⚡ Propel Financing by Concert Finance

The Post-Tax-Credit Solar Loan That Still Delivers 30-40% Off

The residential solar tax credit expired at the end of 2025. Propel by Concert Finance uses a commercial ownership structure to capture that credit value and pass the savings directly to you as an upfront discount before a single dollar is financed.

39.2%
Max Discount (EC Zip Codes)
$0
Dealer Fee Markup
Year 5
Ownership Transfers to You
Fixed
25-Year Payment, Never Rises
Compare Propel vs. Participate
Concert Finance Partner
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BBB A+ Rated
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No Dealer Fee Inflation
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🏠
Ownership at Year 5
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🔒
Fixed Payment Forever
How It Works

The Propel Financing Mechanism, Step by Step

Concert Finance uses a commercial ownership structure to unlock federal tax credits no longer available to residential homeowners. Those savings are passed to you as a real, upfront discount before any loan amount is set.

1

Concert Finance Takes Temporary Title

For years one through five, Concert Finance holds commercial ownership of the solar system. This structure qualifies the system for commercial-tier Investment Tax Credits unavailable to residential buyers.

2

The Propel Discount Is Applied First

The ITC value, typically 30-40% of system cost, is passed to you as an upfront discount before the loan is calculated. You borrow a genuinely reduced amount from day one, not an inflated one.

3

You Pay One Fixed Monthly Rate

Your Propel payment is set at 7.79% APR over 300 months. No escalator, no dealer markup buried in the balance, no surprises at year five or year fifteen.

4

Full Ownership Transfers at Year 5

At the five-year mark, the system is yours outright. It adds to your home's assessed value and produces power at zero marginal cost for the remaining life of the panels.

Product Details

What Makes Propel Different from Every Other Solar Loan

Built by Concert Finance exclusively for authorized partners. These are terms your neighbors won't find on a standard solar loan application.

Discount

30-40% Upfront Propel Discount

Applied before financing. 39.2% in IRS Energy Community zip codes. 29.8% in standard markets. Reflects the commercial ITC value passed directly to you.

Payments

Fixed 25-Year Monthly Payment

7.79% APR, 300 months. Your Propel rate today is your rate in year 20. No escalator, no rate resets, no surprises.

Ownership

System Transfers at Year 5

Concert Finance holds temporary commercial title, then full ownership transfers to you at the five-year mark with no additional out-of-pocket cost.

Flexibility

No Prepayment Penalty

Pay off the loan early at any time. Accelerate ownership on your schedule with zero exit fees.

Reamortization

Up to 3 Reamortizations

Restructure the loan balance at months 12, 24, and 36. This is rare in the solar lending market and lets you lower your monthly payment with a lump-sum contribution.

No Dealer Fees

Zero Dealer Fee Markup

Most solar loans inflate the financed amount with 20-30% dealer fees. Propel charges none. You borrow the real system cost.

Enphase IQ battery backup system installed outdoors on California home — included in Propel Financing solar packages
Side-by-Side Comparison

Propel vs. Traditional Solar Loan vs. Monthly PPA/Lease

A low year-one payment is not the same as the best 25-year outcome. Here is what the math actually looks like across the most common solar financing options available to California homeowners today.

Feature ⚡ Propel by Concert Finance Traditional Solar Loan Monthly PPA / Lease
Upfront cost to start$0 to startOften required or inflated$0 to start
Upfront discount applied30-40% before financingNoneNone to homeowner
Dealer fees in priceZero dealer markupOften 20-30% addedN/A
Payment escalationFixed for 25 yearsFixed1-3% per year common
System ownershipTransfers at year 5Immediate (inflated price)May never own
Prepayment penaltyNoneOften yesN/A
Tax credit access30-40% via commercial structureResidential ITC expired 2025Not available to homeowner
Credit check requiredYes, 660 FICO minimumYes, typically 680+Varies by provider
Home sale complexitySimple, tied to borrowerSimpleLease transfer required

← Scroll on mobile to see all columns

Real California Homeowners

What Propel Financing Actually Looks Like on a Proposal

These are real numbers from finalized Propel proposals. Monthly payments and discount amounts vary based on system size, utility territory, and Energy Community status.

