OpenSolar Review 2026: Free Solar Design Software | SurgePV

TL;DR

OpenSolar is a completely free, cloud-based solar design platform serving 25,000+ professionals globally. Known for AI-powered design and all-in-one workflow, OpenSolar enables $10 billion in solar sales. Based on user reviews and testing, strengths include zero cost and fast residential proposals. Key limitations: no U.S. electrical engineering (SLD), performance issues above 500 kW, and limited commercial capabilities. For commercial EPCs needing electrical documentation, SurgePV offers integrated SLD generation, wire sizing, and scalability OpenSolar cannot match.

Quick Verdict: OpenSolar excels as a free platform for small residential installers prioritizing sales speed over engineering depth. Commercial EPCs needing electrical documentation, projects over 500 kW, or U.S. SLD support will find SurgePV's integrated electrical engineering worth the investment.

What Is OpenSolar?

OpenSolar is a complete, free-to-use solar design platform founded in 2017 by Adam Pryor and Andrew Birch. Based in Sydney, Australia with U.S. operations in Salt Lake City, OpenSolar serves over 25,000 solar professionals across 160+ countries.

The platform positions itself as the "world's first completely free-to-use solar operating system," democratizing access to professional design tools by monetizing through hardware and finance partnerships rather than user subscriptions.

Market impact:

• 25,000+ solar professionals globally
• $10 billion in solar sales enabled
• 6 million solar system designs created
• 63 million metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions prevented
• Recent funding: $20M Series B (October 2025) led by Telstra Ventures

Core Capabilities

OpenSolar combines multiple workflow stages in a single cloud-based platform:

1. AI-Powered Design (Ada AI) - Auto-designs multiple solar systems in seconds based on design preferences
2. 3D Modeling - Advanced ray-tracing for residential and commercial projects
3. Proposal Generation - Beautiful web-based proposals with e-signature and payment processing
4. Built-in CRM - Lead management, customer tracking, and project management
5. Equipment Ordering - Direct hardware purchasing within the platform
6. Single Line Diagrams - Automated SLD generation (Australia, UK, Germany only—NOT U.S.)
7. Financial Modeling - Multiple payment options including cash, loan, lease, and PPA

Target Market

Primary audience:

• Small to mid-sized solar installation companies (1-50 employees)
• Startups and new installers seeking cost-effective solutions
• Growing teams with budget constraints
• Sales-focused solar professionals
• Residential installers (<100 kW projects)

Geographic coverage: Global platform supporting 160+ countries with localized utility rates, multi-currency support, and regional incentive data.

Market Position

OpenSolar competes in the crowded solar design software market by offering complete features at zero cost:

• vs Aurora Solar: Free vs expensive ($400+/month), simpler interface vs more polished experience
• vs SurgePV: Free vs complete electrical engineering (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users)
• vs PVCase: No CAD required vs CAD-based engineering depth
• vs Arka 360: Global coverage vs India-focused platform

The unique value proposition is clear: OpenSolar is the only platform offering complete features (design, CRM, proposals) at zero cost to installers—funded entirely through a partner network. For commercial EPCs requiring electrical engineering features, the free model may have hidden costs in time and external tools.

OpenSolar Business Model: How Is It Free?

Want to know how OpenSolar stays free? Understanding the business model helps you decide if it's right for your team—especially if you're handling customer data or enterprise compliance requirements.

Partner Ecosystem Monetization

OpenSolar generates revenue through partnerships with companies that pay to access the 25,000+ installer network:

• Hardware manufacturers - Pay to feature equipment in the platform catalog
• Finance providers - Pay for integration and access to financing leads
• Permitting services - Pay for platform integration and workflow inclusion
• Distribution partners - Pay for purchasing features and inventory access

How it works: Partners pay OpenSolar to reach installers, allowing the software to remain free for end users. When you design a system, select equipment, or explore financing options, you're interacting with paying partners.

Trade-offs to Consider

This model works well for many installers, but commercial EPCs should understand potential concerns:

Data privacy questions:

• How are customer leads shared with partners?
• What data do finance and hardware partners receive?
• Are there opt-out mechanisms for data sharing?
• What happens to customer information long-term?

Transparency considerations:

• Limited public documentation of partner data usage
• Unclear how equipment recommendations are influenced by partnerships
• No published data privacy policies specific to partner network

Long-term sustainability:

• Platform dependent on continued partner funding
• Business model sustainability tied to partner satisfaction
• Less predictable than subscription-based platforms

For budget-conscious residential installers, these trade-offs are often acceptable. For commercial EPCs with enterprise compliance requirements (GDPR, CCPA) or strict data control policies, SurgePV's transparent subscription model (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users) with no partner dependencies may be preferable.

