TL;DR Summary:
RatedPower (part of Enverus) is a cloud-based solar design platform exclusively focused on utility-scale PV plants (5 MW+), standalone battery energy storage (BESS), and hybrid systems. Based on 98% of users rating 4-5 stars on G2, RatedPower excels at utility-scale automation, substation design, and BESS—but is not suitable for residential or commercial projects under 5 MW. For commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW), SurgePV offers complete electrical engineering, transparent pricing at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), and automated SLD generation optimized for commercial workflows.
What Is RatedPower?
RatedPower (branded as pvDesign) is a cloud-based solar design platform developed by Enverus, exclusively focused on utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) plants (5 MW+), standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS), and hybrid PV + BESS projects.
Company Background:
- Founded: 2017
- Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
- Ownership: Acquired by Enverus (September 2022)
- Global Reach: 4,300+ solar professionals across 160+ countries
- Capacity Designed: 55+ TW of solar capacity
Key Positioning Statement:
RatedPower is the utility-scale automation specialist that reduces design time by 90% for projects 5 MW and above—but is not suitable for residential or commercial projects under 5 MW, making it complementary rather than competitive to SurgePV's commercial solar design focus (100kW-10MW).
RatedPower Features & Capabilities
Solar PV Design
Automated Layout Generation:
- Terrain-aware layout creation with fixed-tilt, single-axis, and dual-axis tracker support
- Bifacial module support with advanced gain calculations (4-10% typical, up to 16%)
- East-West racking configurations
- Customizable module and inverter selection from complete database
Topography Analysis:
- Digital elevation model (DEM) creation from XYZ format data
- Cut-and-fill volume calculations for grading analysis
- Slope and pile length optimization
- Automated grading needs assessment
User Feedback:
> "Saves 75% of the time involved in creating the first design" - G2 Review
Time Savings: 30 minutes vs 1-2 days traditional AutoCAD (90%+ reduction)
Source: RatedPower Topography Methodology.pdf)
SurgePV Note: For commercial EPCs designing 100kW-10MW projects, SurgePV offers automated solar design without utility-scale complexity. Automated SLD generation saves 2-3 hours per commercial project with transparent pricing at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan).
Shading Analysis & Energy Yield (3D Energy)
Advanced Ray-Tracing Technology:
- Module-by-module shading analysis using "Radiance" ray-tracing software
- Terrain-aware backtracking for trackers
- Bifacial gain modeling (accounts for ground albedo, tilt, elevation, GCR)
- P50 (median), P75, P90 production estimates
- Hour-by-hour (8760) generation profiles
- Bankable yield reports for financing
Accuracy & Validation:
- Validated against real-world PV plant performance data
- Similar calculation methodology to PVsyst (uses established bankable formulas)
- Validation reports available for monofacial single-axis tracker and bifacial fixed system setups
Sources:
SurgePV Comparison: SurgePV offers shading analysis with ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst for commercial-scale projects (100kW-10MW) with integrated design workflow. For utility-scale projects requiring transmission-level interconnection, RatedPower's specialized capabilities are appropriate.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Unique Capability: Only utility-scale solar software offering both hybrid PV + BESS and standalone BESS design.
BESS Design Features:
- Automated container or racking placement with customizable layouts
- AC-coupled and DC-coupled hybrid system support
- Standalone BESS design (independent of PV plant)
- Capacity optimization (maximize in area OR set specific parameters)
- BESS arbitrage system for profit optimization based on energy prices
- Grid compliance calculations (power factor adjustment at inverter level)
- Cable sizing automation
Documentation: 400+ pages of detailed engineering information for hybrid or standalone BESS systems
Sources:
SurgePV Note: SurgePV focuses on commercial-scale solar (100kW-10MW) without BESS (planned for future release). For BESS projects, RatedPower is the clear leader in the utility-scale market.
