Key Takeaways
- Solargraf and PVcase serve completely different markets — residential vs utility-scale
- Solargraf is a cloud-based residential sales tool tied to Enphase hardware
- PVcase is an AutoCAD plugin for utility-scale ground-mount design with terrain analysis
- PVcase requires AutoCAD/Civil 3D license — adding $1,800+/yr to total cost
- Neither platform covers the commercial mid-market (100kW to 5MW)
- SurgePV fills the gap with residential-to-commercial coverage and native engineering docs
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
This comparison is unusual because Solargraf and PVcase barely overlap. Solargraf handles residential rooftop sales for Enphase installers. PVcase handles utility-scale ground-mount engineering for AutoCAD users. If your work falls between those extremes — commercial rooftops, mid-size ground-mount, or multi-segment projects — neither tool is the right fit. SurgePV covers residential through 5MW commercial at $1,499/yr with native engineering documentation.
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)
PVcase
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Vilnius, Lithuania
Focus
Utility-scale PV design (AutoCAD plugin)
Best For
Utility-scale developers & EPCs
Pricing
Enterprise (contact sales) + AutoCAD license
Feature Comparison
These platforms have almost no feature overlap. The comparison table makes that clear.
| Feature | Solargraf | PVcase |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based | ✓ | ✗ (AutoCAD plugin) |
| Residential Rooftop Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Utility-Scale Ground-Mount | ✗ | ✓ (Core strength) |
| Terrain Analysis | ✗ | ✓ (Topographic grading) |
| Tracker Layout Optimization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cable Routing & Trenching | ✗ | ✓ |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Interactive, branded) | ✗ |
| E-Signatures | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financing Integration | ✓ (30+ providers) | ✗ |
| Permitting Workflow | ✓ | ✗ |
| Single-Line Diagrams | ✗ | Via AutoCAD (manual) |
| Auto-Roofline Detection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hardware Independence | ✗ (Enphase-optimized) | ✓ |
| Requires AutoCAD | No | Yes ($1,800+/yr) |
| Financial Modeling | Basic (US/Canada) | ✗ |
| Commercial Rooftop (100kW-5MW) | ✗ | Limited (ground-mount focused) |
Design Capabilities
Solargraf: Residential Speed
Solargraf is optimized for getting residential proposals out fast. The auto-roofline detection traces roof edges from satellite imagery, and the Enphase integration auto-assigns microinverters to each panel. For a standard residential project, you can move from address entry to finished proposal in under 30 minutes.
The scope is narrow by design. Solargraf does not handle ground-mount systems, commercial rooftops, carports, or any project type beyond straightforward residential. The platform also lacks engineering outputs — no SLDs, no three-line diagrams, no detailed electrical documentation.
PVcase: Utility-Scale Precision
PVcase operates in a different world. The software is an AutoCAD/Civil 3D plugin that adds solar-specific tools to the industry-standard CAD environment. Its core capabilities include topographic terrain analysis for grading and earthwork estimation, automatic tracker and fixed-tilt layout optimization based on terrain, and cable routing with trenching calculations.
PVcase is built for projects measured in megawatts, not kilowatts. The software excels at optimizing panel placement on irregular terrain, calculating inter-row spacing to minimize shading on trackers, and generating construction-ready CAD drawings.
The trade-off is accessibility. PVcase requires trained AutoCAD operators, an Autodesk license ($1,800+/yr minimum), and significant project setup time. It is not a tool for quick residential quotes.
Proposals & Sales
Solargraf Sales Pipeline
Solargraf includes a complete residential sales toolkit: branded interactive proposals, 30+ financing partner integrations, built-in e-signatures, and automated follow-up. The platform is built to move homeowners from interest to signed contract as efficiently as possible.
PVcase Output
PVcase produces engineering drawings and CAD files, not customer proposals. Its output is technical documentation for EPC contractors and utility interconnection applications — construction drawings, layout plans, cable schedules, and earthwork calculations. There is no proposal builder, no financing integration, and no customer-facing document generation.
Utility-scale developers using PVcase typically have separate teams handling project finance and offtaker negotiations. The sales cycle for a 50MW solar farm bears no resemblance to residential door-to-door.
