TL;DR Summary
GetPylon (Pylon) is an Australian pay-per-project solar design software known for fast residential proposals and no monthly fees. Based on 1,000+ verified reviews averaging 4.6/5 stars, users praise ease of use and speed but note limitations for commercial projects. For solar businesses needing complete electrical engineering, carport design, and bankable P75/P90 simulations, SurgePV delivers a complete commercial solution at $1,499/user/year.
What Is GetPylon?
GetPylon (commonly called "Pylon") is cloud-based solar design and proposal software that pioneered a unique pay-per-project pricing model. Instead of monthly subscriptions, you pay $4-10 per project depending on complexity.
Company Overview
Founded in 2016, Pylon emerged from Sydney, Australia under the legal entity Saru Technologies Pty. Ltd. Founders Nelson Zheng (Solar Engineer) and Daniel Buckmaster (Software Developer) built the platform to address a specific pain point: unpredictable software costs for small installers with variable project volumes.
The company secured seed funding from Startmate and won Best Solar Innovation at the 2021 Finder Innovation Awards. With a lean team of 1-10 employees, Pylon has grown to serve 3,500+ solar businesses, primarily in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Core Capabilities
Pylon focuses on three core functions:
- Solar Design: Panel placement on aerial imagery using a 2D design studio
- Shading Analysis: Award-winning shadow-based 3D calculation method
- Proposal Generation: Interactive web and PDF proposals with financial modeling
The platform includes high-resolution imagery (7.5-15cm resolution) at no extra charge—a feature competitors often sell as add-ons. Basic Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation and voltage rise reports handle Australian compliance requirements.
An optional Solar CRM add-on ($49/user/month) provides email sync, SMS, lead management, and AI assistance for teams needing customer relationship tools.
Target Market
Pylon primarily serves residential solar installers in Australia, New Zealand, and expanding US markets. The pay-per-project model appeals to solo installers and small teams (1-10 employees) handling 10-100 projects monthly, typically in the 3kW-100kW range.
Small commercial projects under 100kW work well on the Pro tier ($10/project), but larger commercial EPCs often find feature gaps for complex work.
Market Position
According to review aggregators:
- G2: 4.6/5 stars (1,000+ ratings)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 stars (1,000+ ratings)
- GetApp: 4.6/5 stars
- Crozdesk: 88/100 (Top 3 in Solar category)
Users consistently recognize Pylon for its innovative pricing model, fast proposal generation, and touch-friendly interface that works well on iPads for on-site quoting.
Primary competitors include Aurora Solar, OpenSolar, HelioScope, and SurgePV—each targeting slightly different market segments.
Features Analysis
Design & Modeling
Aerial Imagery & Panel Placement
Pylon includes high-resolution aerial imagery (7.5-15cm per pixel) in the base price—coverage is strong in Australia and New Zealand (90%) and expanding in the United States.
The 2D design studio differs from competitors' 3D rotating interfaces. This flat surface approach makes the platform particularly touch-friendly. Users report the iPad experience is excellent for on-site residential quotes, where speed matters more than detailed engineering visualization.
You can upload blueprints or drone photography when aerial imagery isn't available or is outdated. The component database includes 20,000+ panels, inverters, and batteries pre-configured for quick selection.
User feedback from Capterra confirms: "Solar layout tool is really easy to use."
However, the imagery has limitations. Some users report outdated maps in their regions. Upgrading to Nearmap (premium imagery) costs approximately 100 credits (about $8 per project), reducing the cost advantage.
3D Shading Analysis
Pylon won the Finder Innovation Award partly for its shadow-based calculation method. Instead of manually modeling obstructions, the system:
- Traces shadow outlines from aerial imagery
- Calculates obstruction dimensions using sun azimuth and shadow length
- Creates a 3D model in seconds
This approach is fast. According to Pylon, shading predictions complete in seconds rather than minutes.
But there's a trade-off. Independent testing by Creative Nurds found approximately 10% energy production overestimation compared to actual generation, particularly during warmer months. For residential projects where customer expectations matter, this gap can create problems. For commercial projects requiring bankable simulations for financing, it becomes a bigger issue.
In comparison, SurgePV offers ±3% accuracy versus PVSyst, the industry benchmark for bankable simulations.
Electrical Design
Single Line Diagram (SLD) Generation
Pylon auto-generates basic SLDs for solar and battery projects. This is a valuable feature that saves time versus manual drawing.
