PVCase Review: Honest Assessment & SurgePV Comparison | 2026

TL;DR Summary

PVCase is a Lithuania-based AutoCAD-integrated solar design platform known for utility-scale precision and engineering depth. Based on 300+ G2 reviews (4.7/5 stars), users praise automation speed and CAD integration but cite AutoCAD dependency ($2,000/year), steep learning curve (6-8 weeks), and missing proposal capabilities.

For commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering features without CAD complexity, SurgePV offers integrated electrical documentation, wire sizing, and cloud accessibility at transparent pricing starting at $1,899/year for 3 users.

Quick Facts:

• Founded: 2017 | HQ: Vilnius, Lithuania
• Customers: 1,800+ in 80+ countries | Projects: 4+ TW annually
• G2 Rating: 4.7/5 stars (300+ reviews)
• Pricing: Contact sales (estimated $2,990/year with AutoCAD)
• Best For: Utility-scale developers (1MW+) with CAD expertise
• Alternative: SurgePV for commercial EPCs needing integrated electrical engineering

What Is PVCase?

PVCase is an AutoCAD-integrated solar design platform focused on utility-scale and commercial/industrial projects. Unlike cloud-based tools like Aurora Solar or SurgePV, PVCase operates as a desktop plugin requiring AutoCAD expertise.

Company Overview

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: Vilnius, Lithuania (primary office in Kaunas)

Founders: David Trainavicius (CEO), Adam Pazarauskas (co-founder)

Employees: 250+

Funding: $123 million+ total

Market Reach: 1,800+ customers across 80+ countries, supporting 4+ TW of projects annually

Notable Clients: AES, RWE, Iberdrola, Voltalia, ib Vogt, BlueWave

Source: Crunchbase - PVCase, PVCase Blog

Product Portfolio

PVCase offers four integrated products covering the solar project development lifecycle:

1. PVCase Prospect (Site Selection):

• Automated parcel search and buildable area analysis
• Full interconnection studies and historical LMP pricing
• Zoning data integration
• Bulk parcel import via ID, address, or lat/long

2. PVCase Ground Mount (Utility-Scale Design):

• AutoCAD-based design for 1 MW+ projects
• Analyzes slope per table, optimizes grading
• Single-axis tracker support with backtracking
• Seamless export to PVsyst
• Performance claim: 90% faster project designs

3. PVCase Roof Mount (Commercial & Industrial):

• 3D roof preparation and automated layout generation
• Commercial rooftop focus (100 kW+)
• Performance claim: Up to 80% faster layouts
• User testimonial: 1 MW project from 2 weeks to 1 morning

4. PVCase Yield (Energy Modeling):

• 8760-hour shading analysis with ray-tracing
• High-fidelity PoA irradiance calculations
• Comparable accuracy to PVsyst (claimed)
• Direct integration with PVGIS and SolarAnywhere

Source: PVCase Utility-Scale Page, G2 Reviews

Features Analysis

Features Overview

Ground Mount Design (Utility-Scale)

PVCase Ground Mount is an AutoCAD-based solar design tool for utility-scale projects (1 MW+). It analyzes slope per table, optimizes terrain grading, and designs AC/DC-coupled BESS configurations.

Key Features:

• Slope analysis per table on terrain
• Earthworks calculation (cut-and-fill analysis)
• Single-axis tracker support with backtracking algorithm
• Optimized Mode (minimizes grading costs)
• 3D cabling automation
• Structural gap specification for precise control
• Seamless PVsyst export in co-designed format

Performance Claims (from PVCase):

• 90% faster project designs
• Saves ~170 hours on layouts
• Reduces design time from weeks to under 1 hour

User-Reported Strengths (from 300+ G2 reviews):

• Millimeter-level precision for terrain adaptation
• Instant grading insights
• Extremely intuitive for CAD users
• Weekly updates and responsive development

User-Reported Limitations:

• Some tracker setups not flexible
• Terrain must be pre-modified for plugin to work optimally
• Requires AutoCAD expertise (6-8 week learning curve for non-CAD users)

Source: G2 - PVCase Ground Mount Reviews, PVCase Ground Mount Page

Roof Mount Design (Commercial & Industrial)

PVCase Roof Mount is a CAD-based design tool for commercial and industrial rooftop projects. It handles 3D roof preparation, automated layout generation, and shading analysis with PVsyst integration.

