Solargraf Review: Pricing, Pros & Cons (2026) | SurgePV

TL;DR Summary: Solargraf is a mobile-first solar design and proposal software owned by Enphase Energy, known for rapid proposal generation (15-30 minutes) and all-in-one sales workflow (design + CRM + financing + e-signatures). Based on verified G2, Capterra, and SoftwareAdvice reviews (3.2-3.7/5 rating), users praise ease of use and mobile capability but report substantial shading accuracy issues (10-20% variance vs competitive tools). For commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering and bankable accuracy, SurgePV offers automated SLD generation, ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst, and unique commercial structures support (carports, trackers, East-West racking).

What Is Solargraf?

Solargraf is a cloud-based solar design, proposal, and permitting software platform owned by Enphase Energy, targeting residential and commercial solar installers who prioritize speed and ease of use over advanced engineering capabilities.

Company Background

Originally developed by Sofdesk Inc. (founded in 2013 in Montreal, Canada) under founder Lennie Moreno, Solargraf was acquired by Enphase Energy on January 26, 2021. This acquisition was part of Enphase's strategy to expand into software-as-a-service and home electrification, integrating Solargraf deeply with the Enphase ecosystem (microinverters, IQ Batteries, commissioning tools).

Solargraf continues to operate as a standalone software platform under Enphase ownership, maintaining its independent brand while benefiting from Enphase's financial backing and technical infrastructure.

Product Description

Solargraf positions itself as an all-in-one solar sales platform combining design, CRM, financing, and e-signatures in a single workflow. The software emphasizes rapid proposal generation, mobile accessibility, and streamlined sales processes.

Primary Market Position: Sales-first solar proposal software with design capabilities, positioned between simple quoting tools (like OpenSolar) and complex engineering platforms (like PVCase).

Geographic Availability

Solargraf is available in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and Austria, with bilingual support (English and French).

Target Market

Based on company positioning and user reviews, Solargraf is best suited for:

• Small to medium residential installers (5-50 employees) prioritizing proposal speed
• Sales-driven solar companies with high-volume residential focus (10-100 projects/month)
• On-site closing teams using mobile devices in customer driveways

Solargraf is NOT well-suited for:

• Commercial EPCs needing advanced electrical engineering
• Utility-scale developers
• Engineers requiring CAD-level customization
• Teams needing proven bankable accuracy for financing

Solargraf Core Features & Capabilities

AI-Powered Roof Detection & Panel Placement

Solargraf offers automated roof modeling using HD aerial imagery from Nearmap, Google Maps, and Bing Maps. The platform automatically detects roof lines, pitch, height, trees, and obstructions, then places panels based on consumption or bill offset targets.

Strengths (from user reviews):

• Fast design creation (15-30 minutes cited by multiple users)
• Easy-to-use interface with drag-and-drop functionality
• Good for simple residential projects with standard roof geometries

Limitations (from verified user reviews):

• 3D modeling "gets easily confused and creates monstrosities of designs" for properties missing aerial data (Capterra verified user)
• "Huge bear to get to work accurately unless designing simple homes in well-documented areas" (G2 verified user)
• Interface hiccups during complex 3D scenes or intricate designs (SoftwareAdvice review)

SurgePV Comparison: Both platforms offer similar AI roof modeling capabilities in comparable timeframes (15-20 minutes), but SurgePV's electrical engineering features integrate seamlessly with design workflows, eliminating the need for separate tools.

Source: Solargraf official features page, Capterra reviews (2023-2026), Nerdisa review

Shading Analysis & Production Estimation

What Solargraf Claims:

Solargraf promotes its NREL and NYSERDA-verified shading engine with 8760-hour analysis (every hour of the year) and pixel-by-pixel roof facet assessment for real-time production estimation.

CRITICAL USER-REPORTED PROBLEMS:

In our hands-on evaluation and extensive review of user feedback, shading accuracy emerged as the most consistent critical complaint about Solargraf. Multiple verified users report substantial variance:

Direct User Quotes (verified reviews):

1. "Shading software is absolute garbage and entirely inaccurate" (Capterra verified user, 2024)
2. "Solargraf was always 10%-20% off when compared to SunPower Eddie" (G2 verified user, 2024)
3. "Solargraf passes blame to PV Watts for outdated production values" (G2 user feedback, 2025)
4. "Recurring complaints mention the shading software being less robust than alternatives and occasional calculation inaccuracies" (Nerdisa industry analysis, 2025)

Impact on Business:

Based on our EPC operations experience at Heaven Green Energy, a 10-20% production variance creates serious business risks:

• Financing Risk: Lenders typically reject commercial projects with >5% uncertainty in production estimates. A 10-20% variance makes bankable financing difficult or impossible.
• Customer Satisfaction: When actual production differs substantially from projections, customers lose trust and may pursue legal remedies.
• Callback Costs: Re-engineering projects due to inaccurate shading analysis costs 20-40 hours of engineering time per project.
• Reputation Damage: Accuracy issues damage credibility with customers, financiers, and AHJs.

SurgePV Competitive Advantage:

SurgePV's shading analysis achieves ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst (industry standard), compared to Solargraf's user-reported 10-20% variance. This represents a 7-17 percentage point accuracy improvement.

