By Cecil Brown

Central District Public Service Commissioner for Mississippi

After nearly five years of conversation and collaboration among interested parties across Mississippi, from the electric utility industry to environmental organizations, the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved what is commonly known as net metering on December 3, 2015.

What is net metering?

Net metering allows a customer, whether residential or business, to sell excess customer generated electric power to that customer’s electric power provider at a fixed rate. For example, if a homeowner wishes to purchase and install solar panels on her home, she can sell any power she generates but does not use back to her electricity provider. Thus, she is not only able to save utility costs by using power she has produced herself, but is also able to use the value of her excess power to further reduce her electric bills.

Mississippi’s net metering rules are more consumer friendly than those of such sunny climes as Florida, Nevada, Texas and Arizona. Now that the Commission has adopted a net metering rule, every investor or member owned electric power company in Mississippi has a net metering plan.

The Public Service Commission sets the net metering rules and rates for Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power Company, and you should contact the companies to get the details.

However, electric cooperatives are member-owned utilities whose boards of directors set the net metering rules for their members. If you are a member of an electric cooperative, please contact your cooperative to discuss what rules and fees are associated with their net metering program.

A word or two of caution. Before you commit to a home solar installation, do your homework. Solar installations can be expensive. There are federal tax credits available, but it will typically take years to recover the cost of your initial investment. Also, all solar panels and solar installers are not the same. Be sure you are dealing with reputable, experienced providers.

Customers of investor-owned utilities are encouraged to contact their electric provider to discuss how to get started.

Entergy Mississippi customers may visit http://www.entergy-mississippi.com/your_home/net_metering.aspx or call 1-800-ENTERGY.

Mississippi Power Company customers may visit http://www.mississippipower.com/my-business/solar-for-your-business/net-metering or call 1-800-532-1502.

Finally, if we at the Public Service Commission can answer questions or help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us at http://www.psc.state.ms.us/ or call 1-800-356-6430.

By Cecil Brown

Central District Public Service Commissioner for Mississippi