Performance Claims:

• Up to 80% faster layouts compared to manual methods
• 1 MW project: 2 weeks → 1 morning (direct user testimonial)

User-Reported Strengths:

• Very intuitive even without extensive AutoCAD experience
• Structured workflow prevents common design errors
• Efficient for large installations (100 kW+)

User-Reported Limitations:

• Residential projects may be overkill
• Still requires basic CAD familiarity
• Not optimized for small-scale (<100 kW) installations

Source: G2 - PVCase Roof Mount Reviews

Shading & Energy Analysis (PVCase Yield)

PVCase Yield provides energy modeling and shading analysis integrated with the 3D design environment.

Capabilities:

• Advanced 3D modeling with ray-tracing
• 8760-hour shading analysis (industry standard methodology)
• High-fidelity PoA (Plane of Array) irradiance calculations
• Integration with PVGIS and SolarAnywhere weather data
• Leverages detailed 3D site model from Ground Mount/Roof Mount designs

Accuracy Claims:

• Comparable to PVsyst (industry validation standard)
• Precision 3D terrain-aware calculations

Competitive Position:

• More integrated with design workflow vs PVsyst (which is simulation-only)
• Less automated than some competitors (requires CAD setup)

Source: PVCase Blog - Yield vs PVsyst

Electrical Engineering Features ⚠️ CRITICAL COMPARISON

This is a critical area where PVCase differs substantially from platforms like SurgePV.

PVCase Electrical Capabilities:

• ✅ 3D automated cabling
• ✅ Electrical device placement (inverters, combiners, transformers)
• ✅ AC and DC-coupled BESS design (2026 update)
• ✅ Basic electrical calculations

❌ CRITICAL LIMITATIONS:

PVCase does NOT include:

• ❌ Automated Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation
• ❌ Automated wire sizing calculations
• ❌ Conduit fill calculations
• ❌ Panel schedule generation

Impact on Commercial EPCs:

EPCs using PVCase still require manual AutoCAD work for complete electrical documentation. This means:

• 2-3 hours additional manual work per project for electrical documentation
• Separate electrical engineering expertise required
• Tool-switching between PVCase and AutoCAD electrical tools
• $2,000/year AutoCAD license still necessary for electrical work

SurgePV Competitive Advantage:

SurgePV provides complete electrical engineering automation (automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes, wire sizing instant, conduit fill automated, panel schedules generated) that PVCase lacks—eliminating the need for separate AutoCAD electrical work entirely.

Time Savings: SurgePV generates permit-ready SLDs in 5-10 minutes vs 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work that PVCase users must still perform.

Source: PVCase feature documentation, G2 user reviews, competitive feature analysis

Proposal & Financial Modeling

PVCase Capabilities:

• Limited financial reporting mentioned in user reviews
• Export capabilities to other tools
• Focus is on design/engineering, not sales proposals

User-Reported Limitations:

> "Absence of financial and other reports."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer

PVCase is not a sales-focused tool. It provides primarily engineering-grade outputs without customer-facing proposal generation or financial modeling capabilities.

SurgePV Competitive Advantage:

SurgePV includes integrated proposal generation with financial modeling (cash, loan, lease, PPA), ROI calculations, and interactive web-based customer proposals—capabilities PVCase does not offer.

Source: G2 User Reviews

Integrations & Export

Supported Integrations:

Core Dependencies:

• AutoCAD: REQUIRED for Ground Mount and Roof Mount (not optional)
• Compatible with AutoCAD 2026, 2025, and earlier versions
• Custom installer (not standard App Store installer)

Weather & Simulation:

• PVsyst: Seamless export in co-designed bespoke format
• PVGIS: Direct integration for weather data
• SolarAnywhere: Direct integration for irradiance data

Terrain & Imagery:

• Plex-Earth: Import aerial/satellite imagery and 3D terrain data
• Manual DWG import
• GIS data import capabilities

Export Formats:

• PVsyst project files
• AutoCAD DWG files
• Settings export/import between projects (XML-based)

Missing Integrations (Limitations):

• ❌ NO CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
• ❌ NO native API documented
• ❌ NO project management tools integration
• ❌ NO cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) integration

SurgePV Competitive Advantage:

Cloud-based platform with API capabilities and CRM integrations planned, eliminating desktop/workstation dependency of PVCase.

Source: PVCase Help Center - Export/Import, Plex-Earth Support

Pricing & Plans

⚠️ Pricing Transparency Issue

Pricing Model: Custom/Contact Sales (NOT publicly disclosed)

Official Statement: "We offer customized packages to suit each client's specific needs. Contact us to receive a personalized walkthrough and tailored pricing."

