Key Takeaways
- HelioScope excels at commercial/industrial simulation with PVsyst-grade accuracy
- Solargraf focuses on residential design with built-in proposals and permitting
- HelioScope has no proposal generation; Solargraf has no bankable simulation engine
- Solargraf is owned by Enphase, which may limit hardware flexibility
- Neither tool includes native electrical engineering (SLDs, three-line diagrams)
- SurgePV combines both tools’ strengths in a single platform at $1,499/year
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
HelioScope and Solargraf serve fundamentally different purposes. HelioScope is a simulation-first tool built for commercial solar engineers who need bankable energy yield reports. Solargraf is a sales-first platform built for US residential installers who want design-to-proposal workflows tied to Enphase hardware. If you need both simulation accuracy and proposal generation without vendor lock-in, SurgePV is the stronger choice.
Company Overview
HelioScope
Founded
2013 (Folsom Labs)
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Focus
Web-based C&I solar design & simulation
Best For
Commercial & industrial projects
Pricing Starts
$159/month ($1,908/yr)
Solargraf
Founded
2016 (acquired by Enphase 2020)
Headquarters
Montreal, Canada (Enphase HQ: Fremont, USA)
Focus
Residential design, proposals & permitting
Best For
US residential installers (Enphase ecosystem)
Pricing Starts
Contact sales (opaque pricing)
Feature Comparison
Here’s a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of HelioScope vs Solargraf across the capabilities that matter most to solar professionals.
| Feature | HelioScope | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Residential Focus | ✗ (C&I only) | ✓ |
| Commercial Design | ✓ (Core strength) | Limited |
| Bankable Simulation | ✓ (Within 1% PVsyst) | ✗ |
| Component Library | ✓ (45,000+) | ✓ (Enphase-optimized) |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Permitting Tools | ✗ | ✓ |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✗ |
| Financial Modeling | Basic | ✓ (US-focused) |
| E-Signature | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hardware Agnostic | ✓ | Enphase-optimized |
| Battery Storage Design | Limited | ✓ (Enphase batteries) |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (Detailed irradiance) | ✓ (LIDAR-based) |
| API Access | ✓ | Limited |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✗ |
| Global Market Support | ✓ | US-focused |
Design & Simulation Capabilities
HelioScope and Solargraf approach solar design from opposite directions. HelioScope is an engineering tool; Solargraf is a sales tool. Understanding this distinction is the key to choosing between them.
HelioScope Design Strengths
HelioScope was built by Folsom Labs specifically for commercial and industrial solar design. Its simulation engine produces energy yield results within 1% of PVsyst — the industry standard for bankable reports — while running entirely in a web browser. No desktop installation required.
The platform includes a 45,000+ component library that is completely hardware-agnostic. You can model any combination of panels, inverters, and racking systems without vendor restrictions. HelioScope’s strength is its ability to handle complex commercial roof geometries, ground-mount arrays, and multi-inverter string configurations with high accuracy.
The main limitation: HelioScope is a design and simulation tool only. It generates no proposals, no customer-facing documents, and no financial reports for homeowners. If you need to sell the project, you need a separate platform.
Solargraf Design Strengths
Solargraf takes the opposite approach. Owned by Enphase since 2020, it provides a complete residential workflow from initial site assessment through proposal delivery and permit submission. The design tools are adequate for standard residential rooftop systems with automatic panel placement and LIDAR-based shade analysis.
Solargraf’s proposal builder produces professional, customer-ready documents with financing options, and the platform includes integrated permitting tools that streamline plan set submissions in many US jurisdictions.
The trade-off is simulation depth. Solargraf’s energy estimates are sufficient for residential sales but lack the granularity and bankability that commercial lenders and EPCs require. The Enphase ownership also means the platform is optimized for Enphase hardware — teams using competing inverter brands may find the experience less seamless.
