Key Takeaways
- Energy Toolbase (ETB) specializes in solar+storage financial modeling and dispatch simulation
- SurgePV is a complete platform — design, simulation, proposals, engineering, and financial modeling
- Energy Toolbase is not a design tool — it requires a separate platform for panel layouts and engineering
- ETB has 100,000+ US utility rates — the most comprehensive database in the industry
- SurgePV includes global multi-currency financial modeling with proposal generation
- ETB’s Acumen EMS provides real-time storage dispatch control — a unique hardware+software play
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you are a C&I solar+storage company that needs investor-grade storage dispatch simulation with 15-minute interval data and the deepest US utility rate database available, Energy Toolbase is the specialist tool for that job. For every other solar team — especially those that need design, proposals, engineering documentation, and financial modeling in one platform — SurgePV delivers far more functionality at a lower total cost.
Company Overview
Energy Toolbase
Founded
2014
Headquarters
Venice, California, USA
Focus
Solar+storage financial modeling & dispatch
Best For
US C&I solar+storage companies
Pricing Starts
≈$2,400/yr (per seat)
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. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling tool. SurgePV is a full-stack solar design software platform. These are fundamentally different products that overlap only in financial analysis.
| Feature | Energy Toolbase | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Platform | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solar Panel Design/Layout | ✗ | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| Satellite Imagery | ✗ | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| 3D Shade Analysis | ✗ | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) |
| String Sizing | ✗ | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Bill of Materials | ✗ | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Utility Rate Database | ✓ (100k+ US rates) | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Storage Dispatch Simulation | ✓ (Best-in-class, 15-min) | Basic |
| Financial Modeling | ✓ (Investor-grade) | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Proposal Generation | Basic reports | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| Acumen EMS (Hardware) | ✓ (Real-time dispatch) | ✗ |
| Battery Storage Design | Sizing only (no layout) | ✓ |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | Financial analysis only | ✓ (Up to 5MW) |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | Limited | ✓ (All plans) |
Design Capabilities
This section is straightforward: Energy Toolbase does not do design. SurgePV does.
Energy Toolbase Design Strengths
Energy Toolbase has no design capabilities. It does not offer panel layout tools, roof modeling, shade analysis, satellite imagery, or any spatial design features. Teams using Energy Toolbase for financial analysis must pair it with a separate design tool — typically Aurora Solar, HelioScope, or SurgePV — to create the system layout before running financial models.
This makes Energy Toolbase an add-on tool rather than a standalone platform. The financial analysis is strong, but you cannot use it to design a single solar project.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV provides the complete design workflow: satellite imagery from Google and Nearmap, AI-powered auto-design for panel layouts, 8760-hour shade simulation, auto-stringing, and support for residential, commercial (up to 5MW), and utility-scale projects.
The platform also includes native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, BOM with pricing, and permit packages — all without requiring any additional software. Combined with built-in financial modeling, SurgePV eliminates the need for a separate tool like Energy Toolbase for most projects.
Proposal & Sales
Energy Toolbase Proposals
Energy Toolbase generates financial reports and savings analyses, but these are technical documents aimed at project developers and financiers. They are not customer-facing proposals in the traditional sense. The reports include detailed rate analysis, demand charge savings, and storage dispatch curves — valuable for internal analysis but not suitable for presenting to a homeowner or business decision-maker.
For customer-facing proposals, teams need a separate tool.
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV produces white-label web and PDF proposals designed for customer presentation. The proposals include system visualizations, performance projections, financial breakdowns, and company branding.
The financial engine supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures with multi-currency support and yield projections at P50/P75/P90 confidence levels. For teams that want to go from design to signed contract in one platform, SurgePV handles both the technical and sales sides of the workflow.
