Expert Verified — Written by Keyur Rakholiya, SurgePV Editorial. 10 tools tested for LiDAR-based solar design. Pricing verified July 2026. Based on 1+ GW of delivered projects across 50+ countries.
A bad roof model kills a solar project twice. First at design, when the shade numbers are wrong. Then on install day, when the panels do not fit.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) fixes the first problem. Laser-scanned 3D data captures roof pitch, tree heights, and obstructions that flat aerial photos miss. The result is a shade model you can quote from with confidence.
We tested 10 tools that use LiDAR, drone photogrammetry, or terrain data for solar design. Some are full design platforms. Some are survey tools. 1 entry is our own product, and we tell you exactly where it does not fit.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best for residential sales design | Aurora Solar | LiDAR 3D modeling, automated shading, proposals in 1 flow |
| Best for survey-grade accuracy | Scanifly | Drone photogrammetry plus USGS LiDAR, 1 to 3 inch accuracy |
| Best for C&I shading analysis | HelioScope | LiDAR on Pro plan, DNV validated within 1% of PVsyst |
| Best for quick residential quotes | Solargraf | LiDAR roof pitch and height, 3-minute proposals |
| Best without LiDAR hardware data | SurgePV | 3D design plus physics-based shadow analysis, cloud-only |
| Best desktop tool with LiDAR import | PV*SOL Premium | Imports LiDAR and terrain data, €845/year |
How We Evaluated
We scored each tool on 5 criteria. Weighting reflects what matters when real roof data drives the design.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| 3D accuracy | 30% | Roof geometry, obstruction detection, shade realism |
| Workflow speed | 20% | Minutes from address to usable 3D model |
| Simulation quality | 20% | Production estimates tied to the 3D model |
| Coverage | 15% | LiDAR and imagery availability by region |
| Cost per project | 15% | Subscription or per-project price vs. volume |
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Tool | Best For | 3D Data Source | Starting Price | Cloud | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Residential sales design | LiDAR + aerial imagery | Custom (contact sales) | Yes | LiDAR-assisted modeling with automated shading |
| Scanifly | Survey-grade accuracy | Drone photogrammetry + USGS LiDAR | Custom (credits) | Yes | 1 to 3 inch accuracy, NYSERDA-approved shading |
| HelioScope | C&I shading analysis | LiDAR (Pro) + imagery | $159/mo | Yes | DNV validated within 1% of PVsyst |
| Solargraf | Quick residential quotes | LiDAR + HD imagery | $2,799/yr (Starter) | Yes | LiDAR roof pitch and height detection |
| SurgePV | Design without LiDAR data | 3D rooftop modeling | $1,899/yr (3 users) | Yes | Physics-based shadow analysis in the browser |
| PV*SOL Premium | Desktop engineering | LiDAR + terrain import | €845/yr | No (Windows) | Imports LiDAR point clouds and terrain data |
| PVcase | Utility-scale terrain | Topography import + Google Terrain | Custom | No (AutoCAD-based) | Terrain-following tracker layouts |
| RatedPower | Utility-scale site analysis | Topography import (XYZ, CSV) | Custom | Yes | Layout generation in under 60 seconds |
| Arka360 | Emerging-market EPCs | LiDAR + dual maps | $199/mo (US) | Yes | Centimeter-level LiDAR precision claims |
| OpenSolar | Free photogrammetry option | Photogrammetry DSM (not LiDAR) | $0 | Yes | Free 3D design for 28,000+ users |
1. Aurora Solar — Best LiDAR Tool for Residential Sales Design
Aurora Solar is the default LiDAR-based design platform for US residential solar. Over 7,000 companies use it, and its 3D modeling is the benchmark everyone else is compared against.
What It Does Well
Aurora pulls LiDAR data from multiple sources and builds a 3D roof model from an address. Aurora AI automates roof face detection, and the shading engine models obstructions in 3D. For a sales rep, that means a quote-ready design without a ladder or a tape measure.
The sales workflow is the real strength. Sales Mode produces proposals fast, and the design behind them carries real geometry. G2 reviewers rate Aurora 4.6 out of 5 on G2, with 3D visualization scoring 9.5 out of 10.
HD Nearmap imagery fills gaps where LiDAR coverage is thin. The combination handles most US suburban roofs well.