PVCase does not provide public pricing on their website. All pricing requires contacting the sales team for custom quotes.

Source: PVCase Official Website, SoftwareSuggest - PVCase

Pricing Estimates (Based on User Reports)

⚠️ Disclaimer: The following pricing is inferred from limited user mentions and older reviews. For current pricing, contact PVCase directly.

Base Software Cost (Estimated):

• PVCase Ground Mount plugin: ~$990/year (reported in older reviews)
• NOTE: This does NOT include required AutoCAD license

REQUIRED Additional Costs:

• AutoCAD License: $2,000/year (MANDATORY for Ground Mount and Roof Mount)
• Total Estimated TCO: $2,990/year per user

Free Trial: Yes (available, duration not specified)

Free Version: No

Source: User reports from forums, competitive pricing analysis

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Comparison ⚠️ CRITICAL

PVCase Total Annual Cost (Estimated)

• PVCase subscription: ~$990/year
• AutoCAD license: $2,000/year (MANDATORY)
• TOTAL: ~$2,990/year per user

Hidden Complexity:

• Requires CAD expertise (training investment)
• 6-8 weeks onboarding for non-CAD users
• High-end workstation hardware required (Windows 10 x64, 12GB+ RAM, 4GB GPU)

SurgePV Total Annual Cost

• SurgePV subscription: Starting at $1,899/year for 3 users (Individual plan) or $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)
• No additional software required (cloud-based, all-inclusive)
• No CAD expertise needed
• 2-3 week onboarding (not 6-8 weeks)
• TOTAL: $1,499/user/year per user

TCO Analysis Table

Key Insight: While PVCase appears $118/year cheaper on software costs alone, the total workflow cost (including CAD training, onboarding time, manual electrical work at 2-3 hours per project, and missing proposals) makes SurgePV more cost-effective for commercial EPCs not requiring utility-scale CAD precision.

Hidden Costs & Considerations

Additional Costs Beyond Software:

1. AutoCAD License: $2,000/year (MANDATORY, often not disclosed upfront)
2. Implementation/Onboarding: 6-8 weeks technical investment for non-CAD users
3. Training: PVCase Academy available (appears included)
4. Support Tiers: Not specified (standard support appears included)
5. Hardware Requirements: Windows 10 x64, 12GB+ RAM, 4GB GPU—may require workstation upgrades ($1,000-2,000)
6. CAD Expertise: Team training costs if no existing CAD background

Pricing Transparency Comparison

What Real Users Say

Review Data Summary

• G2: 4.7/5 stars from 300+ reviews (primary review source)
• Capterra: No dedicated review page (lower market visibility)
• TrustRadius: No verified reviews
• Review Date Range: 2019-2025
• Award: Winner of G2 2025 Best CAD & PLM Software

G2 is the PRIMARY and most reliable review source for PVCase with 300+ verified customer reviews.

Overall Satisfaction Scores

PVCase Ground Mount:

• Rating: 4.7/5 stars
• Review Count: 300+ reviews (233 five-star ratings)
• Award: G2 2025 Best CAD & PLM Software

PVCase Roof Mount:

• Rating: ~4.5-4.7/5 (estimated based on G2 data)
• Review Count: 50-100 estimated

PVCase Prospect:

• Rating: ~4.3-4.5/5 (lower than Ground/Roof Mount)
• Review Count: 50-100 estimated
• Note: More complaints about UI/UX and performance issues

Source: G2 - PVCase Product Reviews

Top Praised Features (from 300+ reviews)

1. Speed & Automation (Most frequently mentioned):

> "Extremely intuitive and easy-to-use tool, which substantially reduces the time needed to create detailed projects."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer, Design Engineer

Impact: Users consistently report 2-10x speed improvements over manual CAD methods.

2. Exceptional Customer Support:

> "Weekly updates and customer service, as well as technical support, are exceptional."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer, Solar Developer

Impact: Responsive support praised across 300+ reviews. Weekly software updates demonstrate active development and customer commitment.

3. CAD Integration:

Users with AutoCAD experience find the workflow familiar and efficient. The native plugin makes drafting and modeling simple for CAD-proficient teams.

4. Precision & Engineering Control:

Millimeter-level accuracy in terrain modeling. Advanced 3D ray-traced shading analysis. CAD-grade engineering outputs suitable for utility-scale projects.

5. Customization Options:

Electrical design tools and feature flexibility praised for complex utility-scale projects requiring granular control.

