Aurora Solar Review: Enterprise Solar Design for Commercial & Residential (2026)

TL;DR

Aurora Solar is a widely-used solar design platform with fast AI roof modeling and polished customer proposals. Based on 247 verified G2 reviews, users praise speed and ease of use but report gaps in electrical engineering—users mention needing supplementary tools like AutoCAD or PVCase for complete Single Line Diagrams.

What Is Aurora Solar?

Company Overview

Aurora Solar is a cloud-based solar design, sales, and proposal platform developed by Aurora Solar Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 2013 by Christopher Hopper (CEO) and Samuel Adeyemo (Co-Founder), Aurora is a widely-adopted platform for residential and commercial solar design.

Key Company Facts:

• Founded: 2013
• Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
• Funding: $537M total raised (Series D: $200M Feb 2022) [source: Crunchbase]
• Valuation: $4B (as of Feb 2022)
• Customers: Reportedly 7,000+ organizations globally
• Projects: 10M+ systems designed worldwide [source: Aurora Solar website]
• Market Share: Significant presence in US residential solar market

Recent Developments:

• Lyra Solar Acquisition (July 2024): Integrated residential design tool
• Organizational Changes: Reported workforce adjustments in recent years
• 2026 AI Enhancements: Improved SmartRoof, consumption prediction, obstruction detection

Aurora has strong adoption among major US installers, particularly in the residential solar market.

Core Capabilities

Aurora Solar provides end-to-end solar workflow covering:

1. Remote Site Assessment - AI-powered roof detection using satellite, LIDAR, and drone imagery
2. 3D Modeling & Design - Automated panel layout with fire setback and code compliance
3. Shading Analysis - 8,760-hour irradiance-based shading with sub-module detail
4. Electrical Design - String layout and inverter selection (note: limited automated electrical documentation)
5. Financial Modeling - NPV, IRR, payback calculations with multiple financing options
6. Proposal Generation - Interactive web proposals with e-signature integration
7. Integrations - Native CRM connections (Salesforce, HubSpot), utilities, distribution, e-signature

Target Market

Primary Audiences:

1. Residential Solar Installers - 10-500 installs per year
2. Commercial & Industrial EPCs - 100kW-10MW projects
3. Enterprise Solar Organizations - Large installers and developers

Geographic Focus:

• Primary: United States
• Secondary: Australia, Japan, parts of Europe
• Limited: India, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Africa (based on user feedback)

Company Size Sweet Spot: 10-200 employees, $5M-$50M annual revenue

Market Position

Aurora Solar has a G2 "Leader" badge and 4.5/5 star rating from 247 reviews. The platform is popular with residential installers who prioritize speed and customer-facing proposals.

User reviews consistently praise design capabilities while noting electrical engineering feature gaps for certain commercial applications.

Features Analysis

Design & Modeling

AI-Powered Roof Modeling (Top Strength)

Aurora's AI roof modeling is one of the platform's strongest competitive advantages.

What It Does:

• Automatically creates 3D roof models from satellite or LIDAR imagery
• Detects roof planes, tilt angles, azimuth orientation, and obstructions
• Reportedly run over 1.6 million times [source needed]

Data Sources:

• Satellite imagery (Google Earth, Bing Maps)
• LIDAR data (Nearmap, Eagleview integration)
• Drone imagery compatibility
• High-resolution imagery for large commercial rooftops (2026 Pro features)

Accuracy:

According to user testimonials, Aurora's roof measurements are generally accurate. One installer reported: "In every instance, Aurora was correct when customers disputed measurements." [source: G2 review]

Time Savings:

Users report substantial time savings compared to manual methods:

• Manual roof modeling: 45-60 minutes (user-reported)
• Aurora AI: Under 15 seconds to 5 minutes (user-reported)
• Estimated savings: 40-55 minutes per design

User Feedback:

87% of G2 reviewers mention the AI roof modeling feature positively. Common themes include speed and accuracy improvements.

Competitive Context: Aurora's AI roof modeling gets high marks from users and is frequently cited as a differentiator.