Real-World Impact Example:

500kW commercial project:

• Expected annual production: 750,000 kWh
• 10% Solargraf variance: ±75,000 kWh ($7,500-15,000 revenue impact at $0.10-0.20/kWh)
• 3% SurgePV variance: ±22,500 kWh ($2,250-4,500 revenue impact)

Difference: $5,250-10,500/year in revenue certainty

When Shading Accuracy Matters Most:

• Commercial projects with financing requirements (lenders demand confidence)
• Performance guarantees to customers (contractual obligations)
• Complex shading scenarios (trees, nearby buildings, irregular roof shapes)
• Reputation-critical projects (government, institutional, high-profile clients)

When Solargraf's Accuracy May Be Acceptable:

• Simple residential rooftops with minimal shading
• Sales scenarios where rough estimates are sufficient
• Customers not requiring performance guarantees
• Projects without financing contingent on production accuracy

Sources: G2 reviews (2023-2025), Capterra reviews (2023-2026), SoftwareAdvice reviews (2024-2026), Nerdisa review (2025)

Electrical Engineering & SLD Generation

What Solargraf Includes:

Solargraf offers Single Line Diagram (SLD) and Three Line Diagram (TLD) generation with automatic wire sizing, OCPD calculations, and voltage drop analysis. Users string up the system manually, and Solargraf automatically generates electrical schematics with export to DWG format for AutoCAD adjustments.

Workflow:

1. User strings up system configuration in Solargraf interface
2. Solargraf automatically generates SLD, TLD, and calculations pages
3. Export to PDF for permit submission or DWG for further editing

User Feedback on Electrical Engineering:

From our evaluation and user reviews, Solargraf's SLD functionality exists but is described as "limited compared to dedicated electrical tools" (verified user review, G2). The automation reduces manual CAD work compared to starting from scratch, but it's "less robust than PVCase or SurgePV for complex electrical" (industry analysis).

SurgePV Competitive Advantage:

Solargraf provides basic SLD generation, which is better than Aurora Solar or OpenSolar (which have none), but commercial EPCs often need complete electrical engineering capabilities:

Solargraf Electrical Capabilities:

• Basic SLD generation (automated after stringing)
• Wire sizing and OCPD calculations
• Voltage drop analysis
• Export to DWG for manual refinement
• User-reported limitations for complex commercial projects

SurgePV Electrical Capabilities:

• Comprehensive SLD generation in 5-10 minutes (vs 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD)
• Complete DC side (arrays, combiners, disconnects, wire sizes)
• Complete AC side (disconnects, wire runs, meter, panel connection)
• Protection devices (breakers, fuses, SPD, AFCI)
• Wire sizing calculations (DC and AC with voltage drop, temperature correction, conduit fill)
• NEC Article 690 compliance (690.7, 690.8, 690.12, 690.41)
• Panel schedules and conduit calculations
• No AutoCAD dependency ($2,000/year savings)

Time Comparison:

• Manual AutoCAD SLD: 2-3 hours
• Solargraf SLD: Faster than manual, but may require AutoCAD refinement for complex projects
• SurgePV SLD: 5-10 minutes, complete, permit-ready

Critical Message: Solargraf has basic SLD capability (a substantial advantage over Aurora and OpenSolar), but commercial EPCs requiring complete electrical documentation may still need AutoCAD or manual engineering work.

Source: Solargraf blog (SLD/TLD announcement), Enphase support documentation, user reviews (G2, Capterra)

Proposal Generation & Sales Workflow

Strengths (acknowledge fairly):

Solargraf excels at proposal generation and sales workflow, one of its genuine competitive advantages:

Features:

• Customizable colors, fonts, logos, and language for branded proposals
• Multiple pricing and product options in a single proposal
• Side-by-side financing comparisons (Mosaic, Goodleap, Dividend, Everbright, LightReach)
• DocuSign integration for e-signatures
• Mobile-responsive (iPad/tablet friendly for on-site closing)
• 25-year cashflow analysis
• Commercial financial modeling (O&M costs, MACRS depreciation, insurance, property tax, inverter replacement)

User Praise (verified quotes):

• "Excellent sales proposal with electronic signature feature" (Capterra)
• "Drop-down financing options and good information flow" (G2)
• "Cut proposal generation time in half" (Capterra)
• "Fast, polished quotes with drag-and-drop 3D layouts" (Nerdisa review)

User Criticisms (verified quotes):

• "Pricing issues with loan presentations have plagued the software from the beginning" (G2 verified user)
• "Very hard to customize" (Capterra)
• "Creating 36 financing options when working with 9 lenders" creates UI complexity (Capterra verified user)

SurgePV Comparison: Both platforms offer strong proposal capabilities. This is an area where Solargraf and SurgePV are roughly comparable—both produce professional, client-ready proposals with financing options and e-signature integration.

Source: Capterra reviews, Nerdisa review, Solargraf official features page

Permitting Services & CRM Integration

Permitting Services:

Solargraf transforms designs into permit plan sets using a database of 14,000+ local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) records for residential and commercial projects.

User Feedback on Permitting (CRITICAL CONCERN):

"Permit pack is ridiculous—out of 75-100 purchased, more than half needed revisions" (verified user complaint, G2, 2024)

Quality and consistency issues with automated permit plan sets represent a substantial concern for commercial EPCs where permit delays are costly.

CRM Capabilities:

Solargraf includes basic CRM functionality (lead tracking, project management, status updates) with API and integrations:

• 70+ API endpoints for custom integrations
• Zapier integration for importing leads from Salesforce, Zoho, and other CRMs
• Export project data (name, ID, contact details, system size, array details, production, pricing)

Limitations:

Industry analysis notes that Solargraf "lacks built-in CRM, detailed sales management, and operations tools, requiring integrations" (Sunbase Data analysis). The CRM is less robust than dedicated platforms, requiring third-party integrations for full business management.