User testimonial from G2: "SLD is a dream, makes my job so much quicker."
The SLD covers standard residential installations adequately. For basic compliance documentation, particularly in Australian markets where voltage rise calculations are critical, Pylon delivers.
However, the electrical engineering depth is limited compared to specialized platforms. You get basic single-line diagrams, not the detailed engineering documentation required for complex commercial projects.
Voltage Rise Reports
The click-and-drag cable path tool generates voltage rise calculation reports required for Australian grid connections. This feature addresses a specific regulatory requirement in Pylon's primary market.
What Pylon Lacks for Commercial Electrical
Here's where commercial EPCs hit limitations:
- No complete wire sizing: No AWG calculations, temperature correction factors, or conduit fill analysis
- No conduit sizing calculations: Manual work required
- No detailed voltage drop analysis: Beyond the basic voltage rise reports
- No NEC Article 690 compliance automation: Critical for US commercial projects
The impact: Commercial EPCs often need to supplement Pylon with AutoCAD or other electrical design tools, adding $2,000/year in licensing costs and 2-3 hours per project in workflow time.
SurgePV includes complete electrical engineering—SLD generation in 5-10 minutes, wire sizing, voltage drop calculations, and conduit sizing—eliminating the need for AutoCAD entirely.
Battery & Energy Features
Battery Storage Design (Pro Tier)
The Pro tier ($10/project) unlocks battery storage modeling:
- Off-peak charging simulations
- Time-of-use (TOU) optimization
- Days-of-autonomy scenarios
This is solid for residential battery quotes. The financial modeling shows customers their potential savings with storage, helping close sales.
Load Profile Analysis
Custom load profiles (Pro tier) and NEM12 interval data analysis help optimize system sizing. You can upload actual energy bills for ROI calculations tailored to the customer's consumption patterns.
Standard tier includes up to 5 residential load profiles, which works for most small installers.
Proposals & Sales Tools
Proposal Generation
Pylon's headline feature is speed. The company claims "Solar proposals in 2 minutes," and user testimonials back this up.
Capterra reviewer: "Punch out proposals in 2 minutes."
Proposals come in two formats:
- Interactive web proposals (mobile-friendly for customer viewing)
- PDF export for email or printing
For residential sales where speed closes deals, this is a major advantage.
Proposal Customization Limitations
Here's a significant constraint: Pylon offers only 3 basic templates.
Customization is limited to:
- Color theme changes
- Company logo and contact information
- Removing existing pages
You cannot add custom pages, modify layouts beyond the provided structure, or implement advanced branding that distinguishes your company.
According to the Creative Nurds review: "Only 3 basic templates, can't customize much."
For companies wanting branded proposals that reflect unique positioning, this becomes a pain point. The proposals look professional, but they look similar across different companies using Pylon.
eSignature & Payments
Digital signature collection costs an additional $0.80 per project. Signatures include timestamp and location recording for compliance.
Credit card payment acceptance directly in proposals charges 2.50% per transaction. This lets residential installers collect deposits or full payment during the sales conversation.
CRM & Integrations
Solar CRM (Add-On)
The Solar CRM is a separate product at $49/user/month. It's not included in the pay-per-project design pricing.
Features include:
- Email sync and auto lead processor
- 2-way SMS and email communication
- Web form integration
- AI assistance for lead qualification
- Deal pipeline management
For small installers, this adds up. A single-user CRM costs $588/year on top of design project costs.
Integration Partners
Pylon connects with:
- Xero (accounting)
- Brighte, Smart Ease, Solaris Finance (financing partners)
- Nearmap (upgraded imagery: adds ~$8/project)
- ServiceM8 (field service management)
- Mailchimp (email marketing)
Enterprise tier includes API access for custom integrations.
Commercial & Advanced Features
Commercial Capabilities
The Pro tier officially supports 99kW+ systems, making it viable for small commercial projects.
However, multiple user reviews note limitations:
- "Not designed for large-scale jobs or complex simulations"
- "Best for simpler, single-site installs"
There's no terrain-aware design for ground mounts, no advanced utility-scale simulation features, and the electrical engineering depth falls short of what commercial projects typically require.
Critical Commercial Gaps
For commercial EPCs, Pylon lacks:
- No native carport solar design: The fastest-growing commercial solar segment
- No solar tracker support: Neither single-axis nor dual-axis tracking
- No East-West racking optimization: For higher density installations
- No P75/P90 bankability estimates: Only P50 (median) projections
These aren't residential features—they're commercial necessities.