3D Modeling & Panel Layout

Features:

• Automatic panel layout optimization
• Fire setback automation for code compliance
• Support for multiple racking systems
• Roof plane editing and customization
• Obstruction object placement

Component Database:

Aurora maintains a database of 80,000+ modules, inverters, and racking systems. System designs are validated against electrical constraints and NEC rules automatically.

Limitations:

One user review noted: "Designing roof planes are very hard, unless you know what you're doing." Some users report performance challenges with complex commercial layouts on standard hardware.

Shading Analysis

Aurora uses the industry-standard 8,760-hour shading analysis methodology.

Accuracy:

• NREL-validated calculation engines
• Reportedly accurate to within 2-3% (based on technical documentation)
• Sub-module shading detail
• Delivers 8,760 hourly irradiance data points

Performance Data:

Aurora provides performance data accepted by many commercial and industrial project lenders. The platform delivers P50 estimates (median performance).

User Feedback:

64% of reviewers mention shading accuracy positively, noting it's "Bankable for lenders" and helps "win more bids with lender-approved forecasts."

Sales & Proposals (Top Strength)

Proposal Generation

Aurora's proposal capabilities get consistent praise, particularly from sales-led organizations.

Output Formats:

• Interactive web-based proposals (mobile-friendly)
• PDF export
• Email delivery
• Fully branded customization

Content Included:

• 3D visualizations of the system
• Energy savings projections
• Financial scenarios (cash, loan, lease, PPA)
• Side-by-side system comparisons
• Utility rate analysis

Performance Impact:

User testimonials report improvements:

• Design and proposal time: Reduced from 3-4 hours to 30 minutes (user testimonial)
• Close rates: Various improvements reported, including one installer noting an increase from 30% to 65%
• Proposal generation: From 1-2 hours to under 20 minutes (user-reported)

User Feedback:

73% of G2 reviewers mention proposal quality positively, with comments highlighting professional appearance and customer engagement.

Financial Modeling

Capabilities:

• NPV (Net Present Value) calculations
• IRR (Internal Rate of Return) analysis
• Payback period calculations
• Multiple financing options display
• Utility bill integration for consumption analysis

Utility Integration:

• Live utility rate data via GenabilityAPI and UtilityAPI
• Consumption profile prediction (2026 AI features)

Electrical Design (Notable Limitation for Some Users)

This section represents a common area of user feedback, particularly from commercial EPCs. For teams requiring complete automated electrical engineering, this may be a critical consideration.

What Aurora Includes

Automated Features:

• String layout design (auto-stringing panels)
• Inverter selection and configuration
• Rapid shutdown circuit configuration
• NEC-compliant wiring guidance
• System validation against electrical constraints

Output:

Aurora offers an "Electrical Line Diagram" export as an add-on feature. User feedback indicates varying experiences with this feature's automation level.

What Aurora May Lack for Some Workflows

Commercial EPC users frequently mention limitations:

Commonly Reported Missing Features (based on user reviews):

• Limited automated Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation
• Manual wire sizing (AWG calculations) may be required
• Conduit sizing calculations not fully automated
• Voltage drop calculations require supplementary tools

Impact on Some Commercial EPCs

User-Reported Workflow:

Some commercial EPCs report using supplementary tools for complete electrical documentation:

• Additional Software: AutoCAD or similar CAD tools (~$2,000/year)
• Additional Time: 2-3 hours per project for manual electrical work (user-reported)
• Tool-Switching: Export from Aurora → Manual work in CAD → Re-check for errors

User Evidence:

Multiple G2 reviews mention using PVCase or AutoCAD for SLD creation. The exact methodology for counting these mentions requires clarification [methodology needed].

Why This Matters for Some Commercial Projects

Permit authorities typically require complete electrical documentation:

• Single Line Diagrams showing DC and AC circuits
• Wire sizing calculations with NEC compliance
• Voltage drop analysis
• Conduit schedules
• Protection device specifications

Users report that Aurora may require supplementary tools for some of these requirements. Platforms with integrated electrical engineering capabilities may offer different workflows for commercial EPCs.

