Senate approves bill easing access to small distributed solar devices, citing affordability and safety measures

The Colorado Senate on April 2 passed House Bill 1007, a measure designed to make it easier for customers to use small distributed energy resources, including plug-in solar devices and meter-collar adapters, while adding safety requirements and directing state regulators to update interconnection rules.

Senator Ball, who identified himself as a master electrician, said he had initial safety concerns about devices that could backfeed onto utility lines but praised sponsors and utility stakeholders for addressing those concerns, noting the bill requires UL-listed devices and safeguards at connection points. "As long as they're certified by Underwriters Laboratories, that's the way it needs to be," he said, urging an aye vote.

Senator Marchman described the bill as an affordability measure for constituents in SD 15, saying it removes utility practices that could require costly panel upgrades or separate production meters as a condition of interconnection. He said the PSPUC must update rules by the end of the year and that municipal utilities and co-ops will follow a common standard, enabling small-scale resilience and lower energy costs for residents.

The bill passed on final reading, recorded as 29 yes, 4 no, 0 absent, and 2 excused. Sponsors and co-sponsors were listed on the floor.