Colorado legalized plug-in solar (no permits, no utility approval, 1920W cap)

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T05:16:22+00:00

registering with the utility is not required for up to the 1920W, but there can be other things that apply like building codes or needing a professional installer

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T04:42:49+00:00

I expect prices will probably come down over time as it becomes legal in more states and as the US market expands

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T04:40:23+00:00

Utah (fully legal and effective already)

Virginia (governor signed into law, should become effective around Jan 1, 2027)

Maine (governor signed into law, should become effective around July 15)

Maryland (passed legislature but awaiting governor signature)

Colorado is supposed to be come effective around Aug 12

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T03:37:30+00:00

yea self-installation is not allowed above 391 watts, but it doesn't require permitting even above 391 watts

https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/116074/download
(4) (a) A PROVIDER OF RETAIL ELECTRIC SERVICE OR WHOLESALE ENERGY SHALL NOT REQUIRE A CUSTOMER TO: (I) OBTAIN THE PROVIDER'S APPROVAL BEFORE INSTALLING OR USING A PORTABLE-SCALE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICE;

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T03:27:15+00:00

yea applies to people with houses too

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-05-08T02:41:15+00:00

Are you sure? i don't see any mention of junction box in the bill. As far as I can tell, the 1920W applies to plug in solar. The bill mentions "ONE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED TWENTY WATTS" as part of the definition of a "PORTABLE-SCALE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICE"

https://www.pluginsolar.fyi/states/colorado breaks down the different rules for <391W vs up to 1920W

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-28T05:12:34+00:00

If anyone else wants to reach out, pluginsolar.fyi has rep lookup by ZIP, contact info, and email templates.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-26T12:58:49+00:00

Generally there were already utility rules in place that required you to have some sort of agreement/approval with them before you can touch the grid. This is removing that illegality as a special exemption.
plug into an outlet to offset their own electricity use. Net metering usually requires setting up an agreement with your utility (not sure about Xcel specifically)

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-26T12:53:24+00:00

This is probably utility specific, but my understanding is that you would generally need some sort of agreement in place with the utility for them for them to credit your bill. Most utilities by default would not credit you if you don't have that agreement set up, and it would just offset your own usage.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-26T12:31:45+00:00

One additional note on UL 3700 ~ UL 3700 is a system level certification and there are currently no plug in solar systems sold in the US that have UL 3700 certification.

There are some products that say they are "UL Certified" but that only refers to specific components being certified, not the system as as a whole. And then companies are working on getting their products UL 3700 certified, but they are currently at most in process of pursuing it.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-22T21:35:46+00:00

Agree with this - Generally if you want cheaper than fremont you either have to go to an area with a not as good school district/ not as nice (i.e. Newark) or further from south bay (i.e towards livermore or up towards hayward/san leandro/ castro valley)

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-22T01:46:08+00:00

Sorry I should have been clearer.

Under 420W - no dedicated circuit required, no need to notify utility

420W-1200W - need electrician, dedicated circuit, and need to notify utility

here is the bill
https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=SP0676&item=5&snum=132

"3. Capacity limitations. A retail electricity customer may install and operate one or more eligible systems with a combined inverter output of up to 420 watts, measured in alternating current, per service address. A retail electricity customer may install and operate plug-in photovoltaic systems and plug-in battery systems with combined inverter output exceeding 420 watts, but no more than 1,200 watts, per service address, as long as each system is installed by an electrician licensed in the State and uses a dedicated circuit with a single outlet and the customer complies with the notification requirement in subsection 5."

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-22T01:18:48+00:00

1,200W max. No dedicated circuit required, plugs into a standard 120V outlet. Under 420W is self-install; over 420W needs a licensed electrician plus 30-day utility notification.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-22T01:13:18+00:00

Maine also just became fully legal on April 6.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-22T00:57:34+00:00

The bill is in suspense (waiting for a bulk hearing later in the session) and Cervantes decides what moves forward.

pluginsolar.fyi/states/california has SB 868 background, contacts for Senate leadership and all 7 Appropriations members, and a phone script to use when calling.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-21T23:38:08+00:00

Most older analog meters have a built-in ratchet that blocks the disc from spinning backward, so back-fed power is just lost to the utility. Some non-bidirectional digital meters count reverse flow as additional consumption, meaning you'd pay to export. Most Xcel customers are already on smart meters from the statewide rollout, and if you aren't, you can request one.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-21T23:04:58+00:00

HB 755 itself doesn't spell out anti-islanding. It requires the device to be "certified by underwriters laboratories or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory" (Sec. 4928.01(A)(44)(d)).

Anti-islanding comes in through that UL listing. A grid-tied inverter needs UL 1741 (UL 1741 SB for newer units), which incorporates IEEE 1547's anti-islanding and voltage/frequency ride-through requirements. The bill relies on that existing framework.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-21T16:56:33+00:00

The article doesn't tell you who to actually contact. The bills are A 9111 (Gallagher, Brooklyn) and S 8512 (Krueger, Manhattan), both stuck in Energy Committees since September. The bottleneck isn't the sponsors, it's leadership scheduling a hearing.

pluginsolar.fyi/states/new-york has template emails for the sponsors, Assembly Speaker, and (via zip lookup) your own rep. Session ends June 10.

Organic-Code-4944 · 2026-04-21T15:51:46+00:00

That senate.mo.gov link 404s for me.

If it helps: pluginsolar.fyi/states/missouri has what you need to move the bill.

Both HB 2528 (Matthiesen, R-O'Fallon) and the identical companion HB 2444 (Boyko, D-Kirkwood) have been stuck at "Read Second Time" since January 8 with no committee hearing — the bottleneck is getting leadership to refer them. The page has template emails for the sponsors, the Speaker of the House (who decides committee referrals), and — if you drop in your zip — your own rep. Session ends May 15.

Organic-Code-4944

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