SurgePV is the only platform with native carport design, plus tracker support (single-axis and dual-axis), East-West racking, and complete P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics.
Pricing & Plans
Pricing Model (Unique in Industry)
Pylon's pay-per-project model eliminates monthly fees. You purchase credits in packs and spend them per project.
Key advantages:
- No monthly overhead: Pay only when you create projects
- No minimum spend: Buy credits as needed
- Unlimited users: No per-seat charges for design features
This pricing innovation attracted Pylon's initial user base and remains its strongest competitive advantage for variable-volume businesses.
Pricing Tiers
Verified from getpylon.com/pricing (January 23, 2026):
Add-On Pricing
Pricing Transparency Analysis
Strengths:
- Clear public pricing (no "contact sales" required)
- Low barrier to entry ($4/project)
- Unlimited design users included
- No long-term contracts required
- Free trial available without credit card
Limitations:
- Credit-based system confuses some new users initially
- Add-ons increase total cost (CRM, eSignature, Nearmap)
- Pro tier necessary for commercial work ($10/project)
- At high project volumes, per-project costs accumulate
Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
Let's compare realistic scenarios.
Scenario: 50 Projects/Month (Mixed Residential/Commercial)
Analysis by Volume:
- Low volume (<20 projects/month): Pylon is most affordable ($80/month vs $125/month for SurgePV)
- Medium volume (20-50 projects/month): Costs become comparable
- High volume + Commercial needs: SurgePV offers better value with predictable annual pricing and complete features
SurgePV Value Comparison
SurgePV For 3 Users plan: $1,499/user/year
What's included that Pylon lacks:
- Complete electrical engineering (SLD generation, wire sizing, voltage drop)
- Native carport design (only platform with this feature)
- Tracker support (single-axis, dual-axis)
- P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics for financing
- No add-on costs for commercial features
For commercial EPCs, the all-inclusive model eliminates tool-switching and provides predictable annual costs instead of variable per-project expenses.
What Real Users Say
Overall Satisfaction
Based on review platforms through January 2026:
- G2: 4.6/5 stars (1,000+ ratings)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 stars (1,000+ ratings)
- GetApp: 4.6/5 stars
- Crozdesk: 88/100 (Top 3 in Solar category)
- User Satisfaction Score: 98/100 (Crozdesk)
These ratings are genuinely strong. Pylon has built a loyal user base, particularly among residential installers in Australia and New Zealand.
Top Praised Features
1. Ease of Use (High mention rate)
Multiple reviewers emphasize the learning curve is minimal:
- "Even beginners can navigate through the software easily"
- "Very user friendly software"
- "Pylon's much easier to use than OpenSolar"
The 2D design surface and touch-device optimization contribute to this perception. For iPad-based field quoting, users consistently praise the interface.
2. Speed (High mention rate)
Speed appears in reviews repeatedly:
- "Proposals in under 2 minutes"
- "So quick and easy to use"
- "Punch out proposals in 2 minutes"
For residential sales where the customer is waiting, this speed advantage closes deals.
3. Pay-Per-Project Value (High mention rate)
Users appreciate the pricing model:
- "Great value for money with all features"
- "Excellent for residential quoting"
- "Our favorite tool for on-the-spot quotes"
Variable-volume businesses particularly value paying only when they use the software.
4. Professional Proposals (Medium mention rate)
Proposal output quality receives positive feedback:
- "Quotes come out looking very professional full of details"
- "Great help in selling to the customer"
The limitation is customization depth, not output quality.
5. Customer Support (Medium mention rate)
Founder-led support stands out:
- "Founder Nelson responds within 5 minutes via live chat"
- "The team are super helpful"
- "World-class support for all users"
Small company benefits: direct access to founders who genuinely care about solving user problems.
6. SLD Generation (Medium mention rate)
Electrical contractors appreciate the basic SLD automation:
- "SLD is a dream, makes my job so much quicker"
For standard residential installations in Australia where SLD requirements are straightforward, this feature delivers value.
Top Criticisms
1. Limited Commercial Capabilities (Multiple reviews)
This limitation appears across independent reviews:
- "Not designed for large-scale jobs or complex simulations"
- "Best for simpler, single-site installs"
Commercial EPCs discover these constraints when they attempt projects above 100kW or require advanced structures (carports, trackers) that Pylon doesn't support.