Our Take: Aurora is the strongest residential LiDAR workflow we tested. It is also the most expensive, and the automation still misreads complex roofs often enough that a human must check every model.
Where It Falls Short
Pricing is custom and reviewers consistently call it expensive for small teams. Automated roof modeling is hit-or-miss on multi-level roofs, turrets, and rural addresses. LiDAR data age varies by region, so a roof re-shingled or extended last year may model wrong.
Key Features
- LiDAR-assisted 3D site modeling from multiple data sources
- Aurora AI roof detection and obstruction modeling
- Automated shading analysis on the 3D model
- Sales Mode proposals from the same design
Pricing
- Foundation, Build, Grow, Scale: Custom pricing, contact sales
- Free trial: Guided demo only
Who Should Use Aurora Solar
Strong fit: US residential sales teams that quote from 3D models at volume. Probably not right for: Solo installers, budget-constrained teams, and markets with thin LiDAR coverage.
2. Scanifly — Best LiDAR Tool for Survey-Grade Accuracy
Scanifly is the drone-first platform in this category. It combines drone photogrammetry with USGS LiDAR data and targets the accuracy problem that satellite tools cannot solve.
What It Does Well
Accuracy is the headline. Scanifly reports 1 to 3 inch measurements across X, Y, and Z planes from drone captures. Its PrelimDesign product uses satellite imagery and USGS LiDAR for fast remote designs. DroneDesign then handles post-sale verification with photorealistic 3D models.
The regulatory stamp matters. Scanifly says its drone-based shading is approved by NYSERDA, MassCEC, the California Energy Commission, and several lenders, per the company’s documentation at Scanifly. That approval lets installers skip truck rolls in rebate program states.
Customer results are documented. EmPower Solar cut software spend 53% after switching from Aurora. Namaste Solar dropped its revision rate from 25% to under 1%. Hammond Energy cut survey time 84%. These are company-published case studies, so treat them as best-case outcomes.
Our Take: If install-day fitment problems cost you real money, Scanifly’s drone workflow is the most direct fix we tested. Budget for the drone, the training, and a pricing conversation, because none of it is published.
Where It Falls Short
Subscription pricing is not public; design services run on a credit model (15 credits for residential site modeling, 70 for a plan set). Image quality constraints like glare and cloud cover affect processing. Several popular low-end drones are incompatible, and the platform historically skews residential.
Key Features
- PrelimDesign with satellite imagery and USGS LiDAR
- DroneDesign with 1 to 3 inch accuracy and real-time shading
- Free mobile app for field data capture
- CAD export, shade reports, and engineering plan sets
Pricing
- Subscription: Custom, contact sales
- Design services: Credit-based — 15 credits (residential site model) to 70 credits (plan set)
- Free trial: Contact sales
Who Should Use Scanifly
Strong fit: Installers who want drone-verified designs and near-zero install-day revisions. Probably not right for: Teams unwilling to fly drones, or those needing transparent published pricing.
3. HelioScope — Best LiDAR Tool for C&I Shading Analysis
HelioScope, now part of Aurora Solar, is the fast engineering tool for commercial rooftops. Its Pro plan adds LiDAR data to bankable module-level simulations.
What It Does Well
The numbers hold up in diligence. DNV found HelioScope energy estimates within 1% of PVsyst, and Sunstone Credit recognized it as bankable in October 2025. For C&I deals where a financier reviews the model, that credibility shortens conversations.
The Pro plan layers LiDAR data onto the 3D shading scene, with AI-based obstruction detection and hourly shadow mapping per module. Projects scale to 15 MW across rooftops, carports, and ground mounts. P50, P90, P95, and P99 production estimates come with Pro.
Speed is a genuine advantage. Users report 4x faster design iterations than desktop tools, and the browser-based interface needs no workstation. For a deeper look at the category, see our guide to solar shadow analysis software.
Our Take: HelioScope Pro is the best C&I value in this list: LiDAR-informed shading plus lender-grade simulation at $259 per month. Residential teams and storage-heavy deals should look elsewhere.
Where It Falls Short
LiDAR sits behind the Pro tier, and coverage is limited in some regions. There is no native battery modeling. Performance degrades past 10,000 modules, and small residential work under 15 kW feels clumsy.
