As Colorado works toward using more renewable energy, one company in Colorado Springs is hoping to bring plug-in solar to the state.

But since plug-in solar is not yet allowed in the state, Colorado Solar Innovations, run by Alex Antipov and his family, is carving out a different niche for now. The company, located at 1096 Elkton Drive, sells solar generators to construction contractors as Antipov looks ahead to a day when the company’s future includes selling plug-in solar units.

Antipov founded Colorado Solar Innovations several years ago. He worked at TraceX, an agricultural food production and climate technology company, as an electrical engineer for more than a decade, according to Linkedin.

“Balcony solar,” or plug-in solar, has taken off in European countries like Germany. The idea is that residents in high rises, townhomes or single family homes can buy what is essentially a small blanket of flexible solar panels, spread them out where they can and generate their own power. The U.K.-based Guardian estimated last year a balcony solar system can save residents 30% on their electrical bills.  

“Just directly plug in whatever you have powered at that moment; it’ll feed into that first (and then back into the grid ),” Antipov said.

One issue with plug-in solar, though, is that power could still flow into the grid even if the grid is down, posing a danger to linemen trying to fix it. And critics argue the systems lack proper safety standards. But proponents point out that plug-in solar systems typically have a micro inverter, used to convert direct current to alternating current, that is synced to the electrical grid and will shut down during outages.

Because of the dangers, Colorado Springs Utilities and the state of Colorado do not allow plug-in solar systems. Solar panels must be on a dedicated circuit, have property disconnects and be inspected and permitted, CSU said in an emailed statement. The utility also requires solar installation to follow the national electric code.  

Earlier this year, Colorado Springs Utilities introduced new charges to solar panel users, catching many customers off guard and angering some, according to previous coverage by the Gazette. Nearly 9,000 customers use CSU’s renewable solar program and may have to pay $50 per month extra.

In the case of plug-in solar, the utility also highlights fire hazards and dangers to utility workers who repair electrical lines in the event of an outage. But Antipov highlighted “smart” features available to plug-in solar systems that sense when the grid is down and stop feeding into it.  

In March, Utah became the first state in the country to allow plug-in solar, according to the Sierra Club. The state limits the amount of energy users can feed back into the grid to avoid the risk to linemen, Antipov noted.

In 2024, Colorado got 43% of its electricity from renewable sources. But the state does not generate much solar energy, compared to other sources. In terms of renewables, wind power dominates, generating 67% of the state’s electricity, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Solar only accounted for 25% of renewable energy generation.

At home, installing rooftop solar can be expensive. A 5,000-watt system may cost just over $14,000 before incentives, according to EnergySage. This is a distinct advantage of plu- in solar, said Kristen Schatz with the CoPIRG Foundation, an advocacy group and part of the Public Interest Network.  

“The price points for balcony solar are really appealing to consumers,” said Schatz. “They start at around $500 and go on up to about $5,000 or $6,000 depending on how many panels you have and whether you have a battery included in the system.” 

But, as of now. Colorado Solar Innovations cannot offer plug in solar. Instead, it’s turned a specific market: construction. The company’s flagship product is a trailer-based solar generator. It’s an enclosed trailer with solar panels mounted on top and sides, with batteries inside.

It’s a successful product that is gaining traction locally, Antipov said. Typically, workers at a construction site rely on a gas- or diesel-powered generator that provides power to a mobile office.  

Those generators are noisy, and Antipov says it makes it difficult for workers to hear one another during meetings, even inside the office.  

“Construction guys are a little bit hesitant to try something new. They would rather put their typical generator out in the field and just run it off that,” he said. “Once you show them the product… They didn’t know how good or how bad they had it, until we brought them a system.”  

The trailer-based generator has at least two customers in Colorado Springs, Antipov said, including a major homebuilder.