Key Takeaways
- Enact Solar has the lowest entry price ($199/month for 3 users) but requires PVCAD add-ons for engineering
- SurgePV includes native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit packages in all plans
- Enact offers unique features: Enact Home consumer app and built-in Design-as-a-Service (DaaS)
- SurgePV has documented ±3% shading accuracy vs PVSyst; Enact’s accuracy is unquantified
- Enact covers 25+ countries; SurgePV serves India, US, and international markets
- For commercial EPCs, SurgePV’s all-in-one pricing beats Enact + PVCAD on total cost of ownership
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you need the lowest possible entry price for basic residential design and proposals across multiple countries, Enact Solar’s $199/month base plan is compelling. If you design commercial projects, need automated electrical engineering, or want every feature included without add-ons, SurgePV delivers more complete functionality at a lower true cost of ownership.
Company Overview
Enact Solar
Founded
2014
Headquarters
Pleasanton, California, USA
Focus
End-to-end solar platform + customer app
Best For
Small-to-mid installers, international teams
Pricing Starts
$199/month (3 users)
SurgePV
Founded
2025
Headquarters
London, UK (Global)
Focus
All-in-one solar platform
Best For
Global residential, commercial & utility
Pricing Starts
$1,499/yr
Feature Comparison
Here’s a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of Enact Solar vs SurgePV across the capabilities that matter most to solar design teams.
| Feature | Enact Solar | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (DSM + Google Solar API) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| 3D Shade Analysis | Shading with obstacle ID (accuracy unquantified) | ✓ (8760-hour simulation, ±3% vs PVSyst) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ (3D models in seconds) | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| String Sizing | ✓ | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ (PVCAD add-on only) | ✓ (Native, automated) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✗ (PVCAD add-on only) | ✓ |
| Financial Modeling | Cash, loan, lease, PPA (US-focused) | ✓ (Global, multi-currency, P50/P75/P90) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Customizable templates) | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| CRM Integration | ✓ (HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce, SalesRabbit) | API-based |
| E-Signature | ✓ (DocuSign) | Coming soon |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ (TOU optimization, base plan) | Planned |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | ✓ (PVCAD add-on) | ✓ (Up to 5MW, native) |
| Carport Solar Design | ✗ (PVCAD add-on only) | ✓ (Native) |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✓ (PVCAD Mega add-on) | ✓ |
| API Access | Lead API, Design API (sales contact required) | ✓ (All plans) |
| Customer Monitoring App | ✓ (Enact Home — unique) | ✗ |
| Design-as-a-Service | ✓ (24-hour turnaround) | ✗ |
| Asset Management | ✓ (Fleetview Dashboard) | Planned |
Design Capabilities
Both Enact Solar and SurgePV are cloud-based platforms for solar system design. The key difference is depth: Enact covers the full project lifecycle including post-installation monitoring, while SurgePV goes deeper on electrical engineering and commercial structures.
Enact Solar Design Strengths
Enact’s core design module uses Digital Surface Model (DSM) data from Google Solar API at 0.1 m/pixel resolution. It generates 3D rooftop models in seconds with automatic detection of roof height, pitch, and orientation.
Enact’s standout design advantage is its Design-as-a-Service (DaaS) option. If your team lacks dedicated design staff, you can outsource designs to Enact’s team with 24-hour turnaround for residential projects and 48–72 hours for large commercial (500kW–2MW). No competitor offers this natively.
However, the base platform has notable gaps. It does not support carport solar design, single-axis trackers, or East-West racking. For permit-ready engineering drawings, you need the PVCAD add-on — a separate subscription starting at $180/month. The DSM precision also depends on geographic coverage; in regions without DSM data, the platform falls back to standard Google Maps imagery.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV takes a more engineering-focused approach to solar design software. The platform features AI-powered auto-design that generates optimized panel layouts automatically, along with an 8760-hour shade simulation that produces monthly shade maps with documented ±3% accuracy vs PVSyst.
Where SurgePV differentiates most is in native electrical engineering. The platform includes built-in automated SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and automatic wire sizing — all without any additional software or add-ons. SurgePV also supports carport solar design, commercial projects up to 5MW, and utility-scale design natively in the base platform.
