Answer
Solar PV design software splits by job. Aurora Solar, OpenSolar and SurgePV take you from design to proposal. HelioScope and PV*SOL premium suit commercial design and simulation. PVsyst simulates yield, which is how much energy a system makes. PVcase and Enverus RatedPower lay out utility-scale plants. Prices below are each vendor's own, viewed 28 October 2026.
Solar PV design software splits by job. Aurora Solar, OpenSolar and SurgePV take you from design to proposal. HelioScope and PV*SOL premium suit commercial design and simulation. PVsyst simulates yield, which is how much energy a system makes. PVcase and Enverus RatedPower lay out utility-scale plants. Prices below are each vendor’s own, viewed 28 October 2026.
SurgePV publishes this guide and sells one of the tools in it. The tables show what each vendor says about itself. They do not rank the tools or score accuracy. Accuracy figures on vendor pages come from the vendors themselves.
Quick comparison: solar PV design software
| Tool | What the vendor says it is for | Price as the vendor publishes it |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Solar sales and design. Aurora calls its Basic plan “solar sales and design essentials” | Basic $159 and Premium $259 per user per month, billed monthly. The page says annual plans save 15%. Enterprise is custom, per project |
| HelioScope (an Aurora company) | “Commercial solar-plus-storage design and simulation” | Basic $159 and Pro $259 per license per month, or $1,620 and $2,640 per license per year. Enterprise is custom, per project |
| OpenSolar | “free, class-leading software to design, sell and manage projects” | Core app free. API access and connectors are charged from 16 April 2026 |
| SurgePV | Roof modeling, layout, shading, yield, financial modeling, electrical workflow support, bill of materials (BOM, the parts list) and proposals | $1,899 per user per year (1 seat), $1,499 per user (3 seats), $1,299 per user (5 seats). Confirmed in a written quote. Access is through a guided demo |
| PVsyst | Simulation of grid-connected, standalone and pumping systems | PVsyst 8 Professional CHF 700 per year (CHF is Swiss francs; the shop shows about 854 USD) |
| PV*SOL premium | 3D design and simulation of PV systems with shading analysis | EUR 845 plus VAT for a one-year named-user license (2026). EUR is euros and VAT is value-added tax |
| PVcase | Site selection, design and yield: Prospect, Ground Mount (built on AutoCAD, a drawing program), Roof Mount and Yield | No prices published. The Ground Mount, Roof Mount and Yield pricing pages say “Talk to sales” |
| Enverus RatedPower | Design and engineering for utility-scale PV, storage and hybrid | No prices published. One subscription per company, unlimited users and projects. Basic, Advanced and Enterprise are “Talk to sales” |
Plans, limits and prices change. Read the vendor page before you buy.
What is solar PV design software?
Solar PV design software (also called PV software or solar design tools) plans a system before anyone climbs a roof. PV is short for photovoltaic, the technology that turns sunlight into electricity. The software models the site and places modules (the panels) and inverters (which change panel power into power the building can use). It checks shading and estimates energy yield, which is how much energy the system will make. Some tools also produce electrical drawings, a bill of materials (BOM, the parts list) and a customer proposal.
The vendors above cover different parts of that work:
- Design to proposal: Aurora Solar, OpenSolar and SurgePV.
- Commercial design and simulation: HelioScope and PV*SOL premium.
- Yield simulation: PVsyst, and PVcase Yield.
- Utility-scale layout and engineering: PVcase Ground Mount and Enverus RatedPower.
Residential and small commercial: Aurora Solar, OpenSolar, SurgePV
Aurora Solar. The pricing page lists tablet-friendly sales proposals, HD imagery and on-demand site models on Basic. Premium adds LIDAR-assisted modeling. LIDAR uses laser scans to measure heights, such as roofs and trees. Premium also adds shade reports the page calls “bankable”, a word for reports that lenders can rely on. It adds battery modeling for backup, self-consumption and arbitrage. Self-consumption means using your own solar power. Arbitrage means storing cheap power to use or sell when prices are higher.
Enterprise adds AI-assisted site models, drone mapping, unlimited users and APIs. An API is a way for other software to connect to the tool. Basic and Premium cover one user and 50 projects a month.
OpenSolar. The core app is free. OpenSolar says the charges that start on 16 April 2026 apply only to API access and supported connectors. It describes OS 3.0, announced 18 September 2025, as covering AI-powered lead generation and system design, CRM and payments. CRM is software that tracks your leads and customers.
Its single-line diagram page describes a built-in generator with region-specific templates. A single-line diagram (SLD) is a simple drawing of how the system is wired. Its accuracy page describes studies that OpenSolar says it ordered from the US national laboratory NLR and from PVEL. Kiwa describes PVEL as a solar module testing lab.
SurgePV. See the dedicated section below.
