Key Takeaways
- Aurora Solar is a design and proposal platform; Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling tool
- Energy Toolbase has 100,000+ US utility rates for detailed savings analysis
- Aurora’s financial modeling is basic; Energy Toolbase’s design capability is nonexistent
- Many teams pay for both tools — design in Aurora, financials in Energy Toolbase
- Both are US-centric with limited international support
- SurgePV offers integrated design and financial modeling in one global platform
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Aurora Solar designs systems and generates proposals. Energy Toolbase models the financial returns. They complement each other rather than compete. If you need both deep financial modeling and system design, paying for two separate tools gets expensive. SurgePV integrates design, simulation, proposals, and financial modeling in one platform at $1,499/year.
Company Overview
Aurora Solar
Founded
2013
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Focus
Solar design & proposals
Best For
US residential & commercial
Pricing Starts
~$1,765/yr
Energy Toolbase
Founded
2014
Headquarters
San Diego, USA
Focus
Financial modeling for solar + storage
Best For
C&I solar + storage financial analysis
Pricing Starts
Subscription (contact sales)
Feature Comparison
One designs solar systems. The other models the financial returns. Here’s how they compare.
| Feature | Aurora Solar | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solar Panel Layout Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (LIDAR + solar access) | ✗ |
| Utility Rate Database | Limited US coverage | ✓ (100,000+ rates) |
| Detailed Savings Analysis | Basic | ✓ (Interval-level) |
| Storage Dispatch Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Advanced) |
| Demand Charge Analysis | Basic | ✓ (Detailed) |
| Interactive Proposals | ✓ (Best-in-class) | ✓ (Financial focus) |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (Salesforce native) | Limited |
| E-Signature | ✓ (DocuSign) | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ (Needs AutoCAD) | ✗ |
| Rate Escalation Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Utility-specific) |
| PPA/Lease Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Detailed) |
| Global Coverage | US-focused | US-focused |
Design Capabilities
Aurora Solar Design Strengths
Aurora handles the full design workflow — satellite imagery, LIDAR, panel layout, shade analysis, and auto-stringing. For residential and small commercial projects, you get a complete system design in minutes. The design flows directly into proposals and e-signatures.
Aurora’s financial modeling covers basic savings calculations, loan and lease comparisons, and US utility rate analysis. But its rate database is limited compared to Energy Toolbase, and the storage modeling is not granular enough for complex commercial demand charge optimization.
Energy Toolbase Financial Strengths
Energy Toolbase does not design solar systems. It models the financial returns. The platform pulls from a database of over 100,000 US utility rates and calculates savings at the interval level — 15-minute or hourly data points that capture time-of-use pricing, demand charges, and seasonal rate variations.
For commercial solar + storage projects, Energy Toolbase’s storage dispatch optimization is the standout feature. The platform models battery dispatch strategies to maximize demand charge reduction and time-of-use arbitrage. This level of financial precision helps C&I sales teams build credible business cases for building owners.
Proposal & Sales
Aurora Solar Proposals
Aurora’s visual proposals are designed to close residential deals. Interactive system views, financing comparisons, and DocuSign e-signature make for a smooth homeowner experience. The financial analysis within proposals is simplified for consumer understanding.
Energy Toolbase Proposals
Energy Toolbase generates proposals focused on financial returns — detailed savings breakdowns, payback projections, and comparison scenarios. These proposals speak to commercial decision-makers and finance teams who need to justify the investment. The visual design is less polished than Aurora’s but the financial content is far more rigorous.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Item | Aurora Solar | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Software License | ~$1,765/year | Subscription (contact sales) |
| Combined Cost (both tools) | $3,000-5,000+/year estimated | |
| Design Included? | ✓ | ✗ |
| Detailed Financial Modeling? | Basic | ✓ |
| Storage Dispatch Modeling? | Basic | ✓ (Advanced) |
| Electrical Engineering? | ✗ | ✗ |
Aurora ~$1,765 + Energy Toolbase ~$1,500+ + AutoCAD $1,800 = $5,065+/yr — vs SurgePV $1,499/yrLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Design, simulate, create proposals, and model financials in one cloud platform — with native electrical engineering and global multi-currency support.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Design + financials in one tool · Global coverage
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Aurora Solar
Pros
Cons
Energy Toolbase
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Aurora | Choose Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Residential installer needing design + proposals | ✓ | |
| C&I team needing detailed savings analysis | ✓ | |
| Solar + storage demand charge optimization | ✓ | |
| Need visual proposals for homeowners | ✓ | |
| Complex commercial rate structures | ✓ | |
| CRM + e-signature workflow | ✓ | |
| Integrated design + financials in one tool | Consider SurgePV | |
| International/global projects | Consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
If neither Aurora Solar nor Energy Toolbase fully meets your needs, SurgePV combines design with financial modeling in one platform. You get satellite-based design, 8760-hour simulation, proposals with P50/P75/P90 yield projections, native electrical engineering, and global financial modeling with multi-currency support. No more switching between a design tool and a financial tool.
As a complete solar design software platform, SurgePV delivers design, simulation, proposals, electrical engineering, and financial modeling in one cloud platform starting at $1,499/year — with all features included on every plan. It works globally, not just in the US.
Start your free SurgePV trial and consolidate your design and financial modeling in one platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Energy Toolbase a design tool?
No. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling and proposal platform for solar and battery storage. It does not include panel layout design, shade analysis, or system engineering. It focuses on utility rate analysis, savings calculations, and storage dispatch modeling.
Can Aurora Solar replace Energy Toolbase?
Partially. Aurora has basic financial modeling for residential US projects. But Energy Toolbase offers far more detailed utility rate analysis with 100,000+ rates, storage dispatch optimization, and commercial-grade financial projections that Aurora cannot match.
Does Energy Toolbase work outside the US?
Energy Toolbase is primarily US-focused. Its utility rate database covers US utilities. International support is limited compared to its domestic coverage.
How much does Energy Toolbase cost?
Energy Toolbase pricing varies by plan and features. The platform offers tiered subscriptions with pricing available upon request. Many teams use it alongside a design tool, adding to total software costs.
What’s a better alternative to both Aurora Solar and Energy Toolbase?
SurgePV combines design, simulation, proposals, electrical engineering, and global financial modeling in one platform. At $1,499/year with multi-currency support and global rate modeling, it replaces the need for separate design and financial tools.
Can I use Aurora Solar and Energy Toolbase together?
Yes. Many teams use Aurora for design and proposals, then run the financial model through Energy Toolbase for more detailed savings analysis. But this means paying for two tools and managing data transfer between them.