Residential Solar Design Software for Installers Who Sell More
Design complete residential solar systems in under 10 minutes with SurgePV's solar design software. AI roof modeling, accurate shade analysis, and branded proposals help installers close more homeowners in less time.
<10 min
Average residential design time
0%
Faster than manual drafting
0+
Countries supported
0+
Solar companies using SurgePV
Auto-Generate 3D Roof Models in 60 Seconds
Stop tracing rooflines by hand. SurgePV's AI detects roof planes, ridges, valleys, and obstructions from satellite imagery — then builds a precise 3D model automatically. Whether you are designing for a single-family home, townhouse, or multi-family building, the model is ready for panel placement in about a minute.
Automatic Roof Plane Detection
AI identifies pitch, azimuth, and usable area for each roof face. No manual measurements or CAD imports required.
Obstruction Recognition
Chimneys, vents, skylights, and dormers are detected and routed around automatically with code-compliant setbacks.
Multi-Roof & Complex Geometry
Hip roofs, gables, L-shaped layouts, and multi-plane structures are handled in a single project without switching tools.
Accurate Shade Analysis and Production Estimates
Homeowners buy on confidence. SurgePV runs hourly shade simulations using 3D site geometry, tree lines, and neighboring buildings so every production estimate is grounded in real-world conditions.
Hourly Shading Simulation
Calculate shade losses for every hour of the year. Identify the modules that underperform and adjust layout before installation.
Irradiance & Temperature Maps
Visualize solar access across the roof with color-coded irradiance maps and temperature-adjusted production curves.
Field-Validated Accuracy
Production estimates are validated within ±3% of actual meter data for residential sites, reducing post-install disputes.
Branded Client Proposals Straight From Design
Turn any residential design into a solar proposal that sells. SurgePV auto-populates system specs, production charts, financing scenarios, and payback analysis into a branded document homeowners can understand and sign.
1 Click
Proposal generation
PDF + Link
Client delivery
Financing
Cash, loan, lease, PPA
E-Sign Ready
Close faster
Residential Projects SurgePV Handles
From detached homes to retrofit additions, SurgePV adapts to the full range of residential solar work.
Single-Family Homes
Design pitched and flat-roof homes with fast AI modeling, accurate shade analysis, and homeowner-friendly proposals.
Townhouses
Handle shared walls, limited roof area, and HOA requirements with compact layouts and clear setback rules.
Multi-Family Buildings
Model apartment rooftops, allocate production across units, and generate proposals for landlords and property managers.
Retrofit & Addition
Add panels to existing systems, model roof additions, and re-run production estimates for expansion projects.
SurgePV vs Aurora Solar vs OpenSolar
See how SurgePV compares to other residential solar design platforms on the features installers use every day.
| Feature | SurgePV | Aurora Solar | OpenSolar |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI 3D roof modeling | 60 seconds | AI-assisted, manual refinement | Manual roof drawing |
| Residential design time | Under 10 minutes | 20–40 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
| Shade analysis | Built-in 3D hourly | Built-in 3D hourly | Basic 2D shading |
| Branded proposals | One-click PDF + link | Proposal tool available | Built-in proposal editor |
| Pricing model | Project-based, no seat limits | Per-seat subscription | Free core, paid add-ons |
| Battery storage design | Included | Add-on | Limited |
| Onboarding & support | Free training, same-day support | Paid onboarding tiers | Community + email |
Read the full solar design software comparison to see detailed feature breakdowns.
What Solar Professionals Say
We went from 45 minutes per residential design to under 10. The AI roof detection is the closest thing to magic I have seen in solar software.
Marcus Chen
Lead Designer, SunPath Installers, San Diego · 25-person team
"Our proposal close rate jumped 22% after switching to SurgePV. Homeowners understand the visuals immediately."
Elena Rossi
Sales Manager, SolarItalia, Milan
"The shade accuracy is spot on. We stopped getting post-install production complaints entirely."
Tom Brennan
Project Engineer, BrightRoof Solar, Dublin
"SurgePV replaced two tools and cut our software spend by 40%."
Priya Nair
Operations Director, EcoSun Solutions, Bangalore
What is residential solar design software?
Residential solar design software helps installers model photovoltaic systems for homes. SurgePV combines AI roof modeling, shade analysis, production simulation, and proposal generation in one platform.
How does SurgePV speed up residential design?
AI generates a 3D roof model in about 60 seconds. Auto-placement optimizes panel layout instantly. Production and financial estimates update in real time, cutting total design time to under 10 minutes.
Why choose SurgePV for residential projects?
SurgePV is faster, more affordable per project, and easier to learn than legacy tools. It includes solar proposal software, shade analysis, and battery design without add-on fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is residential solar design software?
Residential solar design software is a digital platform that helps installers model rooftop PV systems for single-family homes, townhouses, and multi-family buildings. SurgePV combines AI roof modeling, shade analysis, production simulation, and branded proposal generation in one cloud-based tool.
How fast can I design a residential solar system in SurgePV?
Most residential designs are completed in under 10 minutes. AI roof modeling generates a 3D site model in about 60 seconds, auto-placement optimizes panel layout instantly, and production estimates update in real time as you adjust the design.
Does SurgePV handle shading analysis for residential roofs?
Yes. SurgePV runs hourly shade simulations using 3D roof geometry, nearby trees, chimneys, and neighboring buildings. The output includes an irradiance map, shade loss percentage, and month-by-month production adjustments.
Can SurgePV generate client-ready residential proposals?
Yes. SurgePV turns any residential design into a branded proposal with system specs, energy production charts, financing options, and payback analysis. Proposals can be exported as PDF or shared via a client-facing link.
What roof types does SurgePV support for residential projects?
SurgePV supports pitched shingle roofs, tile roofs, metal roofs, flat roofs, hip roofs, and complex multi-plane geometries. The AI detects ridges, valleys, dormers, and obstructions automatically.
Is SurgePV suitable for small installer businesses?
Yes. SurgePV is built for installer teams of all sizes, from solo operators to national dealers. The cloud-based pricing scales with project volume, and onboarding typically takes less than a day.
How accurate are SurgePV production estimates for homes?
SurgePV production estimates are validated within ±3% of post-install meter data for residential sites. The engine uses location-specific weather files, module temperature coefficients, and hourly shading losses.
Can I design battery storage with residential solar in SurgePV?
Yes. SurgePV includes battery sizing and backup modeling for residential systems. You can compare self-consumption, time-of-use, and backup-power scenarios alongside the solar design.
Explore Further
Feature
Solar Design Software
Full overview of SurgePV's design capabilities
Feature
Solar Proposal Software
Branded proposals that help installers close faster
Feature
Shadow Analysis
3D shade simulation and irradiance mapping
Guide
How to Choose Solar Design Software
A practical guide for installer teams
Design More. Sell More. Build More.
Join 500+ solar companies who saw SurgePV in action and never went back to their old tools.
