Key Takeaways
- Solargraf is a residential sales tool; Energy Toolbase is a storage financial modeling platform
- Energy Toolbase has 100,000+ utility rate schedules — the largest database in the industry
- Solargraf handles proposals and e-signatures; Energy Toolbase does not
- Neither platform designs solar systems — both need a separate design tool
- Energy Toolbase excels at battery dispatch simulation and demand charge analysis
- SurgePV combines design, simulation, proposals, and financial modeling in one platform
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
Solargraf and Energy Toolbase serve different stages of the solar business. Solargraf closes residential deals with proposals and financing. Energy Toolbase models the financial case for solar+storage projects with unmatched utility rate accuracy. Neither is a complete solution on its own. For teams that want design, simulation, proposals, and financial analysis in a single tool, SurgePV covers the full workflow at $1,499/yr.
Company Overview
Solargraf
Founded
2016 (acquired by Enphase 2022)
Headquarters
Montreal, Canada
Focus
Residential design, proposals & permitting
Best For
Enphase installers in US/Canada
Pricing
Opaque / premium (contact sales)
Energy Toolbase
Founded
2014
Headquarters
San Diego, USA
Focus
Solar+storage financial modeling
Best For
Commercial solar+storage developers
Pricing
Subscription (contact sales)
Feature Comparison
These platforms address completely different needs. Solargraf is a design and sales tool. Energy Toolbase is a financial analysis tool.
| Feature | Solargraf | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✓ |
| Solar System Design | ✓ (Residential rooftop) | ✗ |
| Panel Layout / Placement | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ | ✗ |
| Utility Rate Database | Limited (US/Canada) | ✓ (100,000+ US rates) |
| Battery Dispatch Simulation | ✗ | ✓ (Detailed, interval-level) |
| Demand Charge Management | ✗ | ✓ |
| Customer Proposals | ✓ (Interactive, branded) | Basic output reports |
| E-Signatures | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financing Integration | ✓ (30+ providers) | ✗ |
| Permitting Workflow | ✓ | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ | ✗ |
| ROI / Payback Modeling | Basic | ✓ (Detailed, multi-scenario) |
| Cash Flow Projections | Basic (residential) | ✓ (25-year, commercial-grade) |
| Hardware Independence | ✗ (Enphase-optimized) | ✓ |
| Commercial Project Support | ✗ | ✓ (Core strength) |
Financial Modeling Depth
Solargraf: Residential Savings Estimates
Solargraf calculates basic savings projections for residential proposals. The platform estimates monthly and lifetime savings based on system size, local utility rates, and the selected financing structure (cash, loan, or lease). These numbers are sufficient for residential homeowners making a buying decision.
The financial modeling lacks depth for commercial projects. Solargraf does not model demand charges, time-of-use rate arbitrage, battery dispatch strategies, or the complex rate structures that commercial buildings face. For residential-only companies, this is not a limitation. For companies selling commercial solar+storage, it is a dealbreaker.
Energy Toolbase: Storage Economics Specialist
Energy Toolbase is the industry standard for modeling the financial case of solar+storage projects. Its core strengths include:
100,000+ utility rate schedules — the platform maintains the largest and most current database of US utility rates. Every rate structure, every TOU period, every demand charge tier is modeled accurately. This matters because storage economics depend entirely on the delta between peak and off-peak rates.
Interval-level battery dispatch simulation — Energy Toolbase models how a battery system would operate across every 15-minute interval of the year. It optimizes dispatch strategy to maximize bill savings from demand charge reduction, TOU arbitrage, and solar self-consumption.
Multi-scenario financial analysis — the platform runs side-by-side comparisons of different system sizes, battery configurations, and financing structures. Output includes 25-year cash flow projections, IRR, NPV, and payback periods with detailed assumptions documented.
The gap in Energy Toolbase is that it does not design solar systems. You import system specifications from a separate design tool and Energy Toolbase handles the financial analysis. This creates a two-tool workflow that adds friction and potential for data entry errors.
Sales & Proposals
Solargraf: End-to-End Residential Sales
Solargraf’s proposal builder is designed to close residential deals. Interactive proposals, multiple financing options from 30+ lending partners, embedded e-signatures, and automated follow-ups create a streamlined sales pipeline. A sales rep can send a polished proposal to a homeowner within minutes of the initial design.
