Key Takeaways
- Arka360 is the only major platform with built-in CRM — ideal for teams without existing sales software
- SurgePV delivers native electrical engineering (SLDs, three-line diagrams) without AutoCAD
- Arka360 supports energy storage and NEM 3.0 now; SurgePV storage is planned but not yet available
- SurgePV covers carports, trackers, and East-West racking; Arka360 does not support these structures
- Arka360 users report missing features (16 G2 mentions) and system instability (6 mentions)
- SurgePV’s documented ±3% accuracy vs PVSyst vs Arka360’s unquantified claims
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you’re an India-focused residential installer without an existing CRM and need immediate battery storage support, Arka360 is the better fit. For everyone else — especially commercial EPCs, multi-market teams, or anyone needing complete electrical engineering without AutoCAD — SurgePV delivers significantly more capability at a lower total cost of ownership.
Company Overview
Arka360
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Union City, CA + Bengaluru, India
Focus
Solar design with built-in CRM
Best For
India & US residential
Pricing Starts
$1,699/yr (Basic, annual)
SurgePV
Founded
2025
Headquarters
London, UK (Global)
Focus
All-in-one solar platform
Best For
Global residential, commercial & utility
Pricing Starts
$1,499/yr (3 users)
Feature Comparison
Here’s a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of Arka360 vs SurgePV across the capabilities that matter most to solar design teams.
| Feature | Arka360 | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| 3D Shade Analysis | ✓ (LIDAR-based) | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ (AI-assisted) | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| String Sizing | ✓ (Automated) | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | Basic (manual config, may need AutoCAD) | ✓ (Native, automated) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Bill of Materials | Basic | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✓ (48hr standard) | ✓ (Automated) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (cash, loan, lease, PPA, RESCO) | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Under 5 min, Sales Mode) | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| Native CRM | ✓ (Built-in) | API-based integration |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ (Available now + NEM 3.0) | Planned |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | ✓ (Limited structures) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) |
| Carport Solar Design | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Tracker Support | ✗ | ✓ (Single + dual-axis) |
| East-West Racking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | Premium/Enterprise only (conflicting info) | ✓ (All plans) |
| White-Label Proposals | ✓ | ✓ |
Design Capabilities
Both Arka360 and SurgePV are cloud-based platforms that enable solar professionals to design systems using satellite imagery and LIDAR data. However, they differ significantly in their design depth, commercial structures support, and engineering capabilities.
Arka360 Design Strengths
Arka360 has established itself as a user-friendly design tool for the residential and light commercial markets. Its strengths include AI-assisted roof detection, optimized panel placement, and one of the easiest learning curves in the industry (21 G2 mentions for ease of use).
The platform supports both roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems with 3D LIDAR-based shading analysis. Users can generate proposals in under 5 minutes, and the unique Sales Mode allows real-time design changes during client meetings.
However, Arka360 has clear structural limitations. It does not support carport solar, solar trackers, or East-West racking configurations. For commercial projects requiring these structures, teams will need a second platform. Additionally, Arka360’s electrical engineering is basic — SLD generation requires manual configuration, and complex commercial electrical documentation may still require AutoCAD.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV takes a more comprehensive approach to solar design software. The platform features AI-powered auto-design that automatically generates optimized panel layouts, along with an 8760-hour shade simulation that provides monthly shade maps for granular analysis.
Where SurgePV truly differentiates is in its commercial structures support and native electrical engineering. The platform includes built-in carport design, single-axis and dual-axis tracker support, and East-West racking optimization — none of which Arka360 offers. SurgePV also generates complete SLDs, three-line diagrams, and automatic wire sizing without requiring any additional software.
CRM & Sales Workflow
Arka360: Built-in CRM Advantage
Arka360 is the only major solar design platform with a native, made-for-solar CRM. This is a genuine differentiator for small to mid-size installers who don’t already have Salesforce or HubSpot.
The built-in CRM includes lead tracking, sales pipeline management, opportunity tracking, task management, and business analytics dashboards. For teams without an existing CRM investment, this eliminates a separate subscription and integration complexity.
The trade-off: if you already use Salesforce or HubSpot, you’re paying for a redundant feature.
SurgePV: CRM Integration Approach
SurgePV does not include a built-in CRM. Instead, it integrates with existing CRM systems via API. This approach avoids duplicating your CRM investment and allows you to keep your existing sales workflows intact.
For teams already using Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho, SurgePV’s integration model is actually more cost-effective. You don’t pay for CRM features you won’t use.
Proposal & Sales
Arka360 Proposals
Arka360’s proposal generator creates accurate solar proposals in under 5 minutes. The standout feature is Sales Mode — a unique capability that lets you create instant designs while interacting with clients in real time.
