Key Takeaways
- HelioScope excels at fast commercial PV design with simulation accuracy within 1% of PVsyst
- SurgePV is a full-stack platform: design, simulation, proposals, engineering, and financial modeling
- HelioScope has no proposal generation, no SLD generation, and no residential features
- HelioScope is owned by Aurora Solar, which may create competitive conflicts
- SurgePV costs significantly less while including more capabilities
- Both are web-based platforms with modern interfaces
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you only do commercial/industrial PV design and already have separate tools for proposals, engineering, and sales, HelioScope is a capable design and simulation tool. For teams that want one platform for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects — with proposals, SLDs, and financial modeling built in — SurgePV is the better choice at a lower price point.
Company Overview
HelioScope
Founded
2014 (Folsom Labs, acquired by Aurora)
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Focus
Commercial & industrial PV design
Best For
C&I solar design & simulation
Pricing Starts
$159–259/month
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 HelioScope vs SurgePV across the capabilities that matter most to solar design teams.
| Feature | HelioScope | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google Maps) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| Commercial PV Design | ✓ (Core strength) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) |
| Residential Design | Limited | ✓ |
| Energy Yield Simulation | ✓ (Within 1% of PVsyst) | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ | ✓ (8760-hour shade maps) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| String Sizing | ✓ | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Component Library | ✓ (45,000+ components) | ✓ |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Battery Storage Design | Limited | ✓ |
| Utility-Scale Design | Limited | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ (All plans) |
| CRM Integration | ✗ | API-based |
| White-Label Reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Design Capabilities
Both HelioScope and SurgePV are web-based platforms with modern interfaces. The core difference is scope: HelioScope focuses on commercial design and simulation, while SurgePV is a solar design software platform that covers the full project lifecycle.
HelioScope Design Strengths
HelioScope built its reputation on fast commercial PV design. The platform lets you draw a field segment, select your module and inverter, and get a fully simulated layout in minutes. Its simulation engine produces results within 1% of PVsyst on commercial rooftop and ground-mount projects, making it a trusted tool for C&I developers.
HelioScope also offers a 45,000+ component library and straightforward string sizing. The interface is clean and focused — there is minimal learning curve for anyone with basic solar design knowledge.
The limitations are clear: HelioScope does not generate proposals, does not produce SLDs or electrical engineering documents, and has limited residential features. It is a design and simulation tool, not a full workflow platform. Since the Aurora Solar acquisition, some users have raised concerns about data privacy and competitive conflicts, since Aurora now owns both a competing design platform and HelioScope’s user data.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV matches HelioScope’s commercial design capabilities and extends well beyond them. The platform features AI-powered auto-design that generates optimized layouts, 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly granularity, and native support for residential, commercial (up to 5MW), and utility-scale projects.
Where SurgePV pulls ahead is in the complete workflow. After designing in SurgePV, you can generate SLDs, three-line diagrams, wire sizing calculations, BOM with pricing, permit packages, and customer proposals — all without switching tools. For teams that currently pair HelioScope with AutoCAD and a separate proposal tool, SurgePV consolidates that entire stack.
Proposal & Sales
HelioScope Proposals
HelioScope does not generate customer-facing proposals. The platform produces technical reports with simulation results, system specs, and energy production estimates. These reports are useful for internal engineering review but are not designed to present to homeowners or commercial clients for sales purposes.
Teams using HelioScope for design typically need a separate proposal tool — whether that is Aurora Solar’s proposal builder (which creates an awkward dependency on a competitor), a standalone proposal platform, or manual PDF creation.
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV includes a complete proposal builder that generates both web-based and PDF proposals. The platform supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA financing structures with multi-currency support for international teams.
Proposals include system specifications, energy yield at P50/P75/P90 confidence levels, detailed financial analysis, and custom branding. For teams moving from HelioScope, the built-in proposal engine eliminates the need for a separate tool and connects design data directly to sales documents.
Pricing Comparison
HelioScope’s monthly pricing adds up quickly, especially when you factor in the additional tools needed for a complete workflow.
| Plan | HelioScope | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $159/month ($1,908/yr) | $1,499/year (3 users) |
| Premium | $259/month ($3,108/yr) | $1,299/user/year (5 users) |
| Proposal Tool Needed? | Yes (+$600–2,000/yr) | No (built-in) |
| CAD for SLDs Needed? | Yes (+$1,800/yr) | No (native SLDs) |
| Total Year 1 Cost (1 user) | $4,308–6,908+ | $1,499 |
| Per-Project Limits | Yes (varies by plan) | Unlimited projects |
| Features Included | Design + simulation only | All features, all plans |
HelioScope + proposals + CAD: $4,308–6,908 vs SurgePV $1,499 — SurgePV saves 65–78%Get the Full Stack at a Lower Price
Design, simulate, propose, and generate permit packages — all in one platform, starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Unlimited projects · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
HelioScope
Pros
Cons
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The right choice depends on your team’s workflow and project types. Use this decision matrix to find the best fit.
| Your Situation | Choose HelioScope | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| C&I-only team with separate proposal tool | ✓ | |
| Need only design + simulation | ✓ | |
| Need proposals + design in one tool | ✓ | |
| Residential + commercial mix | ✓ | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious teams | ✓ | |
| International / European market | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| Concerned about Aurora ownership | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ |
Migration Guide: HelioScope to SurgePV
Switching from HelioScope 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.
Export Your HelioScope Project Data
Download your existing project reports and system specifications from HelioScope. Note your component selections and design parameters for reference.
Recreate Active Projects with AI Auto-Design
Use SurgePV’s AI-powered auto-design to quickly recreate your active project layouts. Commercial rooftop designs typically take minutes to regenerate.
Set Up Proposals and Engineering Templates
Configure your company branding, proposal templates, and SLD settings. These are capabilities you did not have in HelioScope.
Cancel HelioScope and Supplementary Tools
Once your team is comfortable with SurgePV, cancel your HelioScope subscription along with any separate proposal and CAD tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than HelioScope?
For most teams, yes. SurgePV offers design, simulation, proposals, and electrical engineering in one platform. HelioScope is strong for commercial design and simulation but lacks proposals, residential features, and native SLD generation.
Can SurgePV replace HelioScope?
Yes. SurgePV covers everything HelioScope does — commercial design, simulation, shade analysis — and adds proposals, financial modeling, SLD generation, permit packages, and residential support.
Which has more accurate simulation?
Both deliver high-accuracy simulation. HelioScope is known for results within 1% of PVsyst on commercial projects. SurgePV uses an 8760-hour engine with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels. For most projects, both are comparable.
Is HelioScope cheaper than SurgePV?
No. HelioScope costs $159–259/month ($1,908–3,108/year) and covers only design and simulation. SurgePV starts at $1,499/year for 3 users with design, simulation, proposals, engineering, and financial modeling included.
Does HelioScope work for residential projects?
HelioScope was designed primarily for commercial and industrial projects. It lacks residential-specific features like consumer-facing proposals, residential financing models, and permit package generation. SurgePV handles both residential and commercial.
Is HelioScope owned by Aurora Solar?
Yes. Folsom Labs, the maker of HelioScope, was acquired by Aurora Solar. This creates a potential conflict for teams that compete against Aurora-powered installers, as Aurora has access to HelioScope’s product roadmap and user data.