Expert Verified — Written by Keyur Rakholiya, SurgePV Editorial. 10 tools tested for solar mapping. Pricing verified July 2026. Based on 1+ GW of delivered projects and thousands of site models reviewed across 50+ countries.
Every solar design starts with a map. If the roof model is wrong, everything downstream is wrong. The layout, the string sizing, the shading numbers, and the savings promise all inherit that first error.
We tested 10 solar mapping software tools against real site workflows. We mapped pitched residential roofs, flat commercial buildings, and greenfield utility sites. We measured imagery quality, model accuracy, time to a usable map, and what the output feeds into next.
This list ranks what actually works in 2026. Every tool gets honest strengths and honest weaknesses. That includes our own product.
Quick Picks
| Pick | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best for remote rooftop mapping | Aurora Solar | LIDAR plus HD aerial imagery, AI roof detection |
| Best for drone-based mapping | Scanifly | 1 to 3 inch accuracy, NYSERDA-approved shading |
| Best for satellite design-to-simulation | SurgePV | Map, shade, simulate, and propose in 1 workflow |
| Best free option | OpenSolar | $0 forever, 3D design on Google Maps imagery |
| Best for C&I site mapping | HelioScope | Fast 3D shade models, NREL validated |
| Best for utility-scale terrain | RatedPower | Topography, earthworks, layouts in under 60 seconds |
How We Evaluated
We scored each tool on 5 criteria. Weighting reflects what makes a map usable in production work.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Imagery and data quality | 25% | Resolution, coverage, update frequency, LIDAR availability |
| Model accuracy | 25% | Roof dimensions, obstruction placement, shading realism |
| Speed to usable map | 20% | Minutes from address to a measurable 3D model |
| Downstream workflow | 15% | What the map feeds: shading, simulation, proposals, plan sets |
| Cost per mapped site | 15% | Subscription or per-project price vs. mapping volume |
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Data Sources | Free Trial | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Remote rooftop mapping | Custom (contact sales) | LIDAR, HD aerial | Demo only | AI roof detection on LIDAR |
| Scanifly | Drone-based mapping | Custom (contact sales) | Drone, satellite, USGS LIDAR | Demo only | 1 to 3 inch accuracy |
| SurgePV | Satellite design-to-simulation | $1,899/yr (3 users) | Satellite/aerial imagery | Yes | Map flows straight into shadow analysis |
| OpenSolar | Free mapping | $0 | Google Maps | Free forever | Unlimited projects at no cost |
| HelioScope | C&I site mapping | $159/mo | Google/Bing, Nearmap, LIDAR (beta) | Demo only | NREL validated shade models |
| RatedPower | Utility-scale terrain | Custom (contact sales) | Topography imports, satellite | Demo only | Layout in under 60 seconds |
| Pylon | High-res aerial imagery | $4/project | Nearmap | 5 free projects | 7.5 cm imagery, 90% Australia coverage |
| SolarEdge Designer | Free AI roof mapping | $0 | Aerial imagery | Free forever | DNV validated simulation |
| Solargraf | Fast residential mapping | $2,799/yr (Starter) | Aerial imagery | Yes | 3-minute proposal-ready maps |
| PVsyst | Irradiance resource mapping | ~$775/yr | Meteonorm, PVGIS, TMY imports | 30 days | Bankable resource data |
1. Aurora Solar — Best Solar Mapping Software for Remote Rooftop Mapping
Aurora Solar set the bar for remote site mapping in US residential solar. Over 7,000 companies use it, and its LIDAR-assisted 3D modeling is the reference most competitors get compared against.
What It Does Well
The data stack is the deepest here. Aurora combines multiple LIDAR sources with HD Nearmap aerial imagery. The AI roof detection traces planes, pitches, and obstructions automatically. On a covered address, a measurable 3D roof model takes minutes.
Accuracy holds up for sales and design work. G2 reviewers rate the 3D visualization 9.5 out of 10. The shading engine consumes the same model, so mapped obstructions translate directly into production numbers. That continuity is the real product.
The map also feeds everything else Aurora does. Design, simulation, proposals, and contract management all read from the 1 site model. Sales reps never re-measure.
Our Take: Aurora is the safest pick for mapping residential rooftops remotely at scale. You pay enterprise pricing, and the automation still misses obstructions often enough that someone must verify every model.
