Key Takeaways
- Aurora Solar is a US-focused cloud platform; PV*SOL is a European desktop simulation tool
- PV*SOL offers detailed 3D simulation with battery, EV, and heat pump modeling
- Aurora has far better proposals and sales workflow; PV*SOL is an engineering tool
- PV*SOL costs ≈$1,410 one-time; Aurora charges ≈$1,765/year recurring
- PV*SOL is Windows-only; Aurora runs on any browser
- SurgePV offers a cloud-based alternative that covers both design and simulation globally
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Aurora Solar and PV*SOL serve different markets and workflows. Aurora is a cloud sales platform for US residential teams who need fast design-to-proposal pipelines. PV*SOL is a desktop engineering tool for European installers who need detailed 3D simulation with battery, EV, and heat pump integration. If you need both sales-quality proposals and engineering-grade simulation in a single cloud platform, SurgePV is the practical choice.
Company Overview
Aurora Solar
Founded
2013
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Focus
Cloud solar design & proposals
Best For
US residential & commercial
Pricing Starts
≈$1,765/yr (subscription)
PV*SOL
Founded
1998 (Valentin Software)
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Focus
Desktop 3D simulation & design
Best For
European residential & small commercial
Pricing Starts
≈$1,410 (one-time)
Feature Comparison
Aurora Solar and PV*SOL represent different philosophies: cloud sales platform vs. desktop engineering tool.
| Feature | Aurora Solar | PV*SOL |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✗ (Desktop, Windows only) |
| 3D System Design | ✓ (Satellite-based) | ✓ (Full 3D modeling) |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) | Import only |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (LIDAR + solar access) | ✓ (3D object shading) |
| Battery Storage Simulation | ✓ (Basic) | ✓ (Detailed) |
| EV Charging Simulation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Heat Pump Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interactive Proposals | ✓ (Best-in-class) | ✗ (Technical reports only) |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (Salesforce native) | ✗ |
| E-Signature | ✓ (DocuSign) | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ (Needs AutoCAD) | Basic circuit diagrams |
| European Standards (DIN) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (US-focused) | Basic economic analysis |
| Global Weather Data | US-focused | ✓ (Meteonorm) |
| Multi-Language | English | ✓ (German, English, + others) |
Design Capabilities
These tools tackle design from opposite angles — satellite-based cloud design vs. ground-up 3D desktop modeling.
Aurora Solar Design Strengths
Aurora uses satellite imagery and LIDAR to create quick, accurate residential layouts. You trace the roof outline, and the auto-layout engine places panels around obstructions with proper setbacks. For US residential installers doing 10+ designs per day, this speed is the competitive advantage.
Aurora’s design-to-proposal pipeline is seamless — one workflow from roof to signed contract. But the platform lacks European market support, German DIN standards compliance, and integration with European energy management systems like heat pumps and EV chargers.
PV*SOL Design Strengths
PV*SOL takes a more engineering-focused approach. The 3D modeling environment lets you build detailed roof structures, surrounding buildings, trees, and other shade-producing objects. The simulation engine calculates shading on a minute-by-minute basis throughout the year.
What sets PV*SOL apart is sector coupling. You can model the interaction between solar panels, battery storage, EV charging stations, and heat pumps in a single simulation. This is standard practice for European residential projects where self-consumption optimization across multiple energy vectors is the norm.
The trade-off: PV*SOL has no proposal builder, no CRM, no e-signature, and no sales workflow. It’s a design and simulation tool, not a sales platform. And it runs only on Windows.
Simulation & Reporting
Aurora Solar Simulation
Aurora produces energy yield estimates suitable for residential proposals. The simulation accounts for shading, system losses, and panel orientation. Results are presented in a customer-friendly format within the proposal. For US residential sales, this level of simulation is sufficient.
Aurora does not produce detailed technical reports with loss diagrams, hourly data exports, or P50/P90 analyses. For projects requiring engineering-grade simulation, Aurora falls short.
PV*SOL Simulation
PV*SOL delivers detailed minute-by-minute simulation with comprehensive loss modeling. The software generates technical reports showing self-consumption rates, grid feed-in profiles, battery cycling analysis, and economic projections over 20+ year horizons.
For European markets where self-consumption optimization directly impacts project economics, PV*SOL’s detailed load profile modeling is indispensable. The ability to simulate the interaction between PV, battery, EV charging, and heat pump consumption in a single model is something no US-focused platform offers.
Pricing Comparison
The pricing models are fundamentally different — subscription vs. one-time purchase.
| Cost Item | Aurora Solar | PV*SOL |
|---|---|---|
| License Model | Annual subscription | One-time purchase |
| Entry Cost | ≈$1,765/year | ≈$1,410 one-time |
| Year 1 Cost | $1,765 | $1,410 |
| 3-Year Cost | $5,295 | ≈$1,810 (with maintenance) |
| AutoCAD for SLDs? | Yes (+$1,800/yr) | Not applicable |
| Proposals Included? | ✓ | ✗ |
| EV/Heat Pump Modeling? | ✗ | ✓ |
Aurora: $5,295 (subscription) vs PV*SOL: ≈$1,810 (one-time + maintenance) — but neither is complete aloneLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Cloud-based design with engineering-grade simulation, proposals, and native electrical engineering — one platform for US and European markets.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Cloud-based · Works globally
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Aurora Solar
Pros
Cons
PV*SOL
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Aurora | Choose PV*SOL |
|---|---|---|
| US residential installer | ✓ | |
| European residential installer | ✓ | |
| Need battery + EV + heat pump modeling | ✓ | |
| Sales team needing proposals | ✓ | |
| Prefer one-time purchase | ✓ | |
| Need CRM and e-signature | ✓ | |
| Must work on Mac/browser | ✓ | |
| Need cloud + simulation + proposals | Consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
If neither Aurora Solar nor PV*SOL fully meets your needs, SurgePV bridges the gap. You get Aurora-style cloud-based design with satellite imagery and interactive proposals, plus detailed simulation capabilities that work globally — not just in the US or Europe. Add native electrical engineering, and you have a single solar design software platform that replaces both tools.
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. No desktop install required, no Windows dependency, no regional limitations.
Start your free SurgePV trial and design for any market from any device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PV*SOL better than Aurora Solar for European projects?
Yes. PV*SOL was built for European markets with support for local regulations, German DIN standards, heat pump and EV integration, and European weather databases. Aurora is US-centric and lacks European regulatory support.
Can PV*SOL do proposals like Aurora Solar?
No. PV*SOL generates technical simulation reports, not customer-facing sales proposals. Aurora’s interactive proposals are far ahead for residential sales. PV*SOL is an engineering tool, not a sales tool.
Is PV*SOL a one-time purchase?
PV*SOL Premium costs approximately $1,410 as a one-time purchase with optional annual maintenance for updates. This is different from Aurora’s recurring subscription model.
Does PV*SOL work on Mac?
No. PV*SOL is Windows-only desktop software. Aurora Solar runs in any browser on any operating system. Mac users need a Windows virtual machine or Boot Camp to run PV*SOL.
What’s a better alternative to both Aurora Solar and PV*SOL?
SurgePV combines Aurora-style cloud design with PV*SOL-level 3D simulation in one platform. You get proposals, electrical engineering, and global financial modeling at $1,499/year — cloud-based, no desktop install needed.
Does PV*SOL support battery and EV charging simulation?
Yes. PV*SOL Premium includes detailed battery storage simulation, EV charging profiles, and heat pump integration. Aurora Solar has basic battery support but no EV or heat pump modeling.