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Answering Common Questions About Propel’s Energy Services Agreement Path to Ownership
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When homeowners start exploring solar, financing is often one of the biggest questions. Many people like the idea of lowering their electric bills with clean energy, but they still wonder how solar works if their plans change or if something goes wrong.
The Propel energy services agreement was designed to make solar ownership more flexible. Instead of choosing between a traditional solar loan or a long-term lease, Propel allows homeowners to start with a lower upfront commitment and transition to ownership.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we hear about the program.
“What if I move?”
Many homeowners worry about committing to solar if they might sell their home in the future.
Propel is designed with flexibility in mind. If you move before ownership transfers, you typically have options such as transferring the agreement to the new homeowner or exercising an early buyout option.
This helps ensure that solar can still work even if your housing plans change.
“What if something breaks?”
Solar systems are built to operate reliably for decades, but monitoring and maintenance are still important.
During the first five years of the Propel program, system monitoring, maintenance, and service are included. If the system experiences an issue during this period, it will be addressed as part of the service agreement. The program also includes a production guarantee, ensuring the system produces at least 85% of its expected energy output.
“Is this more expensive in the long term?”
Every solar financing option comes with different advantages. Traditional solar loans may offer the lowest long-term cost, but they often require homeowners to take on the full financial commitment from the start.
Propel is designed for homeowners who want flexibility and a lower upfront barrier to entry. The program allows you to start generating solar power today while maintaining options for ownership and payoff over time. For many homeowners, that flexibility can make solar easier to adopt.
“Do I still get the tax credit?”
With Propel, homeowners may be able to secure a portion of the tax credit value — approximately 24% — built into the program structure, helping reduce the effective cost of going solar.
A Flexible Path to Solar Ownership
Solar financing has evolved over the years, and programs like Propel are designed to provide homeowners with more options.
Currently available to homeowners in Maine, Propel combines the accessibility of a lease with a clear path to ownership. It allows homeowners to start benefiting from solar today with predictable payments, while building toward full system ownership over time.
By bridging the gap between leasing and owning, Propel offers a flexible way to go solar now while planning for long-term savings and energy independence—with plans to expand into additional New England markets in the future
Interested in learning if Propel is available for your home?
Mark is the Founder & President of New England Clean Energy. I started writing The Energy Miser in 2011 because I like to analyze energy issues and pontificate about my findings. Got a topic you want me to cover? Let me know.
