What Is Concert+Propel? A New Way to Finance and Own Solar in Arizona

The way Arizona homeowners pay for solar changed significantly after the federal residential solar tax credit expired at the end of 2025.

For years, homeowners purchasing a solar system could potentially claim a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the qualifying cost of their system. With that individual residential tax credit no longer available, solar companies and financing providers have introduced new programs designed to preserve some of the financial advantages that tax incentives previously provided.

One of the newest options available through Desert Solar Energy is Concert+Propel, a solar and battery financing program that combines a prepaid Energy Services Agreement with financing and a pathway to eventual homeowner ownership.

For the right homeowner, it can provide an interesting alternative to paying cash for solar, using a traditional solar loan, or entering into a long-term monthly solar lease.

What Is Concert+Propel?

Propel is a prepaid third-party ownership solar program offered through Concert Finance.

Unlike a traditional solar purchase, where the homeowner owns the equipment immediately, the solar and battery system is initially owned by a third party.

The homeowner receives the energy produced by the system while the third-party owner can take advantage of qualifying commercial clean-energy tax incentives. The economic value of those incentives can then be incorporated into the transaction, reducing the effective cost of going solar.

The major difference between Propel and many traditional solar leases is what happens next.

Propel is designed as a transitional ownership program. After the initial five-year period, the homeowner has a pathway to take ownership of the solar and battery system.

This combines some of the financial advantages of third-party ownership with a relatively short path toward ultimately owning the equipment.

Why Is Propel Especially Relevant in 2026?

Until the end of 2025, homeowners purchasing qualifying residential solar systems could potentially claim the federal Residential Clean Energy Credit.

That individual homeowner credit expired on December 31, 2025.

However, qualifying commercial solar projects can still potentially receive federal clean-energy tax incentives.

This distinction is what makes programs such as Propel possible.

Because the system is initially owned by a third-party entity rather than directly by the homeowner, qualifying commercial tax incentives can potentially be captured by the system owner and incorporated into the economics of the project.

Instead of the homeowner purchasing the system at full price and waiting to claim a personal tax credit, the value of applicable incentives can effectively be reflected in a lower project cost from the beginning.

Depending on the project and eligibility for available incentives, Propel has advertised potential savings of approximately 25% to 40% compared with an equivalent cash purchase, with the actual discount varying based on the project and available tax-credit adders.

How Does Concert+Propel Work?

The basic structure can be thought of in three stages.

Stage 1: Install the Solar and Battery System

Desert Solar Energy designs a solar and battery system based on the home's electricity usage, roof, utility rate plan and energy goals.

Under Propel, the system begins under a third-party ownership structure rather than being purchased directly by the homeowner.

Stage 2: Benefit From Solar While the System Is Third-Party Owned

During the initial ownership period, the homeowner receives the energy benefits produced by the system.

Because the system is initially owned by a qualifying third party, the project may be eligible for commercial clean-energy tax incentives that aren't available directly to homeowners purchasing residential solar after the expiration of the individual residential tax credit.

Propel incorporates the value of applicable incentives into the financial structure of the project.

The program also includes system monitoring, maintenance and performance protections during this period.

Stage 3: Transition Toward Homeowner Ownership

After year five, Propel provides a pathway for the homeowner to acquire the solar and battery system.

This is one of the most important differences between Propel and a conventional long-term solar lease.

Rather than planning to remain in a third-party ownership agreement for 20 or 25 years, Propel is specifically structured around the idea of transitioning the system to homeowner ownership after the initial five-year period, subject to the terms of the homeowner's agreement.

What Are the Benefits of Concert+Propel?

1. Potentially Lower Cost Than Purchasing Solar for Cash

The biggest attraction of Propel is the ability to incorporate commercial clean-energy incentives into the economics of a residential solar project.

Depending on the project's eligibility, available federal incentives and applicable tax-credit adders, the effective cost can potentially be substantially lower than purchasing the same solar and battery system directly for cash.

That's particularly important now that homeowners can no longer personally claim the former 30% residential federal solar tax credit.

2. A Path to Owning Your Solar System

Many homeowners like the economics of third-party-owned solar but would ultimately prefer to own their equipment.

Propel was designed specifically with that objective in mind.

The system begins under an Energy Services Agreement, but the homeowner has a pathway to transition to ownership after the initial five-year period.

For homeowners who don't want to remain in a 20- or 25-year solar lease, this can be an attractive middle ground.

3. Financing Can Eliminate a Large Upfront Cash Payment

"Prepaid" doesn't necessarily mean the homeowner has to write a large check on installation day.

Propel can be paired with financing through Concert Finance, allowing the prepaid amount to be financed rather than paid entirely out of pocket.

That gives homeowners the ability to take advantage of the prepaid structure without necessarily needing the cash required to purchase a solar and battery system outright.

The specific interest rate, term, payment and financing costs should always be reviewed carefully when comparing Propel with a cash purchase or other solar financing options.