Substation Design & Interconnection
Substation Engineering:
- Automated basic engineering for substations
- Single busbar, double busbar, or line-to-transformer arrangements
- Power transformer optimization
- Medium voltage (MV) line design considering capacity and environmental conditions
- Single Line Diagram (SLD) generation for utility-scale interconnection
Speed: Design in 30 minutes vs 1-2 days with AutoCAD
Source: RatedPower Substation Platform
SurgePV Comparison: SurgePV offers automated electrical design for commercial-scale projects (distribution-level interconnection, not transmission-level substations). Commercial projects typically connect at distribution level, not requiring substation design. For commercial EPCs designing 100kW-10MW projects, SurgePV generates permit-ready SLDs in 5-10 minutes without AutoCAD dependency.
Financial Modeling & Analysis
Built-in Financial KPIs (November 2024 update):
- NPV (Net Present Value): Sum of discounted cash flows over project lifespan
- IRR (Internal Rate of Return): Annual return percentage that makes NPV = 0
- ROI (Return on Investment): Profitability measurement
- LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy): Total project cost per kWh
- Payback Period: Time to recover initial investment
- Discounted Payback: Payback accounting for time value of money
Energy Sales & Revenue:
- Set energy sales price (PPA rates)
- Accurate revenue calculations
- OpEx and financing cost inputs
- Multi-variable optimization (NPV, LCOE, IRR simultaneously)
CAPEX & Cost Analysis:
- Built-in CAPEX templates
- Custom template upload capability
- Bill of materials (BoM) cost calculation
- Civil works cost estimation (grading, roads, foundations)
Sources:
SurgePV Note: SurgePV offers financial modeling optimized for commercial-scale projects with ROI, payback, and NPV calculations accessible to commercial EPCs.
Integrations & Exports
Validated Integration Partners:
- PVsyst: Download editable reports, drawings, and 3D shading scenes ready for PVsyst validation
- AutoCAD: Export layouts as DWG files for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, and Civil 3D
- DIgSILENT StationWare: Power system analysis integration
- Microsoft Excel: Data export for custom analysis
- Google Earth: Geospatial visualization
- QGIS: GIS data exchange
- Solargis: Weather data integration
Power System Analysis Tools: PSS/E, PowerFactory, ETAP
Export Formats: CAD files (DWG), Shapefiles (SHP), 3D models, PDF reports, Excel data
Source: RatedPower Platform Overview
RatedPower Pricing & Plans
Pricing Model
Critical Note: Exact dollar amounts are NOT publicly disclosed. All pricing is contact-based.
Pricing Structure: License-based (NOT per-user) with unlimited users included in all plans.
User Feedback on Pricing:
> "Rated Power is bloody expensive" - G2 Review
> "Too expensive for what is offered" - G2 Review
Comparison Statement: One reviewer noted "other products available are much better in performance and, especially, price-wise."
Source: RatedPower G2 Reviews
Plan Tiers
Basic Plan (Contact Sales):
- PV design layout, modeling, 2D energy yield
- Hybridization (PV + BESS)
- Standalone storage design
- Interconnection design
- Unlimited users, projects, designs
- 48-hour email support
- Documentation and educational resources
Advanced Plan (Contact Sales):
- Everything in Basic, PLUS:
- Detailed PV engineering
- Layout editability (manual adjustments)
- Live on-demand technical training
- Support materials repository
- Unlimited users, projects, designs
Premium/Professional Plan (Contact Sales):
- Everything in Advanced, PLUS:
- Site analysis and prospection capabilities
- Available in selected geographies
- Unlimited users, projects, designs
Free Trial: NOT available. Live demo upon request, pricing discussed during sales consultation.
Source: RatedPower Pricing Page
Competitive Pricing Context
Pricing Comparison Table:
RatedPower Positioning: Premium-priced for utility-scale specialization. License includes unlimited users (cost-effective for large teams), but single-user or small teams may find per-user competitors more affordable.
