Key Takeaways
- Aurora Solar is a cloud design and proposal tool; PVsyst is a desktop simulation engine
- PVsyst is the bankable simulation standard accepted by financiers worldwide
- Aurora Solar has no bankable-grade simulation; PVsyst has no design or proposal tools
- Many teams pay for both tools — roughly $2,500-3,200/year combined
- PVsyst requires a Windows desktop; Aurora runs in any browser
- SurgePV offers both design and bankable simulation in a single cloud platform
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Aurora Solar and PVsyst serve fundamentally different purposes. Aurora is for designing systems and generating sales proposals. PVsyst is for producing bankable energy yield reports. Most commercial and utility teams end up paying for both. If you want design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one tool, SurgePV is the more practical choice at $1,499/year.
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
PVsyst
Founded
1992
Headquarters
Satigny, Switzerland
Focus
Desktop energy yield simulation
Best For
Bankable simulation & due diligence
Pricing Starts
≈$800-1,400/yr
Feature Comparison
Aurora Solar and PVsyst occupy different ends of the solar workflow. Here’s how they stack up feature by feature.
| Feature | Aurora Solar | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✗ (Desktop only) |
| Solar Panel Layout Design | ✓ | ✗ (Basic 3D scene only) |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (LIDAR + solar access) | ✓ (Near-shading with 3D objects) |
| Bankable Simulation Reports | ✗ | ✓ (Industry standard) |
| P50/P75/P90 Yield Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Detailed Loss Diagrams | Basic | ✓ (Granular loss chain) |
| Bifacial Module Modeling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Best-in-class visual) | ✗ |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (Salesforce, HubSpot) | ✗ |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (US-focused) | Basic economic analysis |
| Electrical Engineering (SLD) | ✗ (Needs AutoCAD) | ✗ |
| Meteo Data Integration | Built-in US weather | ✓ (Meteonorm, PVGIS, NASA) |
| Battery Storage Modeling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Utility-Scale Support | ✗ | ✓ |
| E-Signature | ✓ (DocuSign) | ✗ |
| Global Meteo Coverage | US-focused | ✓ (Worldwide) |
| Operating System | Any browser | Windows only |
Design Capabilities
These two tools approach solar project workflows from opposite directions. Aurora starts with visual design; PVsyst starts with physics-based simulation.
Aurora Solar Design Strengths
Aurora Solar gives you a complete design-to-proposal workflow for residential and small commercial projects. You draw roof outlines on satellite imagery, place panels with automatic layout tools, and generate customer-facing proposals in minutes. LIDAR data feeds into shade analysis, and NearMap imagery gives you high-resolution aerial views for accurate panel placement.
The platform handles the sales side well too — CRM integration, DocuSign, and interactive web-based proposals make it a strong choice for high-volume residential teams. But Aurora does not produce bankable simulation reports. Its energy estimates are useful for proposals but not accepted by project financiers or independent engineers conducting due diligence.
PVsyst Simulation Strengths
PVsyst has been the bankable simulation standard since the early 1990s. Every major solar lender, independent engineer, and utility interconnection authority recognizes PVsyst reports. The software models detailed loss chains — soiling, mismatch, cable losses, transformer losses, clipping, degradation — with a level of granularity that no other tool matches.
PVsyst also supports bifacial modules, tracker systems, and complex utility-scale configurations with multiple sub-arrays. It pulls from Meteonorm, PVGIS, and NASA meteorological databases for global coverage.
The trade-off is significant: PVsyst has no panel layout design tools, no satellite imagery, no proposal generation, and no sales workflow. It runs only on Windows. The learning curve is steep — most users need formal training to use it effectively.
Simulation & Reporting
Aurora Solar Simulation
Aurora estimates annual energy production using its built-in irradiance model and LIDAR shade data. The results are suitable for residential proposals and customer-facing documents. However, Aurora does not generate P50/P75/P90 probability analyses, detailed loss diagrams, or uncertainty quantification that banks and investors require for project financing.
