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Two $0-down solar options, fundamentally different structures. Propel gives you ownership at year 5 with fixed payments. Sunrun leases never transfer ownership and include annual escalators. Here is how they compare across every metric that matters.
Quick Answer
Propel (Concert Finance) and Sunrun are both $0-down solar options, but they work very differently. Propel transfers ownership to you automatically at year 5, has fixed payments (no escalator), and captures the 30% ITC via Section 48E. Sunrun leases never transfer ownership, include 1.99-2.99% annual escalators, and require lease buyout at Sunrun-determined pricing to ever own the system. Propel wins on ownership and long-term cost. Sunrun wins on availability (22+ states), lower initial payment, and more flexible credit requirements. For ME/TX homeowners with 660+ FICO planning to stay 5+ years, Propel is the better choice.
Propel pairs a Prepaid Energy Services Agreement (ESA) with a 25-year loan from Concert Finance (originated by Medallion Bank, FDIC). A third-party business entity owns the system for years 1-5, claims the 30% Section 48E commercial ITC, and provides a performance guarantee plus free maintenance. At year 5, ownership transfers automatically via the Early Buyout Option. Your monthly payment is fixed for 25 years with no escalator.
Sunrun installs solar on your roof and retains ownership for the entire lease term (20-25 years). You pay a monthly lease payment that increases annually by a fixed escalator (typically 1.99-2.99%). Sunrun handles all maintenance, monitoring, and insurance for the lease duration. At the end of the lease, you can renew, have the system removed, or purchase it at fair market value determined by Sunrun.
Both products achieve $0 down and both capture the federal ITC through third-party ownership. The fundamental difference is what happens over time: Propel gives you ownership and keeps your payment flat. Sunrun keeps ownership and raises your payment every year. This divergence compounds dramatically over 25 years.
Every important factor, side by side.
| Feature | Propel | Sunrun Lease |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $0 down | $0 down |
| Monthly payment (start) | ~$230-$270/mo | ~$100-$160/mo |
| Payment escalator | None (fixed) | 1.99-2.99%/year |
| Monthly payment (year 25) | Same as year 1 | ~$190-$290/mo |
| Ownership | Automatic at year 5 | Never (lease) |
| Home equity impact | +4% or more at year 5 | $0 (you do not own it) |
| Federal ITC treatment | 30% captured (Section 48E) | Sunrun captures it |
| ITC benefit to you | Built into lower payment | Built into lower payment |
| Performance guarantee | 85% kWh (years 1-5) | Varies by contract |
| Maintenance included | Years 1-5 | Full lease term |
| Monitoring | 25 years | Full lease term |
| Equipment choice | Silfab 440W only | Sunrun selects |
| FICO requirement | 660+ | Varies (often lower) |
| Availability | ME, TX only | 22+ states |
| Contract term | 25 years | 20-25 years |
| Early termination | Pay off loan (no penalty) | Buyout at Sunrun price |
| Prepayment penalty | None | N/A (lease) |
| Home sale transfer | Transfer loan or buy out | Transfer lease or buy out |
| After contract ends | You own the system | Renew, remove, or buy at FMV |
Upfront cost
Propel
$0 down
Sunrun
$0 down
Monthly payment (start)
Propel
~$230-$270/mo
Sunrun
~$100-$160/mo
Payment escalator
Propel
None (fixed)
Sunrun
1.99-2.99%/year
Monthly payment (year 25)
Propel
Same as year 1
Sunrun
~$190-$290/mo
Ownership
Propel
Automatic at year 5
Sunrun
Never (lease)
Home equity impact
Propel
+4% or more at year 5
Sunrun
$0 (you do not own it)
Federal ITC treatment
Propel
30% captured (Section 48E)
Sunrun
Sunrun captures it
ITC benefit to you
Propel
Built into lower payment
Sunrun
Built into lower payment
Performance guarantee
Propel
85% kWh (years 1-5)
Sunrun
Varies by contract
Maintenance included
Propel
Years 1-5
Sunrun
Full lease term
Monitoring
Propel
25 years
Sunrun
Full lease term
Equipment choice
Propel
Silfab 440W only
Sunrun
Sunrun selects
FICO requirement
Propel
660+
Sunrun
Varies (often lower)
Availability
Propel
ME, TX only
Sunrun
22+ states
Contract term
Propel
25 years
Sunrun
20-25 years
Early termination
Propel
Pay off loan (no penalty)
Sunrun
Buyout at Sunrun price
Prepayment penalty
Propel
None
Sunrun
N/A (lease)
Home sale transfer
Propel
Transfer loan or buy out
Sunrun
Transfer lease or buy out
After contract ends
Propel
You own the system
Sunrun
Renew, remove, or buy at FMV
The single biggest difference between Propel and Sunrun is the payment escalator. Sunrun leases include an annual increase of 1.99% to 2.99% — which sounds small but compounds dramatically over 20-25 years. Propel has no escalator. Your payment in year 1 is the same as in year 25.