Key Features
- LiDAR data and AI obstruction detection on Pro
- Module-level simulation within 1% of PVsyst
- P50, P90, P95, and P99 production estimates
- Financial modeling and proposal editor on Pro
Pricing
- Basic: $159/month — 1 user, 10 projects, 1.25 MW cap
- Pro: $259/month — adds LiDAR, P90+, financials, proposals
- Free trial: Demo only
Who Should Use HelioScope
Strong fit: C&I installers and EPCs designing 100 kW to 5 MW projects. Probably not right for: Residential-focused teams and storage-first designs.
4. Solargraf — Best LiDAR Tool for Quick Residential Quotes
Solargraf, owned by Enphase since 2021, uses LiDAR to speed up the residential quote. Its pitch is a full proposal in 3 minutes.
What It Does Well
The LiDAR integration targets a specific pain point: roof pitch and height. Getting those numbers without a site visit removes the biggest source of design rework in residential sales. AI auto-detection handles rooflines and obstructions on top of that data.
Speed is the product. The Express Editor lets reps adjust quotes on the spot, and Good/Better/Best pricing presents 3 options in 1 proposal. DocuSign integration closes the deal in the same session.
Battery modeling is a real strength for a quoting tool. Solargraf supports 25+ battery manufacturers, and California installers get NEM 3.0 optimization with hourly sell rates.
Our Take: Solargraf is a solid pick when quote speed matters more than shading precision. Cross-check its production estimates against a second tool before you promise savings numbers.
Where It Falls Short
Shading accuracy is the most common user complaint, and some teams verify Solargraf output in Aurora or HelioScope. There is no built-in CRM. Billing is annual only, and OpenSolar’s free tier undercuts it on price.
Key Features
- LiDAR-based roof pitch and height detection
- 3-minute proposals with Express Editor
- Battery design for 25+ manufacturers
- DIY AHJ-compliant permit packages
Pricing
- Starter: $2,799/year — 240 projects, 2 users
- Free trial: Available; new users get 120 project credits
Who Should Use Solargraf
Strong fit: US residential installers who prioritize quote speed, especially Enphase-heavy shops. Probably not right for: Teams needing verified shading precision or monthly billing.
5. SurgePV — Best for Design When You Do Not Have LiDAR Data
Full disclosure: we build SurgePV. We ranked it #5 because it is not a LiDAR tool, and pretending otherwise would waste your time. It earns its place here for a different reason: most residential and small commercial roofs do not need LiDAR-grade data to produce an accurate design.
What It Does Well
SurgePV is a cloud solar design software platform. You model the roof in 3D, place modules, and size strings in the browser. No workstation, no AutoCAD license, no point cloud processing.
The shadow analysis is physics-based. It simulates sun position against the 3D scene and computes hourly losses per module. In our testing, that is accurate enough to quote from on standard pitched and flat roofs — the roofs that make up most of the market.
The workflow continues past design. The generation and financial tool produces yield, payback, IRR, and NPV. The proposal layer turns that into a branded PDF. Clara AI assists with routine steps. A residential design-to-proposal run takes under 10 minutes.
Our Take: If your sites are standard roofs and your bottleneck is workflow speed, SurgePV covers design, shading, financials, and proposals in 1 subscription. If you need survey-grade point clouds, pair it with Scanifly or buy Aurora.
Where It Falls Short
SurgePV does not ingest LiDAR point clouds or drone captures. Roof geometry comes from imagery and user-verified modeling, so complex roofs need manual adjustment. There is no native CRM, and the component database is deepest in markets we serve directly.
Key Features
- 3D rooftop design, layout, and string sizing in the browser
- Physics-based shadow analysis with hourly losses
- Energy yield plus payback, IRR, and NPV modeling
- Branded PDF proposals built from live design data
Pricing
- For 3 Users plan: $1,899/year — design, simulation, financials, and proposals included
- Free trial: Available with full capabilities
Who Should Use SurgePV
Strong fit: Installers and EPCs who want fast design-to-proposal workflows on standard roofs. Probably not right for: Teams that need LiDAR point cloud processing or survey-grade verification.
Quote From Real Engineering Data
See how SurgePV turns design, shading, and financials into a customer-ready proposal in 1 workflow.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
6. PV*SOL Premium — Best Desktop Tool with LiDAR Import
PV*SOL Premium from Valentin Software is the desktop engineer’s option. It imports LiDAR and terrain data directly, and it costs less than half of PVsyst’s street price.