Energy Toolbase: Technical Financial Reports
Energy Toolbase generates financial reports, not customer proposals. Its output includes detailed cash flow tables, savings breakdowns, and rate analysis charts that are useful for C&I building owners, CFOs, and energy managers. The presentation format is analytical rather than sales-oriented.
Commercial solar companies often use Energy Toolbase to build the business case internally, then present the findings using a separate proposal or presentation tool. This workflow is standard in commercial solar sales but adds another software layer to the process.
Pricing Comparison
| Aspect | Solargraf | Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Subscription (opaque) | Subscription (contact sales) |
| Target Customer | Residential installers | Commercial solar+storage developers |
| Design Tool Included | ✓ (Residential) | No (import from other tools) |
| Additional Tools Needed | Engineering docs (SLD tool) | Design tool + proposal tool |
| Pricing Transparency | Not published | Not published |
| Free Trial | Demo available | Demo available |
Neither platform publishes pricing. Energy Toolbase’s subscription cost reflects the value of its utility rate database — maintaining 100,000+ rate schedules with regular updates is resource-intensive. Solargraf’s pricing is premium for the residential segment, driven by the Enphase acquisition and deep integration.
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Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
Energy Toolbase
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Solargraf | Choose Energy Toolbase |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Enphase installs | ✓ | |
| Need customer proposals with e-sign | ✓ | |
| Need residential financing options | ✓ | |
| Commercial solar+storage financial modeling | ✓ | |
| Demand charge management analysis | ✓ | |
| Accurate US utility rate modeling | ✓ | |
| Battery dispatch optimization | ✓ | |
| Need SLD generation or engineering docs | ||
| Design + financials + proposals in one tool | ||
| International / European markets |
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Solargraf designs but does not model complex financials. Energy Toolbase models financials but does not design. Neither generates engineering documentation. The typical commercial solar company ends up using three or four separate tools to get from site assessment to signed contract.
SurgePV consolidates the workflow as an all-in-one solar design software at $1,499/yr:
- Cloud-based design with AI auto-layout and satellite imagery
- 8760-hour shade simulation with P50/P75/P90 yield confidence levels
- Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit packages
- Financial modeling with ROI, payback, cash flow, and multi-currency support
- Professional proposals with white-label branding and PDF/web output
- Commercial projects up to 5MW with full engineering documentation
- Hardware agnostic — works with any equipment manufacturer
SurgePV does not match Energy Toolbase’s depth for interval-level battery dispatch simulation or its 100,000+ rate database. But for teams that need design, financial analysis, proposals, and engineering in a single platform, SurgePV eliminates the multi-tool workflow.
Pro Tip
SurgePV offers a free trial with full access to every feature. Test the complete design-to-proposal workflow on your own projects. Start your free trial here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Energy Toolbase do solar design?
No. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling platform for solar+storage projects. It does not design systems, place panels, or generate layouts. You need a separate design tool and import the system specs into Energy Toolbase for financial analysis.
Can Solargraf model battery storage economics?
Only for Enphase residential batteries at a basic level. Solargraf does not offer detailed storage dispatch modeling, demand charge management analysis, or the kind of battery financial optimization that Energy Toolbase provides.
How many utility rates does Energy Toolbase have?
Energy Toolbase maintains a database of over 100,000 utility rate schedules. This is the largest rate database in the solar industry and covers virtually every US utility. Rate accuracy is critical for storage economics, where savings depend on time-of-use differentials.
Is SurgePV a better alternative to both?
SurgePV combines solar design, simulation, proposals, and engineering in one platform at $1,499/yr. It includes financial modeling with ROI, payback, and cash flow projections. It does not match Energy Toolbase’s depth for storage dispatch modeling, but handles the full solar project lifecycle that neither Solargraf nor Energy Toolbase covers alone.
Which is better for solar+storage proposals?
Energy Toolbase provides the most accurate storage financial modeling. Solargraf produces better customer-facing proposals but with basic storage economics. For comprehensive solar+storage proposals, many teams use Energy Toolbase for the financial model and a separate tool for the customer proposal.
Does Energy Toolbase work outside the US?
Energy Toolbase is primarily US-focused due to its reliance on US utility rate schedules. The 100,000+ rate database covers US utilities comprehensively. International coverage is limited.