Cervera Family
Kernville, CA — Energy Community Zip
Utility Bill Before
$443
per month
Propel Payment
$271
per month, fixed
Propel Discount Applied$22,827
EC Discount Rate39.2%
Projected 25-Yr Savings$146,000
$172/mo
immediate monthly relief vs. current utility bill
Giron Family
Ojai, CA
Utility Bill Before
$500
per month
Propel Payment
$274
per month, fixed
Propel Discount Applied$23,059
Monthly Savings vs. Bill$226/mo
Projected 25-Yr Savings$194,000
$194K
projected 25-year advantage over staying on the grid
Wais Family
Corona, CA
Utility Bill Before
$781
per month
Propel Payment
$348
per month, fixed
Propel Discount Applied$28,867
Monthly Savings vs. Bill$433/mo
Projected 25-Yr Savings$303,000
$303K
projected 25-year advantage over staying on the grid

Savings projections model 6% annual utility rate escalation based on historical CA averages. Actual results vary. Discount amounts are finalized at signing based on system size and zip code eligibility.

Discount Tiers

How the Propel Discount Is Calculated

The federal Investment Tax Credit for commercial solar is 30% in most markets. In IRS-designated Energy Community zip codes, a 10% bonus adder raises the effective credit to 40%. Propel passes that full value to you as an upfront discount before any financing is calculated.

Energy Community Zip Codes
39.2%

Homeowners in qualifying Energy Community zip codes receive the maximum Propel discount. These are areas historically associated with fossil fuel employment or coal mine closures, as defined by the IRS under the Inflation Reduction Act.

CA examples include parts of Kern County, Tulare County, and Kings County. Your advisor confirms your exact zip at application before the proposal is built.

Standard Markets
29.8%

In zip codes that do not qualify for the Energy Community adder, the base commercial ITC rate of 30% applies. Propel passes 29.8% of your system cost as an upfront discount before financing.

Most coastal California markets fall here, including much of the Bay Area, the Los Angeles metro (outside LADWP territory), and San Diego County.

Not sure which tier applies to your home? Your advisor checks your exact zip code against the IRS Energy Community database before any proposal is built. If you qualify for the 39.2% rate, it is reflected in your numbers automatically.
IRS Energy Community bonus tax credit map showing California Energy Community zip codes eligible for 39.2% Propel Financing discount

IRS Energy Community designation map. EC zip codes unlock the 7% bonus adder, raising the Propel discount to 39.2%.

See how Propel vs. Participate compares specifically in California →
Common Questions

What Homeowners Ask About Propel by Concert Finance

Is Propel a loan or a lease?
Propel is structured as an Energy Service Agreement paired with a Concert Finance loan. It is not a monthly lease or PPA. You are financing ownership of the system. Ownership transfers to you at year 5, and you can pay the balance off early at any time without penalty.
Who owns the solar system during years 1-5?
Concert Finance holds commercial title for the first five years. This is what allows the commercial ITC to be claimed. The practical experience for you is identical to ownership: the system is on your roof, produces power for your home, and your payment is fixed. Title transfers to you at year 5.
What happens if I sell my home before year 5?
Propel is a loan tied to you as a borrower, not a lien attached to the property. When you sell, the loan is settled similarly to other personal financing. This is far simpler than transferring a monthly PPA or lease, which requires the buyer to qualify and formally take over the agreement.
Does Propel require a credit check?
Yes. Propel includes an actual Concert Finance loan, which requires a minimum 660 FICO score for underwriting. This threshold is lower than most traditional solar lenders. If you do not meet it, Participate Energy's Prepaid Lease is a no-credit-check alternative worth considering.
What is the typical breakeven on Propel?
For most California homeowners with utility bills above $200 per month, the breakeven falls between years 6 and 8. After breakeven, savings compound as your fixed Propel payment stays constant while utility bills keep rising at roughly 6% per year historically.
Can I pay off Propel early?
Yes, with no prepayment penalty. You can pay down or pay off the full balance at any time. The loan also allows up to three reamortizations at months 12, 24, and 36, which reduce your monthly payment when you apply a lump sum to the principal.
How does Propel compare to Participate Energy's Prepaid Lease?
Propel is generally the better value in Energy Community zip codes where the 39.2% discount applies. Participate Energy's Prepaid Lease, which requires no credit check and includes Tesla Powerwall options, often provides stronger value in standard-market zip codes or for homeowners who prefer no monthly payment. See the full Propel vs. Participate comparison.
What hardware is included with Propel?
Propel jobs through our installer network are built on Qcells 410W panels with Enphase IQ8HC microinverters. Battery storage uses Enphase IQ batteries. All equipment carries manufacturer warranties backed by the installing contractor.
See all Propel Financing FAQs →

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