Key Takeaways
- Aurora Solar is an independent platform; Solargraf is owned by Enphase Energy
- Solargraf’s best features are tied to Enphase equipment — limiting flexibility
- Aurora has superior proposals and CRM integration for enterprise sales teams
- Neither platform includes native electrical engineering — AutoCAD still needed
- Solargraf pricing is undisclosed; Aurora starts at ≈$1,765/year
- SurgePV is equipment-agnostic with all features included at $1,499/year
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Aurora Solar wins for teams that need vendor-neutral design with polished proposals and CRM integration. Solargraf wins for committed Enphase installers who want tight equipment integration and streamlined permitting. The catch: choosing Solargraf means tying your software stack to one equipment manufacturer. If you want equipment flexibility with full design-to-permit capabilities, SurgePV is the better option.
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
Solargraf
Founded
2015 (acquired by Enphase)
Headquarters
Enphase Energy (Fremont, USA)
Focus
Design, proposals & permitting
Best For
Enphase-committed installers
Pricing Starts
Undisclosed (varies by Enphase tier)
Feature Comparison
Both are cloud-based residential design tools, but their strategic alignment creates different strengths.
| Feature | Aurora Solar | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) | ✓ |
| Equipment-Agnostic | ✓ | Partial (optimized for Enphase) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (LIDAR + solar access) | ✓ |
| Interactive Proposals | ✓ (Best-in-class) | ✓ |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (Salesforce native) | Basic |
| E-Signature | ✓ (DocuSign) | ✓ |
| Permitting Workflow | Basic | ✓ (Enphase systems) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ (Needs AutoCAD) | ✗ |
| Automatic Equipment Pricing | ✗ | ✓ (Enphase catalog) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (US-focused) | Basic |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ | ✓ (Enphase batteries) |
| Commercial Projects | ✓ | Limited |
| Global Market Support | US-focused | US & select markets |
| Manufacturer Lock-In | None | Enphase-optimized |
Design Capabilities
Both platforms handle residential solar design, but their underlying strategies shape the user experience differently.
Aurora Solar Design Strengths
Aurora’s design engine is built around LIDAR data and NearMap HD imagery. You get accurate 3D roof models, automatic panel layouts that account for setbacks and obstructions, and a shade analysis engine that uses solar access percentages. The workflow is fast — experienced users can produce a complete residential design in under 10 minutes.
Aurora is vendor-neutral. You pick any panel, inverter, or battery from their equipment database. This matters for installers who work with multiple manufacturers or switch brands based on pricing and availability. The downside: Aurora has no permitting workflow and no electrical engineering tools.
Solargraf Design Strengths
Solargraf’s design tools are competent for residential projects, but the real value is what happens after design. Enphase integration means automatic microinverter selection based on your panel layout, real-time equipment pricing from Enphase’s catalog, and a permitting package workflow tailored to Enphase systems.
For dedicated Enphase installers, this integration saves time. You don’t manually configure microinverter assignments or look up part numbers. The platform knows what equipment you need and what it costs.
The limitation is obvious: if you use string inverters, or if you switch between Enphase and SolarEdge based on project requirements, Solargraf’s advantages disappear. You’re left with a competent but unremarkable design tool that doesn’t match Aurora’s proposal quality.
Proposal & Sales
Aurora Solar Proposals
Aurora’s interactive proposals remain the industry benchmark for residential sales. Homeowners see a 3D model of their roof, toggle between financing options, and sign contracts through DocuSign. Salesforce and HubSpot integration means leads flow directly into the CRM. For high-volume residential operations running inside appointments, Aurora’s sales workflow is hard to beat.
Solargraf Proposals
Solargraf generates proposals with integrated Enphase equipment pricing. The proposals show system specifications, production estimates, and financing options. E-signature is built in. For Enphase-focused teams, the automatic equipment pricing in proposals is a time-saver — no manual price lookups or configuration changes.
The proposals are functional but lack the visual polish and interactive experience that Aurora delivers. For teams competing on presentation quality, Aurora has the edge.
Pricing Comparison
Comparing pricing directly is difficult because Solargraf’s pricing depends on your Enphase relationship.
| Cost Item | Aurora Solar | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Annual License | ≈$1,765/year | Undisclosed (varies) |
| Premium Tier | ≈$2,875/year | Undisclosed |
| AutoCAD for SLDs? | Yes (+$1,800/yr) | Yes (+$1,800/yr) |
| Equipment Lock-In Cost | None | Enphase dependency |
| Pricing Transparency | Published tiers | Not public |
| Electrical Engineering | ✗ | ✗ |
Solargraf ties your software to Enphase — switching inverter brands means switching software tooLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Equipment-agnostic design with native electrical engineering, proposals, and financial modeling — no manufacturer lock-in.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Works with any equipment · All features included
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Aurora Solar
Pros
Cons
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Aurora | Choose Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Enphase installer | ✓ | |
| Multi-brand equipment flexibility | ✓ | |
| Enterprise sales team with CRM | ✓ | |
| Want Enphase permitting integration | ✓ | |
| Best visual proposal quality | ✓ | |
| Small team, budget-conscious | ✓ (if Enphase partner) | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | Consider SurgePV | |
| Equipment-agnostic + full platform | Consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
If neither Aurora Solar nor Solargraf fully meets your needs, SurgePV offers equipment-agnostic solar design software without manufacturer lock-in. You get the design speed and proposal quality of Aurora, plus the permitting and engineering capabilities that Solargraf lacks — all without tying your business to a single inverter brand.
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 Enphase dependency. No AutoCAD required.
Start your free SurgePV trial and design with any equipment you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solargraf only for Enphase installers?
Solargraf works with any installer, but its deepest value comes from Enphase integration — automatic equipment selection, real-time pricing, and streamlined permitting for Enphase systems. Non-Enphase teams get fewer benefits.
Is Aurora Solar better than Solargraf?
Aurora has better visual proposals and CRM integration. Solargraf offers tighter equipment-to-permitting workflow for Enphase users. Neither includes native electrical engineering — both need AutoCAD for SLDs.
Does Solargraf work with non-Enphase inverters?
Solargraf supports other equipment, but the platform is optimized around Enphase microinverters. The automated permitting, equipment selection, and pricing features work best with Enphase products.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Solargraf?
Solargraf’s pricing is not publicly disclosed — it varies by Enphase relationship and volume. Aurora starts at ≈$1,765/year. For Enphase partners, Solargraf may be included or heavily discounted.
What’s a better alternative to both Aurora Solar and Solargraf?
SurgePV offers equipment-agnostic design with native electrical engineering, proposals, and financial modeling in one platform. At $1,499/year with all features included, it doesn’t lock you into any equipment manufacturer.
Can Solargraf generate permit packages?
Solargraf includes permitting workflows, particularly for Enphase systems. However, it does not generate full electrical engineering documents like SLDs and three-line diagrams natively.