Commercial rooftops, carports and ground mounts: HelioScope, PV*SOL premium
HelioScope. The pricing page lists rooftop, carport, ground mount and battery layout on all projects. It lists storage design on Basic. The plan table lists single-line diagrams and CAD export, which saves the design as a file for drawing software. Each plan caps design size: 1.25 MW DC (Basic), 5 MW DC (Pro) and 30 MW DC (Enterprise). MW DC means megawatts of panel capacity.
Basic and Pro include one user and 10 projects a month (120 a year). Pro adds LIDAR-assisted modeling, AI-based obstruction detection, financial modeling, sales proposals and P90, P95 and P99 values. P90 is a yield you can expect to meet or beat in 90% of years. P95 and P99 work the same way at 95% and 99%. Enterprise adds single-axis trackers (mounts that turn the panels to follow the sun), export to PVsyst, API access and SSO (one login for many tools).
PV*SOL premium. Valentin Software describes 3D visualization with detailed shading analysis, battery storage and electric vehicle simulation, an automatically generated circuit diagram, and project reports. You can download a trial version. The 2026 one-year named-user license, which is for one named person, is EUR 845 plus VAT.
For design aimed at larger commercial work, see commercial solar design.
Utility-scale solar design software: PVcase and Enverus RatedPower
PVcase. The home page says PVcase Ground Mount is built on AutoCAD. Its pricing page lists terrain-aware layouts, slope, collision, piling and shading analysis. Piling means the posts driven into the ground to hold the frames. The page also lists SLDs and bills of materials from the design.
PVcase Yield lists bifacial and complex terrain modeling, P50 and P90 scenarios, 15-minute simulation intervals and import of Ground Mount layouts. Bifacial panels catch light on both sides. P50 is a yield you can expect to meet or beat in half of years. Roof Mount lists automated design, stringing and cabling for rooftops. Stringing means linking panels in a series.
Enverus RatedPower. RatedPower says one pass takes a site to layout, yield, electrical design, CAPEX and a document set. CAPEX is the up-front cost to build the plant. RatedPower also says it is sold per company, with unlimited users and projects on every plan.
Its Basic plan lists PV design layout, modeling, 3D energy yield estimates, and hybrid, standalone storage and interconnection design. Hybrid means solar and storage together. Interconnection means the link to the power grid. Advanced adds detailed PV engineering. Enterprise adds site analysis and prospecting.
PVsyst for yield simulation
PVsyst simulates grid-connected, standalone and pumping systems. Grid-connected systems link to the power grid. Standalone systems work off the grid. Pumping systems run water pumps.
Its product page lists near-shading models you build in 3D or import. Near-shading means shade from nearby objects, such as trees and buildings. The page also lists bifacial and tracker simulation, storage and self-consumption, and an economic assessment that returns NPV, LCOE and ROI. NPV (net present value) is what future cash is worth today, after you subtract the cost. LCOE (levelized cost of energy) is the average cost of each kWh over the system’s life. ROI (return on investment) compares the gain with the cost.
- Price: PVsyst 8 Professional is CHF 700 a year, with 5%, 15% and 20% discounts for 2 to 4, 5 to 9 and 10 or more licenses. Education is CHF 420, Training or Research CHF 560, Classroom and Student CHF 25.
- Platform: PVsyst runs only under Windows and cannot be installed on Windows Server.
- Trial: the product page lists a one-month free trial. The licensing documentation describes a 30-day evaluation mode with generic components and a watermark on reports.
More detail is in what PVsyst is and whether PVsyst is free.
SurgePV
SurgePV is cloud solar design and proposal software, which runs online. Its stated scope is 3D roof modeling, solar array layout, shading analysis, energy-yield modeling, financial modeling, electrical workflow support, bill-of-materials output and proposal generation. See solar design software, shading analysis, the generation and financial tool and solar proposals.
The pricing page lists $1,899 per user per year for one seat, $1,499 per user for three seats and $1,299 per user for five seats. Access is through a guided demo, not a self-serve trial. Outputs help with design and paperwork. They do not replace approval by the responsible engineer, authority, lender, insurer or utility.
See SurgePV on a representative project
Bring a recent project and ask to see the outputs your engineer and sales team need.
Book a Free DemoFree and public solar design tools
- OpenSolar: the core app is free. API access and connectors are charged from 16 April 2026.
- SolarEdge Designer: SolarEdge says there are no license or subscription fees. It designs SolarEdge systems.
- PVGIS: the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre offers free, open access with no registration, for any location except the North and South Poles.
- PVWatts: the PVWatts Calculator from the US National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) estimates energy production of grid-connected PV systems anywhere in the world.
- SAM: NLR’s System Advisor Model is a free desktop application for techno-economic analysis, which checks both the technology and the costs. It covers photovoltaic systems from rooftop to utility scale.
- Trials: PVsyst (above) and PV*SOL premium offer trial versions. SurgePV offers a guided demo.
