Colorado Governor Polis Signs Law Making Home Solar Cheaper and More Accessible for Every Colorado Family
Denver, CO | May 2026
HB26-1007 legalizes plug-in solar, cuts costly interconnection red tape, and saves Colorado homeowners up to $10,000 on installation costs
Denver — Colorado Governor Polis today signed HB26-1007 into law, landmark legislation led by Representatives Lesley Smith and Rebekah Stewart and Senators Cathy Kipp and Matt Ball that will make it cheaper and easier for Colorado families, including renters and apartment dwellers, to power their homes with solar energy. The bill passed both chambers of the Colorado legislature with bipartisan support. It creates a pathway to allow for the use of plug-in solar devices, establishes critical safety standards for those products, and eliminates unnecessary interconnection barriers by allowing families to use meter collar adapters— saving Colorado homeowners between $2,000 and $5,000 per home on installation costs, and avoiding panel upgrades that can cost up to $10,000.
Colorado families deserve access to affordable home energy. But until today, unnecessarily burdensome rules have made it harder and more expensive to go solar. Plug-in solar, sometimes called "balcony solar", operated in a legal gray zone, with no safety standards and no explicit protections for consumers who wanted to use it. At the same time, costly electrical panel upgrades were standing between families and home solar installations, adding thousands of dollars in upfront costs that put solar out of reach for many households. HB26-1007 fixes both problems.
“Colorado is breaking down barriers to clean energy and saving people money on energy bills,” said Governor Polis following the signing of the bill. “Just because you live in an apartment or multi-family building doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to use solar panels to save money on your energy bill, and this new law expands access and choice to money-saving clean energy solutions for more Coloradans. Thank you to the sponsors for expanding choices for more Coloradans to explore new technology that protects our environment and saves Coloradans money.”
Home solar is one of the only interventions that can immediately and meaningfully lower a family's electricity bill. By allowing plug-in solar and streamlining interconnection through meter collars, this new law puts real savings within reach for Colorado families across the income spectrum, including renters and families in apartments who have never had access to rooftop solar before.
“Colorado is breaking down barriers to clean energy and saving people money on energy bills. Just because you live in an apartment or multi-family building doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to use solar panels to save money on your energy bill, and this new law expands access and choice to money-saving clean energy solutions for more Coloradans. Thank you to the sponsors for expanding choices for more Coloradans to explore new technology that protects our environment and saves Coloradans money.”
In response to Governor Polis signing HB-1007, energy and affordability leaders released the following statements:
“Whether Coloradans own or rent their homes or apartments, allowing them to install balcony solar systems will expand consumer choice, make solar technology more accessible and affordable, and save people money on electricity costs,” said Colorado Energy Office Director Will Toor. “Widespread adoption of these smaller solar energy systems, especially when paired with battery storage, will also improve grid reliability at peak times and move us closer to achieving our ambitious clean energy goals. We look forward to Colorado’s continued leadership in reducing barriers in the clean energy market as the balcony solar industry expands nationwide.”
”House Bill 1007 makes solar energy available to more people, more cheaply,” said KC Becker, Executive Director of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association. “HB 1007 will make small-scale solar systems and residential rooftop systems easier and cheaper to get. It’s a win for all Colorado families, no matter how or where you live.”
"Meter collars can save Colorado families thousands of dollars on home solar installation. This technology already works, utilities are already using it, and there's no reason it shouldn't be available to every family in the state. HB26-1007 makes that happen," said Matt Kirby, Campaign Director, Permit Power
“Plug-in solar panels are a safe and helpful tool for saving Coloradans money on their utility bills,” said Representative Rebekah Steward, D-Lakewood. “Our bill outlines necessary safety standards for plug-in solar devices and meter collars so more Coloradans can take advantage of this renewable energy source. Many renters are interested in solar, and this bill makes it easier for them to give solar a shot at an affordable price point and without unnecessary barriers.”
“This bill reduces barriers and establishes safety standards so that Coloradans who want a reliable, affordable source of renewable energy can use plug-in solar panels,” said Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. “Coloradans are interested in plug-in solar for a variety of reasons, like reducing their carbon footprint, lowering their utility bills, or ensuring a reliable backup source of energy in the case of a power outage. No matter their reasoning, Coloradans should be able to pursue this technology without unnecessary barriers.”
“Plug-in solar panels expand access to solar energy for people who live in an apartment or can’t afford a full rooftop system,” said Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver. “The technology is safe, cost-efficient, and already widely used in other places. This bill gives Coloradans the option to use plug-in solar and connect to the grid through a meter collar to start saving money and producing their own clean energy.”
“Electricity should be like water. A basic human necessity and a right,” said Cora Stryker, co-founder of Bright Saver, the first and only nonprofit dedicated to making plug-in solar accessible to all Americans. “Many Coloradans are struggling to keep the lights on - literally. This bill ensures that you now have the right to plug in an appliance and start producing your own clean energy. Whether or not you own your own home, you now have the right to own your own electricity generation, reducing your electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.”
”House Bill 1007 makes solar energy available to more people, more cheaply,” said KC Becker, Executive Director of the Colorado Solar and Storage Association. “HB 1007 will make small-scale solar systems and residential rooftop systems easier and cheaper to get. It’s a win for all Colorado families, no matter how or where you live.”
What HB-1007 Does:
Legalizes plug-in solar with safety guardrails. The new law legalizes plug-in solar generation devices — typically 1-4 solar panels plus an inverter, designed for simple self-installation by homeowners or renters in a yard or on a balcony. It requires that devices meet rigorous product safety standards, closing a gap that previously allowed unsafe products to be sold in Colorado. It prohibits utilities and HOAs from unreasonably blocking the installation or use of these devices.
Cuts costly interconnection barriers with meter collars. The law requires the Public Utilities Commission to update interconnection rules by December 31, 2026, to explicitly allow customer ownership and use of meter collar adapters — simple devices installed between an electric meter socket and a utility billing meter that provide immediate interconnection of customer-owned energy devices. Meter collars reduce or eliminate the need for expensive electrical panel upgrades, saving families between $2,000 and $5,000 per installation and avoiding panel upgrades that can cost up to $10,000. Colorado's investor-owned utilities — including Xcel and Black Hills — are already using meter collar technology. This law makes access universal and statewide.
Expands access across all utility types. The law extends these protections to municipally owned utilities and electric cooperatives, ensuring that families across Colorado — not just those served by investor-owned utilities — can benefit.
Benefits renters and apartment dwellers. Unlike traditional rooftop solar, plug-in solar requires no major modifications to a building and can be moved when a family relocates — making it the first accessible solar option for the millions of Colorado families who rent their homes.
About COSSA
The Colorado Solar and Storage Association (COSSA) is dedicated to advancing solar energy and storage solutions across Colorado. Our mission is to advocate for policies that promote sustainable energy practices and support our members in creating a cleaner, greener future.
