Mississippi

State Legislator Score: *
Between the Mississippi river delta and the gulf coast, the state of Mississippi hosts some very unique places, not to mention being the birthplace of the Delta blues and a center of the civil rights movement. Even with all of its history and natural beauty, Mississippi has been slow to get on the solar energy train. Here’s what the legislature has done so far.

STATE LEGISLATION
Well, in the last couple of years, the state legislature has not even taken up the issue of solar energy. In the past two years, Governor Barbour has focused all his attention on cleaning up the mess left by Hurricane Katrina, but solar power has not figured into his plans.

NET-METERING
As of yet, Mississippi does not have a net metering policy, so for now, it’s all up to the utilities themselves.

STATE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, UTILITY REBATES, UTILITY LOANS, AND UTILITY INCENTIVES
The Energy Investment Loan Program started in 1989 does offer companies the possibility of low-interest loans for solar energy systems and other renewable energy projects. Also the TVA’s Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program will pay $500 for the installation of a residential solar system, and buy the power generated at $0.15/kWh. However, the $500 incentive only lasts until the entire program reaches a capacity of 150kW.

EXAMPLE 3KW SYSTEM – HOME INSTALLATION COST
A typical 3kW solar electricity system installed in Jackson, Mississippi would cost around $54,000. The federal tax credit would lower the cost by $2,000 though. With a state solar rating of Good, the system would pay for itself in about 25 years. The big savings would show up in utility bills going down by almost $100/month; not to mention the fact that you’d be keeping over 160 tons of greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere.
Building Type: Residential
State & County: MS - Jackson
Utility: Entergy Mississippi Inc
Utility Type: Investor-Owned Utility
Assumed Average Electric Rate:Please check against your bill $0.1012/kWh
Assumed Average Monthly Electricity Usage: Please check against your bill 1,300 kWh/Month
Your Average Monthly Electricity Bill: (Assumed rate x average monthly usage)$132 / Month
Tiered Rates Apply:No
Time-of-Use Metering Offered:No
Net-Metering Available:No

ESTIMATED SYSTEM SIZE
The system size best for your situation will vary based upon product, building, geographic and other variables. We encourage you to work with a Solar Pro who can better estimate the system size best for your situation. We estimate your building will need a system sized between 4.80 kW and 7.20 kW of peak power. This estimate assumes the mid-point of this range.
Solar Rating: Good (4.947 kWh/sq-m/day)
Solar System Capacity Required: 6.00 kW of peak power (DC watts)
Roof Area Needed: 600 sq-ft

ESTIMATED SYSTEM COST
This is only an estimate based upon many assumptions. Installation costs can vary considerably. We encourage you to work with a Solar Pro who can provide you with a more detailed cost estimate. We estimate that a 6.00 kW peak power system will cost between $43,200 and $64,800. This estimate assumes the mid-point of this cost range.
Assumed Installation cost: (before rebates, incentives or tax credits).$54,000 assuming $9 /watt
Expected Entergy Mississippi Inc Utility Rebate: ($0)
Expected MS State Rebate: State incentive does not apply to this utility($0)
MS State Tax Credit/Deduction ($0)
Federal Tax Credit:(Installation type: Residential ) ($2,000)
Income Tax on Tax Credit: $0

YOUR ESTIMATED NET COST: $52,000
Monthly Payment (6.5% apr, 30 years): $329

SAVINGS & BENEFITS
Increase in Property Value: $13,760
Exempt from Property Tax: No
Accelerated (5 yr) Depreciation: (Installation type: Residential ) No
First-year Utility Savings: Since this is not a business application, these savings are in after tax dollars. So, your realized savings may actually be higher! $688
Average Monthly Utility Savings: (over 25-year expected life of system) $96
Average Annual Utility Savings: (over 25-year expected life of system) $1,155
25-year Utility Savings: $28,870
Return on Investment (ROI): (with Solar System ave. cost set as asset value) 140%
Return on Investment (ROI): (with Property appreciation set as asset value) 531%
Years to Break even: (Includes property value appreciation) 20 years
Years to Break even: (Assuming no property value appreciation) 27 years
Greenhouse Gas (CO2) Saved: over 25-year system life 160.0 tons (320,000 auto miles)

CONSENSUS
The Mississippi legislature is really singing the blues when it comes to solar energy. The state’s leaders have hardly even mentioned the words in their sessions since 2005. With all the rebuilding in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the state could take the opportunity to protect the environment by promoting clean energy too. It’s about time the legislature took a stand in support of solar power.

http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/mississippi/