4. Fixed and Predictable Solar Costs

One reason homeowners consider solar is to reduce their exposure to changing utility electricity rates.

With financing structured around a fixed solar project cost, homeowners can have greater predictability over the cost associated with their solar system rather than relying entirely on electricity purchased from their utility.

For Tucson-area homeowners, that can be particularly relevant as Tucson Electric Power and other Arizona utilities continue to periodically adjust their rates.

Solar doesn't necessarily eliminate your utility bill, but producing electricity at your home can reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid.

5. Performance and Maintenance Protections

Propel also includes protections that aren't normally associated with simply purchasing solar equipment for cash.

The program includes system performance protections along with monitoring and maintenance during the applicable service period.

That can give homeowners additional confidence that the system isn't simply being installed and left for them to manage on their own.

Specific warranties, performance guarantees and maintenance obligations are governed by the actual Propel agreement, so homeowners should review those documents carefully before enrolling.

6. Solar and Battery Storage Can Be Combined

Propel can be used for qualifying solar and battery storage systems.

That is especially useful in Southern Arizona, where homeowners are increasingly interested in batteries alongside rooftop solar.

Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours. A battery can store some of that energy for use later in the day and, depending on the equipment and system configuration, can also provide backup power during a utility outage.

For homeowners already considering both technologies, incorporating solar and battery storage into the same financing structure can simplify the project.

Concert+Propel vs. a Traditional Solar Loan

With a conventional solar loan, the homeowner purchases and owns the solar equipment from the beginning.

That can be appealing for homeowners who want immediate ownership.

The challenge in 2026 is that the homeowner no longer has access to the federal residential tax credit that historically helped offset a substantial portion of the purchase price.

Propel approaches the transaction differently.

Instead of immediately transferring ownership to the homeowner, a third party initially owns the system and may qualify for commercial clean-energy incentives. The value of applicable incentives can then be incorporated into the economics of the project.

After the initial five-year period, the homeowner has a pathway toward ownership.

The better option depends on the actual numbers. Homeowners should compare the total project cost, financing costs, monthly payment, ownership timing, equipment, warranties and any future buyout amount rather than comparing monthly payments alone.

Concert+Propel vs. a Traditional Solar Lease

A traditional solar lease usually involves a third party owning the system for a long period—often 20 or 25 years—while the homeowner makes recurring payments under the lease agreement.

Propel takes a different approach.

Although the system starts under third-party ownership, the program is designed around a much shorter transition toward homeowner ownership.

That can be attractive for someone who likes the financial advantages of third-party ownership but doesn't necessarily want their solar system to remain leased for decades.

Concert+Propel vs. a Prepaid Lease

Propel also has similarities to the prepaid solar lease options that Desert Solar Energy offers.

Both structures can use third-party ownership to capture incentives that aren't directly available to homeowners purchasing solar after the expiration of the residential federal tax credit.

The key difference is that Propel places greater emphasis on transitional ownership.

Rather than viewing the system primarily as a long-term prepaid lease, Propel is structured around an initial five-year third-party ownership period followed by a pathway for the homeowner to take ownership.

For homeowners whose ultimate goal is to own their solar and battery equipment, that distinction can be important.

Is Concert+Propel Right for Your Home?

Propel may be worth considering if you:

• Want to go solar but are concerned about the loss of the residential federal tax credit.
• Want to compare a potentially discounted solar price against a conventional cash purchase.
• Prefer a pathway toward eventually owning your solar equipment.
• Don't want to remain in a traditional 20- or 25-year solar lease.
• Want to finance the project instead of making a large upfront cash payment.
• Are considering solar combined with battery storage.
• Value performance, monitoring and maintenance protections during the initial service period.

It won't necessarily be the best option for every homeowner.

Someone who insists on owning the equipment immediately may still prefer a cash purchase or conventional solar loan. Likewise, homeowners who expect to sell their home within the first several years should carefully review the transfer and early-buyout provisions before choosing this type of program.

Compare Concert+Propel With Your Other Solar Options

At Desert Solar Energy, we don't believe there is one financing option that makes sense for every homeowner.

Our role is to help you compare them.

We'll look at your actual electricity usage, utility company, roof, available solar exposure, battery needs and long-term goals. From there, we can design an appropriately sized system and show you how Concert+Propel compares with a cash purchase, traditional solar financing, prepaid lease and other available solar options.

We'll also walk through the ownership structure so you understand who owns the equipment during each stage, what you're paying, what protections are included and how the transition to ownership works.

For Tucson and Southern Arizona homeowners, the combination of abundant sunshine and continually changing utility electricity costs makes solar worth evaluating—but the financing structure can be just as important as the equipment itself.

If you're considering solar panels or battery storage, contact Desert Solar Energy and ask us about Concert+Propel. We'll show you the numbers and help you determine which solar ownership option makes the most sense for your home.