Where It Falls Short
Pricing is not published and reviewers call it expensive for small teams. Automated roof detection is hit-or-miss on unusual roofs, heavy tree cover, and areas without LIDAR coverage. Rural and international addresses degrade to plain satellite imagery fast.
Key Features
- LIDAR-assisted 3D site modeling from multiple sources
- HD Nearmap imagery integration
- AI roof and obstruction detection
- Automated shading analysis on the mapped model
Pricing
- Foundation, Build, Grow, Scale: Custom pricing, contact sales
- Free trial: Guided demo only
Who Should Use Aurora Solar
Strong fit: US residential teams mapping high volumes of rooftops remotely, with budget for premium software. Probably not right for: Solo installers, drone-first workflows, and markets with thin LIDAR coverage.
2. Scanifly — Best Solar Mapping Software for Drone-Based Site Mapping
Scanifly is the only drone-first mapping platform built specifically for solar. Where satellite tools guess at roof conditions, Scanifly measures them to 1 to 3 inch accuracy.
What It Does Well
The DroneDesign workflow is the strongest site mapping product we tested. Any drone with geo-tagged imagery works. Photogrammetry builds a photorealistic 3D model, and the fitment guarantee backs it on install day. Namaste Solar reports revision rates dropping from 25% to under 1% after switching.
Regulatory acceptance is unique. Scanifly’s Viewshed shading technology is approved by NYSERDA, MassCEC, the CEC, Austin Energy, and several lenders. It is the only drone-based shading tool with nationwide program approval in the US, per the company in 2026.
The PrelimDesign tier covers the pre-sale phase. It maps from satellite imagery, Nearmap, and USGS LIDAR with unlimited designs per subscription. EmPower Solar cut software spend 53% after moving from Aurora to Scanifly, per the company’s case data.
Our Take: If your installs keep failing because the roof did not match the model, Scanifly ends that problem. Budget for a capable drone and a desktop workstation, and expect custom pricing.
Where It Falls Short
Subscription pricing is not public, which slows evaluation. Processing needs a real desktop workstation, not a lightweight laptop. Glare, blur, and cloud cover degrade drone captures, and several low-end drones are incompatible. Public reviews on G2 and Capterra do not exist yet, so third-party validation is thin.
Key Features
- Drone photogrammetry with 1 to 3 inch accuracy
- NYSERDA-approved Viewshed shading analysis
- PrelimDesign remote mapping on satellite and USGS LIDAR
- Free mobile app for field data capture
Pricing
- Subscription: Custom pricing, contact sales
- Design services: Credit-based (residential site model from 15 credits)
- Free trial: Demo only
Who Should Use Scanifly
Strong fit: Residential and commercial installers who want drone-verified models before install day. Probably not right for: Teams without drone capacity, and utility-scale developers.
3. SurgePV — Best Solar Mapping Software for Satellite Design-to-Simulation Workflows
Full disclosure: we build SurgePV. We ranked it #3 because Aurora’s LIDAR stack and Scanifly’s drone accuracy beat us on raw mapping data. Where we win is what happens to the map next.
What It Does Well
Most mapping tools stop at the model. You export the roof, then rebuild it somewhere else for shading, simulation, and the proposal. Every handoff is a chance to transpose a number. We built SurgePV to delete the handoffs.
You map the site from satellite and aerial imagery inside the solar design software itself. The 3D rooftop design carries directly into physics-based shadow analysis and then into yield, payback, IRR, and NPV through the generation and financial tool. The proposal reads the same numbers the engineer simulated. 1 source of truth, no re-typing.
Speed is the practical payoff. In our own testing, a residential site goes from address to mapped, shaded, and simulated design in under 15 minutes. Clara AI helps teams move faster on routine design steps. String sizing happens on the same mapped layout, so electrical and physical design never drift apart.
Our Take: If your mapping pain is not accuracy but the chain of exports after the map, SurgePV is the fix. If you need survey-grade drone precision, pair it with a field tool.
Where It Falls Short
SurgePV maps from satellite and aerial imagery only. There is no native drone photogrammetry and no LIDAR processing, so heavily shaded or complex roofs need a field survey. The component database is deepest in markets we serve directly, and there is no native CRM.
Key Features
- 3D rooftop mapping on satellite and aerial imagery
- Physics-based shadow analysis on the same model
- String sizing on the mapped layout
- Branded PDF proposals from live design data
Pricing
- For 3 Users plan: $1,899/year — design, shadow analysis, simulation, and proposals included
- Free trial: Available with full capabilities
Who Should Use SurgePV
Strong fit: Installers and EPCs who want the map, shading, simulation, and proposal in 1 cloud workflow. Probably not right for: Drone-survey teams, and utility-scale terrain modeling.
