-style listing and limits sales of larger systems that lack certification, effectively nudging the market toward a specific kind of tested plug-in gear.
Industry groups point to UL 3700, the Outline of Investigation for interactive plug-in photovoltaic equipment introduced in January 2026, as the likely pathway for manufacturers and regulators to address safety questions. UL Solutions launched this certification pathway earlier this year, and the bill text, which sets the January 1, 2027, labeling rules, frames how vendors and regulators will move forward, per the Colorado General Assembly.
Where Colorado fits in
Polis said in a Facebook post that Colorado would become "the fourth state to open for business" for balcony solar. That puts the state squarely in a fast-moving national trend: Utah passed a plug-in law in 2025, and Maine and Virginia each moved similar measures in April 2026 as states test lower-cost routes to distributed energy.
That wider pattern is being tracked by policy groups and energy outlets, including the Center for American Progress and Canary Media.
Next steps and what to expect
With the governor’s signature recorded on May 7, the real work now shifts to agencies, utilities, and manufacturers. The Public Utilities Commission has to write detailed rules. Utilities will need to publish which meter-collar adapters they will accept and lay out streamlined interconnection processes. Manufacturers, in turn, will be chasing the required listings for eligible plug-in kits.
The bill includes the usual referendum window after adjournment, so the timeline could stretch into the fall if opponents collect enough signatures. If no petition materializes, the statutory schedule points to phased implementation through late 2026 and into early 2027. Installers, regulators, and consumer groups all say the real test will be how quickly certified kits and clear utility processes actually show up in the market.
What renters should watch
Prospective buyers are being urged to look for UL-listed plug-in systems and to confirm that their utility has updated interconnection guidance and posted an approved meter-collar list before they spend any money. Consumer resources such as EnergySage can help residents weigh likely savings against safety and compatibility as the new rules roll out.