Source: Solargraf blog (permitting, API articles), G2 reviews, Sunbase Data analysis

Solargraf Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

Official Pricing Structure (2026)

Solargraf uses a project-based credit system across four annual subscription plans:

Critical Pricing Notes:

• Project credits are not 1:1: 1 credit = 1 residential project, but 5 credits = 1 commercial project
• This means the Starter plan covers only 48 commercial projects (240 credits ÷ 5), not 240
• Per-user charges apply on pro-rata basis
• Each additional user receives 120 project credits
• No free trial (demo available)
• Custom pricing available for >3,000 annual projects

Monthly Equivalent: Some sources cite starting at $229/month, though official pricing shows annual only.

Source: Solargraf pricing page (solargraf.com/pricing, verified January 2026), GetApp pricing guide

Value Analysis vs SurgePV

Scenario 1: Small Team (2 users, 240 residential projects/year)

Solargraf Starter: $2,799/year

SurgePV (3 users - Individual plan): $1,899/year

Winner: SurgePV ($900/year cheaper with more users and unlimited projects)

BUT consider the complete picture:

• Solargraf: Project overage fees if >240 residential ($11/project)
• Solargraf: Only 48 commercial projects (5 credits each)
• Solargraf: Shading accuracy issues (10-20% variance risk)
• Solargraf: Basic electrical engineering (may still need AutoCAD for complex projects)
• Solargraf: No carport, tracker, or East-West capabilities
• SurgePV: Unlimited projects (no overage risk)
• SurgePV: ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst (bankable)
• SurgePV: Comprehensive SLD, wire sizing, conduit calculations
• SurgePV: Carport design (unique capability, no competitor has this)

Scenario 2: Medium Team (6 users, 720 residential projects/year)

Solargraf Teams: $6,399/year

SurgePV (5 users - For 5 Users plan): $6,495/year ($1,299/user × 5)

Winner: Comparable pricing, but SurgePV offers unlimited projects and complete engineering

Again, consider engineering capabilities gap:

• Commercial projects: Only 144 commercial projects (720 credits ÷ 5) vs SurgePV unlimited
• If you need AutoCAD for complex electrical: Add $2,000/year per user
• Shading accuracy issues compound with higher volume
• No commercial structures support limits project types

Critical Analysis from EPC Perspective:

From our experience managing 1+ GW of projects at Heaven Green Energy:

Solargraf cheaper for:

• Teams with exactly 2-6 users who can live within project credit limits
• Simple residential-only operations (<240 projects/year)
• Teams not requiring electrical engineering

SurgePV better total value for:

• Eliminates AutoCAD ($2,000/year per user)
• Reduces engineering time (2-3 hours/project savings)
• No project overage fees (predictable costs)
• Opens commercial project opportunities (carports, trackers)
• Small teams (3 users: $1,899/year total vs Solargraf 2 users: $2,799/year)

Pricing Transparency: Both platforms offer public pricing (better than Aurora Solar's "contact sales" model), but Solargraf's project-based credit system creates complexity and unpredictability.

Hidden Costs:

• Solargraf: Overage fees, permit services (~$150-300/permit), potential AutoCAD licensing
• SurgePV: None (all-inclusive pricing)

User Feedback on Pricing:

• "The program is expensive over other options" (Capterra verified user)
• "Pricing issues with loan presentations have plagued the software from the beginning" (G2)
• "Fixed-price annual bundle more cost-effective than paying for individual credits" (GreenLancer analysis)

When Solargraf Pricing Better:

• Medium teams (4-6 users) doing exactly 480-720 residential projects/year
• Don't need electrical engineering (outsourced or simple projects)
• Simple residential projects only (no commercial, no structures)

When SurgePV Pricing Better:

• Small teams (1-3 users): Individual plan at $1,899/year beats Solargraf's $2,799 Starter
• High-volume teams (>240 projects/year where overage fees add up quickly)
• Need electrical engineering (eliminates AutoCAD $2,000/year per user)
• Want predictable costs (no project-based surprises)
• Commercial projects (carports, trackers require SurgePV capabilities)
• Teams scaling from residential to commercial

Source: Solargraf pricing page, user reviews

What Real Users Say About Solargraf

Overall Ratings Summary (2023-2026)

Based on verified third-party review platforms:

Overall Sentiment: Mixed to moderate (3.2-3.7 range indicates some users satisfied, others frustrated)

Interpretation: Mid-range ratings (not excellent 4.5+, not poor <3.0) suggest polarized user experience based on use case. Residential sales teams tend to rate higher; commercial EPCs and accuracy-critical users express frustration.

Source: G2 (verified January 2026), Capterra (verified January 2026), SoftwareAdvice (verified January 2026), TrustRadius

Top Praised Features (Pros)

1. Ease of Use & Learning Curve (Most Common Praise):

From our evaluation and user reviews, Solargraf's learning curve is the fastest in the industry:

• "User friendly to learn and teach others" (Capterra verified user)
• "Intuitive interface and gentle learning curve mean staff can get up and running quickly, often in just a few hours" (industry analysis)
• "Easy to use and great features" (G2)
• "Fast and user-friendly" (SoftwareAdvice)

Why This Matters: Hours to productivity (not weeks like PVCase 6-8 weeks, Aurora commercial 4-6 weeks, or even SurgePV 2-3 weeks). For sales teams with high turnover, this is a substantial operational advantage.

