MS HB768

Creates the Mississippi Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Act allowing electrical utilities serving over 100,000 customers to apply for PSC approval to develop renewable energy programs targeting at least 2% of their previous five-year average Mississippi retail peak demand by 2025.

Establishes net energy metering program allowing eligible customer-generators with renewable facilities up to 1,000 kW (residential: 20 kW) to sell excess power back to utilities at avoided cost rates, with credits rolling over annually and paid out at year-end.

Requires utilities to implement DER programs through four options: investing in renewable facilities, purchasing renewable power, investing in ancillary services and storage technologies, and supporting load management including electric vehicle charging.

Caps annual incremental DER costs recovered from customers at $12 residential, $120 commercial, and $1,200 industrial per account, with costs recovered through a separate fuel cost component.

Authorizes renewable energy facility leasing program for customer-generators through certified lessors, with total leased capacity capped at 2% of utility's retail peak demand (0.01% for utilities generating over 50% renewable energy).