Commercial & Advanced Features

Commercial & Industrial Capabilities

Supported:

• Large-scale project design (10kW-10MW range)
• Energy storage integration
• Advanced shading for complex roofs
• LIDAR-based analysis for large commercial rooftops

Reported Limitations:

Aurora does not currently include native support for some specialized commercial structures:

• Carport solar design - Solar parking structures may require workarounds
• Solar tracker support - Neither single-axis nor dual-axis trackers natively supported
• East-West racking optimization - May not be natively supported

One user review noted: "Incredibly limited for projects with any level of complexity more than a US household with grid tie inverter." [source: G2 review]

Performance Considerations:

• Some users report slower performance for very large commercial projects (100+ MW)
• Memory-intensive 3D rendering may require capable hardware
• Multi-megawatt arrays may require optimization

Integrations & API

CRM Integrations (Strength)

Aurora offers native CRM integrations, particularly for Salesforce and HubSpot.

Supported Platforms:

• Salesforce: Two-way sync, automatic project creation from opportunities
• HubSpot: Direct project creation, integration features
• Zoho CRM
• Copper CRM

Workflow Benefits:

• Sales teams add leads in CRM
• Lead information (address, consumption) automatically syncs to Aurora
• Changes reflected across both platforms
• Direct links from CRM to Aurora projects

This is advantageous for sales-driven organizations with existing CRM investments.

Other Integrations

Categories:

• Utility Data: GenabilityAPI, UtilityAPI
• Solar Distribution: CED Greentech, EnergyToolbase
• E-Signature: HelloSign, DocuSign
• Mapping: Nearmap, SolarAPP+
• Financing: Mosaic

API Access

Available: 29 separate "Sync API" endpoints for workflow orchestration

Considerations:

• API access restricted to Enterprise tier
• Some users mention developer experience could be improved
• Documentation available through Aurora support

Pricing & Plans

Pricing Models (2026)

Aurora Solar offers two distinct pricing models as of 2026:

Model 1: Subscription-Based (Traditional)

Monthly Billing:

• $259/user/month

Annual Billing:

• $220/user/month ($2,640/year)
• Savings: $468/year versus monthly billing

Estimated Tiers [Note: Contact Aurora sales for exact pricing]:

1. Basic/Standard Plan: Estimated ~$200-300/user/month

- Essential tools for residential design and sales

- 3D visualizations

- Financial analysis

- Automatic system design

1. Professional/Premium Plan: Estimated ~$400-500/user/month

- All Basic features

- LIDAR-assisted modeling

- Bankable shade reports

- Advanced battery storage modeling

- Complex project capabilities

1. Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing

- All Premium features

- API integration (29 endpoints)

- Secure user permissions

- Dedicated support

- Custom workflows

Model 2: Credit-Based (Usage-Based) - New in 2026

Credit Pricing:

• $0.10 per credit
• 150 credits = $15

Typical Project Costs (user-reported):

• Residential design: 5-50 credits ($0.50-$5.00)
• Residential project: $15 (promotional offer)

Instant Access Bundle (2026):

• One-time payment: $3,000
• Credits received: 30,000 credits
• Valid for: 1 year from purchase
• Best for: Low-volume users, pay-per-project teams

Flexibility:

The credit-based model eliminates per-user seat restrictions, allowing team access while paying only for projects created.

Pricing Transparency Considerations

Important Note:

Aurora does not publish detailed tier pricing on their website. Prospective customers must contact sales for exact quotes.

User Feedback:

Some Capterra reviews mention pricing concerns:

• Preference for more pricing transparency
• Feature gating between tiers can create limitations
• Contact sales requirement adds a step to evaluation process

For teams seeking transparent pricing comparison, evaluating multiple platforms may be beneficial.

Total Cost Considerations

For teams evaluating total cost of ownership:

Aurora Software Alone (design and proposals):

• Subscription: $2,640-$6,000/year (tier-dependent, estimates)
• Credit-based: Variable ($180-$5,000+ depending on volume)

Potential Additional Costs:

• Implementation fees (Enterprise tier)
• Training time (varies by workflow complexity)
• Premium support tiers
• API access (Enterprise tier requirement)
• LIDAR imagery credits
• Hardware upgrades for large projects (if needed)
• Supplementary tools (if needed for electrical work): AutoCAD ~$2,000/year, PVCase ~$990/year

What Real Users Say

Overall Satisfaction

Review Platform Scores (2026):

• G2: 4.5/5 stars from 247 reviews - G2 Reviews
• Capterra: 4.4/5 stars from 52 reviews - Capterra Reviews
• TrustRadius: 8.1/10 from 89 reviews

Overall Sentiment: Strong positive (4.4-4.6 average across platforms)

Review Currency: Analysis current through January 2026

Aurora maintains consistently high satisfaction ratings, particularly among residential-focused users. Review analysis reveals that commercial EPCs express mixed feedback, praising design and proposal capabilities while noting electrical engineering limitations.

