Key Takeaways
- OpenSolar is a free design and proposal tool; Energy Toolbase is a paid storage financial modeling platform
- Energy Toolbase has 100,000+ US utility rates for accurate storage economics modeling
- OpenSolar cannot model demand charge management or time-of-use optimization
- Energy Toolbase does not design solar systems or generate proposals
- Neither platform offers native SLD generation or permit packages
- SurgePV combines design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one platform at $1,499/year
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
OpenSolar and Energy Toolbase barely overlap. OpenSolar designs residential solar systems and generates proposals. Energy Toolbase models the financial performance of solar+storage projects using detailed utility rate data. If you need both solar design and storage financial modeling, you’d need to run both tools — plus a third for engineering documentation. SurgePV consolidates the design, simulation, proposal, and engineering workflow into one platform, though Energy Toolbase remains superior for complex US storage economics.
Company Overview
OpenSolar
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Melbourne, Australia
Focus
Free solar design & proposals
Best For
Residential installers on a budget
Pricing
Free forever
Energy Toolbase
Founded
2013
Headquarters
San Diego, California, USA
Focus
Storage financial modeling & utility rates
Best For
C&I solar+storage installers (US)
Pricing
≈$2,500-5,000/year (subscription)
Feature Comparison
OpenSolar designs solar systems. Energy Toolbase models storage economics. Here’s how they stack up across the full solar workflow.
| Feature | OpenSolar | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Cloud-based | Cloud-based |
| Solar Panel Design | ✓ AI-powered auto-design | ✗ |
| 3D Roof Modeling | ✓ Basic | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | Basic satellite-based | ✗ |
| Utility Rate Database | Basic | ✓ 100,000+ US rates |
| Battery Storage Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Core strength) |
| Demand Charge Management | ✗ | ✓ Detailed modeling |
| TOU Rate Optimization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Battery Dispatch Simulation | ✗ | ✓ (Acumen EMS) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ Lifestyle proposals | Financial proposals only |
| Financial Modeling | ✓ Basic (with financing) | ✓ Advanced (storage-focused) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Permit Package | ✗ | ✗ |
| International Coverage | ✓ Global | US-centric |
| Commercial Projects | Limited (degrades above 500kW) | ✓ Financial modeling only |
| Financing Marketplace | ✓ | ✗ |
Design & Financial Capabilities
OpenSolar: Design-First Workflow
OpenSolar excels as a free design and proposal platform for residential installers. The AI-powered auto-design creates panel layouts from satellite imagery, and the lifestyle proposals help close homeowner sales. With 25,000+ professionals on the platform and a built-in financing marketplace, OpenSolar handles the residential sales cycle well.
Where OpenSolar falls short is in financial sophistication. Its savings calculations are basic — good enough for simple residential projects, but they don’t account for complex commercial rate structures, demand charges, or time-of-use optimization. If a customer asks “how much will I save on demand charges with a 200kWh battery?”, OpenSolar cannot answer that accurately.
The platform also lacks engineering tools entirely. No SLDs, no three-line diagrams, no permit packages. For any project requiring DSO or utility approval documentation, you need additional software.
Energy Toolbase: Financial Modeling Depth
Energy Toolbase is built for one thing: modeling the financial performance of solar+storage systems with precision. Its 100,000+ US utility rate database means you can pull the exact rate schedule for any commercial customer and model savings down to the interval level.
The platform’s dispatch simulation (Acumen EMS) models how a battery system should charge and discharge to maximize savings — peak shaving, demand charge reduction, TOU arbitrage, and self-consumption optimization. For C&I (commercial and industrial) solar+storage proposals, this level of detail is what closes deals.
Energy Toolbase does not design solar systems. It does not place panels, model shading, or create engineering documentation. It is purely a financial analysis tool that assumes you’ve already designed the system in another platform.
Proposals & Sales
OpenSolar Proposals
OpenSolar produces visual proposals with lifestyle imagery, financing options from its marketplace, and basic savings projections. These proposals are designed to sell to homeowners — clean, visual, and easy to understand.