SurgePV Value Proposition:
For commercial EPCs with small teams (1-5 users), SurgePV offers transparent pricing at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan) with complete electrical engineering—substantially more affordable and predictable than RatedPower's contact-sales model. For utility-scale teams (10+ users), RatedPower's unlimited-user licensing may be more cost-effective.
What Real Users Say
Based on verified reviews on G2 (substantial sample, exact count not disclosed):
Overall Satisfaction
G2 Reviews:
- Overall Rating: 98% of users rated 4 or 5 stars
- Recommendation Rate: 91% would recommend to others
- Product Direction: 92% believe product is headed in right direction
- Award: Named "Most Implementable Leader" for solar design software category
Review Platform Presence: G2 is primary platform (B2B SaaS focus indicates utility-scale enterprise customers). No substantial reviews found on TrustRadius or Capterra.
Source: RatedPower G2 Profile
Top Praised Features
1. Time Savings (Most Praised):
> "Saves 75% of the time involved in creating the first design" - G2 Review
> "Quick to use, good for non-technical users" - G2 Review
Time Comparison:
- Traditional AutoCAD method: 1-2 days per design
- RatedPower: 30 minutes per design
- Savings: 90%+ time reduction
2. Ease of Use:
> "User-friendly, easy to get familiar with, and a very powerful tool for solar developers to quickly define the potential of prospects" - G2 Review
3. Automation & AI Features:
- Automated layout generation
- Recommended settings that auto-update with design workflow
- AI-driven optimization for terrain and interconnection
4. All-in-One Platform:
- Design, engineering, financial modeling, documentation in one tool
- No switching between multiple software packages
- Cloud-based collaboration with unlimited users per license
5. Complete Component Database:
- Modules, inverters, structures database included
- Monthly soiling loss configuration
- Monthly albedo values configurable
6. Advanced Technical Capabilities:
- Topographic analysis and cut-and-fill calculations
- 3D shading analysis with ray-tracing
- Substation design and SLD generation
- BESS design (unique in market)
- Bifacial module modeling
Top Criticisms
1. Pricing Concerns (Most Common Complaint):
> "Other products available are much better in performance and, especially, price-wise. Rated Power is bloody expensive." - G2 Review
> "Too expensive for what is offered" - G2 Review
Impact: High barrier to entry for smaller developers or single-user consultants.
2. Development Focus & Feature Gaps:
> "Under constant development, but only scratching the surface. Over-ambitious but never reaching a clear goal." - G2 Review
> "The real focus of the company is sales" - Employee Review (Glassdoor)
Impact: Users perceive product roadmap as scattered; features announced but slowly delivered.
3. Technical Level Mismatch:
> "Too 'technical' for a non-technical personnel, too few 'technical' for a technically skilled worker." - G2 Review
Impact: Middle-ground positioning where advanced engineers want more control, non-technical users find it too complex.
4. Best for Low-Level Assessments Only:
> "Quick for low level site assessments" - G2 Review
Implication: Users suggest RatedPower is excellent for feasibility/early-stage but may lack depth for final detailed engineering vs specialized tools.