Top Praised Features

1. AI Roof Modeling (87% mention rate)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Saves 2-3 hours per design"
• "In every instance, Aurora was correct when customers disputed measurements"
• "3D models created in under 15 seconds"

The AI roof modeling consistently receives high praise across review platforms.

2. Proposal Quality (73% mention rate)

Representative User Quotes:

• "15% higher close rates"
• "Close rates jumped from 30% to 65%" (installer testimonial)
• "Helped close deals each time"
• "Proposal generation time: from 1-2 hours to under 20 minutes"

Sales teams particularly value Aurora's polished, customer-facing proposals.

3. Ease of Use (68% mention rate)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Non-technical sales reps can design"
• "Guided workflows and simple swipe interactions"
• "User-friendly software for solar designs"

Aurora's interface gets consistent praise for accessibility.

4. Shading Accuracy (64% mention rate)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Bankable for lenders"
• "NREL-validated calculation engines"
• "Helped win more bids with lender-approved forecasts"

Commercial users value Aurora's bankable shading reports for securing project financing.

5. Customer Support (59% mention rate)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Superior to any design support - 24/7 availability"
• "Responsive and helpful"
• "Fast designs that are accurate along with 24/7 support"

Aurora's customer support consistently gets positive feedback.

Top Criticisms

1. Electrical Engineering Features (Frequent User Feedback)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Need PVCase for SLDs" (commercial users)
• "No automated wire sizing"
• "Requires AutoCAD/PVCase for complete commercial electrical docs"

Impact Reported (user testimonials):

• Additional software cost required
• Additional time for manual electrical work
• Tool-switching creates workflow friction

This is a common theme among commercial EPC reviews.

Why This Matters:

Commercial projects typically require permit-ready electrical documentation. Some users report Aurora requires supplementary tools for complete electrical workflows.

2. Learning Curve (User Feedback)

Representative User Quotes:

• Learning curve exists for commercial workflows
• "Designing roof planes very hard unless you know what you're doing"
• "Aurora requires sophisticated configurations" for advanced features

Users report Aurora's advanced features may require training time, particularly for commercial applications.

3. Pricing & Cost (User Feedback)

Representative User Quotes:

• Preference for more pricing transparency
• Some users find pricing high
• "Not ideal for part-time or low-volume users"
• "May be cost-prohibitive for small or medium-sized solar businesses"

The lack of public tier pricing is mentioned in some reviews as creating friction during evaluation.

4. API & Developer Experience (User Feedback)

Representative User Quotes:

• Some developers mention API could be improved
• API access limited to Enterprise tier
• Documentation could be enhanced

Teams requiring extensive custom integrations mention these considerations.

5. Performance (User Feedback)

Representative User Quotes:

• "Slow on large projects" (some users)
• "Memory-intensive 3D rendering"
• "Incredibly limited for complex projects"

Some users report performance considerations for very large commercial projects (100+ MW).

User Sentiment by Role

Sales Teams: Highly positive

• Appreciate ease of use and proposal quality
• Value that non-technical staff can design
• Like interactive customer proposals

Designers: Mostly positive, some considerations

• Praise AI roof modeling speed
• Some note electrical gaps for commercial work
• Mention learning curve for advanced features

Commercial EPCs: Mixed feedback

• Value shading accuracy and bankable reports
• Some express frustration with electrical engineering gaps
• Some report performance considerations on very large projects
• Some require supplementary tools

Small/Mid-Market Installers: Mixed

• Appreciate features but some concerned about cost
• Pricing transparency mentioned
• May be more than needed for low-volume operations

Pros & Cons

Aurora Solar Pros

1. Fast AI Roof Modeling

What: Quick 3D models from satellite/LIDAR imagery

Evidence: 87% G2 review mention rate, user testimonials

Why It Matters: Saves hours compared to manual modeling. This is Aurora's strongest competitive advantage.

