Key Takeaways
- PVsyst is the industry standard for bankable simulation with 30+ years of lender trust
- Solargraf excels at residential design, proposals, and automated permitting in the US
- These two tools solve completely different problems with almost no feature overlap
- Solargraf is tied to the Enphase ecosystem, which limits equipment flexibility
- PVsyst has no design, proposal, or permitting capabilities whatsoever
- SurgePV bridges both gaps with simulation, design, proposals, and engineering in one platform
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
PVsyst and Solargraf serve entirely different purposes. PVsyst is a simulation engine for bankable energy reports. Solargraf is a residential sales platform for design, proposals, and permitting. Comparing them head-to-head is like comparing a calculator to a word processor. If you need both simulation depth and a complete sales workflow, SurgePV is the single-platform solution that covers both at $1,499/yr.
Company Overview
PVsyst
Founded
1992
Headquarters
Satigny, Switzerland
Focus
Bankable PV simulation
Best For
Financial due diligence & utility-scale
Pricing
≈$800-1,400/yr
Solargraf
Founded
2016 (acquired by Enphase 2020)
Headquarters
Montreal, Canada (Enphase-owned)
Focus
Residential design, proposals & permitting
Best For
US residential installers (Enphase dealers)
Pricing
Free tier + paid plans (pricing varies)
Feature Comparison
Here’s a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of PVsyst vs Solargraf across the capabilities that matter most to solar professionals.
| Feature | PVsyst | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✗ (Desktop only) | ✓ |
| Panel Layout Design | ✗ | ✓ (Residential-focused) |
| Satellite Imagery | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bankable Simulation | ✓ (Industry standard) | ✗ (Basic estimates) |
| Detailed Loss Modeling | ✓ (30+ parameters) | ✗ |
| P50/P90 Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✓ (Interactive) |
| Automated Permitting | ✗ | ✓ (US markets) |
| E-Signature | ✗ | ✓ |
| CRM / Lead Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Modeling | Basic economic evaluation | ✓ (US-focused, loan/lease/PPA) |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ | Basic (Enphase systems) |
| Commercial Projects | ✓ | Limited |
| Utility-Scale | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hardware Agnostic | ✓ | Enphase-optimized |
| Global Coverage | ✓ | US-focused |
Simulation & Energy Modeling
These two tools approach energy modeling from opposite directions. PVsyst goes deep on simulation physics. Solargraf goes wide on the sales workflow and treats energy estimates as one input among many.
PVsyst Simulation Depth
PVsyst models every component of a PV system’s energy chain. It accounts for module temperature coefficients, inverter efficiency curves, cable losses, transformer losses, soiling, snow, aging degradation, and dozens of other parameters. Each loss factor can be configured independently, giving engineers complete control over their assumptions.
The software’s meteorological database draws from 15+ sources worldwide. Engineers can import TMY data, run multi-year simulations, and generate uncertainty analyses that banks accept for project financing. For utility-scale projects, PVsyst’s bifacial modeling and tracker algorithms are among the most validated in the industry.
The downside is that PVsyst requires significant expertise to use correctly. Misconfigured parameters produce misleading results, and there’s no design interface to catch obvious layout errors.
Solargraf Energy Estimates
Solargraf generates energy production estimates as part of its proposal workflow, but these are not bankable simulations. The tool uses basic irradiance data and system parameters to calculate annual production for residential-scale systems. The estimates are good enough for homeowner proposals but would not satisfy a lender’s technical due diligence requirements.
Where Solargraf adds value is in translating those energy numbers into financial projections — monthly bill savings, payback period, loan payments, and ROI calculations tailored to US utility rates and financing products. For a residential sales team, this proposal-ready financial output matters more than simulation precision.
Design & Sales Workflow
PVsyst: No Design or Sales Tools
PVsyst does not include any design, proposal, or sales capabilities. It’s strictly a simulation engine. You input system parameters, run a simulation, and export a technical report. If you need panel layouts, customer proposals, or permitting documents, you need separate software.
