Key Takeaways
- PV*SOL is a European desktop simulation tool; Scanifly is a US drone-based 3D survey platform
- Scanifly creates inch-accurate 3D site models from drone data; PV*SOL simulates energy yields from manual 3D models
- PV*SOL supports battery, EV charger, and heat pump simulation — Scanifly does not
- Scanifly claims 30-70% lower costs than Aurora Solar for US residential teams
- Neither tool generates proposals, SLDs, or permit packages
- SurgePV combines satellite imagery, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one cloud platform
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
PV*SOL and Scanifly overlap very little. If you need detailed rooftop simulation with battery and heat pump modeling in European markets, PV*SOL is the better tool. If you need drone-based 3D site surveys with fast turnaround for US residential projects, Scanifly fills that gap. If you want both measurement accuracy and full-cycle design capability in one platform, SurgePV is worth evaluating.
Company Overview
PV*SOL
Developer
Valentin Software (Germany)
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Focus
Desktop 3D PV simulation
Best For
European residential & small commercial
Pricing
≈$1,410 one-time + ≈$300/yr
Scanifly
Developer
Scanifly Inc.
Headquarters
United States
Focus
Drone-based 3D solar survey
Best For
US residential site assessment
Pricing
≈$99-199/month (subscription)
Feature Comparison
Here’s how PV*SOL and Scanifly compare across the features that matter most to solar professionals.
| Feature | PV*SOL | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Desktop (Windows only) | Cloud + drone hardware |
| 3D Site Modeling | Manual 3D object creation | ✓ (Drone photogrammetry) |
| Shade Simulation | ✓ (Minute-level 3D) | ✓ (From real 3D model) |
| Energy Yield Calculation | ✓ (Detailed) | Basic (DroneDesign) |
| Battery Simulation | ✓ | ✗ |
| EV Charger Simulation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Heat Pump Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Roof Measurement Accuracy | Manual input | ✓ (Inch-accurate from drone) |
| Panel Layout Design | ✓ | ✓ (DroneDesign) |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| SLD Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Permit Packages | ✗ | ✗ |
| Financial Modeling | Basic economic analysis | Basic (US utility rates) |
| Cloud Access | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mac/Linux Support | ✗ | ✓ (Web-based) |
Design & Measurement Workflow
PV*SOL and Scanifly take fundamentally different approaches to building a 3D model of a solar project site. One relies on manual modeling; the other captures the real world with drones.
PV*SOL Design Approach
In PV*SOL, you build your 3D scene from scratch. You define roof geometry by entering pitch angles, ridge heights, and azimuth values. You add obstructions — chimneys, dormers, trees, neighboring buildings — as 3D objects placed on a 2D plan. The software then runs shade simulations against this manually constructed model.
This approach gives you full control over the simulation parameters and works well when you have accurate building plans or survey data. The weakness is that the model is only as good as your inputs. If you estimate a roof pitch incorrectly or miss an obstruction, your shade analysis will be off.
PV*SOL’s simulation engine is its real strength. It calculates minute-level irradiance values across the entire array, factors in module-level shading losses, and supports detailed self-consumption analysis with battery, EV charger, and heat pump loads. For European residential projects where self-consumption optimization drives the economics, PV*SOL’s depth is hard to match.
Scanifly Design Approach
Scanifly starts with a drone flight. You fly a standard drone (DJI Mavic or similar) over the project site, capture overlapping photos, and upload them to Scanifly’s cloud platform. The software processes the imagery into a centimeter-accurate 3D point cloud and digital surface model.
From this real-world 3D model, you get accurate roof dimensions, pitch angles, and obstruction heights without climbing on the roof or making manual measurements. Scanifly’s DroneDesign feature then lets you place panels on the 3D model and generate basic production estimates.
The accuracy advantage is clear: Scanifly measures what’s actually there, not what you think is there. For complex roofs with multiple levels, unusual geometries, or hard-to-measure obstructions, drone capture eliminates guesswork.
