GITNUXSOFTWARE ADVICE
Environment EnergyTop 10 Best Solar Planning Software of 2026
Solar planning software roundup that compares top tools for PV design, layout, and shading workflows, with tradeoffs for teams choosing software.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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Aurora Solar is the best pick for installer or sales engineering teams that need fast design iteration because real-time coupling between layout edits and energy yield outcomes makes assumption changes visible while drafting, whereas OpenSolar fits mid-size teams thanks to CAD export that preserves planning geometry and layout context for downstream permit and review work.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Aurora Solar
Real-time coupling between layout edits and energy yield outcomes makes assumption changes visible during drafting.
Best for: Fits when installer or sales engineering teams need fast design iteration and consistent production estimates.
OpenSolar
Editor pickCAD export that carries planning geometry and layout context into downstream deliverables for permit and review workflows.
Best for: Fits when mid-size teams need repeatable solar planning outputs with CAD handoff and consistent assumptions.
SolarEdge Designer
Editor pickSolarEdge Designer’s SolarEdge hardware-aligned stringing and inverter configuration workflow tied to production estimates.
Best for: Fits when teams design SolarEdge projects with repeatable electrical configurations and need export-ready plan artifacts.
Comparison Table
Aurora Solar
enterpriseCloud software for photovoltaic system design, sales proposals, and project management.
Real-time coupling between layout edits and energy yield outcomes makes assumption changes visible during drafting.
Aurora Solar starts from site modeling inputs and drives photovoltaic system layout through interactive placement and sizing steps. Shading analysis and energy yield simulation feed proposal-quality production estimates and loss visualization, which reduces rework when assumptions change. It also produces computer-aided design export artifacts used for downstream plan sets and stakeholder review.
A notable tradeoff is that complex engineering edge cases may require manual adjustment outside the guided workflow before the permit plan set is ready. Aurora Solar fits best when teams need consistent layouts and repeatable production estimates across many projects with short iteration loops.
- +Guided design flow connects layout edits to updated production estimates
- +Shading and yield modeling accelerates iteration for proposal revisions
- +Exportable design outputs support permitting and internal QA workflows
- +Loss diagram helps reviewers spot assumption-driven changes quickly
- –Advanced engineering variants can require off-tool refinement
- –Utility-specific electrical and interconnection details may need extra manual work
- –Large roof models can slow iteration during rapid layout edits
- –Extensive custom document workflows require additional configuration effort
Installer sales engineers
Iterate proposals from layout edits
Fewer redesign loops
Residential EPC designers
Standardize roof-to-layout workflows
More repeatable designs
Show 2 more scenarios
Permit plan-set coordinators
Generate handoff-ready outputs
Cleaner stakeholder handoffs
Coordinators export computer-aided design artifacts aligned to permitting review workflows.
Energy modeling reviewers
Validate shading impact quickly
Faster engineering signoff
Reviewers use shading-based modeling results to confirm whether changes drive meaningful yield differences.
Best for: Fits when installer or sales engineering teams need fast design iteration and consistent production estimates.
OpenSolar
SMBOnline solar design and sales software with system modeling, proposals, and installer workflows.
CAD export that carries planning geometry and layout context into downstream deliverables for permit and review workflows.
OpenSolar is built around planning-to-documentation workflow control, with configuration steps that translate site inputs into a photovoltaic system layout and supporting deliverables. The tool’s value shows up when teams must standardize assumptions and repeat designs across similar rooftops without manual rework. OpenSolar also fits teams that need computer-aided design export to hand off geometry and layouts to other stakeholders.
A key tradeoff is that deep customization can depend on how workflows are structured in the application, which can slow down one-off engineering cases compared with design tools that allow fully unconstrained geometry editing. OpenSolar fits best when volumes of proposals require consistent output and when horizon profile modeling and obstruction logic must stay aligned across projects.
- +Workflow-driven planning that reduces rework between design and proposal outputs
- +Exports computer-aided design packages for downstream layout and review work
- +Supports horizon profile and obstruction logic for more defensible energy assumptions
- +Consistent system configuration helps keep multi-project engineering assumptions aligned
- –Less suited for highly bespoke modeling where geometry editing must be unconstrained
- –Design-to-document changes can require revisiting earlier configuration steps
- –Advanced scenarios may take longer to model than in general-purpose CAD workflows
- –Automation breadth depends on available integrations for external data sources
Solar proposal engineers
Standardize layouts across rooftops
Fewer revision cycles
GIS-informed project managers
Model obstructions with site context
More defensible yield estimates
Show 2 more scenarios
Installer operations leads
Handoff designs to field review
Cleaner field coordination
Exports CAD artifacts that support structured review and attachment planning outside the tool.
Development desk analysts
Compare project variants quickly
Faster variant turnaround
Reconfigures photovoltaic system layout inputs to produce new proposal documentation variants.
Best for: Fits when mid-size teams need repeatable solar planning outputs with CAD handoff and consistent assumptions.
SolarEdge Designer
vertical specialistWeb tool for designing SolarEdge inverter systems with optimized string configuration and production estimates.
SolarEdge Designer’s SolarEdge hardware-aligned stringing and inverter configuration workflow tied to production estimates.
SolarEdge Designer targets solar pros who plan projects around SolarEdge equipment and need consistent layout and design outputs for permit and procurement workflows. The software supports photovoltaic system layout planning, module stringing, inverter sizing guidance, and energy yield simulation with production estimates and loss-diagram style outputs.
It also produces computer-aided design export artifacts that support downstream plan-set assembly and structural layout coordination. For teams that already use SolarEdge project conventions, it reduces rework between design intent and engineering deliverables.