Top Criticisms (from 300+ reviews)

1. ⚠️ Long Plugin Loading Time (Performance Issue):

> "Sometimes opening the PVCase plug-in takes quite a bit of time compared to other software (waiting time on the order of a minute)."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer

Impact: Workflow interruptions and productivity loss during load times. Mentioned by multiple reviewers as a consistent pain point.

2. ⚠️ AutoCAD Dependency (CRITICAL LIMITATION):

• Requires expensive AutoCAD license ($2,000/year per user)
• Steep learning curve for non-CAD users (6-8 weeks to productivity)
• Desktop-only (cannot use on laptops easily, requires workstation)
• Limits accessibility compared to cloud competitors

User Impact: "If you don't have AutoCAD experience, expect 6-8 weeks to become productive."

3. ⚠️ Limited Tracker Flexibility:

> "Some tracker setups not adaptable to specific needs."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer

Impact: Workarounds required for certain tracker configurations. Edge cases may require manual adjustments.

4. ⚠️ Steep Learning Curve:

Difficult for non-CAD users. Technical fluency assumed. Not suitable for sales teams or non-engineers.

User Quote: "Assumes technical fluency with CAD tools" — List.solar Review

5. ⚠️ Limited Financial Modeling:

> "Absence of financial and other reports."

> — Verified G2 Reviewer

Impact: Requires additional software for complete workflow. No proposals, no ROI tools, no customer-facing sales deliverables.

Source: G2 - PVCase Ground Mount Reviews, G2 Pros/Cons

User Sentiment by Product

Ground Mount (Most Positive):

• Generally positive for core functionality
• Praise for speed, precision, exceptional support
• Complaints about performance issues and plugin loading times

Roof Mount (Positive):

• Users appreciate efficiency gains (1 MW project: 2 weeks → 1 morning)
• Structured workflow prevents common design errors
• Learning curve still mentioned as barrier

Prospect (More Mixed):

• Core functionality praised for site selection
• Frustrated with UI/UX and missing features
• Performance issues (lag with data-rich views)
• "Clunky interface, data organization challenges" — G2 Review

Source: G2 reviews across all three PVCase product lines

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros (8 Key Strengths)

1. Engineering Precision & Control

What: Millimeter-level accuracy in terrain modeling, advanced 3D ray-traced shading analysis, CAD-grade engineering outputs

Why It Matters: Critical for complex utility-scale projects requiring precise terrain adaptation and grading optimization

Evidence: 300+ G2 reviews consistently praise precision; G2 2025 Best CAD & PLM Software award winner

2. Speed & Automation

What: 90% faster project designs (claimed), reduces utility-scale design from weeks to hours

Evidence: Multiple user testimonials and case studies showing 2x+ speed improvements over manual methods

Source: PVCase homepage, Nerdisa review, user testimonials

3. AutoCAD Integration (For CAD-Proficient Teams)

What: Native AutoCAD plugin, familiar environment for CAD users, industry-standard DWG outputs

Why It Matters: Seamless workflow for engineering firms already using AutoCAD infrastructure

Source: Core product architecture, 300+ positive reviews from CAD-proficient users

4. Complete Product Suite

What: End-to-end platform covering Prospect → Ground Mount → Roof Mount → Yield

Why It Matters: Unified workflow from site selection to energy modeling within PVCase ecosystem, eliminates tool-switching between PVCase products

Source: Integrated product suite with data flow between modules

5. Exceptional Customer Support

What: Weekly software updates, responsive technical support, PVCase Academy training platform

Evidence: Consistently praised in user reviews, detailed release notes published regularly, dedicated academy platform for self-paced learning

Source: G2 reviews, PVCase Academy blog

6. Market Leadership in Utility-Scale

What: 4+ TW of projects developed annually, 1,800+ customers in 80+ countries, widely-recognized clients (AES, RWE, Iberdrola)

Evidence: Company statistics, impressive client roster, G2 2025 award recognition

Source: PVCase homepage, G2 award announcement

7. PVsyst-Level Accuracy

What: PVCase Yield offers accuracy comparable to PVsyst (industry validation standard)

Why It Matters: Bankable accuracy for financing without leaving the design environment

Source: PVCase blog - Yield vs PVsyst comparison

8. Terrain Optimization

What: Advanced terrain adaptation, grading optimization, earthworks calculations (cut-and-fill analysis)

Why It Matters: Reduces site preparation costs, optimizes designs for challenging terrains