2. Proposal Speed & Quality:

• "Cut proposal time from 1-2 hours to under 20 minutes" (Capterra verified user)
• "Cut proposal generation time in half" (G2)
• "Fast, polished quotes with drag-and-drop 3D layouts" (Nerdisa)
• "Excellent sales proposal for presentation to customers" (Capterra)

Why This Matters: Rapid turnaround is critical for on-site closing workflows where sales reps present, negotiate, and close in a single customer visit.

3. Customer Service & Support:

• "How quick the customer service is when there is an issue" (Capterra)
• "Solargraf is open to feedback and quick to make changes" (G2)
• "Friendly support" (SoftwareAdvice)

Note: Some degradation reported post-Enphase acquisition ("Wait time for customer support is now longer" - Capterra 2024), suggesting support quality may have declined from earlier startup responsiveness.

4. All-in-One Platform Convenience:

• "Design, quoting, CRM, financing, e-signatures, and permitting in one place, meaning fewer logins and imports/exports" (industry analysis)

5. Mobile Capability (UNIQUE STRENGTH):

• "Responsive on iPad or tablet" (user reviews)
• "Sketch designs, walk through financing options, and collect e-signatures in customer driveways" (Nerdisa)

This mobile-first approach is Solargraf's clearest competitive advantage over desktop-focused competitors.

Fair Acknowledgment: These are legitimate strengths that make Solargraf effective for its target use case (residential sales teams prioritizing speed and mobile closing).

Source: Capterra reviews, G2 reviews, SoftwareAdvice reviews, Nerdisa review

Top Criticisms (Cons)

1. SHADING SOFTWARE ACCURACY (Most Critical, Most Common Complaint):

• "Shading software is absolute garbage and entirely inaccurate" (Capterra verified user, 2024)
• "Solargraf was always 10%-20% off when compared to SunPower Eddie" (G2 verified user, 2024)
• "Solargraf passes blame to PV Watts for outdated production values" (G2 user feedback, 2025)
• "Recurring complaints mention the shading software being less robust than alternatives" (industry analysis)

Impact: Deal-breaker for commercial EPCs requiring bankable accuracy for financing, performance guarantees, or reputation-critical projects.

2. 3D Modeling & Complex Design Issues:

• "3D modeling tool gets easily confused and creates monstrosities of designs for properties missing data" (Capterra verified user)
• "Huge bear to get to work accurately unless designing simple homes in well-documented areas" (G2 verified user)
• "Interface hiccups during complex 3D scenes or when tackling intricate designs" (SoftwareAdvice)

Impact: Accuracy issues for non-standard buildings, complex roof geometries, or areas with poor aerial data quality.

3. Permit Services Quality:

• "Permit pack is ridiculous—out of 75-100 purchased, more than half needed revisions" (verified user, G2, 2024)

Impact: A 50%+ revision rate erodes trust in automation and requires costly manual rework, defeating the purpose of automated permitting.

4. Pricing & Billing Complaints:

• "The program is expensive over other options" (Capterra)
• "Pricing issues with loan presentations have plagued the software from the beginning" (G2)
• "Multiple reports of continued charging after cancellation" (SoftwareAdvice)

Impact: Project-based credit system creates billing complexity and unpredictability for growing businesses.

5. Customization & Flexibility Limitations:

• "Very hard to customize, data is often wrong, unreliable and crashed often" (Capterra verified user)
• "Does not account for different fire setbacks that various counties have" (G2)
• "Creating 36 financing options when working with 9 lenders" creates UI complexity (Capterra)

Impact: Jurisdictional variations and custom workflows difficult to accommodate.

6. Advanced Engineering Limitations:

• "Advanced engineering and complex financial modeling are limited" (industry analysis)
• "Design bankability needs more time to be proven" (Nerdisa)
• "Lacks built-in CRM, detailed sales management, and operations tools, requiring integrations" (Sunbase Data)

Impact: Commercial EPCs outgrow Solargraf's capabilities as projects increase in complexity.

Source: G2 reviews (2023-2025), Capterra reviews (2023-2026), SoftwareAdvice reviews (2024-2026), Nerdisa, Sunbase Data

User Sentiment by User Type

Residential Solar Sales Teams: POSITIVE

• Praise: Speed, mobile capability, ease of use, proposal quality
• Value: All-in-one workflow, on-site closing capability
• Overall: Generally satisfied with sales-focused features

Commercial EPCs & Engineers: NEGATIVE/MIXED

• Criticisms: Shading accuracy (10-20% variance), engineering limitations (basic SLD only), no commercial structures
• Frustrations: Complex projects don't work well, accuracy issues problematic for financing
• Overall: Many outgrow Solargraf when scaling to commercial or accuracy-critical work

Small Installers (Budget-Conscious): MIXED

• Appreciate: Features, all-in-one approach, ease of use
• Concern: Cost vs free alternatives (OpenSolar), project-based billing uncertainty
• Overall: Project credit system creates budget unpredictability

Key Takeaway: Solargraf works well for its target use case (residential sales teams prioritizing speed and mobile workflow) but frustrates users requiring engineering depth, accuracy, or commercial capabilities.

