TL;DR Summary
Energy Toolbase is a specialized financial modeling and energy storage platform known for its 100,000+ utility rate database and advanced storage dispatch optimization. Based on 25+ verified G2 reviews (4.2/5 rating), users praise its utility rate accuracy and institutional credibility but report limitations including no design tools, no CRM, and a steep 4-6 week learning curve. At $199/user/month ($2,388/year), Energy Toolbase excels for C&I storage developers needing lender-ready financial models. For EPCs wanting design, electrical engineering, and project management in one platform, SurgePV offers a more complete solution at lower total cost ($1,499/user/year for 3 users).
What Is Energy Toolbase?
Energy Toolbase is a specialized financial modeling and energy storage optimization platform developed for solar and storage developers. Founded in 2014 in Stuart, Florida, the company was acquired by Pason Systems (TSX: PSI) in November 2023, giving it institutional backing from a publicly traded technology company.
Core Capabilities
Energy Toolbase focuses on three primary areas:
- Utility rate analysis: Access to 100,000+ rate schedules from 2,000+ utilities across North America
- Storage modeling: Advanced battery dispatch optimization covering 60+ battery manufacturers
- Financial modeling: Lender-ready NPV, IRR, payback calculations with 25-year cash flow projections
Target Market
Energy Toolbase primarily serves distributed energy organizations focused on commercial and industrial (C&I) solar-plus-storage projects. The platform caters to:
- Solar + storage developers (primary audience)
- Commercial EPCs handling complex utility territories
- Asset owners managing distributed energy portfolios
- Institutional investors requiring bankable financial models
- Virtual power plant (VPP) operators
Market Position
According to G2, Energy Toolbase holds a 4.2/5 rating based on approximately 25 reviews. The platform has grown to serve 1,500+ distributed energy organizations with estimated annual revenue of $15 million and approximately 90 employees.
Energy Toolbase has built its reputation on one thing: utility rate accuracy. The company maintains an in-house rates team that makes direct calls to utilities to verify rate schedules. This approach has earned institutional trust from lenders and investors who rely on the platform's financial projections.
Company Background
Energy Toolbase Products & Pricing
Energy Toolbase offers a suite of products designed for different stages of the solar-plus-storage project lifecycle.
Product Overview
ETB Developer ($199/user/month)
The core financial modeling product includes:
- Utility rate database with 100,000+ rate schedules
- Financial modeling suite (NPV, IRR, payback, LCOE, 25-year cash flow)
- Storage modeling for 60+ battery manufacturers
- Grid services co-optimization
- Branded proposal generation
- Unlimited proposals
ETB Controller (Custom Pricing)
The AI-driven dispatch system features:
- Acumen AI for real-time battery dispatch optimization
- Forecasting updates every 2 hours
- Grid services revenue maximization
- Deployed across 150+ sites
ETB Monitor (Custom Pricing)
Real-time asset management includes:
- Performance monitoring dashboards
- VPP management capabilities
- Financial tracking and reporting
- Portfolio-level analytics
ETB Consulting
Expert services for complex projects and custom analysis.
Pricing Comparison Table
Hidden Costs to Consider
Energy Toolbase provides financial modeling, but you will need additional tools for a complete workflow:
Total cost with integrations: $448+/month or $5,376+/year versus SurgePV's $1,499/user/year for an all-in-one platform.
Value Analysis
Features Analysis
Utility Rate Database
What It Does: Energy Toolbase maintains the most extensive utility rate database in the solar industry, covering 100,000+ rate schedules from 2,000+ utilities across North America.
How It Works: An in-house rates team makes direct calls to utility companies to verify and update rate schedules. This manual verification process sets Energy Toolbase apart from competitors relying on third-party rate data.
Strengths:
- Industry-leading rate schedule coverage (100,000+ schedules)
- Direct utility relationships ensure accuracy
- Covers complex time-of-use (TOU), demand charges, and tiered rates
- Regular updates to reflect rate changes
Limitations:
- North America only (limited international coverage)
- Complex rate territories may still require manual verification
- No integration with utility bill data for automatic rate detection
User Feedback: According to G2 reviews, 90% of users cite utility rate accuracy as a top benefit. One reviewer noted: "The rate database is incredibly thorough. We no longer spend hours researching utility rates manually."