Sources:
RatedPower Pros & Cons
✅ Pros (RatedPower Strengths)
1. Utility-Scale Specialization - Exclusively focused on 5 MW+ projects with features designed for large-scale solar (Source: RatedPower platform overview)
2. BESS Design Leadership - Only utility-scale platform offering standalone BESS and hybrid PV + BESS design (Source: RatedPower BESS platform, industry analysis)
3. Substation Engineering - Automated substation design and single line diagrams for transmission-level interconnection (Source: RatedPower substation platform)
4. Time Savings - 90%+ time reduction vs traditional methods (30 min vs 1-2 days) (Source: G2 reviews, company metrics)
5. Unlimited Users - Cost-effective for large teams with unlimited users per license (Source: RatedPower pricing page)
6. Advanced Topography - Cut-and-fill calculations, complex terrain handling, grading optimization (Source: RatedPower topography methodology)
7. Financial Modeling - Built-in NPV, IRR, ROI, LCOE optimization (Source: RatedPower financial KPIs blog)
8. High User Satisfaction - 98% of users rate 4-5 stars, 91% would recommend (Source: G2 reviews)
⚠️ Cons (RatedPower Limitations)
1. High Cost - Users report "bloody expensive" with no transparent pricing - Impact: Barrier for smaller developers, unpredictable budgeting (Source: G2 reviews)
2. Not for Commercial Under 5 MW - Explicitly utility-scale only, not suitable for residential or commercial projects under 5 MW - Impact: Cannot serve commercial EPCs focusing on 100kW-5MW projects (Source: RatedPower website, user reviews)
3. No Free Trial - Cannot test before committing, lengthens sales cycle - Impact: High-friction evaluation process (Source: RatedPower demo request page)
4. Development Pace Concerns - Users cite "over-ambitious but never reaching clear goal" - Impact: Feature roadmap delays (Source: G2 reviews, Glassdoor employee reviews)
5. Middle-Ground Technical Level - Too technical for non-technical users, not technical enough for expert engineers - Impact: Training challenges for mixed-skill teams (Source: G2 reviews)
6. Limited to Early-Stage - Users suggest best for feasibility assessments, may lack depth for final engineering - Impact: May need supplemental tools for detailed work (Source: G2 reviews)
7. 48-Hour Support Response (Basic/Advanced plans) - Longer response time than competitors - Impact: Potential delays during critical deadlines (Source: RatedPower pricing page)
8. No Residential/C&I Support - No rooftop residential design tools, no proposal features for distributed generation - Impact: Cannot serve installers with mixed project portfolios (Source: RatedPower platform scope)
SurgePV vs RatedPower: Which Is Better for Commercial EPCs?
Strategic Framing: These platforms serve different market segments and are largely complementary rather than competitive.
Key Positioning Statement
RatedPower specializes in utility-scale projects (5 MW+) with advanced substation design and BESS capabilities. SurgePV serves commercial EPCs designing 100kW-10MW projects with complete electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing) and transparent pricing at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan).
Head-to-Head Comparison
When to Choose SurgePV Over RatedPower
Choose SurgePV if:
✅ Projects under 5 MW (commercial, residential) - RatedPower is overkill for projects below 5 MW and explicitly not designed for this segment
✅ Want transparent, predictable per-user pricing - SurgePV starting at $1,899/year for 3 users stated pricing vs RatedPower's contact-sales model
✅ Require full electrical engineering for commercial projects - SurgePV offers automated electrical design with wire sizing, voltage drop calculations optimized for commercial-scale workflows
✅ Multi-market (India + US) with commercial focus - SurgePV optimized for both markets; RatedPower global but not India-specific
✅ Don't need substation design or utility-scale grid interconnection - Most commercial projects (under 10 MW) connect at distribution level, not transmission
✅ Small teams (1-5 users) - Per-user pricing more predictable and affordable than enterprise licensing for small teams
When to Choose RatedPower Over SurgePV
Choose RatedPower if:
✅ Projects 5 MW+ exclusively (utility-scale only) - RatedPower specializes in utility-scale automation; SurgePV focuses on commercial scale
✅ Need standalone BESS or hybrid PV + BESS design - RatedPower offers unique BESS capabilities not available in SurgePV
✅ Require substation engineering and grid interconnection - Transmission-level interconnection capabilities essential for utility-scale projects
✅ Large teams (10+ users) - Unlimited users per license becomes cost-effective for larger teams
✅ Advanced topography/terrain analysis (cut-and-fill) - Complex terrain optimization for large sites
✅ Financial modeling for utility-scale investment (NPV, IRR, LCOE) - Specialized financial modeling for large-scale project financing
Bottom Line Recommendation
Market Segment Conclusion:
SurgePV serves commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering for 100kW-10MW projects with transparent pricing. RatedPower serves utility-scale developers needing 5 MW+ project automation with BESS and substation design.