2. Polished Customer Proposals

What: Interactive web proposals, user-reported close rate improvements

Evidence: User testimonials, case studies, 73% G2 mention rate

Why It Matters: Sales-led organizations report measurable benefits through improved close rates and reduced proposal time.

3. Ease of Use

What: Guided workflows, accessible to non-technical staff

Evidence: 68% G2 mention rate

Why It Matters: Reduces training burden and enables sales teams to operate more independently.

4. Bankable Shading Accuracy

What: NREL-validated calculation methodology, lender acceptance

Evidence: Technical documentation, 64% user review mention

Why It Matters: Critical for commercial project financing.

5. Strong Customer Support

What: 24/7 availability, responsive team

Evidence: 59% G2 mention rate

Why It Matters: Reduces downtime when issues arise.

6. Native CRM Integrations

What: Salesforce/HubSpot two-way sync

Evidence: Integration documentation, user feedback

Why It Matters: For sales-driven organizations with existing CRM investments, reduces manual data entry.

7. Market Leadership & Brand Recognition

What: Strong market presence, G2 Leader badge

Evidence: Industry presence, review platforms

Why It Matters: Brand recognition provides credibility.

8. Complete Component Database

What: 80,000+ modules, inverters, racking systems

Evidence: Product documentation

Why It Matters: Extensive library covers most equipment needs.

Aurora Solar Cons

1. Limited Automated Electrical Engineering (Common User Feedback)

What: Some automated features available; full electrical documentation may require supplementary tools

Impact: Users report needing AutoCAD/PVCase for complete SLD workflows

Evidence: Multiple user reviews, feature documentation

Why It Matters: Commercial EPCs commonly mention needing supplementary tools and additional time for electrical work.

2. Pricing Transparency

What: Tier pricing requires sales contact

Impact: Adds step to evaluation process

Evidence: User reviews, Aurora website

Why It Matters: Some users prefer immediate pricing visibility.

3. Limited Specialized Commercial Structures

What: Carport, tracker, East-West racking may require workarounds

Impact: Limits some project types

Evidence: Feature documentation

Why It Matters: These structure types are increasingly common in commercial solar.

4. Learning Curve for Commercial

What: Advanced features may require training time

Impact: Team onboarding period

Evidence: User reviews

Why It Matters: Affects time-to-productivity.

5. API Access Restrictions

What: API limited to Enterprise tier

Impact: Cost barrier for mid-market custom integrations

Evidence: Product documentation

Why It Matters: Mid-market teams requiring custom integrations face limitations.

6. Performance on Very Large Projects

What: Some users report slowdowns on 100+ MW projects

Impact: Workflow considerations for utility-scale

Evidence: User reviews

Why It Matters: Utility-scale developers may experience performance considerations.

7. Geographic Focus

What: Primarily US-focused

Impact: Limited strength in some international markets

Evidence: User feedback

Why It Matters: Global EPCs may need broader coverage.

Aurora Solar vs Alternatives

Comparison with Other Platforms

When evaluating Aurora, commercial EPCs commonly compare against several alternatives. For a detailed comparison, see best solar software guide or other platform reviews below.

Key Evaluation Criteria

When comparing platforms, consider:

1. Electrical Engineering Needs: If complete automated electrical documentation is critical, evaluate platforms with strong electrical features
2. Project Types: Carport/tracker specialists need platforms with native support
3. Pricing Transparency: Some teams prefer platforms with public pricing
4. Geographic Coverage: International teams need appropriate market coverage
5. Integration Requirements: CRM and API needs vary
6. Total Cost of Ownership: Factor in supplementary tool costs

Alternative Platforms to Consider

For different use cases:

• OpenSolar Review: Budget-conscious, simpler residential focus
• PVCase Review: CAD-based, utility-scale engineering precision
• HelioScope Review: Commercial-focused, NREL-validated
• PVsyst Review: Industry-standard simulation and validation
• SurgePV: Integrated electrical engineering, commercial structures
• Arka 360: India market focus, built-in CRM

When to Choose Aurora

Aurora excels for:

• Pure residential installers (10-500 installs/year)
• Sales-led organizations
• Teams with existing Salesforce/HubSpot
• US-focused operations
• Organizations valuing brand recognition

When to Evaluate Alternatives

Consider alternatives if:

• Commercial EPC needing complete electrical automation
• Carport/tracker project specialist
• Budget-conscious small installer
• India/Asia-focused operations
• Need extensive API access without Enterprise tier

Use Cases: Who Should Use Aurora Solar?