2. Energy Production Overestimation (Testing report)
Independent testing by Creative Nurds found approximately 10% overestimation compared to actual generation, particularly during warmer months.
This creates two problems:
- Customer expectations don't match reality
- Financing institutions may question projections
For comparison, SurgePV delivers ±3% accuracy versus PVSyst, the industry standard for bankable simulations.
3. Basic Proposal Customization (Multiple reviews)
Users note:
- "Only 3 basic templates"
- "Can't customize much within the templates"
Companies wanting unique branded proposals find themselves constrained by Pylon's limited customization options.
4. Credit Billing Confusion (User reviews)
Several users mention:
- "Credit-based billing can be confusing"
The pay-per-project model, while innovative, requires a learning curve. New users sometimes struggle understanding how credits translate to actual project costs.
5. Imagery Limitations (User reviews)
Geographic coverage gaps appear:
- "Map isn't updated in my region"
- "Sometimes doesn't integrate too well with Nearmap"
When you need Nearmap upgrades, the cost adds approximately $8/project, reducing the pricing advantage.
6. Pricing Perception at Scale (Some reviews)
A minority view exists:
- "Pricing is expensive compared to what's in the market"
- "Can't delete old jobs or reclaim credits easily"
At higher project volumes, the per-project model becomes less attractive than flat annual subscriptions.
User Sentiment by Role
Solo Installers & Small Teams: Very Positive
These users love Pylon:
- Pay-per-project model fits variable workload
- Simplicity and speed enable on-the-spot residential quotes
- Low barrier to entry
Medium-Sized Companies: Mostly Positive, Some Concerns
Appreciate ease of use and support, but:
- May need additional tools for commercial projects
- CRM add-on costs accumulate
- Feature limitations become visible as business scales
Commercial EPCs: Mixed
Positive about speed for small commercial, but:
- Note feature gaps for larger or complex projects
- Require supplementary software for complete electrical documentation
- Find themselves looking at alternatives as project complexity increases
Pros & Cons
GetPylon Pros
1. Innovative Pay-Per-Project Pricing
Only $4/project (Standard) or $10/project (Pro) with no monthly fees, no contracts, and unlimited users. This eliminates fixed overhead for variable-volume businesses.
Source: getpylon.com/pricing (verified January 23, 2026)
2. Fast Proposal Generation
Company claims "Proposals in under 2 minutes" and user testimonials consistently confirm this speed advantage. For residential sales where customers are waiting, this closes deals.
Source: Multiple G2/Capterra reviews
3. Excellent Ease of Use
The 2D design surface (simpler than 3D rotating interfaces) works particularly well on touch devices. "Even beginners can navigate easily" appears repeatedly in reviews.
iPad optimization makes it ideal for on-site quoting.
Source: G2/Capterra user reviews
4. High-Resolution Imagery Included
7.5-15cm per pixel resolution included in base price. Competitors often charge extra for high-resolution imagery. Coverage is 90% in Australia/New Zealand and expanding in the United States.
Source: getpylon.com
5. Award-Winning 3D Shading Analysis
Winner of Finder Innovation Awards 2021 for the unique shadow-based calculation method. The approach is fast (predictions in seconds) and innovative.
Source: getpylon.com, Creative Nurds
6. Outstanding Customer Support
Founder-led, personal support with under 5-minute response time via live chat. Small company advantage: direct access to people who built the product.
Source: User reviews, Creative Nurds
7. Large Component Database
20,000+ solar panels, inverters, and batteries pre-configured and ready to use.
Source: getpylon.com/solar-design
8. Useful SLD Auto-Generation
Basic single-line diagrams for solar and battery installations. User quote: "SLD is a dream, makes job quicker." For standard residential in Australia, this delivers value.
Source: User reviews
GetPylon Cons
1. Limited Commercial Capabilities (CRITICAL)
Not designed for large-scale or complex commercial projects. Missing features: carports, trackers, East-West racking, advanced electrical engineering.
Impact: Commercial EPCs above 100kW need additional tools, reducing the all-in-one value proposition.
Source: Multiple reviews, feature analysis
2. Energy Production Overestimation
Independent testing found approximately 10% overestimation versus actual generation.
Impact: Customer expectations don't match reality. Financing institutions may question projections for bankable deals.
Source: Creative Nurds independent testing
3. Basic Proposal Customization
Only 3 templates with limited customization (color, logo, page removal). Cannot add custom pages or modify layouts.