Source: User reviews, PVCase Ground Mount features

⚠️ Cons (8 Key Limitations)

1. ⚠️ AutoCAD Dependency (CRITICAL)

What: REQUIRES AutoCAD license ($2,000/year additional cost), desktop-only deployment, workstation hardware requirements

Impact:

• Increases total cost of ownership by $2,000/year per user
• Creates adoption barrier for non-CAD teams
• Limits accessibility (cannot use on standard laptops or remotely)

Source: System requirements, user complaints, pricing analysis

Severity: CRITICAL for teams without existing CAD infrastructure

2. ⚠️ Steep Learning Curve

What: Requires AutoCAD proficiency, 6-8 weeks to productivity for non-CAD users, not suitable for sales teams or non-engineers

Impact:

• Limits adoption speed
• Requires dedicated technical staff with CAD background
• Slower time-to-value (6-8 weeks vs 2-3 weeks for cloud competitors)

Source: Multiple G2 reviews citing learning curve, "assumes technical fluency" — List.solar

3. ⚠️ NO Automated Electrical Engineering (CRITICAL for EPCs)

What:

• NO automated Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation
• NO automated wire sizing calculations
• NO conduit fill calculations
• NO panel schedule generation

Impact:

• Requires additional 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work per project for electrical documentation
• Separate electrical engineering expertise required
• Does not eliminate the CAD dependency for complete electrical work

Source: Feature comparison, user reviews citing missing electrical features

SurgePV Advantage: Automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes (vs 2-3 hours manual)

4. ⚠️ Limited Financial/Proposal Capabilities

What: "Absence of financial and other reports" (direct user quote), no proposal generation, export to other tools required

Impact:

• Requires additional software for complete design-to-sale workflow
• Not sales-friendly (engineering-only outputs)
• Cannot generate customer-facing proposals

Source: G2 user reviews explicitly mention lack of financial modeling

SurgePV Advantage: Integrated proposals with financial modeling (cash, loan, lease, PPA)

5. ⚠️ Performance Issues

What: Plugin takes up to 1 minute to load, lag with data-rich views in Prospect, requires high-end hardware (4GB GPU, 12GB+ RAM)

Impact:

• Workflow interruptions during plugin loading
• Hardware upgrade costs for teams without workstations

Source: Specific G2 user complaints about loading times and performance

6. ⚠️ Limited Customization in Some Areas

What: "Many settings are hard coded" (Prospect reviews), some tracker setups not flexible, terrain must be pre-modified for plugin

Impact: Workarounds required for edge cases, less flexibility than expected from CAD-based tool

Source: G2 - PVCase Prospect pros/cons

7. ⚠️ Pricing Transparency

What: No public pricing (contact sales model), custom packages, AutoCAD cost often not disclosed upfront in sales process

Impact:

• Difficult for buyers to evaluate true TCO
• Longer sales cycles
• Hidden AutoCAD cost creates budget surprises

Source: PVCase pricing page (states "contact for pricing")

SurgePV Advantage: Transparent starting at $1,899/year for 3 users public pricing, all-inclusive

8. ⚠️ Desktop-Only (Not Cloud)

What: Desktop plugin dependency, not cloud-collaborative, workstation-dependent

Impact:

• Limits remote work capabilities
• No real-time multi-user collaboration
• Device inflexibility (cannot use on any device)

Source: Product architecture, system requirements

SurgePV Advantage: Cloud-based, access anywhere, multi-user collaboration built-in

SurgePV vs PVCase Comparison

PVCase is the gold standard for utility-scale electrical engineering—but requires AutoCAD expertise most commercial EPC teams don't have.

SurgePV delivers complete electrical engineering (automated SLD, wire sizing) without CAD complexity—better fit for commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW) needing integrated workflows without tool-switching.

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

Detailed Category Analysis

🔬 Electrical Engineering (CRITICAL DIFFERENTIATOR)

PVCase:

• 3D cabling automation
• Electrical device placement (inverters, combiners, transformers)
• Basic electrical calculations
• ❌ NO automated SLD generation
• ❌ NO automated wire sizing
• ❌ NO conduit fill calculations
• Requires: Manual AutoCAD work (2-3 hours per project)

SurgePV:

• ✅ Automated SLD generation (5-10 minutes)
• ✅ Automated wire sizing (instant)
• ✅ Conduit fill calculations (automated)
• ✅ Panel schedules (automated)
• ✅ NEC Article 690 compliance (built-in)
• No External Tools: Complete electrical documentation in-platform

Why This Matters: For commercial EPCs, electrical documentation is REQUIRED for permits and inspections. PVCase forces teams to buy AutoCAD ($2,000/year) and spend 2-3 hours manually creating what SurgePV automates in 10 minutes.