Pricing Comparison
| Aspect | Solargraf | PVcase |
|---|---|---|
| Software Cost | Opaque (contact sales) | Enterprise (contact sales) |
| Additional Software Required | None | AutoCAD/Civil 3D ($1,800+/yr) |
| Pricing Transparency | Opaque | Opaque |
| Target Budget | Small-to-mid residential companies | Large EPCs and developers |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Solargraf subscription + engineering tools | PVcase + AutoCAD + simulation tools |
| Free Trial | Demo available | Demo available |
Neither platform publishes pricing. Both require contacting sales. PVcase carries the additional burden of an AutoCAD license, which runs $1,800+/yr at minimum. For large EPC firms that already have Autodesk subscriptions, this is a non-issue. For smaller companies, the combined cost can be prohibitive.
Looking for a Better Alternative? Try SurgePV
Design residential and commercial projects up to 5MW with native SLD generation, proposals, and engineering — no AutoCAD required.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · No AutoCAD needed · $1,499/yr all-inclusive
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
Solargraf
Pros
Cons
PVcase
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
| Your Situation | Choose Solargraf | Choose PVcase |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Enphase installs | ✓ | |
| Need customer proposals and e-sign | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale ground-mount (10MW+) | ✓ | |
| Terrain analysis and earthwork | ✓ | |
| Tracker layout optimization | ✓ | |
| Already have AutoCAD license | ✓ | |
| Commercial rooftop (100kW-5MW) | ||
| Need native SLD generation | ||
| Multi-segment business (resi + commercial) |
The empty rows point to the gap. Companies doing both residential and commercial work, or those needing native engineering documentation without AutoCAD, need a different tool.
Best Alternative: SurgePV
Solargraf covers residential sales. PVcase covers utility-scale engineering. The commercial mid-market — projects from 100kW to 5MW — falls through the cracks.
SurgePV fills that space as a cloud-based, all-in-one solar design software at $1,499/yr:
- Residential through 5MW commercial in a single platform
- Native SLD generation, three-line diagrams, and permit packages — no AutoCAD needed
- AI-powered auto-design with 8760-hour shade simulation
- Professional proposals with global financial modeling and multi-currency support
- Hardware agnostic — works with any inverter or panel manufacturer
- Cloud-based — accessible from any browser, with team collaboration built in
SurgePV does not replace PVcase for 50MW+ utility-scale ground-mount projects that require detailed terrain grading. But for companies doing residential installs alongside commercial rooftop and mid-size ground-mount projects, SurgePV eliminates the need for separate tools.
Pro Tip
If your team works across residential and commercial segments, SurgePV’s single subscription replaces Solargraf + AutoCAD + engineering tools. Start a free trial and test it on your actual project mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Solargraf handle utility-scale projects?
No. Solargraf is built exclusively for residential solar. It lacks terrain analysis, tracker layout tools, cable routing, and the engineering capabilities needed for utility-scale projects.
Can PVcase do residential solar design?
PVcase is not designed for residential. It runs as an AutoCAD/Civil 3D plugin focused on ground-mount utility-scale layouts. Residential rooftop design requires a different tool entirely.
How much does PVcase cost?
PVcase uses enterprise pricing that is not publicly listed. Contact their sales team for a quote. Pricing typically reflects the large project sizes and engineering firms that use the platform.
Which is better for ground-mount commercial projects?
PVcase is the clear choice for large ground-mount projects. Its terrain analysis, tracker layout optimization, and cable routing tools are purpose-built for that work. Solargraf has no ground-mount capabilities.
Is SurgePV a better alternative to both?
SurgePV bridges the gap between residential and commercial. It handles rooftop projects like Solargraf and supports commercial projects up to 5MW with native engineering tools. It does not replace PVcase for 50MW+ utility-scale work, but covers the mid-market that neither Solargraf nor PVcase serves well.
Do I need AutoCAD to use PVcase?
Yes. PVcase runs as a plugin for AutoCAD or Civil 3D. You need an active Autodesk license to use PVcase, which adds significant cost to the total investment.