“Spreadsheets don’t follow up. Generic CRMs don’t understand permitting. And sticky notes can’t track installs.”
From the first lead to final PTO, solar sales is a complex journey. You’re not just managing contacts—you’re tracking site surveys, AHJ approvals, proposals, design revisions, financing paperwork, utility interconnections, and post-install service. Most generic CRMs weren’t built for that.
And yet, many solar companies still rely on tools that force them to duct-tape workflows together. That means lost deals, forgotten tasks, and costly delays.
In this article, we break down the best solar CRM platforms for 2025—from full-stack field ops tools to sales-focused systems with native solar integrations. We’ll compare features, automation flows, pricing models, and third-party compatibility so you can find the right solution for your business.
While SurgePV doesn’t currently offer its own CRM, it integrates seamlessly with leading options—and a native CRM module is on the roadmap for 2025 and beyond.
Why Solar Installers Need a CRM Built for Solar
Managing leads is only the beginning. For solar companies, the real challenge is managing an entire project lifecycle that spans weeks—or even months—and involves dozens of moving parts. A traditional CRM might help track contacts and emails, but it won’t understand inspections, net metering, AHJ approvals, or PTO timelines.
That’s why top-performing solar CRMs are designed to do far more than store names and phone numbers. They’re built to support the entire customer journey, from initial interest to post-installation service.
Here’s what a solar-specific CRM should offer:
Track every pipeline stage
From lead to site visit, proposal delivery, contract signed, permit submitted, install scheduled, and PTO achieved—your CRM should reflect your real-world process.
Automate follow-ups
Set triggers for SMS or email nudges, sales reminders, and task alerts to keep the process moving and reduce drop-offs.
Centralize project files
Store quotes, proposals, signed contracts, and loan documents securely—where everyone can access them.
Schedule installation teams
Assign crews, set calendar blocks, and track install progress in real time.
Integrate with your core stack
Connect seamlessly with quoting tools like SurgePV, Aurora, and Pylon—plus financial platforms like QuickBooks and solar loan providers.
“A generic CRM can cost deals. A solar CRM multiplies them.”
Whether you're managing 10 projects or 1,000, the right CRM will help you scale without letting opportunities slip through the cracks.
Top Solar CRM Tools for 2025 (Ranked & Reviewed)
Choosing the right CRM can make or break your solar operation—especially as project volumes grow and follow-ups become more complex. Below is a ranked list of the top solar CRM platforms in 2025, with a breakdown of each tool’s fit, strengths, and limitations.
JobNimbus Solar – Best All-in-One for Residential EPCs
JobNimbus offers a complete CRM/project management hybrid tailored for solar teams, with task flows, document tracking, and install scheduling baked in.
Strengths:
- Pipeline automation from lead to PTO
- File storage for contracts, designs, permits
- Native mobile app for field crews
- Built-in task and crew management
Limitations:
- Steeper learning curve
- Setup and customization can take time
Best For: Residential EPCs scaling from 10 to 100+ installs per month.
Salesforce + Solar Add-ons (ZingSolar, SolarBooster) – Enterprise Customization
Salesforce becomes solar-capable through third-party apps like ZingSolar or SolarBooster. Ideal for large teams needing deep reporting and API control.
Strengths:
- Fully customizable dashboards and objects
- Advanced task automation + integrations
- Open API with mature partner ecosystem
Limitations:
- Expensive and time-intensive
- Requires in-house or external Salesforce admins
Best For: National solar firms or VC-backed orgs needing enterprise flexibility.
Zoho CRM – Best for Budget-Conscious Startups
Zoho CRM offers excellent value with customizable fields, automations, and integrations—ideal for early-stage solar teams on a lean budget.
Strengths:
- Affordable pricing tiers
- Drag-and-drop automation builder
- Syncs with tools like Zapier, Google, SurgePV
Limitations:
- No built-in solar-specific pipeline
- Requires manual solar stage configuration
Best For: Solo installers or small teams building foundational workflows.
Aurora Solar CRM (Sales Mode) – Native for Aurora Users
Built directly into Aurora’s sales stack, this CRM module helps bridge design and sales, reducing time from layout to proposal.
Strengths:
- Integrated with Aurora’s design + proposal tools
- Fast transition from lead to quote
- Ideal for teams already in Aurora
Limitations:
- Limited CRM functionality beyond the sales phase
- Not ideal for install tracking or service ops
Best For:
Design-first sales teams already invested in Aurora’s ecosystem.
OpenSolar CRM – Free CRM with Proposal Tools
OpenSolar offers a lightweight CRM inside its free quoting and design platform—ideal for new or lean teams.
Strengths:
- No software cost
- Integrated lead tracker, proposal builder, and eSign
- Mobile-ready quoting flow
Limitations:
- Basic task flows
- Minimal reporting or post-sale tracking
Best For: New solar businesses or solo operators wanting an all-in-one starter system.
Sunbase – CRM + Proposal Platform for Sales Teams
Sunbase combines quoting, pipeline, finance integrations, and task tracking—positioning itself as a modern sales-focused CRM.