Storage Modeling
What It Does: Energy Toolbase provides advanced battery energy storage system (BESS) modeling with support for 60+ battery manufacturers and sophisticated dispatch optimization.
How It Works: The platform models storage dispatch across multiple value streams simultaneously:
- Peak demand reduction
- Time-of-use arbitrage
- Demand charge management
- Grid services revenue (with Acumen AI)
Strengths:
- Deep manufacturer database (60+ battery brands)
- Multiple dispatch strategies in single model
- Grid services co-optimization (industry-first feature)
- Accurate degradation modeling over 25-year project life
Limitations:
- Steep learning curve for advanced features (4-6 weeks reported)
- Overkill for simple residential storage projects
- Requires significant training to maximize value
User Feedback: Users praise the storage modeling depth. A G2 reviewer stated: "For complex C&I storage projects, nothing else comes close to the level of detail Energy Toolbase provides."
Financial Modeling
What It Does: Energy Toolbase generates lender-ready financial projections including NPV, IRR, payback periods, LCOE, and 25-year cash flow analyses.
How It Works: The platform combines utility rate data, storage dispatch optimization, and production estimates to create bankable financial models. Output accuracy reportedly matches PVSyst within 2%, making it acceptable to institutional lenders.
Strengths:
- Lender acceptance (banks and investors trust the output)
- Matches PVSyst accuracy within 2%
- Detailed cash flow modeling (25 years)
- Supports multiple financing scenarios (cash, loan, PPA)
Limitations:
- No design integration (requires external production data)
- Desktop-only interface (ASP.NET architecture)
- Manual data entry from design tools adds friction
User Feedback: Commercial developers consistently cite financial modeling as Energy Toolbase's strongest feature. One user reported: "When we present to investors, they specifically ask if we used Energy Toolbase. It's become the standard for storage financial models."
Grid Services Co-Optimization (Acumen AI)
What It Does: Energy Toolbase's Acumen AI simultaneously optimizes battery dispatch across utility bill savings AND grid services revenue streams.
How It Works: The AI considers:
- Frequency regulation markets
- Capacity markets
- Demand response programs
- Utility savings optimization
This co-optimization was an industry first when launched and remains a key differentiator for Energy Toolbase.
Strengths:
- First-mover advantage in grid services co-optimization
- Real-time forecasting (updates every 2 hours)
- Proven results across 150+ deployments
- Maximizes total project value beyond simple utility savings
Limitations:
- ETB Controller required (custom pricing)
- Primarily valuable in deregulated markets
- Complexity may exceed needs for standard projects
What Energy Toolbase Is Missing
While Energy Toolbase excels at financial modeling and storage optimization, the platform has significant gaps that affect workflow completeness.
No Design Tools (Critical Gap)
Energy Toolbase provides zero design capabilities:
- No 3D site modeling
- No roof detection or layout tools
- No panel placement optimization
- No shade analysis
- No production estimation
Impact: Users must purchase and learn separate design tools (HelioScope, Scanifly, Aurora, or PVCase), then manually transfer production data into Energy Toolbase. This creates:
- Additional software costs ($99-$400/month)
- Data entry errors during transfer
- Workflow fragmentation
- Extended project timelines
What SurgePV Offers: SurgePV includes AI-powered design with automatic roof detection, 8760-hour shading analysis, and production estimation. Design data flows directly into financial models and proposals without manual transfer.
No CRM or Project Management
Energy Toolbase has no customer relationship or project tracking features:
- No lead management
- No sales pipeline tracking
- No e-signature capabilities
- No project status monitoring
- No crew scheduling
Impact: Users need separate CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot) adding $25-$300/month and creating data silos between financial modeling and sales tracking.
What SurgePV Offers: SurgePV includes integrated project management and customer tracking, keeping all project data in one platform from lead to completion.
No Electrical Engineering
Energy Toolbase cannot generate electrical documentation:
- No Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation
- No wire sizing calculations
- No voltage drop analysis
- No conduit fill calculations
- No panel schedules
Impact: Commercial EPCs still need AutoCAD ($2,000/year) for permit-ready electrical drawings. Manual SLD creation adds 2-3 hours per project.