PVGIS, PVWatts and SAM estimate or model production. They are not layout and proposal tools. For the cost trade-offs, see free vs paid solar design software.
What do three seats cost for a year?
This is list-price math for the entry plan: three licenses or seats for one year. A seat is one user’s license. The products do different jobs and the currencies differ. So this is not a like-for-like ranking.
| Tool | Entry plan and unit | Three for one year |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Basic, $159 per user per month, billed monthly | 3 × 159 × 12 = $5,724 (annual plans save 15%, per Aurora) |
| HelioScope | Basic, $1,620 per license per year | 3 × 1,620 = $4,860 |
| SurgePV | 3 seats, $1,499 per user per year | 3 × 1,499 = $4,497 |
| PVsyst | Professional, CHF 700 per license per year, 5% off 2 to 4 licenses | 3 × 700 = CHF 2,100; less 5% = CHF 1,995 |
| PV*SOL premium | One-year named-user license, EUR 845 plus VAT | 3 × 845 = EUR 2,535 plus VAT |
| OpenSolar | Core app free | $0, plus any API access or connector charges |
| PVcase, Enverus RatedPower | Not published | Ask for a quote |
How to choose
- Start with the job. Design to proposal, commercial simulation, yield reports and utility-scale layout are different jobs. The vendors above each cover some of them.
- Check the pricing unit. Aurora and HelioScope list prices per user or license, per month or year. SurgePV lists per user per year. PVsyst and PV*SOL list per license. Enverus RatedPower lists per company. OpenSolar is free with paid connections. PVcase gives prices on request.
- Check limits by plan. HelioScope caps projects per month and design size. Aurora Basic and Premium list one user and 50 projects a month.
- Ask for the outputs you need. If you need single-line diagrams, a bill of materials, a P90 value or a proposal, ask each vendor to produce it on your own project.
- Run past projects through two tools. Compare the layout, the yield and the documents with what you built and what the system produced.
For regional guidance, see solar PV design software Europe and best solar design software India. The markets page shows how to match a workflow to your project type. For AI features, see AI solar design software, and for Aurora comparisons see the Aurora Solar alternatives list.
Sources
Vendor pages, viewed 28 October 2026: Aurora pricing, HelioScope pricing, OpenSolar, OpenSolar pricing change, 16 February 2026, OpenSolar OS 3.0, 18 September 2025, PVsyst shop, PVsyst requirements, PV*SOL premium shop, PVcase, Enverus RatedPower pricing, SolarEdge Designer, PVGIS, PVWatts, SAM. SurgePV facts come from its pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solar PV design software?
Solar PV design software helps you plan a PV system before it is built. PV is short for photovoltaic, the technology that turns sunlight into electricity. The software covers roof or site modeling, module and inverter layout, shading, energy yield, electrical design and, in some tools, proposals. Some tools cover the whole job. Others do one job, such as yield simulation or utility-scale layout.
What software do solar designers use?
It depends on the job. Vendors describe Aurora Solar, OpenSolar and SurgePV as design-to-proposal tools. They describe HelioScope and PV*SOL premium as commercial design and simulation tools, and PVsyst as simulation software. They describe PVcase and Enverus RatedPower as utility-scale design tools. No public survey in this guide ranks them by use.
Is there free solar design software?
OpenSolar’s core app is free for installers. API access and connectors have been charged since 16 April 2026. SolarEdge says Designer has no license or subscription fees. PVGIS and SAM are free. PVWatts is a public calculator from the US National Laboratory of the Rockies. PVsyst and PV*SOL premium offer a trial.
How much does solar PV design software cost?
As published on vendor pages: Aurora Solar $159 and $259 per user per month billed monthly; HelioScope $1,620 and $2,640 per license per year; SurgePV $1,899, $1,499 and $1,299 per user per year at 1, 3 and 5 seats; PVsyst CHF 700 per year; PV*SOL premium EUR 845 plus VAT for one year; OpenSolar free core. PVcase and Enverus RatedPower do not publish prices.
PVsyst vs Aurora vs SurgePV: what is the difference?
They do different jobs. PVsyst is simulation software that runs on Windows and costs CHF 700 per year. Aurora Solar is a sales and design tool priced per user per month. SurgePV covers roof modeling, layout, shading, yield, financial modeling, electrical workflow support, bill of materials (BOM) and proposals. Its price is per user per year. SurgePV publishes this guide.
Can solar design software generate single-line diagrams?
Several vendors document it. A single-line diagram (SLD) is a simple drawing of how the system is wired. HelioScope’s plan table lists single-line diagrams and CAD export. OpenSolar has a built-in single-line diagram generator. PVcase Ground Mount lists SLDs and bills of materials. PV*SOL premium has an automatically generated circuit diagram. For SurgePV, ask to see the electrical outputs you need in a demo.
Where this fits
This article is part of SurgePV's Solar Design hub, which works through the topic from first principles to the decisions a project team actually has to make.
