Top Solar Shading Analysis Tools for 2025 in the Netherlands

The Netherlands ranks among Europe’s leaders in rooftop solar deployment, but it also presents some of the continent’s most complex shading challenges. From steep-roofed row houses in Amsterdam to densely packed suburbs in Rotterdam, Dutch installers must contend with dormers, chimneys, trees, and shared walls that cast inconsistent shadows throughout the year.

Yet despite these conditions, many solar companies still rely on outdated workflows—manually estimating shade losses from aerial imagery, or plugging basic tilt and azimuth values into spreadsheets. This approach risks underperformance, lost energy yields, and missed customer expectations.

In 2025, precision matters more than ever. Whether securing SDE++ funding, optimizing layout for Enphase microinverters, or providing realistic ROI to customers, shading models must be accurate, visual, and based on true LIDAR data.

This article evaluates the top solar shading analysis tools for the Dutch market—focusing on platforms that integrate LIDAR resolution, module-level simulation, and real-time irradiance forecasting. Among them, SurgePV leads the field with its AI-powered shading maps, 8760-hour P50/P90 modeling, and Dutch-language reporting. If you're quoting PV in Utrecht or designing solar in Groningen, these tools can elevate both performance and professionalism.

Why Dutch Shading Analysis Matters

The Netherlands presents a unique shading challenge for solar professionals. Its tightly packed residential zones, steep gabled roofs, and frequent obstructions—like dormers, chimneys, and nearby trees—make generic shading estimates unreliable. In cities like Utrecht, The Hague, and Eindhoven, rooftop variation within a single block can cause yield differences of 10–30%, depending on shading exposure.

This is why per-pixel, LIDAR-grade shading detection has become essential for Dutch EPCs and solar installers. Tools must go beyond satellite views and offer module-level analysis that integrates sun-path simulation across the full year. With Dutch homes frequently qualifying for net-metering (saldering) and energy export tariffs, every kilowatt-hour of shading loss has a direct impact on project ROI.

Moreover, customer trust and subsidy validation depend on transparent, visually intuitive reports. Shading visuals and loss calculations must be exportable in Dutch-language PDFs for use in contracts, subsidy applications (e.g. SDE++), and local permitting processes. Compatibility with top EU inverter brands like SolarEdge, SMA, Fronius, and Enphase is also critical.

To deliver this level of accuracy and professionalism, shading tools must be precise, localized, and fast—giving Dutch installers the confidence to quote and close projects based on real energy expectations, not guesswork.

Top Solar Shading Tools Netherlands 2025

1. SurgePV – Dutch-Ready Shading & Simulation Platform

SurgePV is an all-in-one solar design and shading simulation software specifically optimized for Dutch solar EPCs and sales teams. It combines high-resolution LIDAR inputs, AI-driven roof segmentation, and per-panel shading with full 8760-hour yield modeling and real-time ROI forecasting. Uniquely, it auto-generates Dutch-language documents—including proposals, SLDs, and invoices—compliant with local tax, saldering (net-metering), and regulatory expectations. SurgePV’s end-to-end pipeline allows users to go from layout and simulation to client-ready contracts in under an hour. It’s fully hardware-agnostic and integrates with Dutch CRMs, inverters (SMA, SolarEdge, Fronius), and payment providers.

Key Features

• AI-powered LIDAR scans for complex roofs, dormers, chimneys, and street-level shading
  
• Per-panel heatmaps with sun-path animation for detailed visualization
  
• 8760h simulation with integrated P50/P90 for bank-grade forecasting
  
• ROI modeling tied to Dutch export prices (“saldering”) and VAT logic
  
• Export-ready Dutch-language proposals, contracts, invoices, and technical PDFs
  
• Full integration: layout → simulation → proposal → e-signature → CRM export
  

Pros

• Extremely accurate shading and yield modeling
  
• Compliant with Dutch financial and regulatory requirements
  
• Streamlines quoting workflows and reduces turnaround time by ~50%
  
• Outputs professional-grade, client-ready documents
  
• Compatible with all major inverter brands
  

Cons

• Higher cost; may be too feature-rich for micro-installers
  
• Not optimized for academic or research contexts
  
• Requires internet connection; no offline mode
  

2. Solargraf – User-Friendly LIDAR Mapping for the Netherlands

Solargraf is a cloud-based solar quoting platform built to enable fast, accurate, and visually appealing designs—ideal for high-volume residential workflows. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies LIDAR-based roof modeling and basic shade visualization. While Solargraf includes proposal generation tools and limited 3D visualization, it lacks deeper simulation or built-in ROI logic. It’s growing in popularity among Dutch installers for its speed and accessibility but requires manual handling of local incentives, tariffs, and language formatting.

