New Technologies Drive Member Questions
By Chrystal Dean, Chief Executive Officer
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - (May 5, 2026) When new technology in the energy industry piques the interest of our members, they call Grand Valley Power to ask about it. We appreciate the opportunity to serve as your trusted energy advisor. Some new technologies can impact the cooperative in ways members might not realize, and we like to discuss those issues and raise awareness.
Two newer technologies — plug-in solar power systems and meter collar adapters — have prompted questions from members and warrant special attention. Their usage is also being taken up by the 2026 Colorado General Assembly. With the growing interest in meter collar adapters and plug-in solar among consumers, I thought this would be a good opportunity to shed some light on what the buzz is all about, and what Grand Valley Power’s perspective is on their usage.
Let’s start with what they are. Plug-in solar power systems are small, often portable solar kits that allow homeowners and renters to generate renewable energy by plugging panels directly into a standard wall outlet, typically avoiding complex installations. Compared to larger rooftop systems, plug-in systems are simple to install and have a quicker return on investment given their affordability. A meter collar adapter is a compact device that simplifies connecting residential solar systems, batteries, and EV chargers by enabling seamless integration and often eliminating the need for a main panel upgrade. These devices provide a low-cost, affordable option for accessing the benefits of solar at a fraction of the price and installation time.
You might be thinking to yourself, this sounds like a great solution to affordable solar, so what’s the hesitation? Attaching a meter collar adapter to your home’s meter is not currently supported by Grand Valley Power because it does not align with our interconnection policies. However, knowing these devices will generate interest from our members, our staff has been researching and testing these devices to evaluate if Grand Valley Power could adjust its policies and operations to accommodate them. We have also considered some of the other challenges that come with these types of devices, particularly through the lens of Colorado House Bill 26-1007, relating to meter collar adapters and plug-in solar devices. This bill would require electric utilities to authorize the installation of meter collar adapters for residential solar. Similar bills have been gaining momentum and attention across the nation in 2026, but very few states have passed bills so far.
GVP’s top priorities are to ensure the safety of our crews and to keep the system reliable. A consumer can purchase several types of these meter collar adapters online; however, not all of them have met appropriate levels of safety standards. Any meter collar used on our system must have the necessary safety protections and be compatible with our power system configuration to ensure continued reliability. Among other things, compatible devices must prevent electricity from flowing backward through the meter and onto the grid. This protection is essential to keep our crews safe from electrical shock while they work on the system.
We are also concerned with the ease of installation of these devices, making it possible for anyone to connect them to their homes without notifying Grand Valley Power. It is very important for our crews to know where on the system these devices are installed so they can confirm their safety before proceeding. Installation should only be done by an approved, certified electrician to maintain safety requirements and prevent damage to cooperative equipment.
As we continue to watch HB26-1007 move through the legislature, I want to convey that we at Grand Valley Power are excited about the progression of these technologies and the opportunities they will give our members to access affordable distributed energy resources such as plug-in solar. Our excitement must be met with careful consideration for the safety of
our crews and our members, as well as the continued reliability of our system. I look forward to providing updates on these technologies, as well as the many other exciting things happening across the utility industry, going forward.