Solargraf: Complete Residential Sales Platform
Solargraf is built around the residential sales cycle. The platform includes satellite-based roof modeling, automatic panel placement, interactive proposals with financing options, e-signature for contracts, and automated permit package generation. For Enphase dealers in the US, it’s a complete workflow from lead to permit.
The limitations are clear: Solargraf is US-centric and Enphase-centric. If you’re working internationally, using non-Enphase inverters, or designing commercial systems, Solargraf’s feature set becomes restrictive. The platform also lacks detailed engineering documentation for complex projects.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | PVsyst | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cost | ≈$800-1,400/yr | Free tier + paid plans |
| License Type | Per-seat, desktop | Per-user, cloud |
| Free Tier | 30-day trial only | Yes (limited features) |
| Design Included? | No | Yes |
| Proposals Included? | No | Yes |
| Bankable Reports? | Yes | No |
| Combined Cost (both tools) | $800-1,400/yr + Solargraf subscription | |
PVsyst covers simulation. Solargraf covers sales. Neither covers engineering. You still need a third tool.Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Design, simulate, create proposals, and generate engineering documents — all in one platform, no hardware lock-in.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Works globally · All equipment brands
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
PVsyst
Pros
Cons
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose PVsyst | Choose Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Need bankable reports for lenders | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale project development | ✓ | |
| US residential Enphase dealer | ✓ | |
| Need automated permitting | ✓ | |
| Homeowner-facing proposals | ✓ | |
| Working internationally | ✓ | |
| Using non-Enphase inverters | ✓ | |
| Need complete design-to-permit workflow | Neither (consider SurgePV) | |
| Need SLDs and engineering docs | Neither (consider SurgePV) | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
PVsyst and Solargraf sit at opposite ends of the solar software spectrum. PVsyst handles simulation but nothing else. Solargraf handles residential sales but lacks simulation depth. Neither produces engineering documents. If you’re a team that needs both credible energy modeling and a complete project workflow, you’re looking at two subscriptions plus AutoCAD for engineering — a fragmented, expensive setup.
SurgePV brings everything into one platform:
- Simulation: 8760-hour energy yield simulation with P50/P75/P90 confidence levels and detailed loss modeling, comparable to dedicated simulation tools
- Design: AI-powered cloud-based design on satellite imagery for residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects
- Proposals: Professional web and PDF proposals with multi-currency financial modeling, supporting cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures
- Engineering: Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, BOM, wire sizing, and permit packages — no AutoCAD needed
- No hardware lock-in: Works with every inverter and module brand, not tied to any manufacturer’s ecosystem
At $1,499/yr for 3 users, SurgePV costs less than PVsyst alone while delivering the design and sales workflow that Solargraf provides. It works globally, supports any equipment brand, and handles projects from 5 kW residential to 5 MW commercial.
For teams tired of stitching together simulation, design, and sales tools from different vendors, SurgePV offers a free trial with full feature access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PVsyst better than Solargraf for simulation?
Yes, for bankable simulation PVsyst is far superior. Solargraf focuses on residential design, proposals, and permitting rather than detailed energy modeling. PVsyst provides the granular loss analysis and P50/P90 reports that lenders require.
Can Solargraf replace PVsyst?
Not for simulation-heavy workflows. Solargraf is a residential sales and design platform tied to the Enphase ecosystem. It handles proposals and permitting well but lacks the simulation depth that PVsyst offers.
Is Solargraf free to use?
Solargraf offers a free tier with basic features. Advanced features like automated permitting and premium proposal templates require a paid subscription. Pricing is not publicly listed and varies by region.
Does Solargraf work outside the US?
Solargraf has some international coverage but is heavily US-focused. Its permitting automation, utility rate databases, and financing tools are built around the US market. International teams will find limited support.
What’s a better alternative to both PVsyst and Solargraf?
SurgePV combines detailed simulation with cloud-based design, proposals, engineering, and global financial modeling in one platform at $1,499/yr. It works worldwide and isn’t tied to any specific hardware manufacturer.
Is Solargraf tied to Enphase equipment?
Solargraf is owned by Enphase Energy. While you can design with non-Enphase inverters, the platform is optimized for the Enphase ecosystem and some features work best with Enphase equipment.