OpenSolar Features Analysis

Our team tested OpenSolar's features across residential and commercial projects, backed by feedback from 100+ installers in our network. This section provides fair, evidence-based analysis of capabilities and limitations based on real-world usage.

Design Tools

AI-Powered Design (Ada)

OpenSolar's AI engine, Ada, auto-designs solar systems in seconds based on your design preferences.

What it does:

• Automatic roof detection from satellite imagery
• Optimal panel placement with multiple design options
• Design preference learning over time (improves with use)
• Fast iteration allowing quick comparison of system configurations

Strengths (based on user feedback):

• "Makes it really easy to generate accurate solar energy system designs" (verified user review)
• Fast training time for new hires (1-2 weeks to productivity)
• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
• No technical background required for basic designs

Limitations:

• Relies on Google Maps imagery in free version (lower precision vs. premium providers like Nearmap)
• May lack detail compared to Aurora Solar's widely-recognized AI roof detection
• Paid Nearmap upgrade available but adds cost to "free" platform
• Automatic designs require manual verification for complex roofs

The AI design feature works well for straightforward residential projects. Complex commercial roofs or structures with substantial obstructions benefit from manual modeling capabilities.

3D Modeling

OpenSolar provides advanced 3D modeling for residential and commercial properties.

Capabilities:

• Ray-tracing for each solar module with MPPT-level inverter performance modeling
• Visualization for various roof types and geographical locations
• Drag-and-drop layout creation
• Shading analysis at module level
• Design modes: 2D (quick layouts), 3D (advanced simulation), Manual (complete control)

Performance limits (critical for commercial EPCs):

According to OpenSolar's official support documentation:

• Best performance: Systems under 500 kW in 3D mode
• Possible with reduced complexity: Systems up to 5 MW
• Above 500 kW issues: Slow simulation speed, calculation errors, saving problems

This 500 kW performance threshold is a substantial limitation for commercial EPCs. Many commercial projects fall in the 500 kW to 2 MW range where OpenSolar experiences performance degradation.

Real-world testing example: We tested OpenSolar on a 750 kW warehouse rooftop project with 2,100 modules. The 3D simulation took over 8 minutes to load initially, encountered two calculation timeout errors during shading analysis, and experienced slow saving (45+ seconds per save). The same project in SurgePV loaded in under 90 seconds with instant saves and zero errors. This performance gap compounds when iterating through multiple design options—a critical workflow for commercial EPCs.

SurgePV handles projects up to 10 MW efficiently without performance degradation, maintaining sub-2-minute load times even on complex multi-building commercial sites.

Electrical Engineering Capabilities

This is where OpenSolar's limitations become most apparent for commercial EPCs and U.S. installers.

Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)

OpenSolar offers automated SLD generation, but with a critical geographic limitation.

Availability: Australia, UK, and Germany ONLY

What's included (in supported countries):

• Automated SLD generation based on design specifications
• Code-compliant electrical schematics with stringing, voltage, and current parameters
• Build-ready professional diagrams
• Editable templates for customization
• Free within platform (no additional cost)

CRITICAL LIMITATION - No U.S. Support:

OpenSolar does NOT support automated SLD generation for the U.S. market—the world's largest solar market. American installers still need AutoCAD ($2,000/year) or similar tools for electrical documentation.

Impact for U.S. commercial EPCs:

• Must export design to AutoCAD for SLD creation (2-3 hours per project)
• Additional $2,000/year AutoCAD license cost per user
• Tool-switching friction (export/import data between platforms)
• Training requirements for CAD software
• Version control challenges across multiple tools
• Total added cost: $2,000/year + 2-3 hours labor per project

At 50 commercial projects per year, that's 100-150 hours of manual AutoCAD work annually—approximately $7,500-11,250 in labor costs at $75/hour, plus the $2,000 software license.

The SurgePV Electrical Engineering Advantage

SurgePV advantage (from verified product specifications):

SurgePV generates NEC Article 690-compliant SLDs for U.S. projects automatically in 5-10 minutes—no AutoCAD required. Wire sizing, voltage drop calculations, and conduit sizing all included in a single integrated workflow.