Solargraf Pros & Cons: The Complete Picture

Pros (What Solargraf Does Well)

1. Mobile-First Sales Workflow UNIQUE STRENGTH

• iPad/tablet optimization for on-site closing
• Design, finance, and e-sign in customer driveway
• Clear differentiator vs Aurora (desktop-focused) and other competitors

2. Rapid Proposal Generation

• 15-30 minute proposal creation (verified by multiple users)
• Beautiful, professional output with branded customization
• Multiple financing option presentation with side-by-side comparisons

3. Easy Learning Curve FASTEST IN INDUSTRY

• Hours to productivity (not weeks like most competitors)
• Simplified interface designed for non-technical sales reps
• Excellent for training new team members quickly
• Reduces time-to-productivity substantially

4. All-in-One Convenience

• Design, CRM, proposals, financing, and e-signatures in single platform
• Eliminates tool-switching for residential sales teams
• Streamlined lead-to-close process

5. Enphase Ecosystem Integration

• Deep integration with Enphase microinverters and IQ Batteries
• Commissioning tool connectivity
• Battery sizing optimization
• Advantage for Enphase-focused installers

6. Geographic Coverage

• US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Austria
• Bilingual support (English and French)

Cons (Critical Limitations)

1. Shading Analysis Accuracy CRITICAL, DEAL-BREAKER

• Issue: Consistently reported 10-20% variance by multiple verified users
• Characterization: "Absolute garbage" from verified user reviews
• Impact: Unreliable for commercial projects requiring bankable estimates for financing
• Business Consequence: Financing rejections, customer dissatisfaction, callbacks, reputation damage

2. Limited Advanced Engineering

• Issue: Basic SLD generation only (not complete like SurgePV or PVCase)
• Missing: No carport solar design, no solar tracker support, no East-West racking optimization
• Impact: Cannot handle commercial engineering needs or advanced structures
• Consequence: Commercial EPCs still need AutoCAD or lose project opportunities

3. 3D Modeling Limitations

• Issue: Struggles with complex roof geometries, requires good aerial data quality
• User Feedback: "Creates monstrosities" on data-poor properties
• Impact: Accuracy issues for non-standard buildings
• Consequence: Manual rework required for complex designs

4. Permit Services Quality Issues

• Issue: 50%+ revision rate reported by users (verified complaint: "out of 75-100 purchased, more than half needed revisions")
• Impact: Erodes trust in automation, requires costly manual rework
• Consequence: Permit delays expensive for commercial timelines

5. Pricing Complexity & Cost

• Issue: Project-based credit system confusing (5 credits per commercial project, not 1:1)
• Problem: Overage fees unpredictable for growing businesses
• Comparison: More expensive than OpenSolar for budget users, but SurgePV Individual plan ($1,899 for 3 users) is cheaper than Solargraf Starter ($2,799 for 2 users)
• Impact: Cost accumulates quickly for high-volume installers (>240 projects/year)

6. Limited CRM & Operations Tools

• Issue: Requires integrations for robust CRM (Zapier needed for Salesforce/HubSpot)
• Gap: Not a full business management platform
• Consequence: Need additional tools for complete operations management

7. Customer Support Degradation

• Issue: Longer wait times reported post-Enphase acquisition (2021)
• Problem: Difficulty contacting design team (days for in-app replies)
• User Frustration: Billing/cancellation issues ("continued charging after cancellation")
• Impact: Support quality appears to have declined from pre-acquisition startup responsiveness

SurgePV vs Solargraf: Which Is Better for Your Business?

Solargraf excels at mobile-first residential sales: rapid proposals, on-site closing, easy learning. But for commercial EPCs needing electrical engineering, bankable accuracy, and advanced structures (carports, trackers), Solargraf's limitations become deal-breakers.

SurgePV delivers what Solargraf can't: complete electrical documentation (automated SLD, wire sizing, conduit calculations), proven ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst, and unique commercial capabilities—all at predictable per-user pricing.

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

Detailed Category Comparison: Electrical Engineering

Solargraf Electrical Capabilities:

• Basic SLD and TLD generation (better than Aurora/OpenSolar which have none)
• Automatic wire sizing, OCPD calculations, voltage drop analysis
• Export to DWG format for AutoCAD adjustments if needed
• User feedback: "SLD functionality exists but limited compared to dedicated electrical tools"

SurgePV Electrical Capabilities:

• Comprehensive SLD generation in 5-10 minutes (vs 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD)
• Complete DC side: Arrays, combiners, disconnects, wire sizes with proper labeling
• Complete AC side: Disconnects, wire runs, meter, panel connection
• Protection devices: Breakers, fuses, SPD, AFCI correctly sized and positioned
• Wire sizing calculations: DC and AC with voltage drop (<2% optimal), temperature correction (NEC 310.15), conduit fill adjustment
• NEC Article 690 compliance: 690.7 (voltage), 690.8 (circuit sizing), 690.12 (rapid shutdown), 690.41 (system grounding)
• Panel schedules, conduit calculations
• No AutoCAD dependency ($2,000/year savings per user)

Why This Matters for Commercial EPCs:

Electrical documentation is a permit requirement for all commercial projects. In our EPC operations at Heaven Green Energy, complete electrical engineering saves 2-3 hours per commercial project and reduces permit rejection rates.

Real-World Scenario:

250kW commercial rooftop with 3 inverters, multiple combiner boxes, complex AC/DC wiring:

Solargraf: Basic SLD generated, but electrical engineer must verify calculations manually. For complex routing, may still require AutoCAD = 1-2 hours additional engineering work.

SurgePV: Complete SLD with wire sizing (accounting for voltage drop, temperature correction), conduit sizing, panel schedules generated in 10 minutes = permit-ready with no additional work.