Impact: Less brand differentiation. All Pylon proposals look similar across different companies.
Source: Creative Nurds review
4. No Advanced Electrical Engineering
Basic SLD only. No complete wire sizing (no AWG calculations, temperature correction, conduit fill). No detailed voltage drop analysis beyond basic voltage rise reports.
Impact: May not meet permit requirements for complex commercial projects. Requires supplemental tools like AutoCAD.
Source: Feature analysis
5. No Bankability Metrics (P75/P90)
Assumed P50 estimates only. No P75 or P90 conservative projections.
Impact: May not satisfy commercial financing requirements where lenders demand conservative (P90) estimates.
Source: Feature absence in documentation
6. Credit Billing System Confusion
Credit-based model creates learning curve for new users.
Impact: Some users struggle understanding true cost per project initially.
Source: User reviews
7. Geographic Imagery Limitations
Some regions have outdated maps. Nearmap upgrade adds approximately $8/project.
Impact: Additional costs reduce pricing advantage in areas requiring premium imagery.
Source: User reviews
8. Small Company Risk
1-10 employees, founder-led operation.
Impact: Potential scalability or support concerns as user base grows. Single point of failure risk if key personnel leave.
Source: Crunchbase company profile
GetPylon vs SurgePV
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Detailed Category Comparison
Pricing & Value
Pylon's pay-per-project model eliminates fixed costs, making it attractive for solo installers and small teams with variable project volume. You pay only when you use it.
SurgePV offers predictable annual pricing with all features included. At $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), commercial teams get complete electrical engineering, carports, trackers, and P75/P90 without add-on costs.
Winner: Pylon for low volume/residential focus. SurgePV for commercial/high volume.
Electrical Engineering
Pylon provides basic SLD auto-generation suitable for standard residential installations. Wire sizing is limited to component management.
SurgePV includes complete electrical engineering suite: SLD generation in 5-10 minutes (versus 2-3 hours in AutoCAD), complete wire sizing (DC/AC with voltage drop, temperature correction, conduit fill), and NEC Article 690 compliance automation.
Winner: SurgePV. This eliminates AutoCAD dependency, saving $2,000/year and 2-3 hours per commercial project.
Commercial Structures
Pylon is residential-focused with no specialized commercial structure support.
SurgePV offers native carport design (the only platform with this feature), tracker support (single-axis and dual-axis), and East-West racking optimization.
Winner: SurgePV. Commercial EPCs handling parking lot solar, tracking systems, or high-density installations need these capabilities.
Accuracy & Bankability
Pylon shows approximately 10% energy overestimation (independent testing) with P50 projections only.
SurgePV delivers ±3% accuracy versus PVSyst with P50/P75/P90 bankable estimates.
Winner: SurgePV. Critical for commercial project financing where lenders require conservative (P90) projections and bankable accuracy.
Workflow Comparison
Residential Quote (Simple)
For fast residential quotes, Pylon's speed is unmatched.
Commercial Project (100kW+ with Electrical)
For commercial projects requiring electrical documentation, SurgePV delivers complete workflow in one platform.
When to Choose Each
Choose Pylon If:
- You're a solo installer or small residential team
- High-volume residential quoting is your primary need
- Budget constraints require pay-per-project flexibility
- Speed is critical for on-the-spot quotes
- Based in Australia/New Zealand markets
Choose SurgePV If:
- You handle commercial projects (100kW+)
- You need complete electrical documentation (SLD, wire sizing, voltage drop)
- Carports, trackers, or East-West racking are in your portfolio
- Bankable accuracy (±3% vs PVSyst) is required for financing
- You want predictable annual pricing with all features included
- India or US market with need for utility rate databases
Use Case Recommendations
GetPylon Is Best For
Solo installers wanting minimal overhead (pay only when you use it)
Small residential teams needing fast on-the-spot quotes
Australian/NZ installers (strong local support and imagery coverage)
Budget-conscious operations with variable monthly project volume
Teams prioritizing speed over advanced features
Companies wanting simple, touch-friendly design tools for iPad quoting
SurgePV Is Best For
Commercial EPCs handling 100kW-10MW projects
Teams needing complete electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing, voltage drop)
Solar businesses with carport, tracker, or East-West racking projects
Companies requiring bankable P75/P90 estimates for project financing
Operations in India and US markets needing extensive utility databases
Growing businesses wanting predictable annual pricing
Teams frustrated with tool-switching (design + CAD + simulation in separate platforms)
Decision Matrix
Migration Considerations
Switching from Pylon to SurgePV
Common Reasons to Switch:
- Scaling into commercial projects requiring complete electrical documentation
- Needing carport, tracker, or East-West racking design capabilities
- Financing requirements demanding bankable P75/P90 estimates
- Wanting predictable annual pricing versus accumulating per-project costs
- Expanding into India/US markets with extensive utility databases
Migration Process
Timeline: 2-3 weeks (SurgePV onboarding)
Data Considerations: Project data typically doesn't transfer between platforms. Expect to start fresh in the new system, though you can export PDFs from Pylon for reference.
