Solar 3D Pre-Design Services
Create accurate 3D solar layouts, shading analysis, and energy estimates before moving your project into detailed design.
Delivered by Heaven Designs, SurgePV's trusted solar design partner
What Is Solar 3D Pre-Design?
Pre-design is the first modelling stage of a solar project, before anything is engineered for construction. A 3D model of the site is built from mapping data and the measurements you supply, then the array is laid out on it so the system can be seen, checked and priced.
The output is a decision package, not a construction package. It answers three questions early: does the array fit, what will shading cost you across the year, and what yield and return can you put in front of the customer.
Layout modelling is produced in SketchUp and BricsCAD or AutoCAD workflows, with energy simulation run in PVsyst. Site geometry starts from sources such as Google Maps and is corrected against the site measurements you provide.
What's Included
3D Site and Array Model
A dimensioned 3D model of the roof or land parcel with the proposed array placed on it, built in SketchUp and BricsCAD or AutoCAD.
Shading Analysis
Obstruction and inter-row shading study across the year, so losses are quantified before the layout is committed.
Energy Estimates
PVsyst-based generation forecasts for the modelled configuration, using the equipment and orientation in your layout.
Preliminary System Design
Module placement, capacity and array arrangement worked out to the point where the system can be costed.
ROI Projections
Return projections built on the modelled yield, giving your sales team a number to defend rather than a guess.
Proposal-Ready Visuals
3D views of the finished layout that can go straight into a customer proposal.
Built for Solar Teams That Need More Design Capacity
EPC Companies
Get bid-stage layouts and yield numbers turned around without pulling engineers off delivery work.
Solar Installers
Put a modelled 3D layout in front of a homeowner or facility manager instead of a rough sketch.
Solar Developers
Test whether a site carries the capacity you need before committing to land or a grid application.
Sales and Origination Teams
Win technical conversations with shading and yield evidence attached to the proposal.
How It Works
Submit Project
Send the site location and target capacity through the form on this page.
Share Project Information
Provide roof or land measurements, plus any existing photos or drawings of the site.
Design and Modelling
The 3D model is built, the array is laid out, and shading and yield are simulated.
Review and Revisions
You review the layout and energy figures, and changes are made within the agreed scope.
Final Delivery
The 3D model, shading study, energy estimate and proposal visuals are handed over.
What You Need to Send
- Site location
- Roof or land measurements
- Target capacity, where it is known
- Existing site photos or drawings
Tools Used
- SketchUp
- BricsCAD
- AutoCAD
- PVsyst
Need Professional Solar Design Support?
SurgePV gives your team the software to design solar projects in-house. When a project needs more design capacity than you have, Heaven Designs — our professional services partner — takes it on. One brief, one point of contact.
Delivered by Heaven Designs.Visit site
Often scoped alongside Solar 3D Pre-Design
Solar Post-Design
Detailed engineering after concept approval.
Explore service
Rooftop Detailed Engineering
Detailed engineering packages for rooftop solar projects.
Explore service
Ground Mount Design
Utility-scale ground mount design with terrain analysis.
Explore service
The SurgePV platform
Everything above is a service someone else delivers for you. SurgePV is the software your own team designs in — the two are separate, and plenty of customers use both.
Want to see who does the work?
Every service on this site is delivered by Heaven Designs, an engineering practice working with EPCs, installers and developers. Their own site carries their project portfolio, sample drawing sets and the full detail of each discipline.
- Solar design & engineering
- Permit and CEIG documentation
- Civil & structural analysis
- Site survey & feasibility
- MW-scale project management
heavendesigns.inHeaven Designs is a separate company. SurgePV has a commercial partnership with them and links to their site are marked accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is solar 3D pre-design?
It is the preliminary modelling stage of a solar project: a 3D layout of the site, a shading study, and an energy estimate. It exists to support proposals and early planning, ahead of detailed engineering.
Is pre-design enough to apply for a permit?
No. Pre-design is built for sales and planning. Permit plan sets and construction-ready engineering are separate scopes — see Solar Permit Design and Solar Post-Design.
What information do you need to start?
Site location, roof or land measurements, the target capacity if you already have one, and any existing photos or drawings of the site.
Which software is used?
Layout modelling runs in SketchUp and BricsCAD or AutoCAD workflows, with energy simulation in PVsyst. The exact toolchain is selected per project.
Does this replace SurgePV software?
No. SurgePV is the platform your own team designs in. This is a services engagement for the projects you do not have the internal capacity to model yourself.
Get a Free Solar Design Quote
Tell us about your solar 3d pre-design project and our team will connect you with the right solar design experts.
Scoped, not guessed
Your brief is reviewed before anything is quoted, so the scope matches the project.
One point of contact
Submit through SurgePV and stay with a single thread for the platform and the services.
Your data stays yours
Project details are used to prepare your quote — nothing else.
Delivered by Heaven Designs. Enquiries submitted here are shared with our services partner so they can prepare your quote.
Request received
Thanks — your project brief is with the team. We'll be in touch about scope and the next steps. If you have drawings or site photos to add, reply to the confirmation email.
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