EXHIBIT 5.1 [LETTERHEAD] February 1, 2000 DCH Technology, Inc. 27811 Avenue Hopkins, #6 Valencia, California 91355 Re: DCH Technology, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-8 ---------------------------------- Gentlepersons: We are counsel to DCH Technology, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Company"). We have assisted the Company in its preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), registering an aggregate of 15,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock") issued to a consultant pursuant to an Option Agreement dated December 31, 1999 (the "Agreement"). In rendering this opinion, we have considered such questions of law and examined such statutes and regulations, corporate records, certificates and other documents (including but not limited to the Agreement) and have made such other examinations, searches and investigations as we have considered necessary. In such examinations we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or as photocopies or telecopies. We have not made an independent examination of the laws of any jurisdiction other than California and the federal laws of the United States, and we do not express or imply any opinions in respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. The opinions expressed herein are based on legislation and regulations in effect on the date hereof. Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Common Stock issued pursuant to the Agreement is duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement. This consent is not to be construed as an admission that we are a person whose consent is required to be filed with the Registration Statement under the provisions of the Securities Act. Very truly yours, /s/ SILICON VALLEY LAW GROUP SILICON VALLEY LAW GROUP