Key Takeaways
- PVsyst is the bankable simulation standard; Scanifly is a drone-based 3D site survey tool
- Scanifly creates inch-accurate 3D models from drone imagery but requires drone hardware and a pilot
- PVsyst handles simulation but not site surveys, design, or proposals
- Neither tool produces proposals, SLDs, or complete engineering documentation
- These tools are complementary, not competitive — many teams use both
- SurgePV offers satellite-based design with simulation, proposals, and engineering at $1,499/yr
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
PVsyst and Scanifly aren’t really competitors — they address different steps in the solar project workflow. Scanifly captures site data with drone-level precision. PVsyst simulates energy output from that data. If you need drone-accurate 3D models for complex rooftops, Scanifly is the right tool. If you need bankable simulation, PVsyst is the standard. For most teams that want design, simulation, proposals, and engineering without drone hardware, SurgePV handles the full workflow at $1,499/yr using satellite imagery.
Company Overview
PVsyst
Founded
1992
Headquarters
Satigny, Switzerland
Focus
Bankable PV simulation
Best For
Financial due diligence & utility-scale
Pricing
~$800-1,400/yr
Scanifly
Founded
2018
Headquarters
USA
Focus
Drone-based 3D site surveys
Best For
Accurate roof modeling & site assessment
Pricing
Subscription-based (varies)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PVsyst | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✗ (Desktop) | ✓ |
| 3D Site Modeling | Basic 3D scene | ✓ (Drone point cloud) |
| Roof Measurement Accuracy | ✗ (No measurement) | ✓ (1-2 inch accuracy) |
| Bankable Simulation | ✓ (Industry standard) | ✗ (Basic estimates) |
| Detailed Loss Modeling | ✓ (30+ parameters) | ✗ |
| P50/P90 Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (Modeled) | ✓ (Drone-measured) |
| Panel Layout Design | ✗ | ✓ (On 3D model) |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✗ |
| Requires Drone? | No | Yes (DJI or compatible) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic economic | ✗ |
| Utility-Scale | ✓ | Limited (rooftop focus) |
| Obstruction Detection | Manual input | ✓ (Automatic from drone data) |
| Export to Other Tools | PDF reports | ✓ (CAD, Aurora, etc.) |
Site Survey vs Simulation
PVsyst and Scanifly occupy different stages of the solar project lifecycle. Understanding this distinction is important before comparing them.
PVsyst: Post-Survey Simulation
PVsyst starts where site assessment ends. It takes a system design as input — module count, orientation, tilt, inverter configuration — and simulates how much energy that system will produce over its lifetime. PVsyst does not measure roofs, detect obstructions, or help you decide where to put panels. It runs the math on a design you’ve already finalized.
The strength of PVsyst is in the detail and credibility of that math. Its 30+ loss parameters, multiple meteorological data sources, and P50/P90 uncertainty analysis are what make its reports bankable. Banks trust PVsyst because it accounts for real-world factors that simpler tools ignore.
Scanifly: Drone-Powered Site Intelligence
Scanifly operates at the very beginning of the project lifecycle. Its core value proposition is turning a 15-minute drone flight into a precise 3D model of a rooftop or site. The resulting point cloud captures roof pitch, azimuth, obstruction locations, and shading profiles with 1-2 inch accuracy.
This eliminates manual site visits. Instead of sending a crew to a roof with measuring tapes and a clinometer, you send a drone pilot. Scanifly processes the imagery into a 3D model that can be used for panel placement and shade analysis. The platform also supports basic panel layout on the 3D model.
Where Scanifly falls short is downstream. It does not produce bankable simulation reports, financial proposals, engineering documentation, or permit packages. It hands off to other tools for those steps.
When You Need Both (And When You Don’t)
The PVsyst + Scanifly Workflow
For complex rooftops with multiple pitches, dormers, skylights, and nearby shade objects, Scanifly’s drone data provides a more accurate starting point than satellite imagery alone. The typical combined workflow looks like this:
- Scanifly: Fly the drone, process 3D model, identify constraints
- Design tool (Aurora, HelioScope, etc.): Create panel layout using Scanifly’s 3D data
- PVsyst: Run bankable simulation on the finalized design
- Proposal tool: Generate customer-facing proposal
- AutoCAD: Create engineering documentation
This five-tool workflow is comprehensive but expensive and complex. Each handoff introduces potential for error.