Key Features

• Satellite and LIDAR imagery for accurate roof models
  
• Basic shade heatmaps and obstruction tags
  
• Branded proposal export with limited financial fields
  
• Mobile-optimized interface for field quoting
  

Pros

• Intuitive workflow ideal for quick estimates
  
• Responsive cloud interface—no installation needed
  
• Some level of Dutch UI support (menus and labels)
  

Cons

• No built-in energy simulation or ROI calculation
  
• Minimal shade-to-Finance data integration
  
• No downstream tools for contracts or CRM
  

3. Pylon – Speed-First EU Proposal Tool

Pylon is a lightweight proposal and shading platform designed for speed and usability. It’s increasingly used across EU markets and supports Dutch localization, including UI translation and address recognition. Its key strength lies in its use of high-resolution aerial imagery and basic per-panel shading tools, optimized for quick visual proposals and quote generation. Pylon doesn’t include bankable simulation (like 8760h/P50/P90) or financial modeling, making it better suited for front-end sales quoting than for final engineering or permitting workflows.

Key Features

• 5 cm resolution LIDAR imagery
  
• Panel-level shading visualization heatmaps
  
• Proposal-sharing via live links or PDFs
  
• Quicker UI flow for quote generation
  

Pros

• Excellent visual quality and speed
  
• Dutch-language interface available
  
• Great for fast-paced sales and quoting
  

Cons

• Lacks 8760h modeling and P50/P90 simulation
  
• ROI and saldering calculations must be done externally
  
• Not suitable for bank-compliant proposals
  

4. Aurora Solar – Visual Simulation Market Leader

Aurora Solar is a globally adopted platform that offers one of the most advanced solar design environments available. It combines real-time 3D layout, obstruction modeling, sun-path animation, and shadow tracking. It excels in producing high-quality visual outputs for client presentations and supports rapid conceptual design. While Aurora offers energy production modeling, it does not natively support Dutch net-metering, VAT rules, or regional subsidies—those must be manually modeled in spreadsheets. It also lacks full localization of export documents.

Key Features

• 3D roof mapping with street-level LIDAR
  
• Detailed sun-path and seasonal shading animations
  
• API and CRM integration
  
• Multi-device support (desktop and web)
  

Pros

• Attractive, client-ready visuals
  
• Strong layout tools for various rooftop forms
  
• Effective for sales presentations
  

Cons

• Tariff logic and ROI modeling must be handled off-platform
  
• No Dutch contractual or invoice exports
  
• Limited compliance automation
  

5. Enact – Installer-Centric Shading & CRM

Enact is a cloud-based solar sales platform that merges CRM, basic design, and proposal features. It includes moderate shading analysis functionality that’s embedded into its broader quote management workflow. The system offers roof recognition and shading overlays, but lacks detailed per-panel irradiance analysis or yield forecasting. While Enact can embed shade data into proposals, it does not offer automatic Dutch language exports, VAT calculation, or saldering alignment. Its strength lies in sales team coordination and proposal management rather than deep engineering.

Key Features

• Roof-level LIDAR shading maps and tilt adjustments
  
• CRM integration for follow-up and proposal tracking
  
• Basic quote document generation
  

Pros

• Good for shade-based layout planning
  
• Nice fit for teams needing lightweight shade + CRM
  
• Speed and clarity for quote generation
  

Cons

• No Dutch-language exports or VAT/ROI automation
  
• Limited yield modeling functionality
  
• Not optimized for regulatory compliance
  

6. SolarEdge Designer – Hardware-Synced Shading Tool

SolarEdge Designer is a free online tool developed by SolarEdge to support the design and validation of PV systems using their inverters and DC optimizers. The platform offers string-level layout planning, auto-stringing, and shading visualization specific to SolarEdge hardware behavior. It includes basic sun-path diagrams and obstruction detection but is limited to SolarEdge components and workflows. It doesn’t export Dutch-language documents or handle financial modeling. Its primary value lies in validating SolarEdge-specific design decisions, not in comprehensive shading or proposal generation.

Key Features

• Automatic stringing and shade optimization for SolarEdge hardware
  
• Sun-path shading overlays linked to optimizer output
  
• Basic PDF export of layouts
  

Pros

• Free with SolarEdge credentials
  
• Accurate layout for SE hardware
  
• Quick component-level shading visualizations
  

Cons

• Locked to SolarEdge components
  
• No Dutch tariff integration or PDF proposal support
  
• No support for invoicing, ROI, or CRM workflows
  

7. SolarFarmer (by DNV) – Terrain-Aware Industrial Simulation

SolarFarmer is a premium-grade shading and simulation engine designed for utility-scale solar plants and complex commercial projects. Built by DNV, it focuses on topographical analysis, bifacial performance modeling, and bank-grade P50/P90 output validation. SolarFarmer excels at terrain-aware row spacing, 3D ray tracing, and component-level loss breakdowns. However, it lacks Dutch market features like saldering support, language localization, or residential proposal templates. Its typical users include engineers, consultants, and asset developers managing multi-MW projects.