Real-World Scenario

Commercial EPC with 50 projects/month:

PVCase Workflow:

• Design in PVCase: 30 minutes
• Export to AutoCAD for SLD: 2-3 hours manual work
• Total: 2.5-3 hours per project
• Annual AutoCAD cost: $2,000/user

SurgePV Workflow:

• Design + Automated SLD: 40 minutes total
• Total: 40 minutes per project
• Annual cost: $0 additional (included)

Savings: 2 hours per project × 50 projects = 100 hours/month = $15,000/month productivity gain (@ $150/hour engineering rate)

💻 Deployment & Accessibility

PVCase:

• Desktop AutoCAD plugin
• Windows 10 x64 required
• Workstation hardware (12GB+ RAM, 4GB GPU)
• Not cloud-collaborative
• Single-machine licensing

SurgePV:

• Cloud-based (browser)
• Any device (Mac, Windows, tablet)
• No installation required
• Multi-user collaboration built-in
• Access anywhere with internet

Why This Matters: Remote teams, multi-office operations, field access—all limited or impossible with PVCase's desktop dependency.

Total Cost of Ownership (24-Month TCO)

Key Insight: PVCase appears cheaper on software licensing alone initially, but total workflow cost (CAD licensing, onboarding investment, manual electrical work at 2.5 hours per project, missing proposal capabilities) makes SurgePV $42,284 cheaper over 24 months for a commercial EPC doing 100 projects with 2 users.

Commercial Structures

PVCase:

• Ground mount (excellent for utility-scale)
• Rooftop (good for C&I)
• ❌ NO native carport design
• Single-axis trackers (some flexibility limitations reported)

SurgePV:

• Ground mount (good, optimized up to 10MW)
• Rooftop (excellent for commercial)
• ✅ Native carport design (ONLY PLATFORM)
• ✅ Single-axis and dual-axis trackers
• ✅ East-West racking (native support)

Why This Matters: Carport solar (parking lot canopies) is the fastest-growing commercial solar segment. If your EPC does carport projects, PVCase cannot handle them natively—workarounds required or need separate tools.

Source: Competitive feature analysis

When to Choose Each Platform

✅ Choose PVCase If You:

• Work exclusively on utility-scale projects (>10 MW)
• Have in-house AutoCAD expertise and existing infrastructure
• Need millimeter-level CAD precision for complex terrain projects
• Don't need electrical automation (outsourced or have separate electrical team)
• Don't need sales proposals (engineering-only focus)
• Can afford 6-8 week onboarding timeline

✅ Choose SurgePV If You (MOST COMMERCIAL EPCs):

• Work on commercial EPC projects (100kW-10MW range)
• Need complete electrical documentation (SLD, wire sizing, panel schedules)
• Want integrated proposals with financial modeling
• Don't have AutoCAD expertise (or want to eliminate $2,000/year CAD cost)
• Need faster onboarding (2-3 weeks vs 6-8 weeks)
• Want cloud accessibility and multi-user collaboration
• Design carport solar projects
• Prefer transparent pricing (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users vs contact sales)

The Bottom Line

PVCase = Best for utility-scale developers (>10MW) with CAD teams needing extreme millimeter-level precision

SurgePV = Best for commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW) needing complete design-to-sale workflow without CAD complexity, with integrated electrical engineering that Aurora and PVCase lack

Use Case Recommendations

When PVCase Works Well

✅ Utility-Scale Ground Mount (1 MW - 100+ MW):

• Complex terrain adaptation requiring CAD-level control
• Multiple tracker configurations with precise placement
• Detailed grading analysis and earthworks optimization
• Engineering teams with existing AutoCAD proficiency

Example Project: 50 MW solar farm on rolling terrain with single-axis trackers

Why PVCase Works: Automated terrain analysis, grading optimization, tracker algorithms, millimeter precision for utility-scale requirements

✅ Large C&I Rooftop (500 kW - 5 MW) (If You Have CAD Team):

• Multi-building commercial campuses
• Complex roof geometries requiring precision
• Manufacturing facilities with irregular roof structures
• Data centers with equipment obstructions

Example Project: 2 MW rooftop system across 5 warehouse buildings

Why PVCase Works: Roof Mount automation handles complex geometries, precise obstruction modeling