Want to see the map-to-simulation flow on a real project? Book a 20-minute demo.
4. OpenSolar — Best Free Solar Mapping Software
OpenSolar is the only genuinely free platform on this list. OpenSolar reports 28,000+ users in 185+ countries mapping sites without paying anything.
What It Does Well
The price is the headline: $0 forever, unlimited projects, unlimited users. OpenSolar monetizes hardware partners and lenders instead of installers. For a new business, that removes the cost excuse entirely.
The 3D design studio runs on Google Maps imagery with photogrammetry-based surface models. Real-time shading renders as you place panels. For straightforward residential roofs in well-imaged areas, the mapping quality is workable, and proposals generate in under 2 minutes once templates are set.
The mobile apps and built-in CRM mean the map flows into the sales loop without extra tools. Most teams are operational in under 1 day.
Our Take: OpenSolar is where every new installer should map their first 100 roofs. Know the ceiling: photogrammetry is not LIDAR, and Google imagery lags premium aerial sources.
Where It Falls Short
Imagery resolution is the main gap. Google Maps imagery is lower resolution than paid aerial sources, and optional HD imagery bundles cost extra. The photogrammetry-based digital surface model is less precise than LIDAR. The 500 kW project cap rules out larger C&I work, and there is no offline mode.
Key Features
- 3D design studio on Google Maps imagery
- Real-time shading on the mapped model
- Built-in CRM, proposals, and e-signature
- Full iOS and Android apps
Pricing
- Free tier: $0 — unlimited projects and users
- HD Premium Imagery: Optional paid bundles, price undisclosed
Who Should Use OpenSolar
Strong fit: New and small residential installers, budget-conscious teams, emerging markets. Probably not right for: Precision-critical shading work, C&I above 500 kW, offline field mapping.
5. HelioScope — Best Solar Mapping Software for C&I Site Mapping
HelioScope, now part of Aurora Solar, maps commercial sites fast. It is the tool we reach for on flat roofs and carports from 100 kW up.
What It Does Well
Speed on commercial geometry is the strength. Users report 4x faster design iterations than desktop tools. The 3D shade modeling was validated by NREL as accurate as LIDAR for shading purposes, per Aurora’s published validation work. That matters on big flat roofs where mechanical units drive the shading losses.
The data sources are flexible. Google and Bing Maps come free, Nearmap is a paid add-on, and LIDAR is available in beta on the Pro plan. Keep-out regions, setbacks, and module-level layout all happen on the mapped base.
The map feeds a bankable simulation. DNV GL found HelioScope within 1% of PVsyst, so the numbers downstream of your map survive lender review. Proposals and P90 estimates arrive on the Pro plan.
Our Take: HelioScope is the sweet spot for C&I mapping: fast, credible, and priced per month instead of per enterprise contract. Do not expect residential-grade polish or mature LIDAR.
Where It Falls Short
LIDAR remains in beta with limited regional coverage. There is no native battery modeling. Performance lags past 10,000 modules, and residential work under 15 kW feels clumsy. The financial analysis layer is thin compared with dedicated tools.
Key Features
- 3D shade modeling validated by NREL
- Google/Bing Maps free, Nearmap paid, LIDAR in beta
- Keep-out regions and automated module filling
- DNV validated simulation within 1% of PVsyst
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 mapping 100 kW to 5 MW rooftops, carports, and ground mounts. Probably not right for: Residential-focused teams and sites needing mature LIDAR coverage.
Map Once, Use Everywhere
See how SurgePV turns 1 site map into shading, yield, financials, and a customer-ready proposal.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
6. RatedPower — Best Solar Mapping Software for Utility-Scale Terrain
RatedPower maps a different problem. Nobody flies a drone over a 200 MW greenfield site. You need topography, restricted areas, earthworks, and a buildable layout, and RatedPower automates exactly that.
What It Does Well
The site assessment automation is the product. Import topography as DWG, KML, shapefiles, or CSV point clouds. The platform analyzes slopes, applies your constraints, and generates a full plant layout in under 60 seconds. Earthworks calculations and 3D layout models come with it.