There is minimal overlap between these platforms—they serve different customers with different project scales and requirements. Choose based on your primary project size: commercial (SurgePV) or utility (RatedPower).
Ready to Compare RatedPower with SurgePV?
If your projects are primarily 100kW-10MW commercial scale, SurgePV delivers complete electrical engineering with transparent pricing and faster workflows that RatedPower's utility-scale complexity doesn't require.
See SurgePV in Action
What you'll see:
- Automated SLD generation for commercial projects (save 2-3 hours vs AutoCAD)
- Complete electrical documentation (wire sizing, conduit routing, panel schedules)
- Transparent pricing breakdown ($1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), all features included)
No pressure, no obligation. See if SurgePV fits your commercial EPC needs.
Not ready for a demo?
- Compare Detailed Pricing: SurgePV vs RatedPower →
- Read: SurgePV vs Aurora Solar Comparison →
- Read: SurgePV vs PVSyst Comparison →
- Explore: Best Solar Design Software →
RatedPower Use Cases & Applications
Project Development Stages Supported
1. Early-Stage Prospecting & Feasibility (Premium tier):
- Site identification and prospecting
- Buildable site assessment
- Quick layout generation (30 minutes)
- Preliminary energy yield estimates
- CAPEX and LCOE rough estimates
- Investment screening
User Quote:
> "Quick for low level site assessments" - G2 Review
2. Pre-Development & Engineering:
- Detailed topography analysis
- Cut-and-fill calculations
- Optimized layout design (batch simulations)
- Energy yield modeling (P50/P75/P90)
- Financial modeling (NPV, IRR, ROI)
- Interconnection feasibility
3. Detailed Engineering & Permitting:
- Single line diagrams (SLD)
- Substation design
- Gen-tie documentation
- Bill of materials (BoM)
- 400+ pages of engineering documentation
- Bankable yield reports
4. Construction & Procurement:
- Final layout drawings
- Civil works specifications
- Equipment specifications
- Cost breakdowns
Source: Enverus RatedPower Solutions
Ideal Project Types
Excellent For:
- ✅ Utility-scale ground-mount solar (5 MW - 500+ MW)
- ✅ Standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS)
- ✅ Hybrid PV + BESS systems
- ✅ Solar farms with complex topography
- ✅ Projects requiring substation design
- ✅ Grid-tied utility projects with interconnection complexity
NOT Suitable For:
- ❌ Residential rooftop solar (under 100 kW)
- ❌ Small commercial rooftop (100 kW - 1 MW)
- ❌ Distributed generation projects
- ❌ Community solar (under 5 MW)
- ❌ Projects not requiring substation design
Critical Limitation:
> "For residential rooftops or simple commercial installs, RatedPower can feel like overkill—if you don't need terrain-aware layouts or substation design, lighter tools may get you there faster."
— Source: RatedPower Review (SurgePV)
Customer Examples & Scale
Total Capacity Designed: 55+ TW across 160+ countries
Annual Simulation Volume: 2,000+ GW simulated (2019-2020)
Typical Customer Profile:
- Large EPCs with utility-scale project pipelines
- Independent power producers (IPPs)
- Renewable energy developers
- Technical advisory firms
- Financial institutions evaluating solar investments
Notable Customer Types (from research):
- Recurrent Energy (designed several MW of storage)
- Burns & McDonnell (EPC)
- RES Group (developer)
- GEA-4 auction projects (Philippines)
Source: RatedPower Official Website
Customer Support & Training
Support Channels
Email Support:
- Available in all plans
- 48-hour response time (working hours)
- Unlimited email support
Languages Supported: English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Italian, Portuguese
24/7 Availability: Technical experts available 24/7 (exact channels not specified)
Help Center:
- Self-service documentation
- Methodologies and calculation explanations
- Latest product updates
- Educational resources
Source: RatedPower Pricing Page
Training & Onboarding
Onboarding Process:
- Implementation call
- Platform tour with RatedPower experts
- Final Q&A call
Live Training (Advanced Plan+):
- Live on-demand technical training
- Product updates training
- Energy yield methodology
- Topography analysis
- Storage design
- Interconnection engineering
Principal Consultant Access:
- Acts as extension of customer's team
- On-demand training sessions
- Customized to customer needs
Office Hours:
- Ask product and technical experts questions
- Troubleshooting support
- Feature guidance
Digital Room:
- Personalized cloud-based space
- All training materials stored
- Accessible beyond calls
User Testimonial:
> "We have received a highly professional response when we needed support or training from the team" - Customer Review
Sources:
SurgePV Comparison: SurgePV offers 2-3 week onboarding vs RatedPower's moderate complexity onboarding.