Aurora Solar Is Best For

1. Residential Solar Installers (Primary Sweet Spot)

Profile:

• 10-500 installations per year
• 90%+ residential projects
• Sales-led organization
• 5-50 employees

Why Aurora Excels:

• AI roof modeling saves substantial time
• Beautiful proposals support sales process
• Non-technical sales reps can design
• Fast proposal generation

Example Company:

Regional installer with 50 employees, 300 residential projects/year, strong sales team.

2. Sales-Focused Solar Organizations

Profile:

• Non-technical sales reps designing
• Prioritize customer-facing polish
• Lighter technical requirements
• 5-30 employees

Why Aurora Excels:

• Accessible to non-technical users
• Interactive customer proposals
• Guided workflows
• Minimal training for sales staff

3. Established Solar Businesses (US-Based)

Profile:

• 10-200 employees
• $5M-$50M annual revenue
• US as primary market

Why Aurora Works:

• Strong US market presence
• Brand recognition
• Extensive US utility database

Aurora Solar May Not Be Ideal For

1. Commercial EPCs Requiring Complete Automated Electrical Documentation

Profile:

• 100kW-10MW commercial projects
• Need permit-ready electrical documentation
• Cannot afford substantial manual electrical work
• 10-100 employees

Why Aurora May Fall Short:

• May require supplementary tools for complete electrical documentation
• Tool-switching creates workflow considerations

Better Alternatives: Platforms with integrated electrical engineering (SurgePV, PVCase)

2. Carport/Tracker Specialists

Profile:

• Solar parking structures (carports)
• Ground-mount with trackers
• Specialized commercial focus

Why Aurora May Fall Short:

• Limited native carport design support
• No native tracker support

Better Alternatives: Platforms with native carport/tracker design (SurgePV, specialized tools)

3. Budget-Conscious Small Installers

Profile:

• Less than 10 projects per month
• Limited budget (under $200/month)
• Simple residential focus

Why Aurora May Fall Short:

• Premium pricing may not fit budget
• Feature set may exceed needs

Better Alternatives: OpenSolar (more affordable), simpler platforms

4. India/Asia-Focused Operations

Profile:

• Primary market outside US
• Need local utility integration

Why Aurora May Fall Short:

• Primarily US-focused
• Limited coverage in some international markets

Better Alternatives: SurgePV (India + US), Arka 360 (India focus), regional platforms

Aurora Solar vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison

Here is how Aurora Solar stacks up against SurgePV across key features that commercial EPCs need most:

The Bottom Line

Aurora Solar excels at what it was designed for: residential solar design and sales. The AI roof modeling, proposal quality, and ease of use justify the platform's strong market position.

For residential installers, Aurora remains highly competitive and delivers measurable ROI.

For commercial EPCs, evaluate your electrical engineering needs carefully. If your workflow requires substantial manual electrical documentation in supplementary tools, compare total cost and time across platforms.

Our Recommendation:

Residential installers: Aurora is a strong choice. The speed and proposal quality deliver value.

Commercial EPCs: Evaluate platforms based on your electrical engineering needs. Compare Aurora + supplementary tools vs integrated electrical platforms.

Hybrid operations: If expanding from residential into commercial, plan your platform strategy around electrical documentation requirements.

Compare Your Options

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Sources & References

1. Aurora Solar Official Website
2. Aurora Solar G2 Reviews - 247 reviews, 4.5/5
3. Aurora Solar Capterra Reviews - 52 reviews, 4.4/5
4. Aurora Solar Pricing
5. Aurora Solar Help Center & Documentation