✅ Solar + Storage Hybrid Projects (Utility-Scale):

• AC-coupled or DC-coupled BESS configurations
• Utility-scale hybrid plants (solar + battery)
• Grid services projects with storage requirements

Example: 100 MW solar + 50 MW/200 MWh battery system

Why PVCase Works: Integrated BESS design (2026 feature), unified modeling of solar and storage

When SurgePV Works Well

✅ Commercial EPC Projects (100kW-10MW) [PRIMARY]:

• Commercial rooftop installations (office buildings, warehouses)
• Carport solar (parking lot canopies) — SurgePV exclusive capability
• Ground-mount commercial projects
• Projects requiring complete electrical documentation for permits

Example Project: 500 kW commercial rooftop + carport installation

Why SurgePV Works: Integrated electrical (SLD, wire sizing), carport design (only platform with native support), cloud collaboration, customer proposals

Time Savings: 2-3 hours per project on electrical documentation alone

✅ EPCs Without CAD Infrastructure:

• Teams without AutoCAD licenses ($2,000/year savings per user)
• No in-house CAD expertise (avoid 6-8 week learning curve)
• Cloud-first operations (remote teams, multi-office coordination)

Why SurgePV Works: Zero CAD dependency, 2-3 week onboarding, cloud accessibility from any device

✅ Design-to-Sale Workflows:

• Teams needing integrated customer proposals
• Sales presentations requiring technical backing
• Customer-facing deliverables with financial modeling

Why SurgePV Works: Complete proposals with financial modeling (cash, loan, lease, PPA), interactive web presentations—capabilities PVCase lacks entirely

✅ Multi-Project Scalability:

• EPCs processing 20-100+ projects/month
• Need consistent, repeatable workflows
• Productivity optimization critical to business model

Example: 50 projects/month × 2 hours saved per project = 100 hours/month = $15,000/month productivity gain

Poor Fit Use Cases (For Both Platforms)

❌ Small Residential Projects (<10 kW) (Both are overkill):

• Why Not PVCase: Expensive ($2,990/year), requires CAD expertise, unnecessary complexity
• Why Not SurgePV: Feature-rich for simple residential workflows
• Better Alternative: Aurora Solar (residential-optimized), OpenSolar (affordable), SolarEdge Designer

❌ Sales-Driven Non-Technical Teams (PVCase poor fit):

• Why Not PVCase: Requires engineering expertise, no proposals, steep CAD learning curve
• Better Fit: SurgePV (integrated proposals, 2-3 week onboarding, sales-friendly)

❌ Budget-Conscious Small Installers (<5 employees):

• Why Not PVCase: $2,990/year too high, CAD training expensive and time-consuming
• Why Not SurgePV: $1,499/user/year may be high for very small operations
• Better Alternative: OpenSolar ($199/month), though it lacks electrical engineering automation

PVCase vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison

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

Final Verdict: PVCase vs SurgePV

PVCase Summary

Strengths:

1. Engineering Precision & CAD Control: Millimeter-level accuracy, advanced terrain modeling, CAD-grade outputs suitable for utility-scale
2. Utility-Scale Leadership: 4+ TW projects annually, 1,800+ customers, industry recognition (G2 2025 award)
3. Exceptional Support: Weekly updates, responsive technical support, PVCase Academy training platform
4. Complete Product Suite: Prospect → Ground Mount → Roof Mount → Yield (end-to-end within ecosystem)

Ideal For:

• Utility-scale solar developers (1MW-100+MW projects)
• Engineering firms with AutoCAD expertise (CAD-proficient teams)
• Projects requiring millimeter-level precision (complex terrain, grading optimization)
• Teams not needing electrical automation (outsourced or separate electrical team)
• Engineering-focused operations (design-only, no sales proposals needed)

Limitations:

1. AutoCAD Dependency: $2,000/year additional cost + 6-8 week learning curve for non-CAD users
2. No Automated Electrical: Still requires 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work per project for SLDs and electrical documentation
3. No Proposals: "Absence of financial reports"—not sales-friendly
4. Desktop-Only: Not cloud-based, limits collaboration and remote work

Bottom Line:

> PVCase is the gold standard for utility-scale solar engineering with CAD-level control. If you have AutoCAD expertise and work on >10MW projects, PVCase delivers unmatched precision. But for commercial EPCs, the AutoCAD dependency, missing electrical automation, and lack of proposals create substantial workflow gaps.