Learning Curve: SurgePV is more feature-rich, requiring more onboarding time than Pylon's simple interface. However, the platform includes video tutorials and documentation.
Parallel Running: You can use both platforms during transition, maintaining Pylon for simple residential while learning SurgePV for commercial.
SurgePV Migration Support
- Dedicated onboarding support included
- 3-minute average support response time
- Video tutorials and knowledge base documentation
- Trial available to test before committing
GetPylon vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison
How GetPylon compares to SurgePV across the features commercial EPCs need most.
Final Verdict
GetPylon Summary
Strengths:
- Innovative pay-per-project pricing ($4-10/project, no monthly fees)
- Fastest proposal generation in the industry (under 2 minutes)
- Excellent ease of use with touch-friendly 2D interface
- High-resolution imagery included at no extra charge
- Outstanding founder-led customer support
Ideal For:
- Solo installers and small residential teams
- Budget-conscious operations with variable project volume
- Australian/NZ market focus
- Speed-critical on-site quoting scenarios
Limitations:
- Not designed for large-scale or complex commercial projects
- Basic electrical engineering (SLD only, limited wire sizing)
- Missing commercial structures (no carports, trackers, East-West racking)
- Approximately 10% energy overestimation reported in testing
- Basic proposal customization (only 3 templates)
SurgePV Summary
Strengths:
- Complete electrical engineering in one platform (SLD generation in 5-10 minutes, wire sizing, voltage drop calculations)
- Only platform with native carport design plus tracker support
- Bankable ±3% accuracy versus PVSyst with P50/P75/P90 estimates
- Predictable annual pricing ($1,499/user/year for For 3 Users plan, all features included)
- Complete India + US + International coverage with 3,000+ US utilities
Ideal For:
- Commercial EPCs handling 100kW-10MW projects
- Teams needing complete permit-ready electrical documentation
- Companies with carport, tracker, or advanced structure projects
- Operations requiring bankable simulations for project financing
Why Teams Choose SurgePV Over Pylon:
- Complete electrical engineering eliminates AutoCAD dependency (saves $2,000/year + 2-3 hours per project)
- Native commercial structures (carports, trackers, East-West) that Pylon lacks
- Bankable accuracy for commercial financing requirements (±3% vs PVSyst with P75/P90)
- Predictable all-inclusive pricing versus accumulating per-project costs at scale
Our Recommendation
For solo installers and small residential teams, Pylon remains an excellent choice. Its pay-per-project model, speed, and ease of use make it ideal for fast residential quoting without monthly overhead.
However, for commercial EPCs and growing solar businesses—especially those needing complete electrical documentation, advanced structures, or bankable simulations—SurgePV delivers a complete solution.
The bottom line: Pylon excels at what it's designed for (fast residential proposals). But when your business scales into commercial territory, SurgePV's integrated platform eliminates the tool-switching and feature gaps that commercial projects demand.
Ready to Compare Pylon with SurgePV?
If you're considering Pylon but need:
- Complete electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing, voltage drop)
- Carport, tracker, or East-West racking design
- Bankable P75/P90 simulations for financing
- Predictable all-inclusive pricing
Book a 15-Minute Demo to see SurgePV in action.
What You'll See:
- Automated SLD generation (5-10 min vs hours in AutoCAD)
- Native carport design (only platform with this capability)
- ±3% PVSyst accuracy with P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics
- Complete commercial workflow in one platform
No pressure, no obligation.
Not ready for a demo?
Related Reviews & Resources
Competitor Reviews
- Aurora Solar Review: Features, Pricing & Alternatives
- OpenSolar Review: Is It Really Free?