Strengths:
- Includes lender API integrations
- Sales rep dashboards and quote tracking
- Smart follow-up automations
Limitations:
- Feature set varies by tier
- Less mature than long-standing platforms
Best For: Solar sales orgs scaling quickly and replacing multiple disconnected tools.
SolarSuccess (Built on NetSuite) – Full ERP for Commercial EPCs
SolarSuccess transforms NetSuite into a complete ERP for solar companies—ideal for large commercial or utility firms.
Strengths:
- Integrates accounting, inventory, install, and service ops
- Robust project management tools
- Financial reporting at enterprise level
Limitations:
- Costly and complex to implement
- Long onboarding cycles
Best For: Commercial EPCs, utility-scale developers, and finance-led solar orgs.
HighLevel (White-Labeled CRM) – Best for Solar Lead Gen Teams
HighLevel is a marketing CRM used by many solar agencies to manage funnels, lead follow-up, and client automation.
Strengths:
- SMS, email drip automation
- Calendar booking and funnel tracking
- Easily white-labeled for agency resellers
Limitations:
- Not designed for quoting, install, or proposal tracking
- Lacks solar-specific lifecycle stages
Best For: Lead-gen companies, agencies, and outsourced sales orgs.
How to Choose the Best CRM for Your Solar Team
Not every solar company needs the same CRM. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow complexity, and growth stage. Below is a simple guide to help you match your business type with the best-fit CRM platform—along with real-life examples of how solar CRMs keep deals on track and projects moving.
Startups / Solo Installers:
Recommended: OpenSolar or Zoho CRM
- OpenSolar gives you free tools to track leads and send branded proposals.
- Zoho offers budget-friendly automation and basic sales management with room to grow.
Residential Sales Teams Scaling Up:
Recommended: JobNimbus or Sunbase
- JobNimbus supports install scheduling, doc storage, and field crew coordination.
- Sunbase combines quoting, pipeline automation, and lender integrations into one clean workflow.
Enterprise / Multi-Region Orgs:
Recommended: Salesforce + Add-ons or SolarSuccess
- Salesforce (with ZingSolar/SolarBooster) offers ultimate flexibility and CRM intelligence.
- SolarSuccess integrates ops, accounting, and sales for commercial EPCs.
Marketing-Focused Teams:
Recommended: HighLevel
- Built for agencies and lead-gen teams, with native email/SMS automations and funnel tracking.
Real-World Scenarios
- “Your rep forgets to follow up—CRM triggers an SMS, assigns a task, and logs the activity in real time.”
- “A permit delay stalls the install—CRM auto-updates the project timeline and notifies ops.”
- “Client approves the quote—CRM syncs with finance, triggers payment setup, and moves to install scheduling.”
A Note About SurgePV: CRM Integration vs. Native CRM
While SurgePV does not yet offer a built-in CRM, it integrates directly with top CRMs like Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot, and QuickBooks—ensuring your sales team can quote, track, and close in one seamless flow.
“As solar companies move toward unified design + quoting + CRM platforms, SurgePV is positioned to connect the full sales journey—soon.”
Stay tuned—native CRM functionality may be part of the next evolution of SurgePV in 2025.
Final Advice: Your CRM Is Only as Good as Your Solar Stack
A contact list is not a sales strategy—and generic CRMs don’t understand the speed, complexity, or precision solar sales teams need. From lead intake to proposal follow-up to signed contract, your CRM should sync with your design tools, quoting engine, and customer communication—all in real time.
That’s exactly why top solar companies choose SurgePV.
With built-in CRM integrations, automated follow-ups, and a design-to-close workflow that eliminates double-entry and delays, SurgePV helps teams quote faster, stay organized, and close more deals—without juggling tabs or losing leads.
Take the Next Step Toward Smarter Solar Sales
Book Your Free Demo of SurgePV
See how SurgePV connects your CRM, quoting, and proposals into one seamless sales engine.
Talk to a Product Expert About CRM Integration
We’ll show you how SurgePV fits with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho—and how our native CRM features are evolving in 2025.
Already using SurgePV? Let’s connect your CRM and turn your sales process into a growth machine.
FAQs – Solar CRM Platforms
What is the best CRM for solar sales?
For residential EPCs, JobNimbus and Sunbase offer strong pipeline tracking, automation, and install scheduling. For larger commercial or multi-region operations, Salesforce (with solar add-ons) provides enterprise-level customization and reporting.
Do solar companies need industry-specific CRMs?
Yes. Generic CRMs often fall short when managing solar-specific workflows like site surveys, permitting milestones, NEM tracking, interconnections, and post-install service. A solar CRM is built to support your full project lifecycle—not just leads and emails.
Which CRMs integrate with quoting software?
Several solar CRMs offer quoting tool integrations:
- Aurora CRM (Sales Mode) integrates with Aurora’s design and proposal tools
- OpenSolar includes built-in quoting and CRM in one platform
- Salesforce integrates with SurgePV, Aurora, and others via API
- SurgePV integrates with CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and QuickBooks for quote-to-close continuity
Does SurgePV have a built-in CRM?
Not yet. SurgePV currently integrates with major CRMs to ensure seamless sales workflows. However, the team is actively exploring a native CRM module based on user demand, with potential rollout in 2025.