What SurgePV Offers: SurgePV generates NEC Article 690-compliant SLDs automatically in 5-10 minutes, including wire sizing and voltage drop calculations. This eliminates AutoCAD dependency and saves 1.5-2.5 hours per commercial project.
Desktop-Only Architecture
Energy Toolbase runs on ASP.NET technology with a desktop-focused interface:
- Limited mobile accessibility
- No cloud-native collaboration
- Dated user interface design
- Slower feature development cycles
Impact: Remote teams and field staff cannot easily access project data. Collaboration requires screen sharing rather than real-time co-editing.
What SurgePV Offers: SurgePV is cloud-native with browser-based access from any device and real-time team collaboration.
North America Only
Energy Toolbase's utility rate database covers only North American utilities:
- No international utility support
- Limited usefulness for global operations
- Missing rate data for emerging solar markets
Impact: Companies operating in multiple countries need different tools for international projects.
What SurgePV Offers: SurgePV supports both India and US markets with 3,000+ US utilities and major India state boards and DISCOMs.
What Real Users Say
Based on 25+ verified reviews across G2, here's what actual Energy Toolbase users report.
Overall Satisfaction
G2 Rating: 4.2/5 (approximately 25 reviews)
The relatively small review count compared to competitors like Aurora Solar (400+ reviews) makes broad conclusions difficult, but patterns emerge in available feedback.
Top Praised Features
1. Utility Rate Accuracy (90% of reviews mention)
Users consistently cite the rate database as the primary reason for choosing Energy Toolbase:
> "The rate database is the most detailed I've found. We've stopped second-guessing our utility analysis."
> - G2 Reviewer, Commercial Solar Developer, 2025
2. Financial Model Credibility (75% mention)
Lender acceptance differentiates Energy Toolbase from competitors:
> "Banks don't question our projections when they see Energy Toolbase output. That credibility is worth the subscription cost alone."
> - G2 Reviewer, Storage Developer, 2025
3. Support Quality (70% mention)
Customer support receives consistently positive feedback:
> "Their support team actually understands the solar industry. When I have a complex rate question, they find the answer."
> - G2 Reviewer, EPC Manager, 2024
Top Criticisms
1. Complex Interface / Steep Learning Curve (60% of critical reviews)
New users struggle with the platform:
> "It took our team 6 weeks to feel comfortable with the platform. The learning curve is real."
> - G2 Reviewer, Solar Installer, 2025
Impact: Extended onboarding delays time-to-value and requires dedicated training investment.
2. No Design Tools (50% mention)
The absence of design capabilities frustrates users seeking workflow efficiency:
> "I wish Energy Toolbase had basic design tools. Having to export from HelioScope into ETB for every project adds unnecessary steps."
> - G2 Reviewer, Project Manager, 2025
Impact: Multiple software subscriptions increase costs and create workflow fragmentation.
3. No CRM Integration (45% mention)
Sales teams cite the lack of customer tracking:
> "We use Energy Toolbase for financials but need HubSpot for customer management. Two systems mean double data entry."
> - G2 Reviewer, Sales Manager, 2024
Impact: Data silos reduce efficiency and increase error potential.
Sentiment by User Type
Pros & Cons
Pros
1. Unmatched Utility Rate Database
100,000+ rate schedules from 2,000+ utilities, maintained by an in-house team making direct utility calls. No other platform offers this depth.
Source: Energy Toolbase official documentation
2. Institutional Credibility
Lenders and investors recognize and accept Energy Toolbase financial projections. This credibility accelerates project financing.
Source: G2 reviews, 75% mention lender acceptance
3. Advanced Storage Modeling
Support for 60+ battery manufacturers with sophisticated dispatch optimization across multiple value streams.
Source: Energy Toolbase product documentation
4. Grid Services Co-Optimization
Acumen AI simultaneously optimizes utility savings and grid services revenue, an industry-first feature deployed across 150+ sites.
Source: Energy Toolbase official documentation
5. Financial Accuracy
Production estimates match PVSyst within 2%, meeting bankability requirements for institutional financing.
Source: Energy Toolbase claims, corroborated by user reviews
6. Best-in-Class Support
Users consistently praise support quality, describing it as "gold standard" for the industry.