| Year | Propel | Sunrun (2.49%) | Sunrun Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $250 | $130 | Sunrun saves $120/mo |
| 5 | $250 | $143 | Sunrun saves $107/mo |
| 10 | $250 | $162 | Sunrun saves $88/mo |
| 15 | $250 | $183 | Sunrun saves $67/mo |
| 17 (crossover) | $250 | $195 | Sunrun saves $55/mo |
| 20 | $250 | $213 | Propel saves $37/mo |
| 25 | $250 | $241 | Nearly equal |
Propel: $250/mo estimate based on $30K system at 8.79% APR (very good credit). Sunrun: $130/mo starting payment with 2.49% annual escalator. Actual rates depend on system size, location, and credit.
The key insight: Sunrun starts cheaper but Propel catches up and eventually becomes the lower payment. With a 2.49% escalator, the crossover point is around year 17-18 for most system sizes. But the payment comparison alone misses the most important factor: ownership.
The ownership difference changes everything
At year 5, you own the Propel system. It adds approximately 4% or more to your home value. Over 25 years, a Propel system that cost $30,000 saves you $60,000+ in electricity while adding $12,000-$20,000 to home value. A Sunrun lease provides the same electricity savings but adds $0 in home equity — Sunrun owns the system, and a lease obligation can actually make your home harder to sell.
Here is what each option costs over the full contract term, including the value of ownership.
Important context on these numbers
Sunrun's lower total payments look attractive on paper. But you end up with nothing — no system, no equity, no asset. Propel costs more in total payments but gives you a $30,000+ asset at year 5. When you subtract the home equity value, Propel's net cost is comparable to or better than Sunrun's. And after year 25, Propel customers own a still-functional system generating free electricity, while Sunrun customers face renewal, removal, or a buyout at Sunrun's determined price.
This is a balanced comparison, and Sunrun has genuine advantages in several important areas. Here is where Sunrun is the better choice.
Sunrun operates in 22+ states. Propel is limited to Maine and Texas. If you live outside those two states, Propel simply is not an option for you right now.
Sunrun leases start at approximately $100-$160/month, compared to Propel at $230-$270/month. If monthly cash flow is your primary concern and you are less worried about long-term total cost, Sunrun offers a lower entry point.
Some Sunrun plans accept lower credit scores than Propel's 660 FICO minimum. If your credit is below 660, Sunrun may be your only $0-down option.
Sunrun handles maintenance for the entire 20-25 year lease term. Propel only covers maintenance for the first 5 years. After year 5, Propel customers are responsible for any maintenance (though solar systems require very little).
Sunrun is the largest residential solar company in the U.S. with millions of customers and a decades-long track record. Propel is a newer product with a smaller footprint. For homeowners who value established companies, Sunrun offers more familiarity.
Sunrun's Brightbox battery product is well-integrated with their lease offering. While Propel supports batteries too, Sunrun's battery ecosystem is more mature and may offer virtual power plant participation in some markets.
Sunrun is not a bad product — it is the industry leader for a reason. The key question is whether the lower starting payment and wider availability outweigh the lack of ownership and the escalating costs. For most long-term homeowners in Maine and Texas, the answer is no. But for short-term residents or those with lower credit, Sunrun may be the pragmatic choice.
How solar affects a home sale depends entirely on whether you own the system. This is one of the biggest practical differences between Propel and Sunrun.
Real estate agents consistently report that leased solar is a complication in home sales. Buyers do not want to inherit an escalating payment obligation from a company they did not choose. Owned solar, by contrast, is a selling point — it increases home value and reduces the buyer's energy costs from day one. This difference alone can be worth $10,000-$20,000 in a home transaction.
Use this framework to determine which product fits your situation.
You get ownership at year 5, fixed payments, and the ITC benefit. This is the ideal Propel scenario.
Propel is not available in your state. Sunrun or another lease/PPA is your $0-down option until Propel expands.
You do not qualify for Propel. Sunrun has more flexible credit requirements for some plans.
Sunrun starts at $100-$160/mo vs Propel at $230-$270/mo. Just understand the escalator will raise that payment every year.
Propel gives you ownership at year 5. Sunrun never does. The equity value alone can exceed the payment difference.