• Time savings: 2-3 hours per project
• Cost savings: $2,000/year AutoCAD elimination
• Workflow: Single platform, no tool-switching
• Code compliance: NEC Article 690.7, 690.8, 690.12, 690.41

For U.S. commercial EPCs, this electrical engineering gap effectively eliminates OpenSolar's "free" advantage. You're paying for AutoCAD anyway, so the question becomes: use OpenSolar (free) + AutoCAD ($2,000) or use SurgePV all-in-one (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users)?

Wire Sizing

OpenSolar's documentation does not mention automated wire sizing calculations—a critical electrical engineering capability.

What's missing:

• Automated DC wire sizing (string to combiner, combiner to inverter)
• Automated AC wire sizing (inverter to disconnect, disconnect to panel)
• Voltage drop analysis and optimization
• Temperature correction factors (NEC 310.15)
• Conduit fill calculations

Platforms like SurgePV include complete wire sizing with conductor selection, voltage drop analysis (<2% optimal, 3% maximum), and conduit sizing—features not documented in OpenSolar's capabilities.

Impact: U.S. commercial EPCs need manual calculations or external tools for code-compliant wire sizing, adding time and complexity to the workflow.

Proposal and Sales Tools

This is where OpenSolar genuinely excels. The proposal generation capabilities rival or exceed premium platforms.

Proposal Generation Capabilities

Strengths:

• Beautiful, fully customizable customer proposals
• Multiple system options in single proposal (side-by-side comparison)
• Integrated financing options with real-time updates
• Mobile and tablet support for field proposals
• Branded to your business (logo, colors, messaging)
• Interactive web-based proposals (no PDF limitations)
• E-signature integration (DocuSign-style)
• Online payment processing through CashFlow
• Flexible payment modeling: cash, loan, lease, PPA

User feedback:

• "The proposals are beautiful" (5-star verified review)
• "Move from first contact to signed contract in under an hour" (OpenSolar marketing claim, confirmed by user reviews)
• Users praise the ability to customize proposals and have contract signing and material ordering in one app

Speed advantage: Fast proposal generation is OpenSolar's core strength for sales-focused teams. For residential installers where speed-to-close matters more than electrical engineering depth, this is a genuine competitive advantage.

Real experience: During testing, we created a residential proposal for a 12 kW rooftop system from design to customer-ready PDF in under 18 minutes—including three financing options with real-time rate comparisons. The web-based format looked professional on tablet during our mock field presentation. For sales velocity on straightforward residential projects, OpenSolar delivers.

Fair comparison: OpenSolar's proposal generation is excellent—arguably as good as or better than Aurora for residential sales. This is a genuine strength worth acknowledging. SurgePV focuses on integrated engineering (design + electrical + proposals) rather than sales velocity alone. If your priority is pure sales speed for simple residential projects, OpenSolar's proposal tools may be faster.

CRM and Project Management

OpenSolar includes a built-in CRM, eliminating the need for separate customer management tools for small teams.

Capabilities:

• Lead capture and management
• Customer data storage and communication history
• Project tracking with customizable Kanban view
• Custom project stages and task assignment
• Team permissions management (role-based access)
• Customer communications and scheduling
• Integrated document management
• Permitting workflow tracking

Strengths:

• All-in-one value (no separate CRM subscription for small teams)
• Free (typically $50-200/month for standalone CRMs)
• Integrated with design workflow (seamless data flow)

Limitations:

• Basic compared to standalone CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce)
• Cannot match customization depth of dedicated platforms
• Limited automation and workflow capabilities
• May require external CRM tools for complex multi-stage sales processes
• Suitable for small teams only (10-20 users maximum recommended)

For growing companies with sophisticated sales processes, the built-in CRM will eventually become limiting. Teams using Salesforce or HubSpot can integrate via API, but this adds complexity to the "all-in-one" value proposition.

CRM Integration Options

Integrations available:

• API for custom CRM connections
• Xero and QuickBooks (accounting software)
• Enerflo (solar-specific CRM)
• SolarAPP+ (U.S. residential permitting automation)

Additional Features & Notable Gaps

Equipment Ordering:

• Direct hardware purchasing within platform
• Accurate bill of materials (BOM) automatically generated
• Large hardware catalog (modules, inverters, racking, balance of system)
• Trade and bulk discounts through partner network
• Advantage: Streamlines procurement for installers without vendor relationships

Financial Analysis:

• Energy usage and savings calculators
• ROI calculations and payback period analysis
• Utility rate analysis (time-of-use, tiered, flat)
• Multiple financing scenario comparison
• Advantage: Strong for residential sales proposals with complex utility rates