What It Does Well
The 3D environment is the draw. PV*SOL Premium imports DXF, 3DS, DAE, and PVC files plus LiDAR and terrain data, then runs module-by-module, hour-by-hour shading simulation. For engineers who already work with survey data, that import path is rare at this price.
The 2026 version adds Google Solar API orthophotos and improved customer presentations in 24 languages. Reports export as PDF and DOCX. Financial analysis covers LCOE, feed-in tariffs, and 20-year lifecycle costs.
Pricing is transparent: €845 per year for Premium, verified on Valentin Software in January 2026. A 30-day trial includes full features.
Our Take: PV*SOL Premium is the pragmatic pick for engineers with LiDAR survey files who want serious shading simulation without PVsyst’s learning curve. Accept the Windows-only, dated-interface tradeoffs.
Where It Falls Short
It runs on Windows only, with no cloud, no macOS, and no mobile. Performance slows past 7,000 modules. The interface is dense and function-first, and financial analysis scores well below PVsyst in user ratings (6.9 vs 8.9 out of 10 in the research we reviewed).
Key Features
- LiDAR and terrain data import with CAD formats
- Module-by-module, hour-by-hour 3D shading simulation
- Google Solar API orthophotos (2026 version)
- Reports in 24 languages with financial analysis
Pricing
- PV*SOL Premium 2026: €845/year plus VAT — named user license
- PV*SOL Online: Free basic calculations, no 3D
- Free trial: 30 days, full features
Who Should Use PV*SOL Premium
Strong fit: Solar engineers on Windows who work with LiDAR survey data and need detailed 3D shading. Probably not right for: Mac shops, cloud-first teams, and utility-scale projects.
7. PVcase — Best for Utility-Scale Terrain Modeling
PVcase is the AutoCAD-based suite for ground-mount and utility-scale engineering. Terrain, not rooftops, is where its 3D data handling pays off.
What It Does Well
PVcase Ground Mount imports topography in DWG, KML, shapefiles, and CSV or XYZ point formats. Terrain-following tracker placement and civil grading analysis run on that data. For sloped or irregular sites, this replaces days of manual CAD work.
The Yield module adds bankable simulation with validated bifacial accuracy. Roof Mount covers the commercial rooftop side. The suite exports PVsyst shading scenes, so engineering teams keep PVsyst in the diligence loop.
Pricing is custom and enterprise-oriented. PVcase cites a 2-week trial, and user feedback flags cost as a barrier for small businesses. That positioning is honest: this is a tool for engineering departments, not sales reps.
Our Take: For utility-scale sites where terrain drives layout and grading cost, PVcase is the most capable option we tested. Rooftop residential teams should not pay enterprise prices for capability they will never open.
Where It Falls Short
It requires AutoCAD, which adds license cost and a steep learning curve. No public pricing makes budgeting hard. The suite is overkill for residential and most C&I rooftop work, and collaboration features lag cloud-native tools.
Key Features
- Topography import in DWG, KML, shapefile, CSV, and XYZ formats
- Terrain-following tracker placement and grading analysis
- Bankable yield simulation with bifacial validation
- PVsyst shading scene export
Pricing
- PVcase suite: Custom quotes only, no public pricing
- Free trial: 2 weeks
Who Should Use PVcase
Strong fit: Utility-scale developers and engineering firms designing terrain-constrained ground mounts. Probably not right for: Residential installers, small C&I teams, and anyone avoiding AutoCAD.
8. RatedPower — Best for Automated Utility-Scale Site Analysis
RatedPower automates the front end of utility-scale development. Its topography-driven site analysis turns parcels into engineered layouts fast.
What It Does Well
Speed is the claim, and it holds. RatedPower generates optimized layouts in under 60 seconds from topography imported as CSV, XYZ, or TXT files. Developers screening dozens of sites per quarter feel that difference immediately.
The scope covers feasibility through detailed engineering. Energy yield, LCOE, and revenue calculations come standard, and exports include DWG, PVsyst scenes, and PDF or Word reports. All tiers include unlimited users, projects, and designs.
Cloud delivery means no workstation dependency, and onboarding completes within 2 weeks per the company. For development teams comparing parcels, the throughput advantage is real.
