SolarProof Review: Features, Pricing & Pros/Cons (2026)

TL;DR Summary

SolarProof is an Australian cloud-based solar design and proposal software founded in 2017 and based in Mullumbimby, NSW. The platform achieved a 6.67% error rate in independent accuracy testing—the best among four tools tested including OpenSolar and HelioScope. Key strengths include unlimited Nearmap imagery on all tiers, affordable pay-as-you-go pricing starting at $4 AUD per project, and strong Australian compliance features (NETCC templates, automatic STC calculations).

However, SolarProof is limited to the Australian market with no international coverage. The platform lacks electrical engineering capabilities like SLD generation and wire sizing, has no support for commercial structures (carports, trackers), and shows a dated user interface according to third-party reviews. Best for Australian residential installers prioritizing compliance and proposal speed. For commercial EPCs needing integrated electrical engineering or multi-market operations, SurgePV offers automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes and global coverage across India, US, and international markets.

This review is designed for solar professionals evaluating proposal and design software for Australian solar installations:

• Australian solar installers comparing proposal tools like SolarProof, OpenSolar, and Pylon
• Residential-focused teams needing CEC/NETCC compliance templates and fast quoting
• Small EPCs currently using spreadsheets or manual proposal processes
• Sales teams prioritizing proposal conversion over deep engineering

This review is not ideal for:

• International EPCs operating outside Australia (SolarProof is Australia-only)
• Commercial teams requiring electrical engineering documentation (no SLD generation or wire sizing)
• Companies needing carport, tracker, or advanced commercial structure design
• Teams with existing AutoCAD/PVsyst engineering workflows

What Is SolarProof?

SolarProof is a cloud-based solar design and proposal software specifically built for the Australian solar market. Founded in 2017 by Chris Taeni (BEngg, SunWiz consultant, and RenewEconomy author), the company operates with a small team of 2-10 employees from Mullumbimby, NSW.

The platform focuses on helping Australian residential and small commercial installers create accurate solar designs, generate professional proposals, and close deals faster—all while maintaining compliance with Australian regulations including NETCC (formerly CEC Code) and automatic STC (Small-scale Technology Certificate) calculations.

Unlike full-stack engineering platforms that attempt to serve every market, SolarProof takes a focused approach. The software emphasizes speed, compliance, and proposal generation for the Australian residential solar market. It's not trying to replace AutoCAD for commercial electrical engineering or compete with PVsyst for utility-scale simulation. Instead, it aims to streamline the sales-to-install workflow for Australian installers handling primarily residential and small commercial rooftop projects.

Company snapshot:

• Founded: 2017
• Headquarters: Mullumbimby, NSW 2482, Australia
• Employees: 2-10 (LinkedIn verification)
• Founder/CEO: Chris Taeni (BEngg, solar industry consultant)
• Business model: Bootstrapped, profitable SaaS
• Market focus: Australian residential solar installers
• Review presence: Not listed on G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius (as of January 2026)

The platform is cloud-based with automatic updates and web access—no software downloads required. All features are accessible from a browser, making it easy for sales teams to create proposals in the field or during customer consultations.

SolarProof Features Analysis

Design & Panel Placement Tools

SolarProof provides straightforward panel placement tools designed for speed rather than deep customization. You can place solar panels over high-resolution satellite imagery or upload building plan images for manual layouts.

The panel placement system includes snap-to-grid functionality that makes aligning modules quick and consistent. You can create multiple arrays with different orientations and tilt angles to accommodate complex roof geometries. The manual and auto-placement options give you flexibility depending on whether you're working with a standard rectangular roof or a more intricate design.

According to user testimonials on the SolarProof website, one installer noted: "Solar panels snapped easily to the grid, searching was easy, and changing existing designs a breeze." This highlights the platform's focus on usability over advanced technical controls.

The design tools are adequate for residential rooftop installations but lack advanced features for commercial structures. There's no native support for carports, ground-mount trackers, or East-West racking configurations—limiting the platform to traditional rooftop applications.