Proposal & Sales
Enact Solar Proposals
Enact generates customer-ready proposals in minutes with customizable templates (colors, logos, fonts). The platform supports multi-scenario “what-if” comparisons for cash, loan, and lease options side by side. Output formats include PDF, shareable links, and email delivery.
Enact integrates with DocuSign for contract e-signatures and connects to HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce, and SalesRabbit CRMs. For teams that want a unified sales workflow without stitching together multiple tools, this is a real advantage.
The limitation is that Enact’s financial models are US-centric — built around US utility rate structures, tax credits, and financing models. International teams may find the financial modeling less flexible.
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.
SurgePV’s proposal engine is built for commercial and international teams who need bankable financial documentation. While the visuals are functional rather than best-in-class, the financial depth satisfies lender requirements that Enact’s base platform does not.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is where the comparison gets interesting. Enact’s headline price is lower, but the true cost depends heavily on whether you need engineering-grade drawings.
| Plan | Enact Solar | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $199/month (3 users) | $1,499/year (per user) |
| Engineering Add-On | $180–$245/month (PVCAD) | Included |
| Enterprise | Custom (Scale Up) | Custom |
| Total Year 1 Cost (3 users, with engineering) | $5,328+ | From $4,497 |
| Features Included | Tiered (PVCAD is extra) | All features, all plans |
Enact $5,328+ vs SurgePV $4,497 — SurgePV saves ~16% with more featuresSee Why Teams Are Switching to SurgePV
Design, simulate, propose, and generate permit packages — all in one platform, no add-ons required.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No add-ons needed · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Enact Solar
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 Enact | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Tightest possible budget for basic design | ✓ | |
| Operate across 10+ countries | ✓ | |
| Need customer-facing monitoring app | ✓ | |
| Want built-in design outsourcing (DaaS) | ✓ | |
| Battery storage modeling needed now | ✓ | |
| Need automated electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Design commercial/carport/tracker projects | ✓ | |
| Bankable accuracy required for lenders | ✓ | |
| All-in-one platform with no add-ons | ✓ | |
| Lowest total cost with engineering included | ✓ | |
| Commercial projects up to 5MW | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ |
Migration Guide: Enact Solar to SurgePV
Switching from Enact Solar to SurgePV is straightforward. Most teams complete the transition within 1–2 days. 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.
Import Project Data and Customer Information
Transfer your existing project data and customer records into SurgePV. The onboarding team can assist with bulk imports from Enact exports.
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 with automated SLDs.
Generate Proposals with Your Branding
Set up your company branding, upload your logo, and generate professional proposals with SurgePV’s white-label proposal builder.
Cancel Enact and PVCAD Subscriptions After Transition
Once your team is comfortable with SurgePV and all active projects are migrated, cancel your Enact Solar and PVCAD subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than Enact Solar?
It depends on your priorities. SurgePV wins on electrical engineering automation, commercial structure support, and total cost of ownership for teams needing permit-ready drawings. Enact Solar wins on entry-level pricing, geographic coverage, and its unique customer-facing monitoring app.
Can SurgePV replace Enact Solar?
Yes. SurgePV covers design, simulation, proposals, electrical engineering, and permit packages in one platform without add-ons. Teams switching from Enact typically gain automated SLD generation and eliminate the PVCAD add-on cost.
Which is cheaper: Enact Solar or SurgePV?
Enact’s base plan ($199/month for 3 users) is cheaper for basic design and proposals. But for commercial teams needing PVCAD engineering, Enact costs $5,328+/year — significantly more than SurgePV’s all-inclusive pricing starting at $1,499/user/year.
Does Enact Solar have automated SLD generation?
The base Enact platform does not include automated SLD generation. The PVCAD add-on (from the January 2026 PVComplete acquisition) adds AutoCAD-integrated permit drawings, but this requires an additional $180–$245/month subscription. SurgePV includes native automated SLDs in all plans.
Which platform is better for commercial projects?
SurgePV. It supports commercial projects up to 5MW with native electrical engineering, carport design, and automated permit packages. Enact’s base platform lacks these features and requires the PVCAD add-on.
Can I migrate from Enact Solar to SurgePV?
Yes. SurgePV offers guided onboarding for teams switching from Enact. Most teams complete the transition within 1–2 days.