Our Take: RatedPower is the fastest path from topography file to bankable utility-scale layout we tested. The custom pricing and utility-only scope make it irrelevant for rooftop installers.
Where It Falls Short
No public pricing and no free trial — only a guided demo. The platform is utility-scale only, so rooftop and small C&I work is out of scope. Detailed electrical design still exports to other tools for final engineering.
Key Features
- Automated site analysis from imported topography
- Layout generation in under 60 seconds
- Energy yield, LCOE, and revenue modeling
- DWG, PVsyst scene, and report exports
Pricing
- Basic, Advanced, Enterprise tiers: Custom quotes, all with unlimited users and projects
- Free trial: Demo only
Who Should Use RatedPower
Strong fit: Utility-scale developers and EPCs screening and engineering multiple ground-mount sites. Probably not right for: Rooftop installers and teams wanting transparent pricing.
9. Arka360 — Best LiDAR Tool for Emerging-Market EPCs
Arka360 serves 4,000+ installers across 27 countries, with deep roots in the US and India. It bundles LiDAR-based design with CRM and permit packages at SMB prices.
What It Does Well
The company claims centimeter-level LiDAR precision for its 3D design, paired with dual map support (Google plus Nearmap). Shading analysis, automated stringing, and AI-assisted sizing run on that geometry. The all-in-one scope — design, CRM, proposals, permits — is rare at $199 per month.
The permit service is the differentiator for EPCs. Arka360 delivers NEC-compliant permit sets in 48 hours, or under 8 hours expedited, with PE stamps available. India pricing starts at ₹7,500 per month, which fits emerging-market budgets.
G2 reviewers rate Arka360 4.7 out of 5 across 117 reviews, with ease of use the top praise. For teams comparing options, our best solar design software list covers the broader field.
Our Take: Arka360 is the practical LiDAR-based option when budget rules the decision and you need CRM plus permits in the same subscription. Expect rough edges in performance and layout repetition.
Where It Falls Short
Missing features top the G2 complaint list. Users report performance issues and occasional instability. Panel re-selection for each new polygon slows layout work, and utility-scale support is limited.
Key Features
- LiDAR-based 3D design with shading analysis
- Built-in CRM with lead and pipeline tracking
- NEC-compliant permit packages with PE stamps
- ArkaGo mobile app for field proposals
Pricing
- US Basic: $199/month — 1 user, residential and commercial
- US Premium: $358/month — 2 users, battery sizing, CAD export
- India Lite: ₹7,500/month or ₹46,000/year — 360 residential projects
- Free trial: Contact sales
Who Should Use Arka360
Strong fit: Small and mid-size EPCs in the US, India, and other emerging markets. Probably not right for: Utility-scale developers and teams needing polished performance at scale.
10. OpenSolar — Best Free Photogrammetry Alternative
OpenSolar makes this list as the honest free baseline. It does not use LiDAR — it builds 3D models from photogrammetry — and that tradeoff is exactly why it belongs here.
What It Does Well
The price is $0 forever. 28,000+ users in 185+ countries get design, CRM, proposals, and e-signatures free, per OpenSolar. The company monetizes hardware and lending partners instead of installers.
The photogrammetry-based digital surface model handles most standard residential roofs well. Accuracy is third-party validated by PVEL and a US government agency. Proposals generate fast, and mobile apps cover the full sales loop.
For a new installer, this is the rational starting point. You learn what 3D design data does for your close rate before you pay for LiDAR-grade precision.
Our Take: Start here, free. Move to Aurora or Scanifly when shading disputes or install-day misfits start costing more than a subscription would.
Where It Falls Short
No LiDAR means less precise obstruction and tree modeling. The 3D designer caps at 500 kW, with 2D only above that. There is no offline mode, and the CRM cannot match dedicated platforms.
Key Features
- Photogrammetry-based 3D design with real-time shading
- Interactive proposals with e-signature
- Built-in CRM, payments, and financing integrations
- Full iOS and Android apps
Pricing
- Free tier: $0 — unlimited projects, users, and features
- Free trial: Not needed; the product is free
Who Should Use OpenSolar
Strong fit: New and small residential installers and budget-conscious teams. Probably not right for: Projects above 500 kW and sites where shading precision decides the deal.
How to Choose a LiDAR Tool for Solar Design
Match the tool to your accuracy requirement before you compare features.
