I applied for a grant!  PSU got some serious private funding to promote their programs and connections for urban sustainability, and I'm asking for a piece of it.  It turns out a larger-scope project related to green building got approved in the first round, and I'm hoping to at least coordinate with that effort, and perhaps be under its umbrella as additional funding within it.  I'm working to make more specific contacts to see what my options are.  It all would fit together with my goals and PSU's, so I hope it works out.

For tax year 2009, the feds added some aggressive tax credits for energy efficient purchases for the home.  The more conventional appliance and insulation type of credits have a $1500 cap, but the more exotic systems like solar and geothermal get big refunds.  There's more to be had in tax breaks, so I see that as a huge opportunity to keep more of what I'll be spending on this house.

The design is ready for permit and funding exploration.  In a week I expect to have a budget for what this will cost, and nearly as soon, I should have a good feel for what my options are with the PSU grant.  Stay tuned.