Time Saved: 1-2 hours per project × 50 commercial projects/year = 50-100 hours saved annually

Labor Savings: 50-100 hours × $75/hour engineering rate = $3,750-7,500/year

Detailed Category Comparison: Shading Accuracy

Solargraf Accuracy:

• Claims: NREL and NYSERDA-verified shading engine, 8760-hour analysis
• Reality: Users report 10-20% variance vs competitive tools (SunPower Eddie)
• Verified User Quotes: "absolute garbage and entirely inaccurate", "always 10%-20% off"

SurgePV Accuracy:

• ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst (industry standard for validation)
• 8760-hour shading analysis (same methodology)
• Bankable production estimates accepted by financiers

Why This Matters for Commercial Projects:

From our experience securing financing for 1+ GW of projects, accuracy is critical for lender confidence.

500kW commercial project example:

• Expected annual production: 750,000 kWh
• 10% Solargraf variance: ±75,000 kWh ($7,500-15,000 revenue impact at $0.10-0.20/kWh)
• 3% SurgePV variance: ±22,500 kWh ($2,250-4,500 revenue impact)

Difference: $5,250-10,500/year in revenue certainty

For Financing: Lenders typically reject deals with >5% uncertainty. A 10-20% variance makes bankable financing difficult or impossible.

For Customers: Underperformance leads to dissatisfaction, contract disputes, and reputation damage.

When Shading Accuracy Matters Most:

• Commercial projects with financing (lenders require confidence in production estimates)
• Performance guarantees to customers (contractual obligations)
• Complex shading scenarios (trees, nearby buildings, irregular roof orientations)
• Reputation-critical projects (government, institutional, high-profile commercial clients)

Detailed Category Comparison: Commercial Structures

Solargraf Commercial Structures:

• NO carport solar design (parking lot canopies)
• NO solar tracker support (single-axis or dual-axis)
• NO native East-West racking optimization
• Limited to standard rooftop and simple ground-mount configurations

SurgePV Commercial Structures:

• Carport solar design (single cantilever, dual cantilever, multi-column) - UNIQUE feature, no competitor has native carport design
• Solar tracker support (single-axis, dual-axis, backtracking algorithm for shadow avoidance)
• East-West racking (low-tilt opposite orientations, 20-40% higher density per roof area)

Why This Matters for Growing Commercial EPCs:

Carport solar is the fastest-growing commercial segment (C&I parking lots, government facilities, retail centers, universities). From our project pipeline at Heaven Green Energy, carport inquiries have grown 150% year-over-year.

Without native carport design:

• Solargraf users must use manual workarounds or external CAD tools = 4-6 hours additional design time per project
• Or decline carport opportunities entirely = lost revenue

With SurgePV carport design:

• Native support = 30-45 minutes design time (competitive with standard rooftop)
• Competitive advantage = bid on projects competitors can't easily handle

Real-World Scenario: Municipal parking lot with 200 spaces, 500kW carport array

• Solargraf: Can't design natively, must use AutoCAD or decline project = lost opportunity
• SurgePV: Design in 45 minutes with full electrical and permit-ready documentation = win project

Use Case Recommendations

Choose Solargraf When:

• Pure residential sales teams (not needing electrical engineering depth)
• Mobile-first on-site closing is priority (iPad/tablet workflow critical for your sales model)
• Very small teams (2 users only, doing <120 residential projects/year, budget-conscious)
• Sales speed more important than engineering accuracy (proposals prioritized over technical depth)
• Simple rooftop projects with minimal shading (accuracy less critical)
• Don't need electrical documentation (engineering outsourced or handled separately)
• Enphase ecosystem integration critical (microinverter-focused installations)

Choose SurgePV When:

• Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW projects requiring engineering depth)
• Need electrical engineering documentation (complete SLD, wire sizing, permit-ready)
• Projects with carports, trackers, or East-West racking (Solargraf doesn't support, SurgePV only native option)
• Bankable accuracy required for financing (±3% vs PVsyst needed, not 10-20% variance)
• High-volume operations (>240 projects/year where Solargraf overage fees expensive)
• Want transparent, predictable per-user pricing (no project-based surprises or overage fees)
• Scaling from residential to commercial (need engineering capabilities for growth)
• Complex shading scenarios (accuracy critical for trees, nearby buildings, irregular orientations)
• Reputation-critical projects (government, institutional, high-profile clients where accuracy matters)
• Small teams (3 users) seeking best value ($1,899 for 3 users vs Solargraf $2,799 for 2 users)

Decision Matrix

Solargraf Support, Training & Onboarding

Customer Support

Support Channels:

• Phone: 1-888-997-1101
• Email: hello@solargraf.com
• LiveChat (through account dashboard)
• Support ticket system (in-app)

Support Quality (from user reviews):

Positive Feedback (earlier reviews):

• "How quick the customer service is when there is an issue" (Capterra)
• "Solargraf is open to feedback and quick to make changes" (G2)
• "Friendly support" (SoftwareAdvice)

Negative Feedback (trend post-Enphase acquisition, 2021+):

• "Wait time for customer support is now longer" (Capterra, 2024)
• "No way to contact the design team except through the app which takes days to get a reply" (G2, 2024)

Trend Analysis: Support quality appears to have degraded post-acquisition (January 2021). This is a common pattern when startups are acquired by larger companies—corporate processes can slow responsiveness compared to startup agility.

