Colorado Law · HB26-1007

Colorado just gave
renters the right
to own solar power.

HB26-1007 was signed by Governor Polis in May 2026. Effective January 1, 2027 — Colorado renters can install up to 1,920W of plug-in solar with no utility approval, no landlord veto, and no structural modifications.

198
Days
12
Hours
16
Minutes
Jan 1, 2027Takes effect
1,920WMaximum system size
$0Utility approval required
What the law saysYour rightsLegal kitsSavingsLandlord FAQTimeline
The law — plain english

What HB26-1007 actually says.

HB26-1007 amends Colorado's landlord-tenant law to explicitly give renters the right to install plug-in solar devices on their rental units. The law was signed by Governor Jared Polis in May 2026 and takes effect January 1, 2027.

Landlords cannot prohibit
Landlords and HOAs cannot prohibit or unreasonably restrict the installation of compliant plug-in solar devices under Colorado law.
1,920W maximum
Colorado renters may install up to 1,920 watts of total plug-in solar capacity. Most starter kits are 395–800W — well within the limit.
No utility approval
Standard outlet systems require zero utility approval. Your panel plugs into your outlet. No application. No wait. No permission.
UL 3700 required
All systems must meet UL 3700 certification — the safety standard covering automatic shutoff, anti-islanding, and overload protection. Sol Country only lists UL 3700 certified kits.
Reasonable restrictions OK
Landlords may set reasonable placement restrictions — no blocking walkways, matching aesthetics — but cannot prohibit installation entirely. Restrictions must be documented in writing. Sol Country's landlord letter tool helps communicate with your landlord professionally.
Read the full bill text →
As a Colorado renter

Your rights under
HB26-1007.

Starting January 1, 2027, every Colorado renter has these explicit legal rights. Sol Country helps you exercise every one of them.

Install a plug-in solar panel
You can install up to 1,920W of plug-in solar at your rental unit without asking your landlord for permission — the law is your permission.
Use your existing outlet
Plug-in solar connects to a standard 120V or 240V outlet. No electrical work. No permits. No structural modifications required.
Keep your panel when you move
Unlike rooftop solar, balcony solar belongs to you. Take it to your next apartment. It's personal property — yours to keep.
Sell power back to the grid
Systems connected via meter collar adapter may qualify for net metering. Check with Xcel Energy for current interconnection options.
Challenge unreasonable restrictions
Landlords who attempt to prohibit compliant installations are violating Colorado law. Sol Country provides resources for tenant rights organizations if you face pushback.
Install without utility wait
No interconnection application. No backlog. No months of waiting. Plug in your panel on January 1, 2027 and start saving immediately.
Kits legal under HB26-1007

Kits that are legal in Colorado
starting January 1, 2027.

Sol Country only lists kits that meet or are actively pursuing UL 3700 certification — required under HB26-1007 for all Colorado plug-in solar installations.

BEST FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS
STARTER
395W KIT
From $399
~$38/yr at $0.133/kWh
✓ Legal under HB26-1007
Wattage395W
UL 3700Certified / pursuing
OutletStandard 120V
Weight~8–12 lbs
SEE 395W KITS →
MOST POPULAR
STANDARD
800W KIT
From $599
~$77/yr at $0.133/kWh
✓ Legal under HB26-1007
Wattage800W
UL 3700Certified / pursuing
OutletStandard 120V
Weight~16–22 lbs
SEE 800W KITS →
MAXIMUM LEGAL IN COLORADO
MAXIMUM
1,200–1,920W KIT
From $1,200
~$187/yr at $0.133/kWh
At Xcel's filed 9.9% increase: ~$205/yr starting August 2026
✓ Legal under HB26-1007
WattageUp to 1,920W
UL 3700Certified / pursuing
Outlet120V or 240V
Weight~40–60 lbs
SEE LARGE KITS →
Not sure which size? Sol Country's quiz recommends the right kit for your specific address and usage. Run the quiz →
Your Colorado savings

What HB26-1007 is worth
in dollars at your address.

Xcel Energy filed for a 9.9% rate increase effective August 2026. Every percentage point rates rise means your solar panel saves more. Here's the math at current and projected Xcel rates.

Kit sizeToday ($0.133)After increase ($0.146)10 years
395W$38/yr$42/yr$420+
800W$77/yr$85/yr$850+
1,200W$116/yr$127/yr$1,270+
1,920W (max)$186/yr$204/yr$2,040+

Calculations use NREL average Denver sun hours (5.31/day) and Xcel Energy residential rate. Actual savings vary by address, shading, and system placement. Run Find My Power for your address-specific estimate.

Get my exact savings estimate →
If your landlord pushes back

What to do if your landlord
says no.

HB26-1007 is the law — not a request. Landlords who prohibit compliant installations after January 1, 2027 are violating Colorado state law. Here's how to handle pushback.

LANDLORD HASN'T HEARD OF THE LAW
Use Sol Country's AI landlord letter generator. It produces a professional letter referencing HB26-1007 specifically — ready to email in 30 seconds. Most landlords respond positively when presented with the law.
Generate letter →
LANDLORD SAYS 'ASK PERMISSION'
HB26-1007 does not require permission — only reasonable advance notice (typically 30 days). You can notify rather than ask. Sol Country's letter template uses the correct legal framing.
LANDLORD SETS PLACEMENT RULES
Landlords may set reasonable restrictions on panel placement — not on balcony railing, not blocking walkways. Document the restrictions in writing. If restrictions are unreasonable (e.g. 'nowhere on the property') they may be unenforceable under the law.
LANDLORD THREATENS EVICTION
Contact a Colorado tenant rights organization immediately. Using your rights under HB26-1007 cannot legally be used as grounds for eviction. Colorado Legal Services: coloradolegalservices.org · Colorado Poverty Law Project: coloradopovertylaw.org
Full balcony solar FAQ — 30 questions →
Key dates

The HB26-1007 timeline.

January 2026
HB26-1007 INTRODUCED
Bill introduced in Colorado House with bipartisan support.
March 2026
PASSED COLORADO HOUSE
HB26-1007 passed the Colorado House of Representatives.
April 2026
PASSED COLORADO SENATE
Bill passed the Colorado Senate and sent to Governor Polis.
May 2026
SIGNED INTO LAW
Governor Jared Polis signed HB26-1007 into Colorado law. Colorado becomes the first US state to pass explicit plug-in solar legislation for renters.
August 2026
XCEL RATE INCREASE
Xcel Energy's filed 9.9% rate increase takes effect. Solar savings increase proportionally.
January 1, 2027
HB26-1007 TAKES EFFECT
Every Colorado renter gains the legal right to install plug-in solar. Sol Country has the kits, the savings data, and the guide to get started on day one.
198 days until January 1, 2027
Be ready for January 1

Get notified when
it's time to install.

Sol Country emails you 90, 30, and 7 days before January 1, 2027 with kit recommendations, installation guides, and your exact Colorado savings estimate.

Join the waitlist

Get notified when Colorado passes its balcony solar law.

We'll email you when the law takes effect and kits are available for Colorado addresses.

Find your exact
Colorado savings today.

Sol Country checks your specific Denver or Colorado address against Xcel's rates, HB26-1007's wattage limits, and every available incentive — in 30 seconds.

Free · No signupColorado specificJanuary 2027 ready
Xcel rate increase context →