The resource data layer is broad. Integrations cover PVGIS, SolarAnywhere, NASA POWER, Solcast, and Solargis, with up to 50 years of historical weather data. Bankable yield estimates at P75, P90, P95, and P99 follow from the mapped site.
Scale is proven. RatedPower reports 4,300+ solar professionals across 130+ countries, with 43+ GW of projects developed on the platform as of 2026. G2 reviewers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 252 reviews.
Our Take: For utility-scale prospecting and layout, RatedPower replaces days of AutoCAD work with minutes of automation. It is priced accordingly, and it will never map a rooftop.
Where It Falls Short
Rooftop and small C&I work is out of scope entirely. Pricing is custom only, with no free tier or self-serve trial. G2 reviewers note it can feel too technical for generalists and too shallow for senior engineers on edge cases.
Key Features
- Topography imports: DWG, KML, shapefiles, CSV/XYZ
- Automated layout generation in under 60 seconds
- Earthworks and 3D layout modeling
- Solargis, Solcast, and PVGIS resource integrations
Pricing
- Basic, Advanced, Enterprise: Custom pricing, all with unlimited users and projects
- Free trial: Demo and product tour only
Who Should Use RatedPower
Strong fit: Utility-scale developers, EPCs, and IPPs prospecting and designing MW-scale plants. Probably not right for: Rooftop installers and anyone needing transparent pricing.
7. Pylon — Best Solar Mapping Software for High-Resolution Aerial Imagery
Pylon (GetPylon) is an Australian-built tool with an imagery-first pitch. Where coverage exists, its map base is the sharpest on this list.
What It Does Well
The Nearmap integration delivers 7.5 cm resolution aerial imagery across roughly 90% of Australia and 80% of the US, per Pylon’s 2026 coverage data. That is sharp enough to count roof tiles and see conduit. Aurora charges extra per project for comparable imagery; Pylon includes it in the $4 project fee.
The pricing model matches the mapping use case. At $4 per project with unlimited users, you pay only when you map a real site. Low-volume installers carry zero monthly cost.
Blueprint and drone photo upload works directly on the map. You can rotate a site plan or drone shot into the interface and design over it. One-click single-line diagrams and voltage rise reports generate from the same mapped layout.
Our Take: For Australian installers, Pylon’s imagery quality per dollar is unbeatable. Check coverage on your exact service area before committing, because the gaps are real.
Where It Falls Short
Imagery coverage has gaps in 10 to 20% of regions, and there is no LIDAR fallback. Design variations cap at 5 per project. Utility-scale and advanced C&I work is out of scope, and only 3 proposal templates limit downstream polish.
Key Features
- Nearmap imagery at 7.5 cm resolution included
- Blueprint and drone photo overlay on the map
- Award-winning 3D shading analysis
- One-click SLDs and voltage rise reports
Pricing
- Standard: $4/project — design, imagery, financials, proposals
- Pro: $10/project — adds batteries, custom loads, commercial
- Free trial: 5 free Standard projects, no credit card
Who Should Use Pylon
Strong fit: Small residential installers in Australia and the US who want the sharpest imagery per dollar. Probably not right for: Teams in coverage-gap regions and C&I projects.
8. SolarEdge Designer — Best Free Solar Mapping Software for AI Roof Detection
SolarEdge Designer is free for certified SolarEdge installers. Its AI-based roof detection makes it the fastest free path from address to mapped layout.
What It Does Well
The automation is genuinely fast. AI-based roof detection outlines the roof, automatic stringing fills it, and instant design validation flags problems. A mapped residential design takes minutes with no manual tracing.
Accuracy is independently validated. DNV GL found Designer’s energy estimates within 1% of PVsyst, with a slight conservative bias. SolarEdge reports over 50,000 users and 2.8 million layouts across 170+ countries.
The map feeds the full SolarEdge stack. Designs sync into mySolarEdge for commissioning, and battery backup sizing runs on the same model. For a SolarEdge-committed shop, the workflow from map to commissioning costs $0.
Our Take: If 90% of your installs run SolarEdge hardware, Designer is the obvious free mapping layer. The moment a project needs another inverter brand, you need a second tool.
Where It Falls Short
Hardware lock-in is absolute: SolarEdge equipment only. Shading analysis is the most-cited weakness in user feedback, and only fixed-tilt systems are supported. Imagery and mapping depth do not match Aurora or Pylon.
