Key Takeaways
- Scanifly captures inch-accurate 3D models from drones for residential sites
- RatedPower automates utility-scale solar+BESS design with bankable reports
- Zero market overlap — residential drone survey vs utility-scale automation
- Neither tool generates proposals, SLDs, or permit packages
- Scanifly is US-centric; RatedPower serves global utility-scale markets
- SurgePV covers all project types in one cloud platform at $1,499/year
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Scanifly and RatedPower operate in completely different worlds. Scanifly surveys individual rooftops with drones. RatedPower designs multi-megawatt solar farms from a web browser. If you need a platform that handles projects across the entire scale range with proposals and engineering included, SurgePV is the unified alternative.
Company Overview
Scanifly
Headquarters
United States
Focus
Drone-based 3D solar survey
Best For
US residential site assessment
Pricing
≈$99-199/month + drone hardware
RatedPower
Developer
Enverus (acquired RatedPower)
Focus
Automated utility-scale PV + BESS design
Best For
Utility-scale developers & EPCs
Pricing
Tiered license (enterprise pricing)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Scanifly | RatedPower |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Cloud + drone hardware | Web-based (cloud) |
| Residential Design | ✓ (DroneDesign) | ✗ |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✗ | ✓ (Core strength) |
| 3D Site Modeling | ✓ (Drone photogrammetry) | Topographic data |
| Bankable Yield Reports | ✗ | ✓ (P50/P75/P90) |
| BESS Design | ✗ | ✓ |
| Terrain Analysis | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cable Routing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Roof Measurement | ✓ (Inch-accurate) | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (From 3D model) | Terrain-based |
| Proposal Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| SLD Generation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Gen-Tie Reports | ✗ | ✓ |
Design Workflows
Scanifly: Residential Drone Survey
Scanifly’s process starts with a drone flight over a residential property. The captured photos are processed into a centimeter-accurate 3D point cloud and surface model. From this model, you extract roof dimensions, pitch angles, and obstruction data without climbing on the roof. DroneDesign then lets you place panels and estimate production.
The tool positions itself as 30-70% cheaper than Aurora Solar while providing more accurate site measurements through real-world capture. It’s focused on US residential installers who already operate drone fleets.
RatedPower: Utility-Scale Automation
RatedPower takes a site boundary and topographic data, then generates optimized utility-scale layouts in minutes. The platform produces bankable P50/P75/P90 yield reports, Gen-Tie analyses, and supports BESS co-location — the documentation that developers need for project financing and interconnection applications.
RatedPower is a web application with no hardware dependencies. It’s used by utility-scale developers and EPCs worldwide for rapid feasibility assessment and preliminary engineering.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Factor | Scanifly | RatedPower |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | ≈$99-199/month | Enterprise (tiered) |
| Hardware Required | Drone ($500-2,000+) | None |
| Year 1 Total | $1,700-4,400+ | $3,000-10,000+ (estimated) |
| Proposals Included? | No | No |
Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
One platform for residential through utility-scale — design, simulate, propose, and engineer. No drone needed.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · All project types · $1,499/year
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Scanifly
Pros
Cons
RatedPower
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Scanifly | Choose RatedPower |
|---|---|---|
| US residential site surveys | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale feasibility studies | ✓ | |
| Accurate roof measurements | ✓ | |
| Bankable yield reports | ✓ | |
| Solar + BESS co-location | ✓ | |
| All project types + proposals + SLDs | Neither — consider SurgePV | |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Scanifly does residential surveys. RatedPower does utility-scale design. Neither generates proposals, SLDs, or financial models for customer presentations. For teams that want a complete workflow across project types, both tools leave major gaps.
SurgePV is a cloud-based solar design software that unifies the entire workflow:
- Residential, commercial, and utility-scale design in one platform
- Satellite and aerial imagery for site modeling — no drone needed
- 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly shade maps
- AI auto-design and auto-stringing
- Native SLD and three-line diagram generation
- Branded proposals with global financial modeling
- $1,499/year with all features included
SurgePV replaces the need for segment-specific tools by providing one platform that works from rooftop to utility-scale.
One Platform for Every Project Scale
SurgePV handles residential surveys through utility-scale design with proposals and engineering at $1,499/year.
Book a DemoNo credit card required · No drone needed · Full access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scanifly better than RatedPower?
They serve entirely different markets. Scanifly is a drone-based 3D survey tool for residential site assessment. RatedPower automates utility-scale solar farm design with bankable yield reports. There is no meaningful feature overlap.
Can RatedPower do residential projects?
No. RatedPower is built for utility-scale ground-mount solar and BESS projects. It does not support residential rooftop design or small commercial installations.
Can Scanifly design utility-scale projects?
No. Scanifly creates 3D models from drone imagery for residential and small commercial site assessment. It lacks the terrain analysis, cable routing, and automated layout tools needed for utility-scale work.
Which is more affordable?
Scanifly starts at $99-199/month plus drone hardware costs. RatedPower uses enterprise subscription pricing. For the total cost comparison, factor in Scanifly’s drone hardware requirement ($500-2,000+) and RatedPower’s higher software subscription.
Is there a tool that handles both residential and utility-scale?
Yes. SurgePV is a cloud-based platform covering residential, commercial, and utility-scale design with simulation, proposals, and engineering at $1,499/year — no drone or special hardware needed.
Which has better simulation accuracy?
RatedPower produces bankable P50/P75/P90 yield reports for utility-scale projects. Scanifly provides inch-accurate 3D site models but basic energy estimates. They measure different things at different project scales.