High-Resolution Imagery & Nearmap Integration

Here's where SolarProof differentiates itself: unlimited Nearmap imagery is included on all tiers, including the free demo. This is a substantial advantage, as Nearmap provides higher-resolution aerial imagery than standard Google Maps satellite views—particularly valuable for Australian markets where Nearmap coverage is extensive.

Customers see their roof in much clearer detail, which immediately elevates proposal professionalism. As one SolarProof user stated: "The high-resolution imagery alone is worth it—clients immediately see the value in our proposals."

The platform also integrates with Metromap for areas where Nearmap coverage may be limited. You get access to annual imagery updates with a timeline showing available image dates, so you can select the most recent or seasonally appropriate view.

For comparison, most competitors charge extra for Nearmap access. OpenSolar, for instance, charges approximately $6 AUD per project for Nearmap imagery. By including it free across all tiers, SolarProof delivers immediate cost savings for volume users—especially teams creating 20+ quotes per month.

SurgePV uses Google 3D, Bing Maps, and Esri imagery sources. While these provide global coverage, teams specifically wanting Nearmap would need a separate subscription if using SurgePV or most other platforms.

Shading Analysis

SolarProof includes 3D shade analysis tools that evaluate obstruction impacts on solar production. You can measure nearby trees, chimneys, and other obstacles to model their shading effects throughout the year.

In independent accuracy testing conducted by creativenurds.com comparing four solar design tools against an actual 8kW Melbourne installation, SolarProof achieved a 6.67% error rate—the best performance among the tested platforms. OpenSolar came in at 7.17% error, while HelioScope showed 12.36% error in the same test.

This is a legitimate accuracy advantage for SolarProof. However, it's important to note this was a single-system test on one Melbourne installation. Accuracy can vary by location, system complexity, and local weather patterns. The 6.67% figure shouldn't be interpreted as a universal guarantee across all project types.

For context, SurgePV uses 8760-hour shading analysis achieving ±3% variance compared to PVsyst—an industry-standard simulation tool used for bankability validation. Both platforms deliver accurate shading models, with SolarProof's independent testing providing real-world validation and SurgePV benchmarking against the widely accepted PVsyst standard.

Proposal Generation & Templates

SolarProof offers three professional proposal templates with CEC-approved formats and NETCC-compliant disclaimers built in. This saves Australian installers from having to research and manually insert compliance language—a real time-saver for teams focused on speed-to-quote.

You can upload your company logo for branding, but customization is limited. According to the creativenurds.com review, users report they "cannot customize fonts or styles beyond logo uploads." If your brand guidelines require specific typography or design elements, you'll need to accept SolarProof's standard templates.

Proposals can be delivered two ways:

1. Web link (rocket-speed delivery—share immediately via SMS or email)
2. PDF export (traditional download for email attachments)

The platform includes built-in e-signing capability, which lets customers sign proposals on the spot during consultations. This is valuable for closing deals during initial site visits without waiting for follow-up paperwork.

One commercial installer reported success with the platform: "Recently our solar business won a 230kW TAFE project using Solar Proof as the basis for the proposal." This demonstrates SolarProof can handle small commercial applications, though it lacks the electrical engineering depth (SLD generation, wire sizing) that larger commercial projects typically require for permitting and construction documentation.

Financial Modeling & STC Calculations

SolarProof automatically calculates Solar Technology Certificates (STCs) for both solar systems and battery installations—a critical requirement for Australian solar proposals. The platform stays current with regulatory changes, including support for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program offering 8.4 STCs through May 2026.

Financial modeling tools include:

• Automatic STC calculations (solar and battery)
• 20-year ROI forecasts with configurable assumptions
• Dynamic payback analysis showing when customers recoup their investment
• PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) calculations for commercial customers
• GST calculations built into Australian pricing
• Finance calculations for financed proposals with various loan terms

These financial tools are appropriate for residential and small commercial proposals. They provide the essential ROI metrics that customers need to make purchase decisions without overwhelming them with complex financial engineering.

However, commercial EPCs working on larger projects (500kW+) may need more sophisticated financial modeling with P75/P90 bankability metrics, debt service coverage ratios, and investor-grade analysis. SolarProof's financial tools are designed for customer-facing sales proposals, not institutional financing packages.

