SOL COUNTRY RECOMMENDATION FOR BOULDER RENTERS
CRAFTSTROM 800W KIT
Boulder sits at 5,430 feet with exceptional solar exposure - slightly better than Denver. The same 800W kit generates roughly 5-8% more power in Boulder than at lower elevations.
CU Boulder students: a portable 395W starter kit ($399) pays for itself before you graduate and moves with you to your next apartment - in Boulder or any state where the law applies.
STEP 1 - FIND YOUR SITUATION
WHAT KIND OF OUTDOOR SPACE DO YOU HAVE?
Your outdoor space determines which kit works, how to mount it, and what your landlord can say about it.
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER HB26-1007
395W - NO APPROVAL NEEDED
- •No electrician
- •No permit
- •No HOA approval
- •No landlord permission
- •Just plug it in
UP TO 1,920W - LICENSED TIER
- •Licensed electrician required
- •Dedicated circuit required
- •Still no utility approval needed
- •Landlord still cannot prohibit
HB26-1007 takes effect January 1, 2027. Both tiers are protected - your landlord cannot prohibit either compliant installation after that date.
WANT TO NOTIFY YOUR LANDLORD?
Sol Country generates a professional letter referencing HB26-1007 specifically - ready to email in 30 seconds.
GENERATE LANDLORD LETTER →XCEL ENERGY PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT YOUR ADDRESS
YOUR BOULDER SAVINGS
WHAT PLUG-IN SOLAR SAVES AT BOULDER'S ELEVATION.
Boulder sits at 5,430 feet with excellent solar exposure. The Flatirons orientation gives south-facing balconies exceptional sun access - making Boulder one of Colorado's best cities for plug-in solar returns. Boulder is served by Xcel Energy at $0.133/kWh.
| Kit size | Savings now | 10-yr savings |
|---|---|---|
395W | $79/yr | $870+ |
800W MOST POPULAR FOR BOULDER RENTERS | $160/yr | $1,760+ |
1,200W | $240/yr | $2,640+ |
1,920W (max CO) | $385/yr | $4,220+ |
Based on Boulder average NLR sun hours: 5.6/day. Actual savings vary by address, shading, and panel orientation.
Get my exact Boulder estimate →BOULDER RENTER RIGHTS
BOULDER HAS EXTRA SOLAR PROTECTIONS ON TOP OF HB26-1007.
Boulder County and the City of Boulder have historically been leaders in renewable energy policy. HB26-1007 adds state-level protections on top of existing local policies. The University of Colorado Boulder campus area has high renter concentration - students and young professionals who can benefit most from portable plug-in solar before moving.
INSTALL UP TO 1,920W
Colorado has the highest plug-in solar limit of any state - 4x the national standard of 400W.
NO XCEL APPROVAL NEEDED
Standard outlet systems require zero Xcel Energy application. No backlog. No wait. Plug in and start saving.
LANDLORD CANNOT SAY NO
Boulder landlords and HOAs cannot prohibit compliant installations after January 1, 2027.
TAKES IT WHEN YOU MOVE
Your panel is personal property - perfect for Boulder's high-turnover rental market.
AVAILABLE TODAY IN BOULDER
CAN'T WAIT UNTIL JANUARY? BOULDER COMMUNITY SOLAR IS AVAILABLE NOW.
Community solar lets Boulder renters subscribe to a local Colorado solar farm and receive credits on their Xcel Energy bill today - with $0 upfront and no installation required.
Find Boulder community solar →XCEL ENERGY PROGRAMS
XCEL ENERGY PAYS BOULDER CUSTOMERS TO GO SOLAR.
Community Solar Credits
Subscribe to a Colorado solar farm and receive bill credits each month - no installation, no upfront cost.
Battery Connect ($5,500 max)
Xcel Energy pays up to $5,500 for qualifying home battery installations enrolled in their demand-response program.
Wildfire PSPS preparedness
Xcel and Colorado utilities offer outage preparedness rebates and resources, especially for at-risk areas.
JOIN THE BOULDER WAITLIST
Sol Country emails Boulder renters 90, 30, and 7 days before January 1 with kit recommendations and your exact Xcel savings estimate.
FIND YOUR EXACT BOULDER SAVINGS.
Find my exact savings →OTHER COLORADO CITY GUIDES