Solar Design Without the AutoCAD Bottleneck
SurgePV auto-detects roof geometry, designs the array, generates the SLD, and exports permit-ready DWG/DXF in one cloud workflow. Skip $2,030/year AutoCAD licensing and Windows-only operation — design from any browser on any OS.
AutoCAD vs SurgePV
The drafting workflow, redesigned for solar
| Workflow Step | AutoCAD (Traditional) | SurgePV (Cloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Site survey & roof outline | Manual measurement, drone survey, or LiDAR import. 30–90 min per residential. | Auto-detected from LiDAR/satellite. < 60 seconds per residential. |
| Obstruction mapping | Manual polyline tracing for vents, skylights, HVAC. | AI obstruction detection. ±5cm placement accuracy. |
| Panel layout | Block insertion, manual optimization for tilt/azimuth. | Auto-optimized for yield per kWp, includes shading. |
| Single-line diagram (SLD) | Manual drafting from electrical schedule. 2–4 hours. | Auto-generated from design. Includes rapid-shutdown labels. |
| Permit package | Sheet layout, title block, dimensioning. 3–6 hours. | Auto-compiled. AHJ-specific templates for CA, AZ, TX, FL, NY. |
| Cost per user / year | $2,030 (AutoCAD) + $1,200–$2,400 (solar plug-in). | $1,299–$1,899 all-in. |
| Operating system | Windows only. | Browser-based (Mac, Windows, Linux, tablet). |
Export Formats
Everything your AHJ and engineer need
AutoCAD 2024-compatible native format. Layers per AIA standards. Editable in any AutoCAD or BricsCAD installation.
Universal interchange format. Compatible with AutoCAD, BricsCAD, MicroStation, Revit, SketchUp, and most CAD systems.
Multi-sheet permit packages with title block, dimensioned site plan, electrical drawings, and SLD.
GIS-format export of site polygon and array footprint for integration with arcMap, QGIS, and Google Earth.
Cut Your AutoCAD Bill in Half
Book a 20-minute demo. We'll model one of your real projects, export the DWG, and you can open it in your existing AutoCAD to verify accuracy.
Book a Free DemoNo commitment · Real project walkthrough · ~20 minutes
FAQ
AutoCAD integration questions
Can SurgePV export to AutoCAD DWG format? +
Yes. SurgePV exports complete solar designs to AutoCAD DWG and DXF format including roof outlines, panel arrays, electrical layouts, conduit runs, equipment locations, and dimensioned site plans. Layers are organized per AIA standards so AutoCAD users can edit elements directly. Exports include both 2D plan view and 3D model for site visualization.
Do I still need AutoCAD if I use SurgePV? +
Most residential and small commercial installers no longer need AutoCAD when using SurgePV — automatic single-line diagrams, site plans, and equipment schedules cover 95% of permit submissions. AutoCAD remains useful for utility-scale projects requiring detailed civil engineering, complex steel structure design, and custom drafting that goes beyond solar-specific workflows.
How does cloud-based solar design compare to AutoCAD plug-ins? +
AutoCAD plug-ins (HelioScope CAD plugin, AutoCAD Electrical solar add-ons) require AutoCAD licensing ($1,775/user/year for AutoCAD LT, $2,030 for full AutoCAD), Windows-only operation, and manual drawing of roof outlines. Cloud-based tools like SurgePV start at $1,299/user/year, run in any browser on any OS, and auto-detect roof geometry from satellite imagery — eliminating most manual drafting.
Can I import my existing AutoCAD drawings into SurgePV? +
Yes — SurgePV imports DWG and DXF files as a reference layer over satellite imagery. Useful for projects where the customer or AHJ has provided existing site plans, mechanical drawings, or as-built electrical drawings. SurgePV preserves layer structure and lets you overlay AutoCAD geometry on the auto-detected 3D roof model for design accuracy.
What about permit drawings — does SurgePV generate permit-ready packages? +
SurgePV auto-generates AHJ-ready permit packages including site plan, roof plan, electrical layout, single-line diagram, equipment specifications, structural calculations, and rapid-shutdown labels. The system has pre-loaded templates for major U.S. jurisdictions (CA, AZ, TX, FL, MA, NY) and follows NEC 2023 and IBC 2024 requirements. PDF output is direct-submit ready.
How do you ensure dimension accuracy when exporting from cloud to AutoCAD? +
SurgePV uses LiDAR-derived digital surface models (DSM) with ±5cm accuracy on residential roofs and sub-10cm on commercial parapets. Exported DWG geometry maintains this accuracy because the 3D model is calibrated to real-world coordinates (lat/long + elevation). AutoCAD users can verify by checking the inserted coordinate system origin in the DWG file.