- HelioScope Review: Best for Utility-Scale?
- PVCase Review: CAD-Based Design Analysis
- PVsyst Review: The Industry Standard
Best Software Guides
- Best Solar Design Software: Complete 2026 Guide
- Best All-in-One Solar Software for EPCs
- Best Solar Proposal Software: Speed Up Sales
- Best Solar Software for Commercial EPCs
- Best Solar CAD Tools: Design & Engineering
Educational Resources
FAQ Section
Q1: Is GetPylon free?
New users receive free credits for 5 Standard projects with no credit card required. After the trial, Standard projects cost $4 each and Pro projects (commercial/battery) cost $10 each. There are no monthly subscription fees.
Source: getpylon.com/pricing
Q2: How much does Pylon cost per project?
Standard tier ($4 per project) includes solar design, high-resolution imagery, financial projections, and web/PDF proposals. Pro tier ($10 per project) adds custom load profiles, battery storage design, and 99kW+ commercial capacity.
Additional costs: Solar CRM ($49/user/month), eSignature ($0.80/project), and payment processing (2.50% per transaction).
Source: getpylon.com/pricing
Q3: Is Pylon good for commercial solar projects?
Pylon's Pro tier supports projects up to 99kW+ but lacks features needed for complex commercial work. Missing capabilities include carport design, tracker support, East-West racking, and bankable P75/P90 estimates.
Multiple reviews note it's "not designed for large-scale jobs or complex simulations" and is "best for simpler, single-site installs."
Source: User reviews, feature analysis
Q4: Does Pylon generate Single Line Diagrams (SLDs)?
Users praise this feature: "SLD is a dream, makes my job quicker." However, it's basic auto-generation rather than complete electrical engineering. For complex commercial projects requiring detailed wire sizing, conduit calculations, and voltage drop analysis, you may need additional tools.
Q5: How accurate is Pylon's energy production estimate?
Independent testing by Creative Nurds found Pylon tends to overestimate energy production, particularly during warmer months. This may affect customer expectations and financing approvals.
For comparison, SurgePV offers ±3% accuracy versus PVSyst, the industry benchmark for bankable simulations.
Q6: Does Pylon work in the United States?
While originally Australian, Pylon now offers 7.5-15cm imagery coverage across the United States. However, US users should verify imagery availability for their specific regions, as coverage quality may vary. Some users report outdated maps in certain areas.
Source: getpylon.com, user reviews
Q7: How does Pylon compare to Aurora Solar?
Pylon: $4-10/project, faster proposals, easier learning curve, better for residential. Aurora: ~$200-400/user/month subscription (estimate), industry-leading AI roof modeling, more polished proposals, better CRM integrations.
Both lack the complete electrical engineering that SurgePV provides (automated SLD generation, wire sizing, voltage drop calculations).
Q8: How does Pylon compare to OpenSolar?
Pylon: Pay-per-project ($4-10), high-resolution imagery included, simpler interface. OpenSolar: "Free" base tier but may need Nearmap upgrade ($$$), support costs ($280/month for 8 tickets reported), setup fees up to $2,500.
User feedback: "Pylon's much easier to use than OpenSolar."
Q9: Can I use Pylon on iPad or tablet?
Pylon's 2D design surface (unlike 3D rotating interfaces) works particularly well on tablets. This is a key differentiator mentioned by users who appreciate the touch-friendly interface for on-site quoting.
Q10: What integrations does Pylon offer?
Integration partners include: Xero (accounting), Brighte/Smart Ease/Solaris Finance (financing), Nearmap (upgraded imagery), ServiceM8 (field service), and Mailchimp (email marketing). Enterprise tier includes API access for custom integrations.
Q11: Is Pylon better than SurgePV?
Choose Pylon for: Low-volume residential, pay-per-project flexibility, speed-critical quotes, Australia/NZ focus.
Choose SurgePV for: Commercial 100kW+, complete electrical documentation (SLD, wire sizing), carports/trackers, bankable P75/P90 estimates, India/US markets.
Both are excellent for their target audiences. The right choice depends on your project types and business needs.
Source: Comparative analysis
Q12: How long does it take to learn Pylon?
Pylon is praised for ease of use: "Even beginners can navigate easily." The 2D interface and touch-friendly design make it one of the fastest solar software tools to learn.
More advanced features like battery storage modeling and interval data analysis may require additional practice, but the core design-to-proposal workflow is accessible immediately.