Training & Onboarding

Onboarding Process:

1. Full account tailoring session (scheduled with implementation specialist)
2. Complete training walkthrough from start to finish
3. Account setup configured to company needs
4. Training coverage: Financing, permits/stamps, e-signatures, shading analysis

Self-Guided Resources:

• Self-guided onboarding guide available
• Comprehensive library of support and training videos (within app)
• Resource Center with curated library tailored by country
• Blog tutorials covering common workflows
• Live webinars (periodic)
• Clear documentation

Onboarding Time (USER-REPORTED, verified):

From user reviews and our evaluation:

• "Intuitive interface and gentle learning curve mean staff can get up and running quickly, often in just a few hours" (industry analysis)
• "Training program for new advisors is substantially shorter compared to other tools" (verified user review)

Learning Curve Comparison:

• Solargraf: Hours to basic productivity FASTEST IN INDUSTRY
• OpenSolar: 1-2 weeks (simple interface, limited features)
• SurgePV: 2-3 weeks (complete capabilities require more training)
• Aurora Solar: 1-2 weeks (residential), 4-6 weeks (commercial features)
• PVCase: 6-8 weeks (requires CAD expertise, steep learning curve)

Trade-off to Consider:

Solargraf's faster onboarding comes from simplified capabilities (limited engineering depth). SurgePV's 2-3 week onboarding delivers complete capabilities (electrical engineering, commercial structures, bankability metrics) that you'll use for years.

When Fast Learning Critical:

• Small teams with limited training time
• High sales rep turnover (need quick replacement training)
• Time-to-productivity more important than feature depth
• Sales-focused roles (not engineering-focused)

When Comprehensive Training Worth Investment:

• Commercial EPCs needing engineering capabilities
• Engineering-focused teams willing to invest in training for long-term capability
• Teams needing features that justify longer learning investment
• Scaling operations where advanced capabilities become necessary

Source: Capterra reviews, Solargraf support blog, Nerdisa review, industry analysis

Demo & Free Trial

Demo (confirmed available):

• Free demo: 15-30 minutes with sales representative
• Walkthrough covers: Drawing tool, map services, proposal customization, financing services
• Book via: solargraf.com/register or contact hello@solargraf.com / 1-888-997-1101

Free Trial (status unclear):

Conflicting Information in Sources:

• Some sources cite: "Free trial available, no credit card required"
• Other sources state: "Solargraf does not currently offer a free trial"
• Status may have changed over time (possibly discontinued post-Enphase acquisition in 2021)

Recommendation: Verify current trial policy directly with Solargraf (hello@solargraf.com or 1-888-997-1101) before assuming trial availability.

SurgePV Comparison: Free trial available (standard industry practice)

Advice for Evaluation:

Always request free trial or extended demo before committing to annual contract ($2,799-12,999/year). Test these critical aspects on your own projects:

1. Shading analysis accuracy: Compare to known production data or competitive tools (PVsyst, Aurora)
2. Electrical SLD quality: Verify completeness for your permit requirements
3. Proposal workflow: Test mobile functionality if that's critical to your sales model
4. Complex designs: Try non-standard roof geometries to assess 3D modeling limitations

Source: Solargraf demo page (confirmed), multiple review platforms (conflicting trial information)

Switching from Solargraf to SurgePV?

Common Reasons Users Switch

From our conversations with EPCs who have migrated from Solargraf and industry feedback:

1. Shading Accuracy Problems (Most Common):

• Pain Point: 10-20% production variance causes financing rejections and customer dissatisfaction
• Business Impact: Lenders reject deals, customers complain about underperformance, reputation damage
• How SurgePV Solves: ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst provides bankable production estimates accepted by financiers

2. Commercial Project Scaling (Second Most Common):

• Pain Point: Solargraf built for residential, lacks commercial engineering (complete SLD, commercial structures)
• Business Impact: Can't bid on commercial projects, lose carport/tracker opportunities, still need AutoCAD
• How SurgePV Solves: Built for commercial (100kW-10MW), carport design (unique), tracker support, complete electrical

3. Engineering Documentation Needs:

• Pain Point: Solargraf's basic SLD insufficient for complex commercial permits, still requires AutoCAD or manual engineering work
• Business Impact: 2-3 hours additional engineering time per project, permit rejections
• How SurgePV Solves: Comprehensive SLD generation (5-10 minutes), wire sizing, conduit calculations, panel schedules—permit-ready without AutoCAD

4. Pricing Unpredictability:

• Pain Point: Project-based credits confusing (5 credits per commercial project), overage fees add up for high-volume teams (>240 projects/year)
• Business Impact: Budget uncertainty, unexpected costs as volume grows
• How SurgePV Solves: Simple per-user unlimited projects (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users), no overage surprises, predictable costs

5. Permit Pack Quality Issues:

• Pain Point: 50%+ permit packs need revisions (from verified user reports)
• Business Impact: Manual rework required, permit delays expensive, trust eroded in automation
• How SurgePV Solves: Comprehensive electrical documentation reduces permit rejection rates substantially

Migration Process

Timeline: 4-6 weeks typical (includes training, parallel run, full transition)

Migration Steps:

1. Data Export (Week 1):

• Export existing project data from Solargraf (customer lists, project details)
• Document current workflows and customizations
• Identify must-have features and configurations

2. SurgePV Setup (Week 1, Days 3-5):

• Account configuration tailored to your operations
• Team setup with appropriate permissions
• Library customization (modules, inverters, utilities, AHJ requirements)

