Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
NuWatt designs, installs, and manages solar, battery, heat pump, and EV charger systems across 9 states. One company, one warranty, one point of contact.
Get a Free QuoteNot everyone qualifies for Propel. This guide covers every requirement, what disqualifies you, and what alternatives exist if Propel is not available. We would rather help you find the right solution than waste your time on the wrong one.
Quick Answer
To qualify for Propel solar, you need: (1) a FICO score of 660 or higher (TransUnion), (2) to be a homeowner living at the installation address in Maine or Texas, (3) a roof in good condition with 10+ years of remaining life, and (4) a system size between $10,001 and $135,000. The initial check is a soft credit inquiry with no impact on your score. If you do not qualify, alternatives include solar leases (580+ FICO), standard loans, cash purchase, or community solar.
Minimum 660 FICO score from TransUnion. This is a firm requirement with no exceptions. Your score determines your APR tier. Tier 1 (760+) gets the best rate at 7.79%. Tier 4 (660-689) gets 9.79%. A co-applicant who lives at the property can be added to strengthen the application.
You must own the property where the solar system will be installed. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties, vacation homes, and rental properties do not qualify. Your name must be on the deed or mortgage.
Propel is currently live in two states only. Maine: CMP and Versant utility territories. Texas: ERCOT market territories including Oncor, CenterPoint, and Austin Energy. If you live outside these areas, you can join the waitlist for future availability.
Your roof must have sufficient remaining life (10+ years recommended), adequate solar exposure (minimal shade), and structural integrity to support panels. A NuWatt site assessment evaluates roof condition, orientation, pitch, and shading. If your roof needs replacement, that should happen before Propel installation.
Concert Finance loans range from $10,001 to $135,000. For most residential systems (6-12kW), the system cost falls within $18,000-$42,000 comfortably. Very small systems under $10K or very large systems over $135K may not fit the Propel structure.
Single-family homes, townhomes with individual roofs, and condos where you own or control the roof. The property must have a suitable roof footprint for solar. Ground-mount systems may be eligible in some cases. Mobile homes and manufactured homes on rented land do not qualify.
Your credit score does not just determine whether you qualify; it determines how much you pay. Concert Finance uses a tiered pricing model where higher credit scores receive lower APRs. The difference between Tier 1 and Tier 4 is 2 full percentage points, which translates to approximately $12,000 in total interest over the 25-year loan term on a $30,000 system.
| Credit Tier | FICO Score | Standard APR | With ACH Discount | Monthly ($30K) | Total Interest ($30K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 760+ | 7.79% | 7.29% | $230 | $38,900 |
| Tier 2 | 720-759 | 8.49% | 7.99% | $245 | $43,500 |
| Tier 3 | 690-719 | 8.99% | 8.49% | $255 | $46,500 |
| Tier 4 | 660-689 | 9.79% | 9.29% | $270 | $51,000 |
If your FICO is near a tier boundary (e.g., 715 vs 720, or 655 vs 660), it may be worth spending 2-3 months improving your score before applying. Common quick wins: pay down credit card balances below 30% utilization, dispute any errors on your TransUnion report, and avoid opening new credit accounts. Moving from Tier 3 to Tier 2 saves approximately $3,000 over the loan life.
If your credit score is below 660 but your spouse or co-owner has a score above 660, they can serve as the primary applicant with you as a co-applicant. Both applicants must live at the installation address. The application uses the primary applicant's credit score for rate determination, so putting the higher-score person as the primary applicant gets the best rate.
This is also useful for tier optimization. If one applicant has a 745 FICO (Tier 2) and another has a 765 FICO (Tier 1), making the 765-score person the primary applicant saves approximately $4,600 in total interest over 25 years.
Utility territories: CMP (Central Maine Power) and Versant Power. Covers most of the state. Net Energy Billing provides 1:1 retail credit for excess production.