SurgePV includes P50/P75/P90 production estimates—financial modeling metrics that banks and investors require for project financing. This is a key difference for teams pursuing financed commercial projects where lender approval depends on conservative (P90) production assumptions.

Interval Data Analysis

This is a standout feature rarely found in proposal-focused software. SolarProof allows you to upload customer interval data files (detailed energy consumption records from their utility) and analyzes the data to suggest appropriately sized solar systems based on actual usage patterns.

For commercial customers with variable demand throughout the day, this feature helps you optimize system sizing beyond simple annual consumption averages. A SolarProof user specifically called this out: "Standout feature for commercial system designs, allowing us to optimize commercial system designs with precision."

This capability is particularly valuable for commercial installations with demand charges or time-of-use rate structures, where matching solar production to high-rate consumption periods can significantly improve ROI.

Integrations & CRM

SolarProof connects with several third-party platforms to extend functionality:

Accounting: Xero, MYOB

CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive

Payments: Stripe

Imagery: Nearmap (native), Metromap

Workflow: Monday.com, Zapier

Storage: Google Drive, Dropbox

The platform includes a basic built-in CRM with customer workflow tracking, project status monitoring, calendar booking systems, and email templates. This is sufficient for small teams that don't have dedicated CRM infrastructure, though larger operations will likely prefer integrating with HubSpot or Salesforce for more robust sales pipeline management.

API access is available starting with Pro Tier 2 ($149 AUD/month), which enables custom integrations for teams with specific workflow requirements or internal systems.

One notable gap: SolarProof does not offer SLD (Single Line Diagram) generation or wire sizing tools. For commercial EPCs that need electrical engineering documentation for permits, you would need to use a separate tool like AutoCAD or an electrical engineering platform.

SurgePV includes automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes and automatic wire sizing—eliminating the need for AutoCAD and saving 2-3 hours per commercial project compared to manual electrical drawing workflows.

SolarProof Pricing

SolarProof uses quota-based pricing metered by kilowatts of solar panels and kilowatt-hours of batteries designed. All pricing is in Australian Dollars (AUD).

Pricing Tiers

All pricing verified from solarproof.com.au/pricing on January 22, 2026.

Understanding the Quota System

SolarProof meters usage by kilowatts of panels and kilowatt-hours of batteries. Pro Tier 1, for example, includes 1.2 megawatts per month—which translates to approximately:

• 200 residential systems at 6kW each, OR
• 12 commercial systems at 100kW each

Battery projects are metered separately from solar-only systems. Only the top project counts toward quota—the first three copies or variations of a design are free, which helps when you're iterating designs during customer consultations.

As a promotional offer, Pro Tier 1 currently includes an extra 300kW per month for the first 12 months, giving new users 1.5MW monthly quota during their first year.

Pricing Transparency

SolarProof deserves credit for publishing transparent pricing on their website—no sales call required to understand costs. This stands in contrast to many competitors that use "contact sales" pricing models where you can't evaluate affordability without entering a sales process.

The pay-as-you-go option at $4 per project is particularly attractive for new installers or teams with irregular volume. You're not locked into monthly fees, and credits never expire—reducing financial risk for startups or seasonal businesses.

Value Comparison: SolarProof vs SurgePV

For Australian residential installers creating 10-30 quotes monthly, SolarProof's pricing is very competitive. The inclusion of Nearmap imagery alone can save $60-180 AUD monthly compared to platforms charging per-project Nearmap fees.

However, commercial EPCs need to factor in the cost of supplemental electrical engineering tools. If SolarProof users need AutoCAD for SLD generation, that adds approximately $2,000 USD annually per user. SurgePV eliminates this need with integrated electrical engineering, potentially delivering better total cost of ownership for commercial workflows despite higher base pricing.

What Real Users Say

SolarProof has limited presence on major review platforms. As of January 2026, the software is not listed on G2, Capterra, or TrustRadius—making independent user sentiment harder to assess compared to widely reviewed competitors.

The primary third-party review comes from creativenurds.com, which conducted hands-on testing and published a detailed analysis in their "Best Solar Design Software" comparison article.

Overall Satisfaction

creativenurds.com Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

The review praised SolarProof's accuracy (6.67% error rate in testing), ease of use, and value proposition while noting areas for improvement in UI polish and software stability.