- Define your accuracy floor. Quoting tools need roof geometry close enough to price from. Engineering tools need geometry a lender or inspector accepts. Those are different floors with different prices.
- Check LiDAR coverage for your territory. The USGS 3D Elevation Program has mapped or scheduled LiDAR for nearly all of the United States, but capture dates vary. A 2018 scan misses the trees that grew since.
- Decide who verifies the model. Automated LiDAR modeling still misreads complex roofs. If nobody on your team checks the 3D scene, buy the tool with the best automation, not the most data.
- Price per project, not per month. Divide annual cost by your design volume. OpenSolar wins at low volume. Flat subscriptions win past roughly 15 to 20 designs a month.
- Follow the deliverable. Sales quotes, permit packages, and lender reports need different outputs. Pick the tool whose output your customer or financier signs.
The Contrarian Take: LiDAR Does Not Fix Shading Analysis
Here is the myth: better 3D data automatically means better production estimates. It does not.
Shading losses depend on 3 things: geometry, sun position math, and the simulation engine. LiDAR improves only the first. A precise point cloud feeding a crude simulation still produces a crude estimate. That is why HelioScope’s DNV validation matters more than its LiDAR checkbox, and why drone captures still need a real shading engine behind them.
We have seen installers pay for LiDAR data and then eyeball the shade scene. The accuracy gain evaporates. Spend on the full chain — geometry, simulation, and verification — or do not spend at all.
For most standard roofs, verified 3D modeling plus a physics-based engine gets you within quoting tolerance. Save LiDAR and drone budgets for the sites that genuinely need them: heavy tree cover, complex geometry, and financed projects. Our posts on how shading affects solar panels and drone inspection for solar go deeper on both.
Conclusion
The right LiDAR tool depends on your accuracy floor, not your budget ceiling.
- Residential sales teams: Test Aurora Solar first, with Solargraf as the faster, cheaper alternative. Both turn LiDAR data into quotes without a site visit.
- Accuracy-critical installers: Trial Scanifly on your next 3 complex roofs and count install-day revisions. That number decides whether drones pay for themselves.
- Everyone else: Start with a free trial — OpenSolar at $0 or SurgePV’s full-feature trial — and upgrade only when shading disputes or misfits cost more than the subscription would.
If you want design, shading, financials, and proposals in 1 cloud workflow, book a 20-minute SurgePV demo.
Where SurgePV fits
For the product-side detail, SurgePV 3D roof capture covers the workflow, outputs and limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LiDAR in solar design?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses laser pulses to build accurate 3D models of roofs, trees, and terrain. Solar design software uses it to measure roof pitch, detect obstructions, and model shading without a site visit.
Do I need LiDAR for residential solar design?
Not always. For simple gable roofs in well-mapped areas, high-resolution aerial imagery and photogrammetry are usually enough. LiDAR earns its cost on complex roofs, tree-heavy sites, and projects where shading accuracy decides the sale or the financing.
How accurate is LiDAR for roof measurements?
Aerial LiDAR typically delivers roof measurements within a few centimeters. Drone photogrammetry platforms like Scanifly report 1 to 3 inch accuracy. Both beat tape-and-compass site surveys for speed, and both still need human review on unusual geometry.
Which solar software has the best LiDAR shading analysis?
Aurora Solar leads for residential sales workflows with LiDAR-based 3D modeling. HelioScope leads for commercial projects, with LiDAR on its Pro plan and simulations DNV-validated within 1% of PVsyst. Scanifly leads for drone-captured survey accuracy.
Is drone LiDAR better than satellite imagery for solar design?
For final engineering, yes. Drone captures produce inch-level models that satellite imagery cannot match. For early-stage sales quotes, satellite and aerial imagery are faster and cheaper. Many teams use imagery for quotes and drones for post-sale verification.
How much do LiDAR solar design tools cost?
Prices range from free (OpenSolar, photogrammetry only) to $259 per month for HelioScope Pro with LiDAR. Aurora Solar and Scanifly use custom pricing. PV*SOL Premium, which imports LiDAR and terrain data, costs €845 per year.
Can I use LiDAR data from public sources?
Yes. The USGS 3D Elevation Program provides free LiDAR point clouds for most of the United States. Tools like PV*SOL and PVcase can import this terrain data. Coverage and freshness vary by region, so check capture dates before relying on it.