ERCOT market territories including Oncor, CenterPoint, and Austin Energy. Competitive retail electricity market with varied rate structures. TOU optimization available.
Contact NuWatt to join the waitlist and be notified when Propel launches in your state.
Even if you meet the basic requirements, certain situations can disqualify your application. Knowing these upfront saves time and frustration.
A bankruptcy discharge within the past 2 years typically results in denial. Chapter 7 bankruptcies older than 2 years may still qualify if your FICO has recovered to 660+. Chapter 13 bankruptcies in active repayment are generally not eligible.
If your roof has less than 10 years of remaining life, NuWatt will recommend re-roofing before installation. Installing solar on a failing roof means costly removal and reinstallation later ($2,000-$5,000). NuWatt can coordinate a re-roof + solar package.
Apartment buildings, condos with shared roof access, and community living situations where you do not have exclusive roof rights are not eligible. You need documented rights to install equipment on the specific roof area.
Mobile homes and manufactured homes on rented land do not qualify for Propel. The structural and ownership requirements of the TPO structure require a permanent, deeded property. Manufactured homes on owned land may qualify on a case-by-case basis.
Propel requires you to live at the installation address. Investment properties, short-term rentals, and properties where you are the landlord but not the resident do not qualify. The homeowner must be the occupant.
Even within Maine and Texas, certain utility territories may not yet be supported. In Maine, you must be in CMP or Versant territory. In Texas, you must be in the ERCOT market. Co-ops and municipal utilities may have limitations.
Understanding the timeline helps you plan, especially with the July 4, 2026 construction deadline.
Contact NuWatt, provide basic information. Soft credit pull determines eligibility and APR tier. No score impact.
NuWatt evaluates your roof using satellite imagery and designs a system. If an in-person assessment is needed, it adds 3-5 days. System design is presented with Propel pricing through Artemis/Solargraf.
If you proceed, full application submitted to Concert Finance. Hard inquiry on TransUnion. Final approval includes loan terms, monthly payment, and contract.
Sign the Propel agreement. NuWatt handles permitting with your local building department. Permit timelines vary: Texas averages 1-2 weeks, Maine averages 2-4 weeks.
Crew installs panels, inverters, and wiring. Most residential installations complete in 1 day. Complex systems (battery, ground-mount) may take 2-3 days.
Local building inspector approves installation. Utility processes interconnection application. Once approved, your system goes live and starts producing.
The total timeline from inquiry to construction start is approximately 3-6 weeks. To safely meet the July 4, 2026 construction deadline, begin the process by mid-May 2026 at the latest. Starting in April gives comfortable margin for any permitting delays.
Not qualifying for Propel does not mean you cannot go solar. Every solar financing path has different requirements, and there is almost always an option that fits your situation.
Solar leases from Sunrun, SunPower, and others accept credit scores as low as 580-620. You pay monthly for the electricity, the leasing company owns and maintains the system. Available nationwide. Typical savings of 10-30% on electricity bills from day one.
Mosaic, GoodLeap, and Dividend Finance offer solar loans with lower FICO minimums. You own the system from day one. Note: these lenders charge dealer fees of 15-35% that increase the effective cost. Available in 35-48 states.
Buying solar outright means no credit check, no monthly payments, and maximum long-term savings. You will not receive the federal ITC (Section 25D expired), but state incentives may still apply. Payback period is 8-15 years depending on your location.
Community solar programs let you subscribe to a share of a larger solar installation nearby. No rooftop installation, no credit requirements in most programs, available to renters. Typical savings of 5-15% on electricity bills.
If your score is close to 660, targeted credit improvement may get you there in 2-6 months. Pay down credit card balances below 30% utilization, dispute errors, and avoid new credit applications. Then reapply for Propel. Moving from 655 to 665 saves thousands vs using a higher-rate alternative.
Soft credit check. No impact on your score. If Propel is not the right fit, NuWatt will help you find an alternative that works.