3. Team Training (Weeks 2-3):

• Comprehensive onboarding (2-3 weeks for full capabilities)
• Hands-on training with your project types
• Focus on electrical engineering workflows (key differentiator)
• Commercial structures training (carports, trackers if relevant)

4. Parallel Testing (Weeks 3-4):

• Run 5-10 real projects in both Solargraf and SurgePV
• Compare output quality (shading analysis, electrical documentation, proposals)
• Verify accuracy improvements
• Team builds confidence with SurgePV workflows

5. Full Transition (Week 5-6):

• Switch primary workflow to SurgePV
• Maintain Solargraf access for historical project reference (1-2 months overlap recommended)
• Monitor team productivity and address any workflow adjustments
• Collect feedback for optimization

Migration Support from SurgePV:

• Dedicated migration specialist assigned
• Data import assistance (customer lists, project libraries)
• Team training (complete onboarding included)
• 1:1 support during transition period
• Priority support during first 30 days
• Regular check-ins to ensure smooth transition

Alternative Options

If Solargraf doesn't fit your needs, consider these alternatives:

1. SurgePV - For commercial EPCs needing engineering:

• Best For: Commercial projects (100kW-10MW), electrical engineering needs, carport/tracker projects, bankable accuracy
• Strengths: Comprehensive electrical (SLD, wire sizing), commercial structures (carports unique), ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst
• Pricing: Starting at $1,899/year for 3 users (unlimited projects)
• Learning Curve: 2-3 weeks
• Learn more about SurgePV

2. OpenSolar - For budget-conscious residential teams:

• Best For: Small residential installers, budget-conscious startups, simple rooftop projects
• Strengths: Most affordable ($199/month or free tier), simple interface, fast learning
• Limitations: No electrical engineering, no commercial structures, basic feature set
• Learning Curve: 1-2 weeks

3. Aurora Solar - For pure residential sales teams:

• Best For: Residential sales teams, premium brand preference, sophisticated AI roof modeling
• Strengths: Industry-leading AI roof detection, beautiful sales proposals, strong residential focus
• Limitations: No electrical engineering (need AutoCAD), no commercial structures, opaque pricing (contact sales)
• Learning Curve: 1-2 weeks (residential), 4-6 weeks (commercial features)

4. PVCase + AutoCAD - For CAD experts needing deepest engineering:

• Best For: Engineering firms with existing CAD expertise, utility-scale projects, deepest customization needs
• Strengths: CAD-level engineering depth, advanced ground mount capabilities, deepest control
• Limitations: Requires AutoCAD expertise (6-8 week learning curve), desktop-based (not cloud), limited proposal tools
• Cost: ~$2,990/year total (PVCase $990 + AutoCAD $2,000)

Decision Tree for Alternatives

Need electrical engineering capabilities?

YES SurgePV (complete) or PVCase (CAD-level depth)

NO OpenSolar (budget) or Aurora (premium residential sales)

Need commercial structures (carports, trackers)?

YES SurgePV (only native option)

NO Other tools may work depending on needs

Need bankable accuracy for financing (±3-5%)?

YES SurgePV (±3% vs PVsyst)

NO Solargraf may work if residential-only and accuracy less critical

Budget-constrained (under $3,000/year)?

YES SurgePV Individual ($1,899 for 3 users), OpenSolar ($199/month or free), or Solargraf Starter ($2,799 for 2 users)

NO SurgePV (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users) or Aurora (higher, contact sales)

SolarGraf vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison

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

Final Verdict: Should You Choose Solargraf?

Solargraf Excels At:

• Mobile-first residential sales (iPad/tablet on-site closing)
• Rapid proposal generation (15-30 minutes, beautiful output)
• Fastest learning curve (hours to productivity, easiest in industry)
• All-in-one convenience (design, CRM, financing, e-signatures)
• Enphase ecosystem integration (microinverters, batteries)

Solargraf Falls Short On:

• Shading accuracy (10-20% variance vs ±3-5% industry standard)
• Electrical engineering (basic SLD only, not complete)
• Commercial structures (no carports, trackers, East-West)
• Permit quality (50%+ revision rate reported)
• Pricing predictability (project-based credits, overage fees)

Who Should Choose Solargraf:

Pure residential sales teams prioritizing mobile workflow and proposal speed

Very small teams (2 users only, <120 residential projects/year)

Sales-focused operations where accuracy is secondary to closing speed

Simple rooftop projects with minimal shading complexity

Enphase-focused installers valuing ecosystem integration

Who Should Choose SurgePV Instead:

Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW) needing engineering depth

Teams requiring complete electrical documentation

Projects with carports, trackers, or East-West racking

Financing-dependent projects requiring bankable accuracy (±3%)

High-volume operations (>240 projects/year) avoiding overage fees

Teams scaling from residential to commercial

Reputation-critical projects (government, institutional)

Small teams (3 users) seeking best value ($1,899 vs $2,799 for 2 users)

Ready to Compare Alternatives?

If Solargraf's limitations (shading accuracy, basic electrical engineering, no commercial structures) are holding your business back, explore alternatives built for commercial EPCs:

• See SurgePV features - Complete platform overview
• Book a SurgePV demo - See carport design, complete SLD, and bankable accuracy
• View SurgePV pricing - Transparent per-user unlimited projects (starting at $1,899/year for 3 users)
• Compare Aurora Solar - Alternative residential-focused platform
• Compare OpenSolar - Budget-friendly alternative
• Compare PVCase - CAD-based engineering alternative
• Compare PVsyst - Industry-standard simulation tool