Key Features
- AI-based roof detection and auto-stringing
- DNV GL validated simulation, within 1% of PVsyst
- Battery backup sizing on the mapped model
- Direct sync with mySolarEdge commissioning
Pricing
- Designer: $0 — free for certified SolarEdge installers
- Free trial: Not needed; the product is free
Who Should Use SolarEdge Designer
Strong fit: SolarEdge-committed residential installers and small commercial teams. Probably not right for: Multi-brand shops, tracker projects, and complex shading sites.
9. Solargraf — Best Solar Mapping Software for Fast Residential Layouts
Solargraf, owned by Enphase since 2021, optimizes for speed on straightforward residential roofs. Its pitch is a proposal-ready map in 3 minutes.
What It Does Well
The mapping-to-proposal loop is tight. Aerial imagery loads fast, roof tracing is quick, and the Express Editor lets reps adjust the layout on the spot. Good/Better/Best options present 3 configurations from the same mapped roof.
Battery modeling is a genuine strength on the mapped design. Solargraf supports Enphase IQ Batteries, Tesla Powerwall, and 25+ manufacturers. California installers get NEM 3.0 optimization with hourly sell rates.
Permit packages generate from the same map. AHJ-compliant documents with validated SLDs ship inside the subscription, which covers quote through permit in 1 tool.
Our Take: Solargraf maps simple residential roofs faster than almost anything else. Cross-check its shading output against a second tool before you trust the production numbers.
Where It Falls Short
Shading accuracy is the most common user complaint, and some teams verify production estimates in Aurora or HelioScope. Imagery depth and 3D modeling trail the LIDAR-based tools. There is no built-in CRM, and billing is annual only.
Key Features
- Fast aerial imagery roof mapping
- 3-minute proposal-ready layouts
- 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, Enphase-heavy shops, California NEM 3.0 work. Probably not right for: Teams needing shading precision guarantees or complex roof mapping.
10. PVsyst — Best Solar Mapping Software for Irradiance Resource Data
PVsyst does not map roofs. It earns the last spot because it maps the thing every rooftop tool consumes: the solar resource itself.
What It Does Well
PVsyst ships with Meteonorm and imports PVGIS, Solcast, and other data sources. For any coordinate on earth, it builds a bankable irradiance and weather dataset. Lenders have trusted its reports for 30+ years, and most financiers require exactly its P50 and P90 figures.
The geographic handling is deep. Horizon profiles, far-shading scenes, albedo assumptions, and sub-hourly clipping correction all tie to the site’s mapped coordinates. Version 8 adds unlimited orientations and refined loss modeling.
For ground-mount and utility work, the 3D shading scene maps terrain and tracker geometry in engineering detail. G2 reviewers rate its design and engineering depth 9.4 out of 10, the highest in the category.
Our Take: Use PVsyst to validate the resource and yield assumptions behind any mapped design. Pair it with a real site mapping tool, because it will never trace a roof for you.
Where It Falls Short
There is no imagery-based site mapping at all. The interface is dated, ease of use scores 7.1 out of 10 on G2, and it runs on Windows only with no cloud collaboration. The learning curve is steep.
Key Features
- Meteonorm, PVGIS, and TMY data imports
- P50/P90/P95/P99 bankable uncertainty analysis
- Horizon and far-shading scene modeling
- 14,000+ modules and 4,500+ inverters in the database
Pricing
- Professional: CHF 700/year (~$775) — volume discounts from 2 licenses
- Free trial: 30 days, full features
Who Should Use PVsyst
Strong fit: Engineers and developers validating resource data and yield for financed projects. Probably not right for: Sales teams and anyone needing visual roof mapping.
Decision Guide: Which Mapping Tool Fits Your Work
Match your project type to a shortlist before you book demos.
- High-volume US residential, remote mapping: Aurora Solar. LIDAR plus HD aerial at enterprise prices.
- Drone-verified accuracy before install: Scanifly. Satellite for the sale, drone for engineering.
- Map-to-simulation in 1 workflow: SurgePV. The map feeds shading, yield, and the proposal directly.
- New or budget-constrained installer: OpenSolar or SolarEdge Designer. Both free; pick by hardware commitment.
- C&I rooftops and carports: HelioScope. NREL validated shade models at $159 per month.
- Utility-scale greenfield sites: RatedPower for layout and topography, PVsyst for bankable resource data.
- Australian residential with premium imagery: Pylon. 7.5 cm Nearmap data at $4 per project.
- Fast simple residential roofs: Solargraf.
