Mississippi Opens the Door to Residential Solar with New Net Metering Rules

JACKSON, MS and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC) released its updated Net Metering and Interconnection Rules. The new rules expand the net metering program, improve total compensation rates for solar customers, and prioritize solar adoption for low-to-moderate income (LMI) customers.

Following is a statement by Will Giese, Southeast regional director for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):

“We commend the Mississippi Public Service Commission for updating its net metering rules and expanding solar access in Mississippi. The net metering program now covers Mississippi households that are 250% of the federal poverty line and below, which will help even more Mississippians experience the cost-saving benefits of solar energy.

“While we are disappointed that the Public Service Commission did not offer the full retail rate for net metering, the order will move Mississippi’s solar policy forward, and SEIA will continue to advocate for straight forward and smart polices that grow the solar industry. As we’ve seen in Arkansas, easy-to-understand net metering programs can encourage rooftop solar adoption and provide benefits to all ratepayers.

“Our hope is that this is the first of many decisions by the commission to build programs that will bring jobs, resiliency, and customer choice to a hurricane-prone market with one of the highest energy burdens in the United States. We recognize the extraordinary leadership that the Public Service Commission showed by listening to numerous stakeholders, including SEIA and several regional and state-based organizations, throughout the decision-making process. This process shows that Mississippi can be a regional leader for clean energy programs in the Southeast.”

Learn more about solar in Mississippi.

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 20% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Media Contact: 

Jen Bristol, SEIA’s Director of Communications, jbristol@seia.org (202) 556-2886