Pricing Comparison
Energy Toolbase is a per-seat subscription for financial analysis only. SurgePV includes the full design, engineering, and proposal stack. When you factor in the design tool that Energy Toolbase requires as a companion, SurgePV is significantly more cost-effective.
| Plan | Energy Toolbase | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Software Subscription | ≈$2,400/yr (per seat) | $1,499/year (3 users) |
| Premium | ≈$3,600/yr (per seat) | $1,299/user/year (5 users) |
| Design Tool (separate) | $1,500–$3,500/yr additional | Included |
| Acumen EMS (hardware) | Additional cost per site | N/A |
| Total Year 1 Cost (1 user + design) | $3,900–$7,100+ | $1,499 |
| Features Included | Financial modeling only | All features, all plans |
ETB + design tool $3,900–$7,100+ vs SurgePV $1,499 — SurgePV saves 62–79%Design, Model, and Propose in One Platform
SurgePV includes financial modeling, solar design, proposals, and engineering documentation — no add-on tools needed.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · All features included · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Energy Toolbase
Pros
Cons
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
Energy Toolbase and SurgePV serve different roles in the solar workflow. This matrix helps you decide.
| Your Situation | Choose Energy Toolbase | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| C&I storage dispatch simulation specialist | ✓ | |
| Need 100k+ US utility rate lookups | ✓ | |
| Using Acumen EMS for real-time dispatch | ✓ | |
| Need solar panel design and layout | ✓ | |
| Need customer-facing proposals | ✓ | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious teams | ✓ | |
| International/multi-currency markets | ✓ | |
| Residential solar projects | ✓ | |
| All-in-one platform (no add-on tools) | ✓ |
Migration Guide: Energy Toolbase to SurgePV
Moving from Energy Toolbase to SurgePV means consolidating your design and financial tools into one platform. Here’s the process:
Sign Up for SurgePV Free Trial
Create your SurgePV account with full access to all features including financial modeling. No credit card required.
Set Up Financial Templates and Tariff Structures
Configure your pricing models, tariff structures, and financing options (cash, loan, lease, PPA) in SurgePV’s financial engine.
Test on Active Projects
Run 3-5 active projects through SurgePV’s full workflow — design, simulation, financial modeling, and proposal generation. Compare financial outputs with your Energy Toolbase analyses.
Consolidate Design and Financial Tools
Since SurgePV replaces both your design tool and Energy Toolbase, you can cancel both subscriptions once the transition is complete.
Cancel Energy Toolbase and Design Tool Subscriptions
Once your team is confident with SurgePV’s financial modeling, cancel Energy Toolbase and your separate design platform to consolidate costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than Energy Toolbase?
For most solar teams, yes. SurgePV combines design, simulation, proposals, and financial modeling in one platform. Energy Toolbase is better if you specifically need best-in-class storage dispatch simulation with Acumen EMS integration and 100k+ US utility rates.
Can SurgePV replace Energy Toolbase for financial modeling?
SurgePV includes financial modeling with multi-currency support, cash/loan/lease/PPA structures, and P50/P75/P90 yield projections. However, Energy Toolbase has deeper storage dispatch simulation with 15-minute interval data that may be needed for complex C&I storage projects.
Does Energy Toolbase do solar design?
No. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling and storage simulation platform. It does not include panel layout, shade analysis, roof modeling, or any design capabilities. You need a separate design tool like SurgePV, Aurora Solar, or HelioScope.
Which has a better utility rate database?
Energy Toolbase has the most comprehensive US utility rate database in the industry with 100,000+ rates. SurgePV supports global multi-currency tariff modeling, which is broader geographically but less deep for US-specific rates.
Can I use Energy Toolbase and SurgePV together?
Some teams use Energy Toolbase for complex C&I storage financial analysis and SurgePV for design and proposals. However, SurgePV’s built-in financial modeling eliminates this need for most projects.
Which is better for solar+storage projects?
Energy Toolbase has deeper storage-specific simulation with dispatch optimization. SurgePV handles solar+storage design, simulation, and proposals as part of its all-in-one platform. For complex C&I storage dispatch, Energy Toolbase is stronger. For everything else, SurgePV is more complete.