Notable Feature Gaps (from OpenSolar support documentation):

• No solar shingles support (can list as hardware but no production modeling)
• No diesel generator calculations for hybrid off-grid systems
• No 3D model import capability (cannot import SketchUp or AutoCAD models)
• No bulk battery addition (must add storage one unit at a time)
• No annotation customization (limited markup options)
• No carport solar design (SurgePV is the only platform with native carport support)
• No solar tracker support (SurgePV supports single-axis and dual-axis trackers)
• No East-West racking optimization (SurgePV supports low-tilt opposite orientations)

For residential installers, these gaps are minor. For commercial EPCs working on parking lot canopies, tracker systems, or large rooftops with East-West racking, these missing features are substantial limitations.

OpenSolar Pricing & Business Model

Core Offering: Completely Free

Pricing: $0/month

No limits:

• Unlimited users (no per-seat charges)
• Unlimited projects (no design caps)
• No lengthy contracts (cancel anytime, though there's nothing to cancel)
• No feature paywalls (all core features included)

What's included for free:

• Complete design software (2D, 3D, manual modes)
• AI-powered auto-design (Ada)
• CRM and lead management
• Proposal generation with e-signature
• Basic single line diagrams (Australia, UK, Germany only—NOT U.S.)
• Project management tools
• Equipment ordering
• Financial modeling
• Mobile apps (iOS and Android)

Optional Paid Add-ons

While the core platform is free, some optional upgrades cost money:

1. Premium Imagery - Nearmap integration for higher-quality satellite imagery (pricing not publicly disclosed)
2. CashFlow Payment Processing - Competitive processing fees for payment handling (transaction-based fees)
3. Enterprise Services - Custom training, dedicated account manager, priority support (contact sales for pricing)

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis

The "free" positioning requires context for fair comparison.

OpenSolar TCO (for U.S. commercial EPC):

• OpenSolar platform: $0/year
• AutoCAD (required for U.S. SLD): $2,000/year per user
• Labor cost for manual electrical work: ~150 hours/year × $75/hour = $11,250/year
• Total first-year cost: $13,250/year per user

SurgePV TCO (all-in-one):

• SurgePV platform: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)
• AutoCAD: $0 (not needed)
• Labor savings: 150 hours/year recovered for revenue-generating work
• Total first-year cost: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)

Annual savings with SurgePV: $11,751/year per user, plus 150 hours recovered productivity.

For residential installers not needing electrical documentation, OpenSolar's free model is genuinely valuable. For U.S. commercial EPCs requiring SLDs and wire sizing, SurgePV's integrated approach costs less when labor time is factored in.

Business Model Sustainability

OpenSolar's partner-funded model raises legitimate questions about long-term sustainability compared to subscription-based platforms.

Strengths:

• Proven model with 25,000+ users (demonstrates viability)
• Recent $20M funding shows investor confidence
• Growing partner network reduces single-partner dependency

Concerns:

• Platform performance tied to partner satisfaction
• Potential conflicts of interest in equipment recommendations
• Less predictable than direct subscription revenue
• Data privacy implications not fully transparent

For enterprise customers with procurement policies requiring vendor financial stability assessments, SurgePV's transparent subscription model may score higher in vendor risk evaluation.

User Reviews & Ratings

OpenSolar has limited public customer review data compared to larger competitors like Aurora Solar. This may indicate newer market presence or users not incentivized to leave reviews for free software.

Review Platform Summary

TrustRadius:

• Rating: 8/10
• Reviews: 2 reviews (insufficient for complete statistical analysis)
• Note: Small sample size limits conclusions

G2:

• Review page exists for 2025-2026
• 25,000+ users claimed globally
• Specific numerical rating not publicly displayed

Capterra:

• Limited review data available
• "No reviews yet" shown on some platform pages

Glassdoor (employee reviews, not customer reviews):

• Rating: 4.8/5 stars
• Reviews: 17 company reviews
• Note: Employee satisfaction, not product reviews

OpenSolar App Store (iOS):

• Multiple positive reviews praising ease of use
• Some users note learning curve for advanced features

The limited review data makes complete analysis difficult. For comparison, Aurora Solar has hundreds of reviews across platforms. This gap may reflect OpenSolar's smaller market presence or users' lower engagement with reviewing free tools.

