Melton Sustainable Living Group president Gavin Webber is urging people to take up the Federal Government's $8000 rebate before it ends on June 30.

Melton Council is supporting a "Solar Suburbs" bulk-buy scheme which cuts the cost of solar systems from $13,000 to about $2500, depending on the size of the house.

Mr Webber said he installed a 2.8-kilowatt photovoltaic system on his roof in September 2007 at a cost of $20,500. It supplied upwards of 75 per cent of the electricity needs for the family of six.

He said the family's electricity bill was about $730 a quarter before the solar cells were installed. That dropped to $140 in the first quarter of this year.

But Mr Webber said people need not lash out on a system as large as his - the smaller, one-kilowatt systems could comfortably provide the energy needs for a couple. "They can spend their $900 from Mr Rudd [on solar panels] and they'll have energy for their house."

With the Melton Sustainable Living Group continuing to grow, Mr Webber said they may look at a bulk-buy scheme once the Federal Government's rebate finished on June 30.

The group's most recent meeting at the Melton Community Hall attracted more than 18 residents, all keen to learn more about how to give their lives "a darker shade of green".

"Most people want to take positive action in their own lives; we just need to work out how we do it," Mr Webber said.

Solar Suburbs" sign-up day is this Saturday at Melton Community Hall.

The next meeting of the Melton Sustainable Living Group is also on Saturday, from 2 to 4pm. Residents interested in joining can go to www.meltonsustainablelivinggroup. blogspot.com or email meltonsustainablelivinggroup@gmai l.com