RatedPower Alternatives for Commercial EPCs
If RatedPower is too complex or expensive for your projects under 5 MW...
SurgePV (Best for Commercial EPCs, 100kW-10MW)
Why Consider:
- Complete electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing) without utility-scale complexity
- Transparent pricing: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)
- Optimized for commercial workflows (100kW-10MW)
- 2-3 week onboarding
- India + US dual market support
Best For: Commercial EPCs, solar installers, consultants working on 100kW-10MW projects
Pricing: $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan) (all features, no tiers)
Aurora Solar (Best for Residential + Light Commercial)
Why Consider:
- Industry-leading AI roof detection
- Beautiful residential proposals
- Strong residential focus
- Largest user base
Limitations:
- No automated SLD generation (requires AutoCAD for electrical)
- No tracker support
- Tiered pricing (contact sales)
Best For: Residential installers, light commercial (under 1 MW)
Pricing: ~$200-500/user/month (estimated, contact sales)
PVCase + AutoCAD (Best for Advanced Engineering)
Why Consider:
- CAD-level engineering depth
- Advanced ground mount optimization
- Strong engineering control
Limitations:
- Requires AutoCAD expertise ($2,000/year)
- Steep learning curve (6-8 weeks)
- Desktop-based (not cloud)
- No integrated proposals
Best For: Engineering-heavy teams with CAD expertise
Pricing: $990/year PVCase + $2,000/year AutoCAD = $2,990+/year
OpenSolar (Best for Budget-Conscious Small Installers)
Why Consider:
- Most affordable ($199/month)
- Fastest to learn (1-2 week onboarding)
- Transparent pricing
- Good for small residential
Limitations:
- No electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing)
- No commercial structures
- Limited to residential (<100kW)
Best For: Budget-conscious residential installers
Pricing: $199/month
RatedPower vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison
How RatedPower compares to SurgePV across the features commercial EPCs need most.
Final Verdict: RatedPower vs SurgePV
RatedPower Summary
Strengths:
- Utility-scale specialization (5 MW+) with 90%+ time savings
- Unique BESS design capabilities (standalone + hybrid)
- Automated substation engineering for transmission-level interconnection
- Advanced topography analysis (cut-and-fill, complex terrain)
- High user satisfaction (98% rate 4-5 stars)
- Unlimited users per license (cost-effective for large teams)
- Complete financial modeling (NPV, IRR, LCOE, ROI)
- Global coverage (160+ countries, 4,300+ users)
Ideal For:
- Utility-scale developers (5 MW - 500+ MW projects)
- Independent power producers (IPPs)
- EPCs with large engineering teams (10+ users)
- Projects requiring standalone BESS or hybrid PV + BESS
- Transmission-level grid interconnection and substation design
- Complex terrain optimization and advanced topography
Limitations:
- Not suitable for residential or commercial projects under 5 MW
- High cost (users report "bloody expensive," no transparent pricing)
- No free trial (high-friction evaluation process)
- Moderate learning curve (utility-scale complexity)
- Development pace concerns (features announced but slowly delivered)
Bottom Line for RatedPower: If you're designing utility-scale projects (5 MW+), need BESS capabilities, or require substation engineering, RatedPower is an excellent choice despite premium pricing. The unlimited-user licensing becomes cost-effective for large teams, and the time savings (90%+) justify the investment.