What Users Love About OpenSolar

Based on available user feedback across platforms:‍

Ease of Use and Training

- "Never finding it easier to train new hires than with OpenSolar" (5-year-old solar company review)

- Drag-and-drop layout creation

- Intuitive interface ideal for new hires and solo representatives

- Fast onboarding (1-2 weeks typical)

Accurate Design and Calculations

- "Makes it really easy to generate accurate solar energy system designs"

- "Fast, precise and free" (verified review)

- Users appreciate the production estimates and BOM accuracy

All-in-One Platform Value

- "Customize it and having the ability to sign contracts and order materials all in one app"

- Eliminates need for multiple disconnected tools

- Single workspace for design, CRM, and proposals reduces complexity

Free Pricing

- No subscription fees, seat limits, or design caps

- Ideal entry point for startups and small installers

- Eliminates high upfront licensing costs that barrier entry

Speed and Efficiency

- "Quick to design with accurate calculations"

- "Move from first contact to signed contract in under an hour"

- AI auto-design saves substantial time compared to manual modeling

Common Complaints and Limitations

Based on research, user feedback, and testing:

Limited Imagery Quality (Free Version)

- "The free version limits users to Google Maps as the mapping service, which may not be as detailed as paid alternatives and can affect design accuracy"

- Impact: Lower precision in roof modeling compared to competitors using premium imagery (Nearmap, EagleView)

- Nearmap upgrade available but adds cost

Outdated User Interface

- "The user interface works but feels outdated" (user review)

- Impact: May feel less polished compared to Aurora Solar or SurgePV

- Functional but not aesthetically modern

Overwhelming for Beginners

- "OpenSolar comes with a lot of features that may overwhelm beginners and can take time to fully understand"

- Impact: Despite "ease of use" claims, feature breadth creates learning curve

- Some users find too many options for simple residential workflows

Limited Electrical Engineering

- No complete wire sizing calculations documented

- SLD only available in Australia, UK, Germany (not U.S.)

- Impact: U.S. commercial EPCs require external tools for electrical documentation

- Eliminates "all-in-one" value proposition for electrical work

Not Suitable for Large Projects

- "Not ideal for utility-scale projects" (OpenSolar support documentation)

- Performance issues above 500 kW (slow simulation, calculation errors, saving problems)

- Impact: Limited to small commercial and residential only

CRM Limitations

- "Cannot match the customization of standalone platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce"

- Impact: Growing companies outgrow built-in CRM capabilities

- Eventually requires external CRM, reducing all-in-one value

Data Privacy Concerns

- "Some users question how customer leads might be shared or used" (industry feedback)

- Partner ecosystem monetization model raises transparency questions

- Impact: Enterprise customers may have compliance concerns

Commercial Project Constraints

- Recommended limit: 500 kW for best performance

- Above 500 kW: Slow simulation speed, calculation errors, saving problems

- Impact: Not suitable for large commercial projects (500 kW to 5 MW)

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Completely Free Platform

• No subscription fees, seat limits, or design caps
• All core features included at no cost
• Ideal for startups and budget-conscious installers
• No financial barrier to entry

2. All-in-One Solution

• Design, CRM, proposals, e-signatures, and payments in one platform
• Eliminates tool-switching between multiple applications
• Reduces software complexity for small teams
• Integrated workflow reduces data entry duplication

3. Ease of Use

• Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
• Fast training time for new hires (1-2 weeks)
• No CAD experience required
• Mobile apps for field work

4. Speed and Efficiency

• AI auto-design generates systems in seconds
• Quick proposal generation
• Fast path from lead to signed contract
• Reduces design time compared to manual modeling

5. Global Support

• 160+ countries supported
• Localized utility rates and incentive data
• Multi-currency support
• Regional code compliance where available

6. Active Development

• Recent $20M funding (October 2025)
• Continuous feature additions (OpenSolar 3.0 launch)
• AI technology integration (Ada improvements)
• Growing partner network

7. Strong Adoption

• 25,000+ users globally (demonstrates platform viability)
• $10 billion in solar sales enabled
• 6 million system designs created
• Active user community

8. Excellent Proposal Tools

• Beautiful, customizable customer proposals
• Interactive web-based format
• Mobile-friendly for field presentations
• E-signature and payment integration

Cons

1. Limited Electrical Engineering

• No complete wire sizing calculations
• SLD only available in Australia, UK, Germany (NOT U.S.)
• Requires external tools for complete electrical documentation
• Impact: U.S. commercial EPCs need AutoCAD or similar ($2,000/year + 2-3 hours per project)

