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Solar Design Hub

The complete professional guide to solar PV system design - from roof modeling and shading analysis through energy simulation, financial modeling, and proposals that close deals.

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Solar PV design connects site assessment, roof or ground geometry, module placement, shading, electrical design and energy modeling. Use this hub to follow those stages and understand the inputs behind the proposal. Start with fundamentals, then review the topics that match your project and the outputs your team needs to deliver.

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9 Chapters. Professional Solar Design, Start to Finish.

We've structured the full solar design workflow into 9 focused chapters - from fundamentals and roof modeling through shading analysis, energy simulation, and financial modeling. Each chapter is written for solar professionals, with real formulas, European standards, and tool-agnostic guidance.

01

Solar Design Fundamentals

Core concepts of solar PV system design: components, loss factors, design parameters, European grid codes, and the end-to-end workflow every designer needs.

8 resourcesStart now
02

Roof Modeling & Assessment

Satellite imagery, LiDAR, drone surveys, and 3D roof modeling - how professional installers assess rooftops before design begins.

7 resourcesStart now
03

Panel Layout & Placement

Tilt angles, azimuth, inter-row spacing, and east-west vs south-facing layouts - maximizing yield per square meter on any roof type.

8 resourcesStart now
04

Shading Analysis

Near shading, far shading, horizon profiles, and bypass diode behavior - how to quantify and mitigate shading losses for any site.

6 resourcesStart now
05

Energy Simulation & Yield Calculation

P50 vs P90 probability estimates, TMY weather data, PVsyst simulation workflow, and how to produce bankable energy yield reports.

7 resourcesStart now
06

Financial Modeling

IRR, NPV, LCOE, payback period, and sensitivity analysis - building financial models that satisfy investors, lenders, and customers.

7 resourcesStart now
07

Solar Proposals

What every winning proposal must include, how to present financials visually, and using proposal software to cut turnaround from days to minutes.

6 resourcesStart now
08

Electrical Design & SLDs

String sizing, MPPT calculation, DC/AC cable sizing, protection devices, and automated single-line diagram generation for permit packages.

6 resourcesStart now
09

Commercial Solar Design

C&I rooftop, ground mount, and carport design - load analysis, structural constraints, central vs string inverters, and EPC-grade handover documentation.

5 resourcesStart now

Who Is This Hub For?

Whether you're learning solar PV design from scratch or sharpening your skills across simulation and electrical design - this hub has you covered.

Solar Designers

Learning solar PV design or deepening your skills across simulation, shading, and electrical design.

Solar Installers

Running your own designs and want to improve accuracy, reduce errors, and speed up proposals.

Solar Businesses

Building a design team or evaluating software tools to scale project delivery.

Design Faster. Win More Projects.

SurgePV combines every tool covered in this hub - 3D roof modeling, shading simulation, energy yield, financial modeling, and proposals - in one platform.

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Top Articles, Tools & Terms

Curated reading on roof modeling, automation, shading, and proposal generation.

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