Positive User Feedback

Based on testimonials published on the SolarProof website and the creativenurds.com review:

Ease of Use: "Solar Proof has revolutionized our workflow. It's incredibly user-friendly." The platform's learning curve is minimal compared to CAD-based engineering tools.

High-Resolution Imagery: "The high-resolution imagery alone is worth it—clients immediately see the value in our proposals." Nearmap integration elevates proposal professionalism substantially.

Conversion Impact: "Our company has seen a significant boost in conversions since switching to Solar Proof." Better visual proposals appear to improve close rates.

Overall Satisfaction: "Solar Proof is hands down the best solar design software we've used." This enthusiasm suggests strong satisfaction among the user base, though the sample size from public testimonials is limited.

Commercial Win: "Recently our solar business won a 230kW TAFE project using Solar Proof as the basis for the proposal." Real-world commercial success demonstrates the platform can handle small to medium commercial applications.

Custom Templates: Users appreciate "the combination of ease of use and powerful custom templates" that let them brand proposals professionally without design expertise.

Interval Data: The interval data analysis feature specifically received praise as a "standout feature, allowing us to optimize commercial system designs with precision."

Areas for Improvement

The creativenurds.com review identified several limitations:

Outdated User Interface: The reviewer noted that SolarProof "seems like Solar Proof is still very much like a startup or in its infancy stages" from a UI design perspective. The interface is functional but lacks the polish of more established SaaS platforms. This doesn't prevent you from completing work, but it does create a less refined user experience compared to modern design tools.

Software Bugs: "There were a few bugs that I came across"—specifically navigation inconsistencies where some workflow steps allowed backtracking while others didn't. These are minor friction points rather than critical failures, but they interrupt workflow fluidity.

Pricing Complexity: The quota-based metering system with "confusing dropdown options for capacity levels" created some initial confusion for the reviewer. Once understood, the system works fine, but it requires more explanation than simple per-user or per-month pricing.

Limited Branding Customization: Users "cannot customize fonts or styles beyond logo uploads." If your brand identity requires specific typography or color schemes beyond logo placement, SolarProof's templates won't accommodate that level of customization.

Australia-Only Focus: For installers or EPCs with any international operations, SolarProof's Australia-exclusive focus is a hard constraint. There's no expansion to US, European, or other markets.

SolarProof Pros & Cons

Pros (8 Key Strengths)

High Accuracy – 6.67% error rate in independent testing by creativenurds.com, outperforming OpenSolar (7.17%) and HelioScope (12.36%) on the same Melbourne test system. This demonstrates real-world prediction reliability.

Unlimited Nearmap Imagery – Included on all tiers (even the free demo), providing premium-quality aerial imagery worth $60-180 monthly for volume users. This is a substantial value-add compared to competitors charging per-project Nearmap fees.

Affordable Entry Point – Pay-as-you-go pricing at $4 AUD per project with no monthly commitment and credits that never expire. Perfect for startups, seasonal businesses, or irregular volume installers.

Australian Compliance Built-In – NETCC templates, automatic STC calculations, Cheaper Home Batteries Program support, and CEC-approved proposal disclaimers eliminate compliance research burden.

Interval Data Analysis – Upload customer energy consumption data to optimize system sizing based on actual usage patterns. This feature is rare in proposal-focused software and valuable for commercial optimization.

Founder-Responsive Support – According to the creativenurds.com review, Chris Taeni (founder/CEO) is responsive to user issues and feedback—a benefit of the small team structure.

E-Signing Built-In – Close deals immediately during consultations without waiting for contract follow-up. Removes friction from the sales process.

Transparent Pricing – Public pricing page with clear tiers and no "contact sales" requirement. You can evaluate affordability before investing time in demos or sales conversations.

Cons (6 Key Limitations)

Australia-Only Coverage – No support for international markets including US, Europe, India, or MENA regions. If you have any cross-border operations or expansion plans, SolarProof won't scale with you. Impact: Cannot grow beyond Australian market without switching platforms.

