By Luca Maes
HB26-1007, Colorado’s “plug-in solar” bill, is headed to Governor Polis’ desk today to be signed into law! This is a major victory for our state, helping maintain energy affordability for Coloradans, accelerating renewable energy adoption, and decreasing stress on the electrical grid at a time of rapidly growing demand. Colorado will now join a growing list of U.S. states and countries promoting plug-in solar in order to strengthen energy independence and empower consumers to cut their emissions and utility costs. With the current war in Iran once again demonstrating the inherent risks of dependence on volatile fossil fuel supplies, the urgent need to expand access to affordable, reliable renewable energy technologies has never been more clear.
The advocacy efforts of everyday Coloradans, including our members, were critical to driving support in the legislature for plug-in solar. Nearly two hundred 350 Colorado members contacted their lawmakers, including dozens of constituents of key legislative committee members. The House Energy & Environment Committee passed the bill 7-1, and the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee, after additional persuasion from constituents of three key Democrats, advanced HB26-1007 unanimously. Thank you to everyone for your support!
About Plug-in Solar
Plug-in solar systems, often secured in a yard or on a balcony, typically consist of 1-4 solar panels that plug in directly to sockets, helping to power household appliances. Amid rising global energy prices, plug-in solar systems have become increasingly popular as an easy way for consumers to increase energy independence and realize significant savings. Nowhere has this trend taken off more than in Germany, where more than one million systems were installed between 2022 and 2025. Germany’s rapid uptake of plug-in solar began in 2019 after its parliament eliminated burdensome regulations and allowed customers to install panels without utility approval. With the costs of such systems falling quickly and the quality improving every year, the savings potential has only grown. After waiting a few years for plug-in solar systems to pay for themselves, users can expect hundreds of dollars in annual utility bill savings. Plug-in solar systems typically generate 200-800 Watts of peak power, offering roughly 10-30% savings on apartment electricity bills. This presents a major opportunity to Coloradans, more than one-third of whom are renters.
About HB26-1007
HB26-1007 removes unnecessary and costly barriers to both plug-in solar systems and meter collars. Meter collars, simple devices placed between an electric meter socket and a utility billing meter, reduce the need for costly electrical panel upgrades when adding solar, battery storage, or level-2 EV chargers to homes, typically saving $2,000 – $5,000 in the installation process. The legislation paves the way for homeowners and renters in Colorado to generate their own renewable energy and save thousands of dollars, both on installation costs and monthly utility bills.
HB26-1007 simultaneously expands access to these clean, cost-cutting technologies and requires compliance with critical safety standards, protecting both consumers and utility workers. The law ensures that far more Coloradans, including renters and families living in apartments, will be able to capitalize on solar savings. By reducing the amount of energy consumers must purchase from utility companies, plug-in solar lowers electricity bills and decreases demand on the grid, making it more resilient and reliable amid increasingly common power outages and reducing the need for expensive infrastructure repairs.
As electricity costs continue to rise and our planet continues to warm, HB26-1007 represents an important step in the right direction for Colorado. If you think this bill is a good idea, you can urge Governor Polis to sign the bill into law (303-866-2471). Please stay connected with 350 Colorado as we continue to advocate for pragmatic, forward-looking solutions for our state!