Best Solar CAD Tools and Layout Design Software for 2025

Design faster. Quote smarter. Win more deals.

Designing solar systems in 2025 isn’t just about fitting panels on a roof—it’s about building smarter workflows that save time, reduce risk, and close more deals.

But here’s the problem: many solar teams are still stuck in an outdated setup. One tool for CAD layouts. Another for shading. A spreadsheet for energy modeling. And maybe a separate app to spit out proposals. Sound familiar?

That disconnected workflow might’ve been fine five years ago. But today? It’s costing you time, accuracy, and clients.

We built this guide to help you fix that.

Below, we break down the best solar CAD tools and layout software platforms of 2025—ranked by what really matters: speed, design precision, shading accuracy, proposal automation, and how well they support your actual team workflows.

And leading the pack is SurgePV—a modern, all-in-one solar design solution that does what others don’t:

• Instantly generate accurate layouts with AI + LIDAR
  
• Simulate real-world energy yield with 8760-hour + P50/P90 forecasting
  
• Auto-generate quotes with ROI, IRR, VAT, and e-signature links
  
• Handle everything from first sketch to signed proposal—without switching tools
  

If you’re tired of slow designs, messy quoting, and tools that weren’t really built for solar, you’re in the right place.

Let’s explore what’s out there—and why SurgePV might just be the upgrade your team has been waiting for.

What Today’s Solar Designers Actually Need

Today’s solar designers aren’t just drawing rooftops—they’re balancing speed, accuracy, and the expectations of sales, ops, and customers. The pressure is real: you need to turn around precise, professional designs quickly, and they need to hold up under financial and technical scrutiny.

That means your design platform needs to do more than sketch panels on a roof. It needs to accelerate your entire workflow, from first click to signed contract.

At a minimum, the top solar CAD tools in 2025 must offer:

• Auto-roof detection that works on pitched, flat, and multi-surface structures—because time spent redrawing roof planes is time lost.
  
• LIDAR-based shading simulation and per-panel modeling, so your designs reflect true performance and not just assumptions.
  
• 8760-hour simulations with P50/P90 forecasting, so your proposals are backed by bankable data, not guesswork.
  
• Engineering-grade exports—think SLDs, BOMs, racking layouts, and permit-ready PDFs.
  
• Built-in proposal tools with full financial modeling (ROI, IRR, VAT, net metering), plus e-signature and live payment links.
  
• And finally, CRM integration so you’re not copying and pasting leads between platforms.
  

Designers today need more than layout tools—they need systems that support how solar teams really work.

Market-Leading Solar CAD & Layout Tools 

Choosing the right solar design platform in 2025 means balancing speed, accuracy, scalability, and how well the tool fits into your proposal and sales workflows. Below are the 7 best solar CAD and layout software tools, ranked for real-world use across design, simulation, proposal generation, and growth-oriented solar teams.

SurgePV – #1 for End-to-End CAD-to-Proposal Workflows

SurgePV is a modern, cloud-based solar design platform that combines AI-powered CAD, advanced simulations, and full proposal automation—built specifically for installers, EPCs, and C&I sales teams. It’s the first tool designed to replace your entire legacy stack (CAD tools, Excel models, PDF quotes) in one place.

Key Features:

• Instant AI-generated layouts for pitched, flat, and multi-surface roofs
  
• LIDAR-based shading analysis at per-panel resolution
  
• 8760-hour performance modeling with P50/P90 forecasting
  
• Auto-generated SLDs, BOMs, and permit sets
  
• Proposal engine with ROI, IRR, VAT, NEM, and payment links
  
• Built-in CRM, eSignature, and API integrations
  

Pros:

• All-in-one design-to-close tool
  
• Works for resi, C&I, and hybrid projects
  
• No CAD required
  
• Full battery and TOU modeling
  

Cons:

• Requires internet connection
  
• Newer brand in some markets
  

Best For: Solar teams replacing CAD + Excel workflows; growing EPCs wanting speed, accuracy, and scale.

Aurora Solar – Cloud-Based 3D CAD with Visual Power

Aurora Solar is one of the most well-established platforms in the solar industry, best known for its advanced 3D design capabilities and proposal visuals. It offers a strong blend of design accuracy and client-facing presentation tools.

Key Features:

• 3D modeling with sun-path tracking
  
• LIDAR integration (Pro plans)
  
• Advanced shading animation
  
• Dynamic financial proposal builder
  
• API and CRM integrations
  

Pros:

• Professional-grade design output
  
• High-quality visuals for customer proposals
  
• Strong reputation and support ecosystem
  

Cons:

• ROI and VAT modeling is manual
  
• CAD/BOM export is limited without add-ons
  
• Expensive for smaller teams
  

Best For: Large design teams and installers focused on highly visual, residential proposals.

Pylon – Fast EU-Focused Quoting with CAD-Lite Tools

About:
Pylon is a low-cost, pay-per-project design and quoting tool gaining popularity in Europe and Australia. It’s ideal for installers who want to generate quotes quickly without committing to expensive software subscriptions.

Key Features:

• Auto-roof detection with LIDAR mapping
  
• Proposal generation with ROI and payback
  
• Native utility rate integration
  
• CRM functionality with client tracking
  
• No per-seat licensing fees
  

Pros:

• Very affordable
  
• Quick to learn and deploy
  
• Localized for EU markets
  

Cons:

• No P50/P90 modeling
  
• No CAD-grade exports
  
• Not ideal for large-scale or technical projects
  

Best For: Residential installers and smaller EPCs in Europe or AU needing fast, low-cost proposals.