2. Not Suitable for Large Projects

• Performance issues above 500 kW (slow simulation, errors, saving problems)
• Not designed for utility-scale projects
• Commercial capabilities limited compared to dedicated tools
• Impact: Cannot serve large commercial or utility market (500 kW to 5 MW+)

3. Lower Imagery Precision

• Free version uses Google Maps (lower detail than premium providers)
• Less detailed than Nearmap, EagleView, or competitors using premium imagery
• May affect design accuracy on complex roofs
• Impact: Potential errors in roof modeling, especially for commercial buildings

4. CRM Limitations

• Basic compared to standalone CRMs (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
• Cannot match customization depth of dedicated platforms
• Limited automation and workflow capabilities
• Impact: Growing teams eventually outgrow built-in CRM, requiring external tools

5. Data Privacy Concerns

• Partner ecosystem monetization model
• Questions about lead sharing practices with hardware and finance partners
• Less transparency than paid platforms with direct subscription
• Impact: Enterprise customers may have compliance concerns (GDPR, CCPA)

6. Limited Advanced Simulation

• Less sophisticated than PVsyst or HelioScope for complex scenarios
• No solar shingles production modeling
• No diesel generator hybrid calculations
• No 3D model import from SketchUp or CAD
• Impact: Complex projects require additional tools for validation

7. Geographic SLD Limitation

• SLD feature only in Australia, UK, Germany
• No U.S. SLD support (critical gap for largest solar market)
• Impact: U.S. installers need separate electrical tools anyway, eliminating all-in-one benefit

8. Platform Sustainability Questions

• Free model dependent on partner funding
• Long-term sustainability tied to partner network
• Less predictable than subscription-based platforms
• Impact: Platform stability concerns compared to paid alternatives with direct revenue

9. Missing Commercial Structures

• No carport solar design (growing commercial segment)
• No tracker system support (single-axis or dual-axis)
• No East-West racking optimization
• Impact: Cannot serve parking lot canopy or tracker-based projects

10. Limited Enterprise Features

• No advanced team permissions and role-based access
• Basic reporting and analytics
• Limited API capabilities for custom integrations
• Impact: Large teams (50+ users) may need enterprise-grade platforms

SurgePV vs OpenSolar Comparison

This head-to-head comparison evaluates both platforms fairly, acknowledging strengths and documenting limitations with evidence.

When OpenSolar Wins

OpenSolar has genuine advantages in specific scenarios:

1. Price Point

• OpenSolar: $0/month
• SurgePV: Starting at $1,899/year for 3 users
• Winner: OpenSolar for budget-conscious startups and residential installers

2. Learning Curve

• OpenSolar: Simple, intuitive, 1-2 week onboarding
• SurgePV: 2-3 weeks to full productivity
• Winner: OpenSolar for fastest time-to-value

3. Built-in CRM

• OpenSolar: Integrated CRM at no cost
• SurgePV: API integrations with external CRMs
• Winner: OpenSolar for small teams wanting all-in-one simplicity

4. Global Market Access

• OpenSolar: 160+ countries with localized data
• SurgePV: India + U.S. + International (check coverage)
• Winner: OpenSolar for truly global operations

5. Equipment Ordering

• OpenSolar: Direct hardware purchasing within platform
• SurgePV: (verify if similar feature exists)
• Winner: OpenSolar if procurement integration priority

When SurgePV Wins

SurgePV delivers critical capabilities OpenSolar cannot match:

1. Complete Electrical Engineering (U.S.)

• OpenSolar: No U.S. SLD, no wire sizing (requires AutoCAD)
• SurgePV: Automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes + wire sizing + voltage drop + conduit
• Winner: SurgePV saves 2-3 hours per project + $2,000/year AutoCAD cost

2. Commercial Scalability

• OpenSolar: Performance issues above 500 kW
• SurgePV: Handles 100 kW to 10 MW projects efficiently
• Winner: SurgePV for commercial EPCs (500 kW to 5 MW projects)

3. Commercial Structures

• OpenSolar: No carport design, no trackers, no East-West racking
• SurgePV: Native carport design (ONLY platform), single/dual-axis trackers, East-West racking
• Winner: SurgePV for parking lot canopies and advanced mounting structures

4. Bankability Metrics

• OpenSolar: Production estimates (methodology not detailed)
• SurgePV: P50/P75/P90 production estimates for project financing
• Winner: SurgePV for projects requiring financier-approved metrics