Source: G2 reviews, 70% positive mentions
Cons
1. No Design Tools
Zero design capabilities require purchasing separate software (HelioScope, Aurora, Scanifly) and manually transferring data.
Impact: Additional $99-$400/month cost plus workflow inefficiency.
Source: Energy Toolbase product documentation confirms no design features
2. No CRM or Project Management
Missing lead tracking, sales pipeline, e-signature, and project status features require additional software.
Impact: Data silos, double entry, additional subscription costs.
Source: Energy Toolbase feature list, confirmed by G2 reviews
3. Steep Learning Curve
Users report 4-6 weeks to reach proficiency, significantly longer than simpler platforms.
Impact: Delayed time-to-value, training investment required.
Source: G2 reviews, 60% of critical feedback mentions complexity
4. High Price for Small Installers
At $199/user/month ($2,388/year), Energy Toolbase is expensive for companies doing fewer than 10-15 projects monthly.
Impact: Poor ROI for lower-volume installers.
Source: Pricing page, user review feedback
5. North America Only
Limited to North American utilities with minimal international coverage.
Impact: Not suitable for global operations or emerging markets.
Source: Energy Toolbase documentation
6. Desktop-Only User Experience
ASP.NET architecture creates dated interface and limited mobile/cloud capabilities.
Impact: Reduced collaboration, slower feature development.
Source: Technology stack documentation, user interface reviews
SurgePV vs Energy Toolbase
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Detailed Category Analysis
Design & Layout
Energy Toolbase: No design capabilities. Users must purchase HelioScope ($149/month), Aurora ($200-$400/month), or similar tools and manually import production data.
SurgePV: Integrated AI-powered design with automatic roof detection, panel placement optimization, and 8760-hour shading analysis. Designs flow directly into proposals and financial models.
Why This Matters: For EPCs handling 10+ projects monthly, eliminating manual data transfer between design and financial tools saves 30-60 minutes per project. Over 100 annual projects, that's 50-100 hours saved.
Electrical Engineering
Energy Toolbase: No electrical engineering features. SLD generation, wire sizing, and voltage drop calculations require AutoCAD ($2,000/year) and 2-3 hours of manual work per commercial project.
SurgePV: Automated NEC Article 690-compliant SLD generation in 5-10 minutes, including wire sizing and voltage drop calculations. No AutoCAD required.
Why This Matters: Commercial EPCs save 1.5-2.5 hours per project plus $2,000/year in AutoCAD licensing. At 50 commercial projects annually, that's 75-125 hours saved.
Financial Modeling
Energy Toolbase: Bankable financial models with institutional acceptance. Matches PVSyst within 2%. Includes NPV, IRR, payback, LCOE, and 25-year cash flow projections.
SurgePV: Complete financial modeling with near-PVSyst accuracy (±3%). Includes ROI calculations, cash flow projections, and multiple financing scenarios.
Why This Matters: For projects requiring institutional financing, Energy Toolbase's lender recognition provides an advantage. For standard commercial projects, both platforms deliver sufficient accuracy.
Total Cost of Ownership
Savings with SurgePV: $4,377-$11,289/year per user when replacing a fragmented Energy Toolbase workflow.
Workflow Comparison
Energy Toolbase Workflow (Commercial Solar + Storage Project):
- Design in HelioScope/Aurora (30 minutes)
- Export production data
- Import into Energy Toolbase (10 minutes)
- Run financial model (20 minutes)
- Export to AutoCAD for SLD (2-3 hours)
- Create proposal (30 minutes)
- Enter customer data in CRM (15 minutes)
Total Time: 4-5 hours across multiple tools
SurgePV Workflow:
- Design in SurgePV (30 minutes)
- Generate SLD automatically (5 minutes)
- Run financial model (10 minutes)
- Generate proposal (5 minutes)
- Track in integrated project management (included)
Total Time: 50-55 minutes in one platform
Who Should Use Energy Toolbase?
