Key Takeaways
- PV*SOL combines 3D design with detailed simulation, including battery, EV, and heat pump modeling
- SurgePV is an all-in-one cloud platform covering design, simulation, proposals, and engineering
- PV*SOL is desktop-only (Windows) with no cloud access or collaboration features
- PV*SOL has no proposal generation — you need separate software for sales documents
- SurgePV costs less annually and includes more capabilities in a single subscription
- PV*SOL is strong in the European market; SurgePV works globally
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you are a European installer who needs minute-by-minute shading analysis with battery, EV charger, and heat pump coupling simulation, PV*SOL offers specialized depth in those areas. For most other teams — especially those who need cloud access, customer-facing proposals, electrical engineering, and a platform that works across residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects — SurgePV delivers more value at a lower annual cost.
Company Overview
PV*SOL
Founded
1998 (Valentin Software, est. 1988)
Headquarters
Berlin, Germany
Focus
3D PV simulation & energy modeling
Best For
European residential & small commercial
Pricing Starts
~EUR 1,295 one-time + maintenance
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 PV*SOL vs SurgePV across the capabilities that matter most to solar professionals.
| Feature | PV*SOL | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✗ (Desktop only, Windows) | ✓ |
| 3D Design & Visualization | ✓ (Detailed 3D scene) | ✓ (Satellite-based) |
| Satellite Imagery | Limited (import only) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| Energy Yield Simulation | ✓ (Minute-by-minute) | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (Minute-by-minute 3D shading) | ✓ (8760-hour shade maps) |
| Battery Storage Simulation | ✓ (Detailed with load profiles) | ✓ |
| EV Charger Modeling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Heat Pump Coupling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ | ✓ (AI-powered) |
| String Sizing | ✓ | ✓ (Auto-stringing) |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✓ (Native) |
| Permit Package Generation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✓ (Web + PDF) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic economic analysis | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | Limited (primarily residential) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✗ | ✓ (All plans) |
| Mac / Linux Support | ✗ (Windows only) | ✓ (Any browser) |
| Team Collaboration | ✗ (Single-user desktop) | ✓ (Multi-user cloud) |
Design Capabilities
PV*SOL and SurgePV take fundamentally different approaches. PV*SOL is a desktop 3D simulation tool with design capabilities. SurgePV is a cloud-based all-in-one solar design software platform.
PV*SOL Design Strengths
PV*SOL provides a detailed 3D modeling environment where you can construct buildings, roofs, and surrounding obstructions for accurate shade simulation. The software calculates shading on a minute-by-minute basis using its 3D scene, which gives it an edge in complex shading scenarios with many obstructions.
A standout feature is PV*SOL’s ability to model battery storage with detailed load profiles, EV charger integration, and heat pump coupling. For European installers designing residential systems with sector coupling (solar + storage + EV + heat pump), PV*SOL offers a level of integrated energy modeling that few competitors match.
The downsides are significant for modern workflows. PV*SOL is desktop-only, Windows-only software with no cloud access, no team collaboration, and no remote work capability. The user interface feels dated compared to web-based alternatives. There are no proposals, no SLDs, and no permit packages — you need separate tools for everything beyond simulation.
PV*SOL’s simulation reports, while detailed, are not widely accepted as bankable by lenders and investors in the way PVsyst reports are. This limits its usefulness for project finance.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV provides the complete design-to-delivery workflow in a cloud-based platform. Teams can draw roof outlines on high-resolution satellite imagery, use AI-powered auto-design to generate optimized panel layouts, run 8760-hour shade simulation, and produce complete engineering documentation — all in one application.
The platform includes native SLDs, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, BOM, and permit packages. It supports residential, commercial (up to 5MW), and utility-scale projects, and its multi-user cloud architecture enables team collaboration from anywhere.
Where SurgePV falls short compared to PV*SOL is in specialized energy coupling. SurgePV does not currently model EV charger integration or heat pump coupling. For teams where sector coupling simulation is a core requirement, this is a meaningful gap.
Proposal & Sales
PV*SOL Proposals
PV*SOL does not generate customer-facing proposals. The software produces detailed technical simulation reports with energy yield data, self-consumption analysis, financial parameters, and system specifications. These reports are designed for engineers, not homeowners or commercial clients.