Both require transfer to the buyer. Sunrun leases are more familiar but can complicate sales. Propel is newer but ownership transfer simplifies things.
Propel and Sunrun are not your only choices. Here is how other major solar financing options compare.
| Option | Structure | Ownership | ITC | Key Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Propel | ESA + loan | Year 5 | 30% captured | Higher APR, limited states |
| Sunrun | Lease/PPA | Never | Sunrun captures | Escalator, no ownership |
| Tesla Solar | Cash/loan | Day 1 | None (25D expired) | No ITC in 2026 |
| SunPower | Cash/loan/lease | Varies | Varies | Premium pricing |
| Freedom Solar | Cash/loan | Day 1 | None (25D expired) | No ITC in 2026 |
| SolSource Propel | TPO | Varies | Captured | Enphase-only, new product |
Enter your monthly electric bill to compare lease escalators vs. fixed Propel ownership payments.
Compare lease escalators vs. Propel ownership by state
Lease Total
$64,356
over 25 years
Propel Total
$31,824
fixed 25 years, own yr 5
You Save
$32,532
with Propel
Crossover Year
Year 1
Lease > Propel
Auto-sized system: Based on your $200/mo bill in Massachusetts, a ~6.5 kW system would offset your usage, producing ~7,800 kWh/year.
Lease: $141/mo starting (PPA at $0.22/kWh = 70% of utility rate) | Propel: $102/mo fixed for 25 years | System: $20,020 (6.5 kW @ $3.08/W)
Massachusetts is on the Propel waitlist — join the waitlist
For most homeowners, Propel is cheaper over the full 25-year term. A $30,000 Propel system costs approximately $69,000-$81,000 total (depending on credit tier). A comparable Sunrun lease with a 2.49% annual escalator starts at around $130/month but grows to $240+/month, totaling approximately $54,000-$60,000. However, Propel gives you ownership at year 5 and the system adds 4%+ to home value — which Sunrun does not. When factoring in the home equity value of ownership, Propel typically wins.
If you are currently in a Sunrun lease, switching to Propel requires terminating the lease first — which typically involves a buyout payment. Sunrun lease buyout amounts vary by contract but can be significant. If your Sunrun lease is near its end or if the buyout amount is reasonable, switching to Propel for a new or expanded system may be worth exploring. Contact NuWatt for a personalized analysis.
No. Standard Sunrun leases do not transfer ownership to the homeowner. At the end of a 20-25 year Sunrun lease, you can either renew the lease, have the system removed, or purchase it at fair market value (which Sunrun determines). Propel transfers ownership automatically at year 5 at a pre-set price with no negotiation required.
Propel uses Silfab 440W panels (USA-made, FEOC-compliant, 25-year warranty). Sunrun uses various panel brands depending on availability and location — you typically do not get to choose. Sunrun systems may include Brightbox battery storage. Equipment quality varies, but Silfab panels are well-regarded in the industry and the FEOC compliance enables the ITC domestic content bonus.
With Propel, you can either buy out the system (at the pre-set EBO price) and include it in the sale, or transfer the loan and ESA to the buyer. With Sunrun, you must either buy out the lease or transfer it to the buyer — which requires the buyer to qualify with Sunrun and agree to the escalating lease payments. Many home buyers are reluctant to assume a Sunrun lease, which can complicate home sales.
Sunrun is generally more flexible on credit requirements than Propel. Some Sunrun lease plans accept lower credit scores, and some plans have no minimum FICO requirement at all. Propel requires a 660+ FICO score. If your credit score is below 660, Sunrun may be your only $0-down option.
For homeowners planning to move within 3-5 years, Sunrun may be easier to manage because leases are more familiar to buyers and Sunrun handles the transfer process. Propel transfers work well too, but the product is newer and less recognized. For homeowners staying 5+ years, Propel is the clear winner because you gain ownership and equity at year 5.
No. Propel has a fixed monthly payment for the entire 25-year term — the same amount in month 1 as in month 300. Sunrun leases typically include an annual escalator of 1.99% to 2.99%, meaning your payment increases every year. Over 25 years, a Sunrun lease payment that starts at $130/month with a 2.49% escalator grows to approximately $240/month.
Get a personalized Propel quote showing your estimated payment, savings, and 25-year analysis. No commitment, no credit impact.
Propel financing provided by Concert Finance. Loans originated by Medallion Bank, Member FDIC. Sunrun is a registered trademark of Sunrun Inc. NuWatt is not affiliated with Sunrun.
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Elena helps homeowners plan whole-home electrification projects — solar, heat pumps, batteries, and EV charging. She focuses on financing strategies and long-term energy savings.