SurgePV Summary
Strengths:
- Complete electrical engineering (automated SLD generation, wire sizing) for commercial scale
- Transparent pricing ($1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), all features included)
- Optimized for commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW projects)
- Faster onboarding (2-3 weeks vs utility-scale complexity)
- India + US dual market support
- Rooftop and ground-mount commercial capabilities
- Cloud-based collaboration with per-user predictable costs
Ideal For:
- Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW projects)
- Solar installers serving commercial + residential
- Teams needing electrical engineering without utility-scale overhead
- Small teams (1-5 users) wanting predictable costs
- Multi-market operations (India + US)
Why Teams Switch from Considering RatedPower:
- RatedPower is overkill for commercial-scale projects (under 5 MW)
- Want transparent, predictable per-user pricing (vs contact-sales model)
- Don't need substation design or transmission-level interconnection
- Prefer commercial-optimized workflows over utility-scale complexity
Our Recommendation
For Utility-Scale Developers (5 MW+): RatedPower remains the strong choice if you:
- Design exclusively utility-scale projects (5 MW+)
- Require standalone BESS or hybrid PV + BESS capabilities
- Need substation engineering for transmission interconnection
- Have large teams (10+ users) where unlimited licensing is cost-effective
- Work on complex terrain requiring advanced topography analysis
For Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW): SurgePV is the better fit if you:
- Design primarily commercial-scale projects (100kW-10MW)
- Want complete electrical engineering without utility-scale complexity
- Prefer transparent, predictable per-user pricing
- Have small teams (1-5 users) where per-user pricing is more affordable
- Operate in India + US markets
For Mixed Portfolios: If you design both utility-scale (5 MW+) AND commercial (100kW-10MW), you may need both platforms—RatedPower for utility projects, SurgePV for commercial projects. However, most EPCs specialize in one segment.
Bottom Line
RatedPower and SurgePV serve different market segments with minimal overlap:
- RatedPower = Utility-scale specialist (5 MW+) with BESS and substation engineering
- SurgePV = Commercial EPC solution (100kW-10MW) with transparent pricing
Choose based on your primary project scale, not on which platform is "better"—they excel in different segments. For commercial EPCs working on 100kW-10MW projects, SurgePV delivers complete electrical engineering optimized for your workflow without paying for utility-scale features you don't need.
Ready to Compare RatedPower with SurgePV?
For Commercial EPCs Evaluating RatedPower...
If RatedPower feels like overkill for your 100kW-10MW commercial projects, SurgePV delivers complete electrical engineering optimized for commercial workflows without the utility-scale complexity or premium pricing.
See SurgePV in Action
What you'll see:
- Automated SLD generation for commercial projects (save 2-3 hours vs AutoCAD)
- Complete electrical documentation (wire sizing, conduit routing, panel schedules)
- Transparent pricing breakdown ($1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan), all features included)
- Your commercial workflow optimized (100kW-10MW projects)
No pressure, no obligation. See if SurgePV fits your commercial EPC needs.
Not ready for a demo?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RatedPower good for commercial solar projects?
RatedPower specializes in utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid system design with features like substation engineering, complex topography analysis, and transmission-level interconnection. For commercial projects (100kW-5MW), RatedPower would be overkill and substantially more expensive than commercial-focused platforms like SurgePV, which offers complete electrical engineering (SLD, wire sizing) optimized for commercial EPCs at transparent $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan) pricing.
How much does RatedPower cost?
RatedPower uses a license-based pricing model (not per-user) with unlimited users included in all plans. Exact dollar amounts require sales consultation. User feedback indicates RatedPower is at the premium end of the market. For comparison, SurgePV offers transparent pricing at $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan) with all features included, making it substantially more affordable for commercial EPCs with small teams.
Sources:
What are RatedPower's main limitations?
