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Go solar with nothing out of pocket and start saving on your CMP or Versant bill immediately. Propel financing uses Section 48E to deliver a 40% ITC discount — and you still own your panels.
Before December 31, 2025, the 30% Section 25D tax credit meant a homeowner who paid $25,600 cash got $7,680 back from the IRS — making the true cost ~$17,920.
$0 down options (leases, PPAs) used Section 48 — the commercial ITC — to pass savings through as lower rates. Same concept, but for third-party owners.
With 25D alive, conventional loans were competitive: you'd get $0 down, claim the ITC yourself, and have a lower effective rate.
Section 25D is permanently dead. Cash buyers and standard loan buyers receive $0 from the IRS. No workarounds.
Section 48E still works — but only for third-party owners. Propel structures the financing so Concert Finance briefly owns your system, claims the 40% ITC (30% base + 10% FEOC), and passes every dollar of savings to you.
Result: you get $0 down, lower effective cost, and you still own your panels — the best of all worlds.
Propel is not a lease. It's a Concert Loan + Prepaid Energy Service Agreement — a structure that gets you ownership with ITC access.
We install American-made Silfab 440W panels. FEOC (Foreign Entity of Concern) certification is required to access the 40% ITC — 30% base + 10% domestic content bonus under Section 48E. These panels carry a 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty.
Concert Finance (the third-party entity) briefly holds the system to claim the Section 48E commercial ITC. They claim 40% of your system cost from the IRS. 100% of this tax benefit is passed directly to you — they don't keep a share. This is what makes your purchase price $15,360 instead of $25,600 on an 8 kW system.
40% ITC applied upfront. Example: 8 kW × $3.20/W = $25,600 gross → $15,360 your price. This becomes your Concert Loan balance. No dealer fee. $0 down. Fixed 8.99% APR for 25 years. Monthly payment: ~$129.
After the loan is paid, the system is yours — no buyout, no additional cost. Panels last 30–40 years. You also have an early buyout option if you want to own sooner. Maine's 100% property tax exemption for solar equipment applies immediately.
“The financing company claims the tax credit and passes the savings to you as a lower price.”
Based on a typical 8 kW system in CMP territory. Maine produces about 1,200 kWh per kW per year — enough to substantially offset your electric bill.
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| 8 kW system annual production | ~9,600 kWh/year |
| Monthly production (average) | ~800 kWh/month |
| CMP rate (residential) | $0.27/kWh |
| Monthly CMP bill offset | ~$216/month |
| Propel monthly payment | ~$129/month |
| Net savings from month 1 | +$87/month |
| Year 1 net savings | ~$1,044 |
Estimates assume 3% annual CMP rate increase, no system degradation, NEB 1:1 credit. Actual savings vary by usage, location, and shading. Get a site-specific quote for exact numbers.
All of these require $0 upfront — but they are not equal. Here's how they stack up.
| Option | Own System? | ITC Access | Payment | Escalator | 25yr Savings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Propel (NuWatt) BEST | 40% via Sec 48E | ~$129/mo fixed | None | ~$45,900 net | Best $0 down option in 2026 | |
Solar Lease | 30% (to owner) | Fixed monthly | 2–3% per year | ~$15,000–$25,000 | Never own panels, escalating cost | |
Power Purchase Agmt | 30% (to owner) | Per kWh | Rate may increase | ~$12,000–$22,000 | Pay per kWh, rate uncertainty | |
Community Solar | Project-level (varies) | Subscription fee | Varies by contract | ~$5,000–$12,000 | No roof installation, limited savings |
Section 48E requires construction to begin before July 4, 2026. With design, permits, and installation taking 8–12 weeks, homes that haven't started the process by April 2026 risk missing the deadline.
Soft credit check only · No commitment · Maine CMP + Versant territory
Yes — Propel by NuWatt offers $0 down solar in Maine with no dealer fee. The $0 down is possible because Concert Finance (third-party) briefly holds the system, claims the 40% Section 48E ITC, and passes those savings to you as a lower purchase price. You still own your panels.
With a solar lease, the company permanently owns your panels. You never build equity, you can't claim the tax credit, and payments often escalate 2–3% per year. With Propel, you own the system after the 25-year loan — payments are fixed at 8.99% APR with no escalator. Propel is ownership financing, not a lease.
The ITC (Section 48E) goes to the third-party system owner — Concert Finance in the case of Propel. They claim the 40% credit on your system, then pass 100% of that savings to you as a lower purchase price (system cost × 0.60). You don't claim anything on your own tax return — the benefit is built into your lower monthly payment.
For a typical 8 kW system in Maine: gross cost $25,600 → Propel price $15,360 (after 40% ITC) → ~$129/month at 8.99% APR over 25 years. Your CMP bill offset is ~$216/month, so net savings start at approximately $87/month from day one.
You need: (1) a FICO score of 660+ (TransUnion), (2) be a homeowner in CMP or Versant territory, (3) a system sized to your actual usage. Most single-family Maine homeowners with good credit qualify. Initial prequalification is a soft pull — no credit score impact.
Propel requires Silfab 440W panels — made in North America and certified as FEOC (Foreign Entity of Concern) compliant. FEOC compliance is required to access the +10% domestic content bonus under Section 48E, bringing total ITC to 40%.
Yes. After the 25-year loan term, the system is entirely yours — no additional payments, no buyout required. You also have an early buyout option if you want to own the system sooner. Solar panels last 30–40 years, so you'll enjoy 5–15 years of free electricity after the loan is paid off.
Community solar subscriptions are $0 down, but you're subscribing to a remote solar farm — no panels on your roof, no equity, no ownership. Savings are typically 10–15%. Maine's Public Utilities Advocate has flagged community solar billing issues that have cost some subscribers more than without solar. Propel gives you actual panels on your roof, ownership, and deeper savings.
Get a personalized Propel quote in 60 seconds. See your exact monthly payment and day-1 savings estimate. No commitment. No hard credit pull.
Propel available in Maine CMP and Versant territories only. 660+ FICO required. Section 48E construction start deadline July 4, 2026.