Proposal & Sales Workflow
HelioScope Proposals
HelioScope does not generate proposals. The platform exports simulation reports, shade maps, and system specifications, but these are engineering documents — not sales materials. Teams using HelioScope typically pair it with a separate proposal tool or build custom documents from exported data.
This is a deliberate product decision. HelioScope targets solar engineers and EPC firms who care about simulation accuracy, not residential sales teams who need homeowner-facing proposals.
Solargraf Proposals
Solargraf’s proposal engine is one of its core strengths. The platform generates branded, customer-facing proposals with energy production estimates, financing options (cash, loan, lease), and savings projections. Proposals can be sent directly to homeowners with integrated e-signature capability.
The limitation is that Solargraf’s financial modeling is US-centric and tied to Enphase’s ecosystem. International teams, or those using non-Enphase hardware, will find the proposal content less relevant.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | HelioScope | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $159/month ($1,908/yr) | Contact sales |
| Professional | $259/month ($3,108/yr) | Contact sales |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom (Enphase bundle) |
| Per-Project Limits | Yes (varies by plan) | Unknown |
| Proposal Tool Included | ✗ (Need separate tool) | ✓ |
| Hardware Lock-In | None | Enphase-optimized |
HelioScope: $1,908-$3,108/yr (public) vs Solargraf: opaque pricing (contact sales)Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Get HelioScope-grade simulation and Solargraf-style proposals in one platform — plus native SLDs, permit packages, and global financial modeling.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No hardware lock-in · Full access from day one
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
HelioScope
Pros
Cons
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose HelioScope | Choose Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial/industrial projects | ✓ | |
| Bankable energy yield reports | ✓ | |
| Residential design + proposals | ✓ | |
| Enphase hardware user | ✓ | |
| Hardware-agnostic workflow | ✓ | |
| Need permitting tools | ✓ | |
| International markets | ✓ | |
| US residential sales teams | ✓ | |
| Need simulation + proposals in one tool | Choose SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Neither HelioScope nor Solargraf delivers the complete workflow that most solar teams need. HelioScope gives you simulation without proposals. Solargraf gives you proposals without bankable simulation. Both lack electrical engineering tools.
SurgePV combines these capabilities into 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 hardware lock-in
Instead of paying $1,908+/year for HelioScope simulation and then adding a separate proposal tool, or locking into Solargraf’s Enphase ecosystem, SurgePV delivers everything in one platform with transparent pricing and global market support.
Pro Tip
SurgePV offers a free trial with full feature access. Test your existing projects side-by-side with HelioScope or Solargraf before committing. Book a demo to see the complete workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HelioScope better than Solargraf for commercial projects?
Yes. HelioScope was purpose-built for commercial and industrial solar design with simulation accuracy within 1% of PVsyst. Solargraf focuses on residential workflows and lacks the simulation depth needed for C&I bankability reports.
Does Solargraf work with non-Enphase inverters?
Solargraf supports multiple inverter brands, but its deepest integration is with Enphase products. Teams using SolarEdge, Huawei, or other inverters may find the workflow less optimized compared to HelioScope’s hardware-agnostic approach.
Which is cheaper, HelioScope or Solargraf?
HelioScope starts at $159/month ($1,908/year). Solargraf’s pricing is not publicly listed — you need to contact sales. Solargraf may bundle pricing with Enphase hardware purchases.
Can HelioScope generate proposals?
No. HelioScope is a design and simulation tool only. It does not include proposal generation, customer-facing documents, or sales workflows. You need a separate tool for proposals.
Is there a better alternative to both HelioScope and Solargraf?
SurgePV combines HelioScope-grade simulation with Solargraf-style proposals in one platform at $1,499/year. It also adds native electrical engineering, permit packages, and global financial modeling that neither tool offers.
Which has a larger component library?
HelioScope has a 45,000+ component library that is hardware-agnostic. Solargraf’s library is comprehensive but optimized around Enphase-compatible equipment.