Energy Toolbase Proposals
Energy Toolbase generates detailed financial proposals showing utility bill savings, demand charge reduction, battery dispatch schedules, and ROI projections. These proposals are designed for commercial decision-makers who evaluate projects based on IRR and payback period, not lifestyle imagery.
The two platforms’ proposals serve completely different audiences — homeowners vs commercial finance teams.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | OpenSolar | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | Free forever | ≈$2,500-5,000/year |
| Per-User Cost | $0 | Per-seat pricing |
| Design Tool Included? | Yes | No (need separate tool) |
| Storage Financial Modeling | Basic only | Advanced (core feature) |
| SLD/Engineering | Not available | Not available |
| Year 1 Cost (full stack) | $0 (design only) | $2,500-5,000 (financial only) |
OpenSolar (design) + Energy Toolbase (financial) + AutoCAD (engineering) = 3 tools, $4K-7K+/yearLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Design, simulate, model finances, and generate SLDs — all in one cloud platform at $1,499/year. No tool-switching required.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · All features included · Global financial modeling
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
OpenSolar
Pros
Cons
Energy Toolbase
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose OpenSolar | Choose Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Residential solar-only installer | ✓ | |
| Zero software budget | ✓ | |
| C&I solar+storage projects (US) | ✓ | |
| Need demand charge modeling | ✓ | |
| Need customer-facing proposals | ✓ | |
| Battery dispatch optimization | ✓ | |
| International/non-US market | ✓ | |
| Need financing marketplace | ✓ | |
| Need SLD/permit packages | ||
| All-in-one platform |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Running OpenSolar for design and Energy Toolbase for storage financial modeling means two subscriptions, two learning curves, and data transfer between platforms. Add AutoCAD for engineering documentation, and you’re managing three separate tools. SurgePV consolidates the core workflow.
What SurgePV adds over both:
- Design + simulation + proposals + engineering in one cloud platform
- Global financial modeling with multi-currency support — not US-only like Energy Toolbase
- Cash, loan, lease, and PPA financial structures with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels
- Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit packages
- 8760-hour energy yield simulation for bankable projections
- Commercial and utility-scale support up to 5MW
- $1,499/year for 3 users — less than Energy Toolbase alone
For teams that need solid financial modeling alongside design and engineering, SurgePV delivers the complete package. If your projects require ultra-detailed US storage dispatch modeling with interval-level utility rate analysis, Energy Toolbase remains the specialist tool for that specific use case.
Pro Tip
SurgePV’s financial modeling engine covers the financial scenarios that 90% of solar+storage proposals require. Try the free trial and see if it meets your needs before adding Energy Toolbase to your stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenSolar or Energy Toolbase better for solar installers?
OpenSolar is better for residential solar design and proposals. Energy Toolbase is better for storage financial modeling and utility rate analysis. They serve different purposes — OpenSolar designs systems, Energy Toolbase models storage economics.
Does Energy Toolbase do solar design?
No. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling platform for solar+storage projects. It does not design panel layouts, create 3D models, or generate engineering documentation. You need a separate design tool.
Can OpenSolar model battery storage economics?
OpenSolar has basic battery storage support, but it cannot model detailed demand charge management, time-of-use optimization, or utility rate arbitrage. Energy Toolbase’s 100,000+ utility rate database and dispatch modeling are significantly more advanced.
How much does Energy Toolbase cost?
Energy Toolbase offers tiered subscription pricing. Plans typically start around $2,500-5,000/year depending on features and project volume. The platform is primarily used by commercial solar+storage installers in the US market.
Is SurgePV a better alternative to both OpenSolar and Energy Toolbase?
SurgePV combines solar design, simulation, proposals, and financial modeling in one platform. Its global financial engine supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures with multi-currency support — plus native SLD generation that neither OpenSolar nor Energy Toolbase offers.
Does Energy Toolbase work outside the US?
Energy Toolbase is heavily US-centric. Its 100,000+ utility rate database covers US utilities. International coverage is limited, making it less useful for global solar companies. SurgePV’s financial modeling supports global markets with multi-currency support.