No Electrical Engineering Features – No SLD generation, no wire sizing, no voltage drop calculations, no conduit fill analysis. Commercial EPCs need supplemental tools (typically AutoCAD at $2,000 USD/year) for electrical permit documentation. Impact: Incomplete workflow for commercial projects requiring electrical drawings.

No Commercial Structures Support – No carport design, no tracker modeling, no East-West racking configurations. Limited to traditional rooftop applications. Impact: Cannot bid on carport projects or advanced commercial structures—a growing segment of the commercial solar market.

Dated User Interface – According to the creativenurds.com review, the interface "seems like Solar Proof is still very much like a startup" with less polish than established platforms. Impact: Steeper learning curve, occasional user frustration, less professional appearance during customer-facing demonstrations.

Software Bugs & Inconsistencies – Navigation inconsistencies and occasional bugs interrupt workflow. The creativenurds.com review noted backtracking limitations that vary by workflow step. Impact: Workflow interruptions requiring workarounds or restarts.

Small Development Team – With only 2-10 employees (LinkedIn verification), feature development velocity is inherently limited compared to well-funded competitors with 50-200 person engineering teams. Impact: Slower innovation, longer wait for new features, potential limitations in customer support scaling.

SolarProof vs SurgePV Comparison

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

When to Choose SolarProof

SolarProof is the better choice if you:

• Operate exclusively in Australia with no international expansion plans
• Focus on residential installations (under 50kW) where electrical engineering documentation is minimal
• Prioritize Nearmap imagery for proposal quality and want it included rather than paid separately
• Need Australian compliance (NETCC templates, automatic STC calculations) built into your workflow
• Want low financial commitment with pay-as-you-go pricing or very affordable entry tiers
• Don't require electrical engineering like SLD generation or wire sizing for your projects

When to Choose SurgePV

SurgePV is the better choice if you:

• Handle commercial projects requiring electrical engineering documentation (SLD, wire sizing, voltage drop)
• Design carports or trackers which SolarProof cannot model
• Operate across multiple markets (India + US + Australia) or plan international expansion
• Need bankability metrics (P75/P90) for financed commercial projects
• Want to eliminate AutoCAD dependency and complete electrical design within your solar platform
• Value integrated workflows from design through electrical engineering through proposals without tool-switching

Bottom line: SolarProof is an Australia-focused proposal tool optimized for residential sales. SurgePV is an engineering-focused platform designed for commercial EPCs requiring complete electrical documentation and multi-market capability.

Best Use Cases

SolarProof Excels For:

Australian Residential Installers (1-20 Jobs Monthly)

Your typical customer is a homeowner with a 5-10kW rooftop system. You need fast, compliant proposals with professional imagery to close deals during initial consultations. Electrical engineering is minimal (basic string calculations), so you don't need SLD generation. SolarProof's pay-as-you-go pricing and included Nearmap imagery deliver excellent value.

Sales-Focused Teams

Your installers handle the technical work, but your sales team needs to create compelling proposals quickly. SolarProof's e-signing, web-based proposal delivery, and high-res imagery help close deals faster. The learning curve is minimal, so new sales hires become productive quickly.

Budget-Conscious Startups

You're bootstrapping your solar business and need to minimize fixed costs. SolarProof's $4/project pay-as-you-go model and free demo tier (3-4 quotes monthly) let you start with near-zero software costs and scale as you grow.

Compliance-Critical Operations

You work in regions with strict Australian compliance requirements and want NETCC templates, CEC-approved language, and automatic STC calculations built into every proposal to avoid regulatory mistakes.

SurgePV Excels For:

Commercial EPCs (100kW-10MW Projects)

Your projects require permit-ready electrical documentation including SLDs, wire sizing calculations, voltage drop analysis, and conduit fill schedules. SurgePV generates these automatically in 5-10 minutes compared to 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work, saving 150-250 hours annually for a 100-project team.

Carport & Tracker Specialists

You're bidding on parking lot solar canopies, single-axis trackers, or dual-axis tracker fields. SurgePV is the only platform with native carport design support, while SolarProof cannot model these structures.

Multi-Market Operations

You install in India, the United States, and potentially Australia (via partners). SurgePV covers India + US + international markets, whereas SolarProof's Australia-only focus would force you to maintain separate platforms.