For the sales portion of the workflow, PV*SOL users need a separate proposal tool — whether that is a dedicated platform, manual PDF creation, or another software subscription.
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV includes a complete proposal builder that generates both web-based and PDF proposals with customizable templates. The platform supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA financing structures with multi-currency support and P50/P75/P90 energy yield projections.
Proposals connect directly to your design and simulation data, creating a seamless flow from engineering to sales. Teams can white-label proposals with their own branding and deliver professional documents to clients without switching tools.
Pricing Comparison
PV*SOL uses a one-time license fee plus annual maintenance model, while SurgePV uses annual subscriptions. The total cost comparison depends on how many years you plan to use the software and what additional tools you need.
| Plan | PV*SOL | SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| License | ~EUR 1,295 one-time | $1,499/year (3 users) |
| Annual Maintenance | ~EUR 350–500/yr | Included |
| Proposal Software 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) | EUR 3,695–5,095+ | $1,499 |
| Multi-User | Separate license per user | 3 users included at entry tier |
| Features Included | Simulation + basic design | All features, all plans |
PV*SOL + proposals + CAD: EUR 3,695–5,095 vs SurgePV $1,499 — SurgePV saves 60–70%Move to the Cloud With SurgePV
Design, simulate, propose, and generate permit packages — all in one cloud platform, starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No desktop install · Full access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
PV*SOL
Pros
Cons
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The right choice depends on your market, project types, and workflow needs. Use this decision matrix to find the best fit.
| Your Situation | Choose PV*SOL | Choose SurgePV |
|---|---|---|
| Need EV/heat pump coupling simulation | ✓ | |
| Minute-by-minute 3D shading analysis | ✓ | |
| Need proposals + design in one tool | ✓ | |
| Need cloud access and team collaboration | ✓ | |
| Mac or Linux users | ✓ | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Commercial projects (any size) | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious teams | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ |
Migration Guide: PV*SOL to SurgePV
Switching from PV*SOL 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 desktop install needed — works in any browser.
Export Your PV*SOL Project Data
Save your existing PV*SOL project files, simulation reports, and system configurations for reference during the transition.
Design Projects Using Satellite Imagery
Instead of building 3D models manually, use SurgePV’s satellite imagery and AI auto-design to create panel layouts. Most teams find this faster than PV*SOL’s 3D workflow.
Run Simulations and Compare Results
Run SurgePV’s 8760-hour simulation on reference projects and compare energy yield results with your PV*SOL outputs. Validate that results align before fully switching.
Cancel PV*SOL and Supplementary Subscriptions
Once validated, stop renewing your PV*SOL maintenance and cancel any separate proposal and CAD software. SurgePV replaces the entire tool stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than PV*SOL?
For most teams, yes. SurgePV is cloud-based with design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one platform. PV*SOL is stronger for detailed 3D simulation with battery, EV, and heat pump modeling, but it is desktop-only and lacks proposals.
Can SurgePV replace PV*SOL?
Yes, for most workflows. SurgePV covers design, simulation, proposals, and electrical engineering in a single cloud platform. The exception is teams that need PV*SOL’s minute-by-minute shading analysis or its specialized battery/EV/heat pump coupling simulations.
Is PV*SOL better for European projects?
PV*SOL has strong European market data and compliance features built up over 25 years. However, SurgePV also supports European projects with global multi-currency financial modeling and has the advantage of being cloud-based and including proposal generation.
Does PV*SOL include proposal generation?
No. PV*SOL generates technical simulation reports but not customer-facing sales proposals. You need a separate tool for proposals. SurgePV includes both simulation and proposal generation in a single platform.
Which has better simulation accuracy?
Both deliver accurate simulation. PV*SOL uses minute-by-minute shading calculation with detailed 3D modeling. SurgePV uses 8760-hour simulation with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels. PV*SOL has an edge in granular shading scenarios; SurgePV is sufficient for most commercial and residential projects.
Can I use PV*SOL on Mac?
No. PV*SOL is Windows-only desktop software. SurgePV is cloud-based and works in any browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, and tablets.