Key Features

• Terrain-adaptive shading and row-level obstruction analysis
  
• 8760h simulation with complex loss modeling
  
• Outputs for LCOE and site-level system performance
  

Pros

• Accurate, bankable-grade modeling
  
• Handling of terrain and large installations
  

Cons

• Over-complex for residential rooftops
  
• No Dutch-language proposal or incentive tools
• Requires high technical skill and steep learning
  

Why SurgePV Excels in the Netherlands

SurgePV has positioned itself as the top solar shading tool for Dutch installers by solving the most pressing local challenges—namely, complex rooftops, urban obstructions, saldering yield accuracy, and client-facing communication.

AI + LIDAR Detection for Dutch Roofs:‍

Dutch buildings frequently feature steeply pitched, multi-surface roofs with dormers, chimneys, and asymmetrical layouts. SurgePV’s AI-powered LIDAR engine instantly maps these complexities, delivering precise 3D roof segmentation without manual CAD work.

Per-Panel Shading Analysis:‍

Shading isn’t calculated in bulk—it’s mapped down to the individual module. Animated sun-path overlays show hour-by-hour shading across seasons, helping EPCs accurately explain and address yield variance to Dutch clients.

Integrated 8760-Hour Simulation with Saldering Impact:‍

Unlike visual-only platforms, SurgePV uses shading data as a direct input into full-year energy forecasts. These simulations project not only generation losses but also financial implications under the current and future net-metering (saldering) structure—critical for long-term ROI models as policy shifts.

Dutch-Language and Regulatory-Ready Outputs:‍

All reports—shading visuals, proposal PDFs, ROI spreadsheets, and invoicing—are exportable in Dutch. This ensures compliance with regulatory filings and gives end customers clear, localized documentation.

Vendor Neutrality + EU Hardware Compatibility:‍

SurgePV integrates with major EU inverter brands like SolarEdge, Fronius, SMA, and KOSTAL. It also supports open PV design workflows, making it flexible for both residential and commercial EPCs.

Efficiency Gains:‍

Where most shading workflows require three separate tools—design, shade, and ROI—SurgePV reduces the process to one seamless environment. Dutch installers report saving over 50% on time spent from layout to signed proposal.

Roadmap Aligned with NL Policy:‍

With roadmap features built for handling the phased reduction of saldering and NL-specific invoicing, SurgePV ensures future compliance and adaptability.

“Only SurgePV ties Dutch-rooftop shading analysis to energy yield, ROI, and proposal output—giving you faster, smarter, and more accurate customer experiences.”

Bottom Line

If you're still relying on static shade tables, satellite screenshots, or manual estimations using Google Earth, you're not just wasting time—you’re leaving energy savings and deal conversions on the table. The Dutch PV market demands more: dynamic visuals, regulator-ready reports, and real-time yield-based shading assessments.

SurgePV provides exactly that. With automated LIDAR analysis, animated sun-path shading, 8760-hour forecasting, and saldering-adjusted ROI—all within one workflow—it’s the complete toolkit for Dutch EPCs and solar installers. Whether you work on pitched urban row homes or commercial rooftops, SurgePV eliminates the friction from quote to contract.

Make your shading process as precise and customer-ready as your installs. SurgePV is not just a shading tool—it’s your front-end design and sales engine, built for the Dutch solar market.

Why book a demo?

• Experience real shading analysis on rooftops in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, or Groningen using AI-enhanced LIDAR.
  
• See per-panel shade maps animated with sun-path overlays—precise enough for Dutch permit reviewers and customer confidence.
  
• Simulate energy loss and ROI instantly with full 8760-hour + P50/P90 forecasting tied to current Dutch saldering and incentive structures.
  
• Preview Dutch-language outputs, including export-ready shading reports, proposals, and invoice templates.
  
• Walk through the full workflow: from layout → shading → simulation → quote → eSignature—all within a single interface.
  

Whether you're quoting for terraced homes or large C&I roofs, this demo will show how SurgePV replaces your legacy shading tools, spreadsheets, and design guesswork with a faster, more accurate, and fully Dutch-compliant system.

Book a Dutch-Focused SurgePV Demo