The trade-off is simulation depth. Scanifly’s energy production estimates are less detailed than PV*SOL’s minute-level simulation. Scanifly also lacks battery modeling, heat pump integration, and the granular self-consumption analysis that European markets demand.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | PV*SOL | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| License Model | One-time purchase | Monthly/annual subscription |
| Base Price | ≈$1,410 one-time | ≈$99-199/month |
| Annual Cost (Year 1) | ≈$1,710 | ≈$1,188-2,388 |
| Annual Cost (Year 2+) | ≈$300/year | ≈$1,188-2,388/year |
| Hardware Required | Windows PC | Drone ($500-2,000+) |
| 3-Year Total Cost | ≈$2,310 | $4,500-9,000+ |
| Proposal Tool Included? | No | No |
PV*SOL ≈$2,310 vs Scanifly $4,500-9,000+ (with drone hardware)Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Cloud-based design, simulation, proposals, and engineering — no drone or desktop install required.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No hardware needed · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
PV*SOL
Pros
Cons
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose PV*SOL | Choose Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| European residential market | ✓ | |
| US residential site surveys | ✓ | |
| Battery + self-consumption modeling | ✓ | |
| Complex roof measurements needed | ✓ | |
| Lowest possible ongoing cost | ✓ | |
| Already own a drone fleet | ✓ | |
| Need proposals + engineering + design | Neither — consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
PV*SOL gives you deep simulation but no proposals, no engineering drawings, and no cloud access. Scanifly gives you accurate measurements but limited simulation and no engineering output. Both leave gaps in the workflow that require additional tools.
SurgePV is a cloud-based solar design software that fills those gaps:
- Satellite imagery and HD aerial maps for accurate site modeling without drones
- 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly shade maps
- AI auto-design that generates optimized layouts in seconds
- Native SLD and three-line diagram generation
- Branded proposals with web and PDF output
- Global financial modeling with multi-currency support
- Permit package creation for regulatory submissions
- $1,499/year — no drone hardware, no Windows dependency, no additional software
For teams that want a complete design-to-proposal workflow without stitching together multiple specialized tools, SurgePV replaces both the simulation depth of PV*SOL and the measurement workflow of Scanifly in one platform.
Design, Simulate, and Propose — All in One
SurgePV gives you simulation depth, accurate site modeling, proposals, and engineering in a single cloud platform.
Book a DemoNo credit card required · No drone needed · Full access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PV*SOL better than Scanifly?
They solve different problems. PV*SOL is a desktop simulation tool for detailed energy yield analysis on rooftop systems, popular in Europe. Scanifly is a US-based drone survey platform that creates inch-accurate 3D models from drone flights. PV*SOL is stronger on simulation; Scanifly is stronger on site measurement.
Can Scanifly replace PV*SOL for simulation?
Not fully. Scanifly’s DroneDesign feature includes basic panel layout and production estimates, but it doesn’t match PV*SOL’s detailed minute-level shade simulation, battery modeling, or heat pump integration. Scanifly is primarily a measurement and survey tool.
Does Scanifly work outside the US?
Scanifly can process drone data from anywhere, but its utility rate databases and financial assumptions are US-centric. European teams using Scanifly would still need a separate tool for local financial modeling.
Which is more accurate for shade analysis?
PV*SOL models shade from 3D objects in its simulation environment. Scanifly captures real-world conditions via drone flyover, creating centimeter-accurate 3D models of actual site obstructions. For measurement accuracy, Scanifly wins. For simulation depth, PV*SOL wins.
Is there a tool that combines drone survey and simulation?
SurgePV is a cloud-based platform that integrates satellite and aerial imagery with 8760-hour simulation, AI auto-design, proposals, and electrical engineering — all in one tool at $1,499/year.
How much does Scanifly cost compared to PV*SOL?
Scanifly pricing starts around $99-199/month depending on the plan. PV*SOL costs ≈$1,410 one-time plus ≈$300/year maintenance. Over 3 years, Scanifly can cost more due to recurring subscription fees, while PV*SOL’s ongoing cost is lower after the initial purchase.