For residential installers who sell directly to homeowners, Aurora’s simulation accuracy is more than adequate. For any project seeking third-party financing, you need PVsyst or an equivalent.
PVsyst Simulation
PVsyst produces the most detailed simulation reports in the industry. A standard PVsyst report includes hourly simulation with 8760 data points, a full loss diagram from irradiance on the plane of array down to energy injected into the grid, P50/P75/P90 yield probabilities with GHI uncertainty analysis, and degradation modeling over the project lifetime.
The software also supports specialized scenarios like agrivoltaic installations, floating PV, and complex terrain with horizon profiles. For technical due diligence, PVsyst remains the tool that lenders trust.
Pricing Comparison
Because Aurora Solar and PVsyst serve different functions, many teams end up paying for both — creating a combined cost that adds up fast.
| Cost Item | Aurora Solar | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Annual License | ≈$1,765/year | ≈$800-1,400/year |
| Premium Tier | ≈$2,875/year | $1,400/year (Premium) |
| Additional Users | Per-seat pricing | Per-seat licensing |
| AutoCAD for SLDs? | Yes (+$1,800/yr) | N/A (no design tools) |
| Combined Cost (both tools) | $2,565-3,165/year minimum | |
| Proposal Tool Included? | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bankable Reports Included? | ✗ | ✓ |
$1,765 + $800 + $1,800 = $4,365/year — vs SurgePV at $1,499/yearLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Design, simulate with bankable accuracy, generate proposals, and create permit packages — all in one cloud platform, starting at $1,499/year.
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Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Aurora Solar
Pros
Cons
PVsyst
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The choice between Aurora Solar and PVsyst depends on what part of the solar workflow you need to cover.
| Your Situation | Choose Aurora | Choose PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Residential installer needing proposals | ✓ | |
| Bankable simulation for financing | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale project development | ✓ | |
| Sales team with CRM workflow | ✓ | |
| Independent engineering review | ✓ | |
| Quick residential design + close | ✓ | |
| Bifacial or tracker system modeling | ✓ | |
| Need both design AND simulation | Consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
If neither Aurora Solar nor PVsyst fully meets your needs, SurgePV combines the best of both worlds. This solar design software gives you Aurora-style cloud-based visual design with satellite imagery and auto-layout, plus PVsyst-level energy yield simulation with P50/P75/P90 reporting — without switching between two separate tools or paying for two licenses.
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. That replaces a $4,365+ annual stack of Aurora + PVsyst + AutoCAD with a single subscription.
Start your free SurgePV trial and see how one platform can replace your entire tool stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aurora Solar or PVsyst more accurate for energy yield?
PVsyst is the industry standard for bankable energy yield simulation, accepted by financiers and utilities worldwide. Aurora Solar provides solid yield estimates for residential projects but lacks the granular loss modeling and P50/P90 reporting that PVsyst delivers.
Can PVsyst replace Aurora Solar?
No. PVsyst is a simulation-only tool with no design, proposal, or sales features. Aurora is a design-and-proposal platform with basic simulation. They serve different purposes and many teams use both.
Which is better for commercial projects?
For design and proposals, Aurora Solar handles commercial layouts. For bankable simulation reports that lenders require, PVsyst is the standard. Most commercial teams need both tools or a single platform like SurgePV that covers both.
Is PVsyst worth the cost?
If your projects require bankable simulation reports for financing, PVsyst is unavoidable. At $800-1,400/year for a desktop license, it pays for itself on a single commercial project. But you still need a separate design tool.
What’s a better alternative to both Aurora Solar and PVsyst?
SurgePV combines cloud-based design with bankable simulation in one platform. You get Aurora-style visual design plus PVsyst-level energy modeling, along with proposals, electrical engineering, and financial analysis — all for $1,499/year.
Does Aurora Solar have bankable simulation reports?
Aurora Solar provides energy production estimates, but these are not widely accepted as bankable reports by project financiers. For investment-grade simulation, most teams still rely on PVsyst or a platform with equivalent rigor.