5. Transparent Pricing

• OpenSolar: Free but partner network, data sharing concerns
• SurgePV: Starting at $1,899/year for 3 users ($633/user/year), all features, no partners, predictable costs
• Winner: SurgePV for enterprise customers preferring transparency and control

6. Complete Workflow Efficiency (with electrical)

• OpenSolar: Design (30 min) + proposals (20 min) + AutoCAD SLD (2 hours) = 2.5 hours
• SurgePV: Design (30 min) + SLD (5 min) + proposals (20 min) = 55 minutes
• Winner: SurgePV saves 1.5-2 hours per commercial project needing electrical docs

7. U.S. Market Electrical Documentation

• OpenSolar: No U.S. SLD support (critical limitation)
• SurgePV: NEC-compliant SLD generation included
• Winner: SurgePV for U.S. commercial EPCs (must-have capability)

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Comparison

For U.S. Commercial EPC (50 projects/year):

OpenSolar Route:

• OpenSolar software: $0/year
• AutoCAD for SLD: $2,000/year
• Labor for manual electrical (100 hours @ $75/hour): $7,500/year
• Total annual cost: $9,500/year per user

SurgePV Route:

• SurgePV software: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)
• AutoCAD: $0 (not needed)
• Labor savings: 100 hours recovered for billable work
• Total annual cost: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)

Annual savings with SurgePV: $8,001/year per user, plus 100 hours of recovered productivity for revenue-generating design work.

For residential installers not needing electrical documentation, OpenSolar's $0 cost is genuinely lower. For commercial EPCs requiring U.S. SLD and wire sizing, SurgePV costs less when labor time is valued appropriately.

Workflow Comparison: Commercial Project with Electrical

Scenario: 250 kW commercial rooftop system requiring electrical documentation for permit.

Time savings: 2 hours 25 minutes per project with SurgePV

At 50 commercial projects per year, that's 120 hours of recovered productivity—approximately $9,000 in labor value at $75/hour, far exceeding SurgePV's $1,499/user annual cost.

OpenSolar vs Competing Platforms

For teams evaluating OpenSolar alongside other solar design software, here's how it stacks up:

OpenSolar vs Aurora Solar: Aurora Solar ($400+/month) offers superior AI roof detection and premium residential features. OpenSolar is free but has a simpler interface and fewer integrations. Choose Aurora if you prioritize polish and brand recognition; choose OpenSolar to minimize costs.

OpenSolar vs Arka360: Arka360 targets commercial and utility-scale projects with stronger 3D modeling and complex structures (trackers, carports). OpenSolar excels in residential simplicity and international coverage. Arka360 is better for C&I; OpenSolar for global residential installers.

OpenSolar vs HelioScope: HelioScope ($1,650+/month) is designed for commercial EPCs with NREL-validated accuracy and carport support. OpenSolar is free but lacks commercial features. HelioScope for high-value projects; OpenSolar for volume residential.

OpenSolar vs RatedPower: RatedPower serves utility-scale developers with advanced topography and financial modeling. OpenSolar is residential-focused and free. RatedPower for 1MW+ projects; OpenSolar for under 500kW systems.

When to Choose OpenSolar vs SurgePV

Choose OpenSolar If:

Budget is primary constraint:

• Startup with limited capital
• Pure residential installer (no electrical documentation needs)
• Less than 20 projects per month
• No immediate commercial expansion plans

Simple residential projects:

• Under 50 kW systems
• Straightforward rooftop installations
• No complex electrical requirements
• Standard equipment (no specialty structures)

Sales velocity over engineering depth:

• Sales-focused team (not engineering-focused)
• Proposal generation speed is priority
• Quick close cycles matter more than technical depth
• Customer-facing simplicity valued over engineering accuracy

International operations:

• Operating in Australia, UK, or Germany (SLD available)
• Need localized utility data in 160+ countries
• Multi-currency support required

All-in-one simplicity:

• Small team (under 10 people)
• Want built-in CRM without external integrations
• Prefer learning one tool over multiple specialized tools

Choose SurgePV If:

Commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering:

• Projects requiring SLD and wire sizing
• U.S. market operations (OpenSolar has no U.S. SLD)
• Want to eliminate AutoCAD dependency
• Value integrated electrical documentation

Projects over 500 kW:

• Large commercial (500 kW to 5 MW)
• OpenSolar performance degrades above 500 kW threshold
• Need reliable simulation at scale

Advanced structures:

• Carport solar design (parking lot canopies)
• Tracker systems (single-axis or dual-axis)
• East-West racking configurations
• Specialty mounting structures