When Satellite Imagery Is Enough
For many residential and commercial rooftops, satellite imagery provides sufficient accuracy for design and simulation. Modern satellite sources like Google and Nearmap offer resolution that’s adequate for standard rooftop projects. Drone surveys add value primarily on:
- Complex multi-plane rooftops with steep pitches
- Sites with significant nearby shading objects (tall trees, adjacent buildings)
- Projects where measurement precision directly affects permit approval
- Roof conditions where a visual inspection from above reveals issues (damage, obstructions)
For flat commercial roofs and standard residential homes, the added cost and logistics of drone surveys may not be justified.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | PVsyst | Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | ~$800-1,400/yr | Subscription (varies by volume) |
| Hardware Required? | Windows PC | Drone ($500-2,000+) |
| Per-Site Cost | Unlimited simulations | Per-flight processing fees |
| Pilot License Required? | No | Yes (FAA Part 107 or equivalent) |
| Simulation Included? | Yes (bankable) | Basic only |
| Proposals Included? | No | No |
| Engineering Docs? | No | No |
PVsyst ($1,100/yr) + Scanifly (subscription) + drone ($1,000+) + pilot license = significant upfront costLooking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Get satellite-based design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one platform — no drone required, starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No drone needed · Full feature access
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
PVsyst
Pros
Cons
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose PVsyst | Choose Scanifly |
|---|---|---|
| Need bankable reports for financing | ✓ | |
| Complex multi-plane rooftop surveys | ✓ | |
| Eliminate manual site visits | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale energy modeling | ✓ | |
| High-accuracy shade assessment | ✓ | |
| Already own a drone + pilot license | ✓ | |
| No drone budget or logistics | ✓ | |
| Need proposals + engineering + simulation | Neither (consider SurgePV) | |
| Want one tool for the full workflow | Neither (consider SurgePV) | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
The PVsyst + Scanifly combination provides excellent accuracy but at significant cost and complexity. You need drone hardware, a licensed pilot, Scanifly’s subscription, PVsyst’s license, and still need additional tools for proposals and engineering. The total investment easily exceeds $3,000-5,000 per year before counting drone maintenance and pilot training.
For most residential and commercial projects, SurgePV provides a simpler path:
- Design: Cloud-based design on satellite imagery (Google + Nearmap) with AI-powered auto-layout — no drone required
- Simulation: 8760-hour energy yield analysis with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels and detailed loss modeling
- Shade Analysis: Monthly shade maps using satellite-derived data, sufficient for standard rooftop projects
- Proposals: Professional web and PDF proposals with multi-currency financial modeling
- Engineering: Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, BOM, wire sizing, and permit packages
At $1,499/yr for 3 users, SurgePV eliminates the need for drone hardware, separate simulation software, and additional engineering tools. While it doesn’t match Scanifly’s inch-level accuracy from drone data, satellite-based measurements are accurate enough for the majority of rooftop installations.
For teams that want the speed of satellite-based design combined with serious simulation and complete project deliverables, book a demo to see SurgePV’s workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PVsyst better than Scanifly?
They serve different purposes. PVsyst is a bankable simulation engine for energy yield analysis. Scanifly is a drone-based 3D site survey tool that creates inch-accurate roof and terrain models. Most teams that use Scanifly also need PVsyst for simulation.
Does Scanifly do energy simulation?
Scanifly provides basic energy estimates based on its 3D models, but these are not bankable-grade simulations. For detailed loss modeling and P50/P90 reports required by lenders, you still need PVsyst or a similar simulation tool.
Do I need a drone to use Scanifly?
Yes. Scanifly’s core workflow depends on drone-captured imagery to build 3D point cloud models of rooftops and sites. Without drone data, the platform has limited utility. You need a DJI or compatible drone and a licensed pilot.
Can Scanifly replace a manual site survey?
Yes, for most residential and commercial rooftops. Scanifly’s drone-based 3D models are accurate to within 1-2 inches, which is more precise than most manual measurements. This eliminates the need for roof climbs and tape measures.
What’s a better alternative to both PVsyst and Scanifly?
SurgePV combines satellite-based design, detailed simulation, proposals, and engineering in one cloud platform at $1,499/yr. While it doesn’t match Scanifly’s drone-level accuracy, its satellite imagery is sufficient for most residential and commercial projects.
How accurate is Scanifly’s 3D modeling?
Scanifly claims inch-level accuracy for its drone-generated 3D models. This includes roof pitch, azimuth, obstruction placement, and shading profiles. The accuracy depends on drone flight quality and photo overlap.