Energy Toolbase Is Best For
Sophisticated Storage Developers
If your primary focus is commercial and industrial battery storage projects requiring:
- Complex utility rate analysis across multiple territories
- Advanced battery dispatch optimization
- Grid services revenue modeling
- Lender-ready financial documentation
Enterprise C&I EPCs
Organizations with:
- Dedicated engineering teams already using design software
- Separate CRM and project management systems
- Projects requiring institutional financing
- High-volume storage deployments
VPP Operators and Asset Owners
Companies needing:
- Real-time battery dispatch optimization
- Portfolio-level monitoring
- Grid services co-optimization
- Long-term asset management
SurgePV Is Best For
Commercial EPCs Needing Complete Workflow
Teams wanting:
- Design + electrical + proposals + project management in one platform
- Automated SLD generation without AutoCAD
- Faster onboarding (2-3 weeks vs 4-6 weeks)
- Lower total cost of ownership
Growing Installers Adding Commercial Work
Companies transitioning to commercial with:
- Limited engineering resources
- Need for electrical documentation
- Budget constraints
- Desire for workflow simplicity
Multi-Market Operations
Organizations operating in:
- Both India and US markets
- International territories
- Markets requiring localized compliance
Side-by-Side Decision Guide
Energy Toolbase vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison
How Energy Toolbase compares to SurgePV across the features commercial EPCs need most.
Final Verdict
Energy Toolbase Summary
Strengths:
- Unmatched utility rate database (100,000+ schedules from 2,000+ utilities)
- Institutional credibility (lenders accept financial projections)
- Advanced storage modeling with grid services co-optimization
Ideal For:
- Sophisticated storage developers needing bankable financial models
- Enterprise C&I EPCs with existing design and CRM infrastructure
- VPP operators requiring advanced dispatch optimization
Limitations:
- No design tools (requires $99-$400/month additional software)
- No electrical engineering (requires AutoCAD at $2,000/year)
- No CRM or project management
- Steep 4-6 week learning curve
- North America only
SurgePV Summary
Strengths:
- Complete platform: design + electrical engineering + proposals + project management
- Automated SLD generation (saves 1.5-2.5 hours per commercial project)
- Lower total cost of ownership ($1,499/user/year vs $5,000+ for fragmented stack)
- Faster onboarding (2-3 weeks vs 4-6 weeks)
- India + US geographic coverage
Ideal For:
- Commercial EPCs needing integrated electrical engineering
- Growing installers seeking workflow efficiency
- Teams wanting one platform instead of multiple tools
- Multi-market operations (India + US)
Our Recommendation
For specialized storage developers requiring institutional-grade financial models and advanced grid services optimization, Energy Toolbase remains a strong choice. The utility rate database and lender acceptance are genuine competitive advantages.
However, for most commercial EPCs and solar installers, the fragmented workflow creates significant hidden costs. When you add design tools ($1,188-$4,800/year), AutoCAD for electrical ($2,000/year), and CRM ($300-$3,600/year), the total cost reaches $5,876-$12,788/year per user.
SurgePV delivers a more complete, cost-effective solution for teams wanting design, electrical engineering, proposals, and project management in one platform.
Bottom Line
Energy Toolbase excels at one thing: financial modeling for solar-plus-storage projects. If that is your sole need and you have existing tools for everything else, it is a solid choice.
But if you are building or managing a complete EPC workflow, the gaps in design, electrical engineering, and project management create friction and cost. SurgePV provides the complete toolkit commercial EPCs need at a lower total investment.
Ready to Compare Energy Toolbase with SurgePV?
If Energy Toolbase's lack of design tools, electrical engineering, and project management is creating workflow friction, see how SurgePV consolidates your entire commercial solar workflow into one platform.
See SurgePV in Action
What you will see:
- AI-powered design that flows directly into financial models
- Automated SLD generation without AutoCAD
- Professional proposals in minutes, not hours
- Integrated project tracking from lead to completion
No pressure, no obligation
Not ready for a demo?
Related Resources
Competitor Reviews
- Aurora Solar Review - Industry leader comparison
- HelioScope Review - Design software alternative
- OpenSolar Review - Affordable option comparison
- PVCase Review - CAD-based platform comparison
- PVSyst Review - Simulation standard comparison
Best Software Guides
- Best Solar Design Software - Top platforms compared
- Best 3D Solar Modeling Software - Modeling tools
- Best Roof Modeling Software - Roof detection platforms
Educational Glossary
- Financial Modeling for Solar - Complete guide
- Battery Time-Shift Modeling - Storage optimization
- TOU Rate Modeling - Utility rate analysis
- Commercial Solar Modeling - C&I best practices
- Energy Modeling - Production simulation fundamentals
FAQ Section
Is Energy Toolbase good for residential solar?
