See the light

TOWNS in Cardinia and Casey are going green, with solar panels being offered to residents thousands of dollars below the regular price.
People living in Pakenham, Officer, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North can reduce their household emissions – and save on their electricity bills – as part of the initiative.
Home owners earning under $100,000 can install a 1kv solar panel system for $1895, courtesy of a Federal Government means-tested rebate, provided 50 residents take up the offer.
Those earning over that amount can have the panels installed for $9895 – still thousands below the usual cost.
The two councils are working with private company Rezeko to offer residents the heavily reduced solar photovoltaic installations.
Casey-Cardinia Solar Neighbourhood co-ordinator Rob Campbell said home owners who installed the solar panels could reduce their household emissions by two tonnes per annum and save about $215 from their electricity bills each year.
“With the new feed-in tariff, home owners will be making a profit off their panels within six to seven years,” Mr Campbell said. “Further, the installation will immediately add approximately $14,000 to the value of their home.”
Mr Campbell urged residents to take up the offer.
“The Federal Government rebate ends on June 30 and will be replaced by a less generous system. This is an opportunity not to be missed,” he said.
The Casey-Cardinia Solar Neighbourhood solar panel offer ends on 23 March. For more information call Rob Campbell on 0401 842 738.