- Pricing: Users report "bloody expensive" with no transparent pricing
- Scope: Utility-scale only (5 MW+)—not suitable for residential or small commercial
- No Free Trial: Cannot test before purchasing
- Learning Curve: Moderate complexity, requires understanding of utility-scale workflows
- Development Pace: Users cite "over-ambitious but never reaching a clear goal"
- Technical Level: "Too technical for non-technical users, not technical enough for expert engineers"
Source: RatedPower G2 Reviews
Does RatedPower include electrical engineering like SLD generation?
RatedPower provides automated SLD generation, substation engineering, and grid interconnection documentation for utility-scale projects (5 MW+). For commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering for smaller projects (100kW-10MW), SurgePV offers automated electrical design with wire sizing, and conduit routing optimized for commercial-scale workflows without the utility-scale complexity or premium pricing of RatedPower.
Source: RatedPower Substation Platform
Is RatedPower better than SurgePV?
- Choose RatedPower if: Projects are 5 MW+, need substation design, designing standalone BESS, have large teams (unlimited users cost-effective)
- Choose SurgePV if: Projects are 100kW-10MW, want transparent pricing, need electrical engineering for commercial scale, operate in India + US markets
These platforms are complementary rather than competitive—RatedPower specializes in utility-scale automation, SurgePV specializes in commercial EPC workflows.
Can RatedPower handle commercial solar design?
RatedPower's features (substation design, complex topography, transmission-level interconnection) are designed for utility-scale projects. Commercial projects (100kW-5MW) would find RatedPower overkill in complexity and cost. For commercial solar, platforms like SurgePV offer commercial-optimized workflows including rooftop design and commercial-scale electrical engineering at predictable per-user pricing.
Source: RatedPower Utility-Scale Blog
Does RatedPower work offline?
RatedPower is 100% cloud-based (browser-accessible) and requires internet connectivity to operate. This enables unlimited-user collaboration and real-time project sharing but requires stable internet. For offline capability, desktop tools like PVsyst or PVCase (with AutoCAD) would be alternatives, though they lack RatedPower's automation and collaboration features.
What integrations does RatedPower offer?
RatedPower exports designs and data to industry-standard tools including PVsyst (for final validation), AutoCAD (DWG layouts), and power system analysis platforms (PSS/E, PowerFactory, ETAP). It also integrates with Google Earth for site visualization, QGIS for GIS workflows, and Solargis for weather data. Unlike residential-focused platforms (Aurora), RatedPower does not integrate with CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot) as utility-scale projects don't require homeowner sales workflows.
Source: RatedPower Platform Overview
Is there a free trial of RatedPower?
RatedPower operates on an enterprise sales model with no free trial. Prospects can request a live demo (response within 24 hours) or take a self-paced product tour. Pricing discussions occur during sales consultations. For commercial EPCs wanting to test software before committing, SurgePV offers a demo with transparent $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan) pricing.
Source: RatedPower Demo Request
How long does it take to learn RatedPower?
RatedPower's onboarding process includes an implementation call, guided platform tour, and final Q&A with experts. The learning curve is moderate, requiring understanding of utility-scale project workflows (substation design, interconnection, complex topography). Advanced plans offer live on-demand training on product updates, energy yield, topography, storage, and interconnection. For comparison, SurgePV's onboarding is 2-3 weeks for commercial EPCs, faster due to commercial-scale workflow focus.
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What is RatedPower's main competitive advantage?
RatedPower's primary competitive advantages are: (1) Only utility-scale platform offering both standalone BESS and hybrid PV + BESS design, (2) Automated substation engineering for transmission-level interconnection, (3) Advanced topography handling for complex terrain, (4) Unlimited users per license (cost-effective for large teams), and (5) 90%+ time savings vs traditional methods. These capabilities are essential for utility-scale developers but unnecessary for commercial EPCs working on sub-5 MW projects.
Source: RatedPower competitive analysis, G2 reviews