Short Answer: No. Energy Toolbase is designed for commercial and industrial projects.
Energy Toolbase's complexity, 4-6 week learning curve, and $199/month pricing make it poorly suited for residential installers. The platform lacks design tools that residential companies need and offers features (grid services co-optimization, advanced storage dispatch) that add little value to simple residential projects. Residential installers should consider platforms with design integration and simpler interfaces.
How much does Energy Toolbase cost?
Short Answer: ETB Developer costs $199/user/month ($2,388/year). ETB Controller and Monitor have custom pricing.
The $199/month price point is competitive with Aurora Solar but becomes expensive when you add required integrations. A complete workflow including design tools, CRM, and electrical engineering can cost $5,000-$12,000+ annually per user. SurgePV offers a complete platform at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan).
Does Energy Toolbase have design tools?
Short Answer: No. Energy Toolbase has zero design capabilities.
You must purchase separate design software (HelioScope, Aurora, Scanifly) and manually transfer production data into Energy Toolbase for financial modeling. This adds $99-$400/month in additional costs and creates workflow inefficiency. SurgePV includes AI-powered design integrated with financial modeling.
Can Energy Toolbase generate SLDs?
Short Answer: No. Energy Toolbase cannot generate Single Line Diagrams or any electrical documentation.
Commercial EPCs need AutoCAD ($2,000/year) or similar CAD software to create permit-ready SLDs, adding 2-3 hours per project. SurgePV generates NEC-compliant SLDs automatically in 5-10 minutes, eliminating AutoCAD dependency.
How long does it take to learn Energy Toolbase?
Short Answer: Users report 4-6 weeks to reach proficiency.
Energy Toolbase's advanced storage modeling and financial features create a steep learning curve. G2 reviews consistently cite complexity as a challenge, particularly for new users. SurgePV's onboarding time is 2-3 weeks due to its more intuitive interface.
Is Energy Toolbase better than SurgePV?
Short Answer: Energy Toolbase is better for specialized storage financial modeling. SurgePV is better for complete EPC workflows.
Energy Toolbase excels at utility rate analysis (100,000+ schedules) and advanced storage dispatch optimization with institutional credibility. However, it lacks design tools, electrical engineering, and CRM. SurgePV provides a complete platform with design, automated SLD generation, proposals, and project management at lower total cost.
Does Energy Toolbase work internationally?
Short Answer: Limited. Energy Toolbase primarily covers North American utilities.
The 100,000+ rate database focuses on US and Canadian utilities with minimal international coverage. Companies operating in international markets need different solutions. SurgePV supports both India and US markets with appropriate utility databases for each region.
What integrations does Energy Toolbase offer?
Short Answer: Energy Toolbase integrates with 26 technologies, primarily design tools and monitoring systems.
Key integrations include HelioScope, Scanifly, and monitoring platforms for the ETB Controller product. However, users must manage multiple subscriptions and data transfers between systems. SurgePV's all-in-one approach eliminates the need for most integrations.
Is there a free trial for Energy Toolbase?
Short Answer: Energy Toolbase offers demo access but not a traditional free trial.
Prospective customers can request a demo through the Energy Toolbase website. Given the 4-6 week learning curve, evaluating the platform thoroughly requires significant time investment. SurgePV offers demo access with faster evaluation due to its simpler interface.
Who owns Energy Toolbase?
Short Answer: Pason Systems (TSX: PSI) acquired Energy Toolbase in November 2023.
The acquisition by a publicly traded technology company provides financial stability but may create uncertainty about long-term product direction. Energy Toolbase continues operating as a subsidiary with approximately 90 employees.
Can Energy Toolbase replace my design software?
Short Answer: No. Energy Toolbase is a financial modeling tool, not a design platform.
Energy Toolbase provides zero design capabilities. You need separate software for site layout, panel placement, shading analysis, and production estimation. SurgePV provides design, electrical engineering, and financial modeling in one platform.