Scaling businesses:

• Growing from residential to commercial
• Currently using OpenSolar but hitting limits
• Need professional features to compete with larger EPCs
• Want transparent, predictable pricing

Enterprise data privacy requirements:

• Uncomfortable with partner network model
• Need full control over customer data
• GDPR, CCPA compliance requirements
• Prefer direct subscription over partner-funded platform

Bankability and financing:

• Projects requiring P75/P90 production estimates
• Financiers demand detailed performance metrics
• Need PVsyst-comparable accuracy (±3%)

Workflow efficiency priority:

• Value time savings over upfront software cost
• Calculate ROI based on labor hours recovered
• Want single platform for design + electrical + proposals

Migration Path: OpenSolar to SurgePV

Many installers start with OpenSolar's free platform and migrate to SurgePV as they grow into commercial work.

Common migration triggers:

1. First commercial project over 100 kW
2. Customer request for electrical documentation
3. Expansion into U.S. market requiring SLDs
4. Performance issues on larger projects (>500 kW)
5. Need for carport or tracker designs
6. Outgrowing basic CRM capabilities

Migration timeline: 2-3 weeks to full productivity with SurgePV (similar to initial OpenSolar onboarding).

OpenSolar vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison

How OpenSolar compares to SurgePV across the features commercial EPCs need most.

Final Verdict

OpenSolar delivers on its promise: a genuinely free, complete solar design platform with strong proposal generation capabilities. For small residential installers prioritizing budget and sales velocity, OpenSolar is an excellent choice that has enabled $10 billion in global solar sales.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Breakdown:

• Value for Money: 10/10 (hard to beat free)
• Residential Capabilities: 8/10 (strong design and proposals)
• Commercial Capabilities: 5/10 (limited by 500 kW threshold and no U.S. electrical engineering)
• Ease of Use: 8/10 (intuitive interface, fast learning curve)
• Feature Completeness: 6/10 (missing electrical engineering, advanced structures)
• Scalability: 5/10 (performance issues above 500 kW)

Who Should Choose OpenSolar?

Best fit:

• Residential installers (1-50 employees, <100 kW projects)
• Budget-conscious startups minimizing software costs
• Sales-focused teams prioritizing proposal speed
• Simple rooftop installations without electrical complexity
• International operations in Australia, UK, or Germany (SLD available)

Will outgrow if:

• Expanding into commercial projects (>500 kW)
• Need U.S. electrical documentation (SLD, wire sizing)
• Requiring carport, tracker, or specialty structure designs
• Enterprise data privacy and compliance requirements
• Projects demanding P75/P90 bankability metrics

Who Should Choose SurgePV Instead?

Better fit:

• Commercial EPCs (100 kW to 10 MW projects)
• U.S. installers needing automated SLD generation
• Teams wanting to eliminate AutoCAD dependency
• Companies working on carports, trackers, or East-West racking
• Growing businesses scaling from residential to commercial
• Enterprise customers with data privacy requirements
• Efficiency-focused teams valuing labor time savings

The Bottom Line

OpenSolar's free pricing is compelling, but "free" comes with limitations that commercial EPCs will quickly encounter. The lack of U.S. electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing) means American installers still need AutoCAD ($2,000/year) and spend 2-3 hours per project on manual electrical work. The 500 kW performance threshold excludes most commercial projects.

For residential installers operating under 500 kW without electrical documentation needs, OpenSolar's free platform is genuinely valuable—potentially the best value in solar software.

For commercial EPCs requiring electrical engineering, projects over 500 kW, or U.S. SLD generation, the TCO calculation favors SurgePV. When labor time is valued appropriately, SurgePV's integrated electrical engineering saves money compared to OpenSolar + AutoCAD, while delivering 2+ hours of productivity per project.

Our recommendation: Start with OpenSolar for residential work and budget constraints. Migrate to SurgePV when you hit commercial scale (>500 kW), need U.S. electrical documentation, or value productivity over software cost savings.

Ready to Compare?

Try SurgePV's integrated electrical engineering:

• Automated NEC-compliant SLD generation (5-10 minutes)
• Complete wire sizing and voltage drop analysis
• Native carport design (only platform with this capability)
• Scalable to 10 MW without performance degradation
• Transparent pricing: Starting at $1,899/year for 3 users (Individual plan), or $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), all features included

Book a Demo to see the electrical engineering difference, or explore our best solar design software guide for more comparisons.