Search

PLUG-IN SOLAR IS APPROVED IN COLORADO - HERE'S WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOME ENERGY SAVINGS

Jun 30
5 min read

Colorado is one of six states that can legally purchase and install plug-in solar power systems as of June, 2026. Governor Polis signed HB26-1007 into law on May 7, making this one of the most significant changes to residential solar access in Colorado in years. But what is plug-in solar, who is it for, and will it actually help your energy bill?

What is plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar systems, also called balcony solar, typically consist of one to four solar panels plus an internal inverter. Here's what makes them different from traditional rooftop solar: there's no installation crew, no roof modifications, no $30,000 price tag.

Instead, you place the panels on your balcony, patio, or yard—anywhere you get consistent sunlight. The collected energy is passed through a microinverter, so that the cord from the panels can plug directly into a standard electrical outlet in your home. Then the electricity flows directly into your home's electrical system. Any excess power can be sent back to the grid or stored in a battery. Details on how the grid credit would work are still being finalized by Colorado regulators.

A plug-in system with storage battery is expected to cost around $2,000 when the Colorado market opens up, which is a massive difference from traditional rooftop solar. Not all setups come with storage batteries, and those can come in at a lower price point.

Who can use plug-in solar?

This is actually the big deal with this legislation. The law prohibits utilities and HOAs from unreasonably blocking the installation or use of these devices. That changes everything for renters and apartment dwellers, who previously had almost no options for taking advantage of solar power.

If you're a homeowner in Colorado, whether you're in Northern Colorado, the Front Range, or anywhere else in the state, you can install plug-in solar. If you're a renter and your lease allows it, you can put panels on your balcony or patio. HOAs can't ban them outright anymore, though they still need to be "reasonable" about placement and aesthetics.

The flexibility here is huge for Colorado's rental market, especially in places like Johnstown where multi-family housing is growing. Renters who want to reduce their energy costs now have an actual option.

How much can plug-in solar reduce your energy bill?

That depends on several factors: how much sun your location gets, how many panels you install, and how much electricity you use.

Colorado is one of the sunniest states in the nation, which works in our favor. According to CleanTechnica, a single panel system might offset 10-15% of your electricity use. A four-panel system could offset 40-50%.

The savings here will continue to grow as Colorado's electricity costs continue to climb. State utility regulators estimate that average household electricity prices could rise at least 55% above 2024 levels by 2029. If your electric bill today is $150 a month, it could be $235 by 2029 without additional changes. That's when a $2,000 system that reduces your bill by 30-40% starts looking like solid money in the bank. (CleanTechnica)

The payback period? For most Colorado homeowners and renters, between 5-8 years. After that, it's essentially free electricity for as long as the system works.

Why is there controversy around plug-in solar?

There are a few legitimate concerns, which is why the legislation includes safeguards. The law requires devices to meet rigorous product safety standards because utilities worry about systems feeding power back into the grid during an outage, which could injure a lineworker. Systems delivering more than 391 watts must meet safety standards released by UL Solutions. The best recommendation right now is to purchase a system that is UL-listed (not widely available just yet), or one that is smaller than 392 watts.

From a utility perspective, there's also the question of how they compensate you for power sent back to the grid. The existing net metering rules were written for rooftop solar, and plug-in solar operates differently. Colorado regulators are still working through those details. Pv magazine USA says the Public Utilities Commission has until December 31, 2026, to update interconnection rules to explicitly allow meter collar adapters—simple devices that let your plug-in system connect without upgrading your home's electrical panel.

The microinverters included in these setups comply with safe, auto-shutoff standards, but you need to be absolutely sure that your device does include the microinverter before you go ahead and plug it in. Where you plug it in matters, too. The best-case setup is for the unit to have its own dedicated circuit, which may still require some professional labor. No matter what, it should not be plugged into a circuit that already serves any other household appliances.

The other reality: the products authorized under the new law aren't widely available yet. You can't walk into a big-box store and buy one tomorrow. But that's changing fast.

How do you get the most out of a plug-in solar setup?

Since regulations, incentives and legislation are lagging behind on credits for power being sent back to the grid, one option would be to store your own excess power in a battery that you can use on a cloudy day or during an outage.

Again, if your system didn’t already come with a battery, this would require a more professional skill level and additional equipment to trigger storage when immediate consumption isn’t necessary. A conversation with a local electrician could help you determine if your space and energy requirements are right for a simple plug-and-play setup, or if you might need some added features to truly get the most out of it.

Be careful though – when you start adding too many pieces, especially as a homeowner, you may be better suited for a more permanent solar or energy management setup. Our energy management quiz is a good way to get an idea of what might be best for you and to start that conversation with a local expert.

Should Colorado homeowners and renters care about this?

Yes. If you're paying an electricity bill in Colorado, plug-in solar is now a real option worth considering. You don't need to own your home outright. You don't need a perfect south-facing roof. You don't need to spend $30,000.

This is opening up energy independence to a whole new group of people—renters, apartment dwellers, homeowners who weren't ready to commit to rooftop solar.

And from an electrical standpoint, this kind of tech is really exciting. It's straightforward, it's safe when done right, and it puts money back in your pocket. If you're thinking about reducing your energy costs or becoming more energy independent, this is worth paying attention to.