AutoCAD Cost Reduction

Your team currently uses Aurora or OpenSolar for design but needs AutoCAD ($2,000/year per user) for electrical drawings. SurgePV eliminates this expense with integrated electrical engineering, saving $2,000 annually per team member while improving workflow speed.

Bankable Financial Modeling

Your customers include financiers, tax equity investors, or banks requiring conservative P90 production estimates. SurgePV provides P50/P75/P90 metrics needed for institutional financing, while SolarProof focuses on customer-facing ROI for residential sales.

SolarProof vs SurgePV: Feature Comparison

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

Final Verdict

SolarProof Summary

Key Strengths: High accuracy (6.67% error rate in independent testing), unlimited Nearmap imagery included on all tiers, affordable pay-as-you-go entry ($4 AUD/project), strong Australian compliance (NETCC templates, automatic STC calculations), interval data analysis for commercial optimization, transparent pricing.

Ideal For: Australian residential installers (1-20 jobs monthly), sales-focused teams prioritizing proposal conversion, budget-conscious startups with irregular volume, compliance-critical operations requiring NETCC/CEC templates built-in.

Key Limitations: Australia-only coverage (no international markets), no electrical engineering (no SLD generation or wire sizing), no commercial structures (no carports, trackers, or East-West racking), dated user interface with occasional bugs, small development team (2-10 employees) limiting feature velocity.

SurgePV Summary

Key Strengths: Automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes compared to 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work, only platform with native carport design, commercial structures support (trackers, East-West racking), global coverage (India + US + International), P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics for financed projects, transparent pricing starting at $1,899/year for 3 users.

Ideal For: Commercial EPCs handling 100kW-10MW projects requiring electrical documentation, carport and tracker specialists, multi-market operations across India/US/International, teams wanting to eliminate AutoCAD dependency and save $2,000/year per user, projects requiring bankable financial modeling for institutional financing.

Why Teams Switch: Eliminate fragmented workflows (design in one tool, electrical in AutoCAD, proposals in PowerPoint), complete commercial projects faster with integrated electrical engineering, access growing carport market that SolarProof cannot address, expand beyond Australian market without platform switching.

Our Recommendation

For Australian residential installers focused on proposal quality, compliance, and sales conversion, SolarProof delivers strong value. The combination of accurate designs (6.67% error rate), unlimited Nearmap imagery, and affordable pay-as-you-go pricing makes it a practical choice for volume residential operations within Australia.

However, for commercial EPCs handling larger projects, teams requiring electrical engineering documentation (SLD generation, wire sizing, voltage drop analysis), companies designing carports or trackers, or operations with multi-market coverage needs—SurgePV provides the integrated engineering capabilities and global reach that SolarProof fundamentally lacks.

The decision ultimately depends on your project profile. Small Australian residential teams may never need SLD generation or carport design, making SolarProof's focused feature set and lower pricing optimal. But commercial teams will quickly encounter SolarProof's limitations and need supplemental tools, eroding the initial cost advantage while creating workflow fragmentation.

Bottom Line

SolarProof is a solid Australia-specific proposal tool for residential installers. Its focus on compliance, accuracy, and affordability serves that market well. But for growing commercial operations, the absence of electrical engineering features and commercial structure support makes SurgePV the more complete platform—delivering faster workflows, lower total cost of ownership (by eliminating AutoCAD), and the flexibility to scale beyond Australian residential markets.

Compare SolarProof with SurgePV

If you're evaluating solar design software and need more than Australian residential proposals—specifically automated electrical engineering, commercial structure design, or multi-market coverage—see what SurgePV offers.

See SurgePV in Action

Book a 15-Minute Demo to see:

• Automated SLD generation in 5-10 minutes (vs 2-3 hours manual AutoCAD work)
• Commercial structure design including carports, trackers, and East-West racking (only platform with native carport support)
• Integrated electrical engineering with automated wire sizing, voltage drop calculations, and code compliance
• Transparent pricing starting at $1,899/year for 3 users (Individual plan) or $1,499/user/year (For 3 Users plan)—all features included, no tiered gating

No pressure, no obligation—just see if it fits your workflow.

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