HelioScope – Shading + Simulation for Engineers

HelioScope is a technically-oriented tool known for its accurate shading simulations and string-level energy modeling. It’s used widely by C&I designers and engineers for performance forecasting and system optimization.

Key Features:

• 3D shading animation and layout planning
  
• P50/P90 forecasting with hourly irradiance
  
• String design and electrical optimization
  
• 8760-hour modeling engine
  
• CSV + PVsyst exports
  

Pros:

• Strong technical depth for C&I
  
• Bankable performance outputs
  
• Compatible with most inverters
  

Cons:

• Not visually polished for sales
  
• Proposals are basic or require external tools
  
• UI is dated compared to newer platforms
  

Best For: Engineers and C&I designers needing detailed performance models and energy forecasts.

PVcase – Utility-Scale CAD Plugin

PVcase is a powerful AutoCAD plugin designed specifically for utility-scale solar projects. It brings advanced layout automation, terrain analysis, and electrical design features to civil and electrical engineers working on large ground-mount systems.

Key Features:

• Terrain-based layout and grading
  
• Tracker and fixed-tilt design support
  
• AutoCAD-integrated string layout
  
• DXF/BOM export
  
• PVsyst compatibility
  

Pros:

• Best-in-class for utility-scale layouts
  
• Deep AutoCAD integration
  
• Great for EPCs with in-house engineering
  

Cons:

• Requires AutoCAD license
  
• No proposals or CRM
  
• Not for resi or SMB installers
  

Best For: Utility-scale solar engineers designing MW+ ground-mount systems.

OpenSolar – Free Design + Proposal Tool

OpenSolar is a free-to-use solar design and proposal platform, built for smaller teams looking for zero-cost software to manage basic quoting and design tasks. It offers a browser-based workflow and is funded through vendor partnerships.

Key Features:

• Basic 2D/3D design
  
• CRM and proposal engine
  
• Interactive quote builder
  
• Mobile-friendly UI
  
• Supports multiple currencies and languages
  

Pros:

• 100% free to use
  
• Quick setup for small teams
  
• Decent CRM and proposal support
  

Cons:

• Limited shading precision
  
• No P50/P90 simulations
  
• No advanced CAD or BOM exports
  

Best For: Small installers and new sales teams needing a simple, cost-effective platform.

Why SurgePV Tops the Solar CAD Market in 2025

SurgePV isn’t just keeping up with solar design software—it’s setting the new standard.

Built from the ground up for modern solar teams, SurgePV redefines what a CAD tool can do by merging layout precision, real-world simulations, proposal automation, and sales enablement into one unified platform.

At the core is its AI-powered layout engine, capable of instantly mapping complex rooftops—flat, multi-pitched, gabled, or irregular—across the U.S., Europe, and beyond. Whether you're designing in Spain, Germany, or Texas, SurgePV adapts to local roof types with unmatched speed and accuracy.

Need shading that’s more than just a visual guess? SurgePV uses LIDAR and per-module shading algorithms to deliver shade maps that reflect reality—automatically generated in seconds. Add to that 8760-hour performance simulations with P50/P90 forecasting, and you’ve got a platform that doesn’t just draw—it predicts.

For engineering teams, SurgePV delivers CAD-quality SLDs, BOMs, stringing diagrams, and 2D plan sets, all formatted for permit packages and internal approvals.

But where SurgePV truly shines is in helping teams go from design to deal—fast. With its quote-to-contract pipeline, you can generate proposals, integrate with your CRM, collect e-signatures, and even embed payment links—all from the same interface. No extra tools. No manual exports. No time wasted.

It’s also hardware-agnostic, with native support for SMA, Fronius, SolarEdge, Enphase, KACO, and more. You’re never locked into one manufacturer or ecosystem.

Teams that adopt SurgePV report cutting their design and proposal workflows by over 60%—turning 3-hour quoting cycles into polished outputs in under 45 minutes.

Whether you're a sales rep trying to win faster or an engineer tasked with bankable performance models, SurgePV delivers what today’s solar professionals need: accuracy, automation, and real business impact.

Visual Aids & Use Cases

• Side-by-Side Comparison: SurgePV layout vs Aurora vs PVcase
  
• LIDAR Shading Visual: High-res overlay of module-level shading impact
  
• Case Study Snapshot: EPC team cut layout + proposal time from 3 hours → 45 minutes with SurgePV
  

"SurgePV is the only CAD tool that brings layout precision, yield forecasting, proposal automation, and CRM integration into one smart solar design platform."

Ready to Stop Stitching Your Workflow Together?

If you're still exporting CAD files, switching tabs for shading analysis, and manually piecing together proposals in Excel—you’re not just losing time. You’re losing deals.

SurgePV was built to change that.

From AI-driven layouts and LIDAR-grade shading to 8760-hour forecasts and ready-to-sign proposals, SurgePV gives your team the power to go from design to signed contract—without ever leaving the platform. No extra tools. No rework. No bottlenecks.

Whether you’re designing residential rooftops or commercial systems, SurgePV makes every step faster, smarter, and more accurate. And with built-in CRM, e-signature, and payment links, it’s not just a CAD tool—it’s your revenue engine.

Choose Your Next Step

Let us show you how SurgePV fits your team.
During your live demo, you’ll:

• See how to generate layouts in under 5 minutes
  
• Watch real-time LIDAR shading + ROI integration
  
• Preview how SurgePV streamlines quotes, permits, and CRM in one place
  
• Ask anything—zero pressure, no commitment

Book a SurgePV CAD Demo

Teams who demo SurgePV often report 50–70% faster turnaround within their first week.