SurgePV Summary

Strengths:

1. Integrated Electrical Engineering: Automated SLD generation (5-10 minutes), wire sizing, conduit fill, panel schedules—no AutoCAD required
2. Complete Workflow: Design + electrical + proposals in one platform (eliminates tool-switching)
3. Cloud Accessibility: Browser-based, access anywhere, multi-user collaboration built-in
4. Commercial Structures: Native carport design (only platform), trackers, East-West racking
5. Transparent Pricing: starting at $1,899/year for 3 users all-inclusive (vs contact sales)
6. Faster Onboarding: 2-3 weeks to productivity (vs 6-8 weeks PVCase)

Ideal For:

• Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW projects) needing complete electrical documentation
• Teams without AutoCAD expertise (or wanting to eliminate $2,000/year CAD cost)
• Carport solar projects (only platform with native support)
• Design-to-sale workflows (integrated proposals, financial modeling)
• Cloud-first operations (remote teams, multi-office collaboration)
• Fast-scaling EPCs (2-3 week onboarding, no CAD training overhead)

Why Teams Switch from PVCase to SurgePV:

1. Eliminate AutoCAD dependency ($2,000/year savings per user)
2. Automate electrical engineering (2-3 hours saved per project)
3. Add proposal capabilities (complete design-to-sale workflow)
4. Enable cloud collaboration (remote work, real-time multi-user)

SurgePV delivers PVCase-level electrical engineering without CAD complexity. For commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW) needing integrated workflows—design, electrical, proposals—SurgePV offers complete automation at comparable cost with 4-week faster onboarding.

Our Recommendation

For Utility-Scale Developers (>10MW Projects):

PVCase remains a solid choice IF:

• You have in-house AutoCAD expertise (or budget for CAD training)
• Millimeter-level precision critical for complex terrain
• Don't need electrical automation (outsourced or manual process acceptable)
• Don't need sales proposals (engineering-only focus)

However, even utility-scale teams should consider:

• Is $2,000/year per user AutoCAD cost justified?
• Is 6-8 week onboarding timeline acceptable?
• Can we afford 2-3 hours manual electrical work per project?

For Most Commercial EPCs—Especially Those Who:

• Work on 100kW-10MW commercial projects (rooftop, carport, ground-mount)
• Need complete electrical documentation (SLD, wire sizing, panel schedules)
• Want integrated proposals with financial modeling
• Don't have AutoCAD expertise (or want to eliminate CAD dependency)
• Need faster onboarding (2-3 weeks vs 6-8 weeks)
• Want cloud accessibility and multi-user collaboration
• Design carport solar projects (PVCase cannot do this natively)

SurgePV delivers a more complete, cost-effective, and scalable solution without compromising on engineering accuracy (±3% vs PVsyst).

The Bottom Line

For commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW) prioritizing complete design-to-sale workflows with integrated electrical engineering—SurgePV is the superior choice.

For utility-scale developers (>10MW) with CAD teams needing millimeter-level precision—PVCase remains highly competitive.

Ready to Compare PVCase with SurgePV?

If PVCase's AutoCAD dependency ($2,000/year), 6-8 week learning curve, and missing electrical automation are creating workflow friction for your commercial EPC, SurgePV offers a complete alternative.

What Makes SurgePV Different

• Complete Electrical Engineering: Automated SLD generation (5-10 minutes), wire sizing, conduit fill, panel schedules—no AutoCAD required
• Native Carport Design: Only platform supporting parking lot canopy structures (PVCase cannot do this natively)
• Cloud Collaboration: Access anywhere, real-time multi-user workflows (not desktop-dependent)
• Integrated Proposals: Financial modeling, ROI calculations, interactive web presentations (PVCase has none)
• Transparent Pricing: starting at $1,899/year for 3 users all-inclusive (vs contact sales + hidden AutoCAD cost)
• Faster Onboarding: 2-3 weeks to productivity (vs 6-8 weeks for PVCase non-CAD users)

See SurgePV in Action

👉 Book a 15-Minute Demo

What you'll see:

• Automated electrical engineering in action (SLD generation in 5-10 minutes vs 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD)
• Native carport solar design (capability PVCase doesn't have)
• Complete design-to-sale workflow (design → electrical → proposals in one platform)
• Your specific use case tailored to commercial EPC workflows (100kW-10MW projects)
• TCO comparison (how SurgePV saves $2,000/year on AutoCAD + 2-3 hours per project)

No pressure, no obligation. See if SurgePV fits your commercial EPC workflow.

Not ready for a demo?

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