Proposals include 3D simulations, system metrics, ROI calculations, and financing options (cash, loan, lease, PPA, RESCO). Output formats include PDF, shareable web links, and direct email delivery.
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV generates both web-based and PDF proposals with flexible financial modeling that supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures. The platform offers multi-currency support, global tax and incentive modeling, and detailed yield projections at P50/P75/P90 confidence levels.
While SurgePV lacks Arka360’s real-time Sales Mode, its proposals are backed by complete electrical documentation — a significant advantage for commercial projects where engineering credibility matters.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is one of the most significant differentiators between Arka360 and SurgePV, especially when you factor in hidden costs like AutoCAD for complex electrical work.
| Plan | Arka360 | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $1,699/year (Basic, annual) | $1,499/year (3 users) |
| Premium | $1,999/year (Premium, annual) | $1,299/user/year (5 users) |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
| AutoCAD Required? | Sometimes (complex commercial) | No (native SLDs) |
| Total Year 1 Cost (1 user, commercial) | $3,999+ (with AutoCAD) | $1,499 |
| Features Included | Tiered (some locked to Premium) | All features, all plans |
Arka360 $3,999+ vs SurgePV $1,499 — SurgePV saves ~63%See Why Teams Are Switching to SurgePV
Design, simulate, propose, and generate permit packages — all in one platform, starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No AutoCAD needed · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Arka360
Pros
Cons
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The right choice depends on your team’s specific situation. Use this decision matrix to find the best fit.
| Your Situation | Choose Arka360 | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| No existing CRM system | ✓ | |
| India-only residential focus | ✓ | |
| Need battery storage modeling now | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious startup (no CRM) | ✓ | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Commercial projects (carports, trackers) | ✓ | |
| Multi-market operations | ✓ | |
| Bankable projects needing documented accuracy | ✓ | |
| All-in-one platform (no add-ons) | ✓ | |
| Existing Salesforce/HubSpot CRM | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| Lowest total cost of ownership | ✓ |
Migration Guide: Arka360 to SurgePV
Switching from Arka360 to SurgePV is straightforward. Most teams complete the transition within 2–3 weeks. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Sign Up for SurgePV Free Trial
Create your SurgePV account with full access to all features. No credit card required, no feature limitations during the trial.
Export Project Data from Arka360
Export your existing project data, component selections, and customer records. SurgePV’s onboarding team can assist with bulk imports.
Recreate Active Projects Using AI Auto-Design
Use SurgePV’s AI-powered auto-design to quickly recreate your active project layouts. Most designs take minutes to regenerate.
Generate Electrical Documentation Automatically
SurgePV’s native SLD generation creates complete electrical diagrams in 5–10 minutes — no AutoCAD required. This step alone saves 1.5–2.5 hours per project.
Set Up Proposals with Your Branding
Upload your logo, configure your company branding, and generate professional proposals with SurgePV’s white-label proposal builder.
Cancel Arka360 After Full Transition
Once your team is comfortable with SurgePV and all active projects are migrated, cancel your Arka360 subscription. If you added AutoCAD for electrical work, cancel that too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than Arka360?
It depends on your needs. Arka360 excels for India-focused residential teams needing built-in CRM and immediate storage support. SurgePV offers superior electrical engineering, commercial structures, global coverage, and documented simulation accuracy at a lower total cost of ownership.
Can SurgePV replace Arka360 and AutoCAD?
Yes. SurgePV includes native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit package creation that Arka360 requires a separate AutoCAD license ($2,000+/yr) to complete for complex commercial projects.
Which has better CRM capabilities?
Arka360 has a built-in CRM — the only major solar platform with native lead management. SurgePV integrates with existing CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot via API. If you don’t have a CRM, Arka360 wins. If you already have one, SurgePV avoids paying for redundant features.
Is Arka360 worth the price?
For India-only residential teams without an existing CRM, Arka360’s $1,699/year Basic plan delivers strong value. For commercial EPCs or multi-market teams, SurgePV’s all-inclusive pricing and native electrical engineering deliver significantly more value per dollar.
Can I migrate from Arka360 to SurgePV?
Yes. SurgePV offers guided onboarding for teams switching from Arka360. Most teams complete migration within 2–3 weeks. Project data and component selections transfer easily; SurgePV’s automated SLD generation actually saves time compared to recreating Arka360’s manual electrical docs.
Which is better for commercial projects?
SurgePV. It supports commercial projects up to 5MW with native electrical engineering, carport design, and tracker support. Arka360 lacks carport and tracker design and requires AutoCAD for complex commercial electrical documentation.
