(10/07/06) FAIR HAVEN - A Fair Haven homeowner is setting a good environmental example with his solar-paneled home that saves big bucks.

Steve Knowlton installed 24 100-watt panels on his roof in 2001, making him the first New Jersey homeowner to go green. Knowlton continued to remodel his home, installing extra-thick walls to keep air conditioning and heat in and natural bamboo floors. His toilets use eight-tenths of a gallon per flush.

Knowlton estimates he saves almost $750 yearly on electric bills. The original cost of the project was $22,000, but state rebates reduced the cost to $11,000.