The Mapping Accuracy Myth
Here is the contrarian take: most installers overpay for mapping precision they never use.
A 1-inch accurate drone model matters for structural engineering and racking layout. It does not change the annual production estimate by more than the weather data’s own uncertainty. Typical meteorological year datasets carry several percent of interannual variability. Your shading model’s 2 cm error is noise next to that.
The reverse is also true. Teams trust a clean-looking satellite map and skip the field check, then discover the roof has 3 layers, a sagging ridge, and a service panel in the wrong place. The map was accurate. The roof was not.
The practical rule we follow: map remotely for speed, verify physically for structure, and match the tool’s precision to the decision the map informs. Sales designs need good imagery. Engineering needs measured geometry. Financial models need honest weather data. No single tool maxes all 3, which is why this list has 10 entries instead of 1.
How to Choose Solar Mapping Software
Evaluate any tool against these 6 dimensions before you commit.
- Imagery on your exact addresses. Coverage maps lie by omission. Test your 10 most recent jobs in every trial before you compare anything else.
- Data source fit. LIDAR for remote precision, drones for verification, satellite for speed, topography for ground mounts. Pick the source before the tool.
- Where the map goes next. A map that exports into your shading, simulation, and proposal stack beats a prettier map that dead-ends. See our solar shadow analysis software workflow for how this connects.
- Accuracy claims with named validators. NREL, DNV, and NYSERDA approvals mean something. Vendor screenshots do not.
- Cost per mapped site. Divide annual cost by real mapping volume. Free tools win at low volume; flat subscriptions win at high volume.
- Coverage failure mode. Every tool degrades somewhere. Ask what happens on an address with no LIDAR, stale imagery, or heavy tree cover. The answer tells you more than the feature list.
Pro Tip
Run your 3 most painful past installs through each trial. The tool that would have caught the real-world problem on those jobs is the tool worth paying for.
Conclusion
The right solar mapping software depends on what you map and why. Aurora Solar leads for remote residential mapping at scale. Scanifly owns drone-verified accuracy. SurgePV is the pick when the map must flow straight into shading, simulation, and the proposal. OpenSolar and SolarEdge Designer cover the free tier, HelioScope covers C&I, and RatedPower plus PVsyst cover utility-scale terrain and resource data.
Do 3 things this week:
- Shortlist 2 or 3 tools from the decision guide and start their trials on the same day.
- Map your 10 most recent real jobs in each one, and time the workflow end to end.
- Compare the mapped model against what your crews actually found on site, then buy the tool with the smallest gap.
If you want to see how SurgePV turns 1 site map into a full design, simulation, and proposal, book a 20-minute demo.
Where SurgePV fits
For the product-side detail, build a 3D roof model from imagery covers the workflow, outputs and limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solar mapping software?
Solar mapping software turns satellite imagery, aerial photos, LIDAR, or drone scans into a measurable site model. Designers use that model to place panels, measure setbacks, and run shading analysis before anyone visits the roof.
What is the best free solar mapping software?
OpenSolar is the strongest free option, with 3D design on Google Maps imagery for unlimited projects. SolarEdge Designer is also free for certified SolarEdge installers. Both trade imagery resolution and precision for zero cost.
Is drone mapping better than satellite mapping for solar?
For final engineering, yes. Drone photogrammetry from tools like Scanifly reaches 1 to 3 inch accuracy, while satellite imagery is better for fast remote sales designs. Most teams use satellite mapping before the sale and drone mapping after it.
How accurate is LIDAR solar mapping?
LIDAR-based roof models are generally accurate to a few inches where coverage exists. Aurora Solar and HelioScope both offer LIDAR-assisted modeling. Coverage gaps in rural areas are the main limitation, so verify against a site photo before finalizing.
Can solar mapping software replace a site survey?
It can replace the survey for most residential sales designs. For structural verification, electrical tie-ins, and final engineering on complex roofs, a physical or drone-based survey is still the safer path.
What resolution do I need for solar roof mapping?
For reliable panel placement, look for aerial imagery at 10 cm per pixel or better. Nearmap-class imagery at 7.5 cm per pixel is the practical benchmark. Standard satellite imagery at 30 to 50 cm per pixel works for rough layouts only.
How much does solar mapping software cost?
Free options like OpenSolar and SolarEdge Designer cost $0. Paid tools range from $4 per project (Pylon) to $159 per month (HelioScope Basic) and custom enterprise pricing for Aurora Solar and RatedPower.
