HelioScope vs OpenSolar: Full Comparison (2026)

Quick Verdict

Company Overview

Feature Comparison

Here’s how HelioScope and OpenSolar compare across the features that matter most to solar design teams.

Feature	HelioScope	OpenSolar
Cloud-Based Design	✓	✓
Free Tier	✗	✓
AI Auto-Design	Basic auto-fill	✓
Bankable Simulation	✓ (Within 1% PVsyst)	✗
Component Library	✓ (45,000+)	✓
Proposal Generation	✗	✓
Financial Modeling	Basic	✓ (With financing marketplace)
Single-Line Diagrams (SLD)	✗	✗
Three-Line Diagrams	✗	✗
Commercial Projects (>100kW)	✓ (Core strength)	Degrades above 500kW
Utility-Scale Design	✗	✗
Shade Analysis	✓ (Detailed irradiance)	✓ (LIDAR-based)
E-Signature	✗	✓
Battery Storage Design	Limited	✓
Hardware Agnostic	✓	✓
API Access	✓	Limited
User Base	Established (C&I focused)	25,000+ users

Design & Simulation Capabilities

These two platforms solve different problems. HelioScope is an engineering tool for commercial projects. OpenSolar is a sales tool for residential teams. The design philosophies reflect this split.

HelioScope Design Strengths

HelioScope’s simulation engine is its defining feature. Built by Folsom Labs (now owned by Aurora Solar), it produces energy yield results within 1% of PVsyst — the gold standard for bankable simulation. For commercial projects where financing depends on accurate production guarantees, this level of precision matters.

The platform handles complex commercial geometries well: multi-roof arrays, ground-mount systems, and multi-inverter string configurations. Its 45,000+ component library supports any hardware combination without vendor restrictions. HelioScope also provides detailed loss diagrams and irradiance analysis that engineers need for performance reviews.

The weakness is scope. HelioScope does not generate proposals, financial reports for customers, or permitting documents. It is a pure engineering tool that produces engineering outputs.

OpenSolar Design Strengths

OpenSolar’s approach is the opposite: make design as fast and accessible as possible, then convert that speed into proposals and sales. The platform’s AI-powered auto-design automatically generates panel layouts from satellite imagery, and the workflow moves directly from design into proposal generation.

With 25,000+ users, OpenSolar has built a broad user base by offering core features for free. The platform includes a financing marketplace that connects installers with loan providers, adding value beyond pure design.

The trade-off is engineering depth. OpenSolar’s simulation accuracy is acceptable for residential proposals but does not meet the bankability standards that commercial lenders require. Performance also degrades noticeably above 500kW, making it unsuitable for large commercial or industrial projects.

Proposal & Sales Workflow

HelioScope Proposals

HelioScope does not generate customer-facing proposals. Its outputs are simulation reports, loss diagrams, and technical specifications designed for engineers and EPCs. Teams using HelioScope for commercial projects typically build proposals in separate tools or spreadsheets using exported HelioScope data.

OpenSolar Proposals

Proposals are central to OpenSolar’s value proposition. The platform generates branded customer proposals with energy production estimates, savings projections, and financing options. The integrated financing marketplace allows homeowners to explore loan options directly within the proposal.

OpenSolar also includes e-signature capability, letting customers sign proposals and contracts digitally. For residential sales teams, this end-to-end workflow — from satellite image to signed contract — is a significant productivity advantage.

The limitation is that OpenSolar’s financial modeling is tuned for residential projects. Complex commercial financing structures (PPAs, lease structures, multi-party agreements) require more sophisticated tools.

Pricing Comparison

Plan	HelioScope	OpenSolar
Entry Level	$159/month ($1,908/yr)	Free
Professional	$259/month ($3,108/yr)	Premium add-ons available
Enterprise	Custom	Custom
Per-Project Limits	Yes (varies by plan)	No
Proposal Tool Included	✗	✓
Bankable Simulation	✓	✗

Pros & Cons Side-by-Side

Who Should Choose What?

Your Situation	Choose HelioScope	Choose OpenSolar
Commercial/industrial solar engineer	✓
Need bankable production reports	✓
Small residential team, tight budget		✓
Need proposals + e-signature		✓
Projects above 500kW	✓
Want AI-powered auto-design		✓
Need financing marketplace access		✓
Detailed loss analysis required	✓
Need simulation + proposals + SLDs	Choose SurgePV

Best Alternative: SurgePV

HelioScope gives you simulation without proposals. OpenSolar gives you proposals without bankable simulation. Neither includes electrical engineering tools. This gap forces many teams to use multiple platforms or accept compromises.

SurgePV fills that gap with a single cloud platform:

• Design: AI-powered auto-design for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects up to 5MW
• Simulation: 8760-hour energy yield simulation with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels
• Proposals: Web and PDF proposals with multi-currency financial modeling (cash, loan, lease, PPA)
• Engineering: Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, and permit packages
• Pricing: $1,499/year with all features included — no per-project limits, no add-on fees

For teams that have outgrown OpenSolar’s free tier but find HelioScope too narrow, SurgePV delivers the complete workflow at a price point between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

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