- +SolarEdge-centric design flow keeps layout rules aligned with target hardware
- +String and inverter configuration checks reduce electrical design churn
- +Energy yield simulation produces production estimates tied to the planned layout
- +CADD export outputs support permit plan set assembly workflows
- –Geometry and electrical changes can require manual rework across linked views
- –Limited integration surface compared with tools that offer public automation APIs
- –Shading and obstruction modeling depth can lag specialist design suites
- –Template rigidity can slow uncommon roof shapes and atypical electrical layouts
Solar sales and estimating teams
Generate proposals from SolarEdge design outputs
Design-informed proposal package
Commercial PV engineering designers
Plan segmented commercial roof equipment layouts
Engineer-ready commercial system design
Show 2 more scenarios
Solar-plus-storage designers
Align battery configurations with PV modeling
Battery configuration aligned
Size storage alongside PV layouts using inverter compatibility requirements and modeled system assumptions.
Commissioning and solar operations teams
Carry design choices into commissioning setup
Smoother handoff to commissioning
Maintain continuity between design records and SolarEdge monitoring or commissioning preparation.
Best for: Fits when teams design SolarEdge projects with repeatable electrical configurations and need export-ready plan artifacts.
PVcase
enterpriseSolar engineering software for utility-scale layouts, electrical design, and yield analysis.
Roof plane mapping plus obstruction and shading analysis that stays linked to the final photovoltaic system layout.
PVcase is solar planning software that generates design layouts from roof and site inputs, then produces permit-ready outputs for downstream plan sets. PVcase focuses on photovoltaic system layout workflows, including inverter and string-level planning decisions that feed energy yield and production estimate reporting.
- +Strong PV system layout workflow that stays connected across design iterations
- +Energy yield simulation outputs with clear loss diagram reporting artifacts
- +Computer-aided design export reduces redraw time for engineering markup
- +Shading analysis workflow produces actionable obstruction and horizon inputs
- –Advanced electrical single-line diagram detail can require extra configuration
- –API automation surface is limited compared with tools built for deep integration
- –Complex roof plane mapping edge cases may need manual cleanup
- –Extensive library configuration can slow setup for multi-jurisdiction teams
Commercial solar sales designers
Produce rooftop proposal layouts with yield estimates
Faster repeatable proposal handoffs
Solar engineering documentation teams
Export permit-ready CAD and electrical diagrams
More consistent construction documentation
Show 2 more scenarios
Solar structural and racking teams
Transfer mounting geometry into structural checks
Review-ready mounting information
Carries layout constraints into mounting-related outputs to support structural review workflows.
Project development design teams
Compare layout variants across equipment choices
Structured design option comparisons
Supports repeatable project inputs so teams can test layout changes and compare production estimates.
Best for: Fits when solar design teams need repeatable layouts and exports for permit plan set production.
Scanifly
vertical specialistSolar surveying and design software using drone and field data for accurate project layouts.
Obstruction-driven shading inputs that stay connected to energy yield simulation throughout layout edits.
Scanifly is solar planning software focused on translating site inputs into plan-ready outputs for photovoltaic design workflows. It targets roof plane mapping and obstruction analysis to drive shading and energy yield simulation inputs.
- +Roof plane mapping workflow supports quick plan iteration
- +Obstruction analysis inputs feed shading and yield assumptions
- +Module stringing and inverter sizing are handled within one flow
- +Computer-aided design export reduces rework for drawings
- –Shading and loss tuning requires careful assumptions and review
- –Fewer automation hooks for batch design generation than top-tier tools
- –Integration options for external data sources are limited in scope
- –Collaboration governance features are not as granular as enterprise planners
Solar installation field teams
Prepare installs from remote project packages
Better-ready installation documentation
Commercial solar design teams
Organize layout and documentation inputs
Consistent review-ready design packages
Show 2 more scenarios
Solar engineering and operations teams
Export layouts and modeled assumptions
Clear design-to-field handoffs
Share traced exports and assumptions to improve clarity for downstream drafting and installation planning work.
Solar proposal engineering teams
Generate repeatable proposal-ready project packages
More consistent proposal deliverables
Combine layout and design artifacts into standardized packages that stay aligned across similar opportunities.
Best for: Fits when project teams need plan-ready solar design iterations with strong CAD export and shading-informed yield estimates.
Solargraf
SMBSolar sales and design software for proposals, financing calculations, and project workflows.
Roof plane mapping to layout generation with production estimate updates driven by controlled shading and loss inputs.
Solargraf converts roof plane mapping and shading inputs into a photovoltaic system layout workflow that supports energy yield simulation outputs. It focuses on design iteration for photovoltaic system layout, module stringing, and loss diagram style results used in production estimate review.
- +Tight workflow from roof plane mapping to photovoltaic system layout
- +Produces production estimate outputs grounded in loss diagrams
- +Supports module stringing and inverter sizing checks within the design loop
- +Exports CAD-ready geometry for downstream structural and drafting work
- –Limited guidance for utility interconnection requirements compared with specialist tools
- –Shading analysis setup can be heavy when many roof planes share constraints
- –Automation depth depends on external data formatting quality
- –Configuration controls for multi-user governance lag behind enterprise-focused planners
Solar design engineers
Iterate PV layout and stringing designs quickly
Faster design iteration cycles
Permit plan set drafters
Prepare permit deliverables from geometry-precise layouts
Consistent permit documentation
Show 2 more scenarios
Energy yield analysts
Rerun yield simulations with controlled inputs
Reproducible yield updates
Analysts rerun projects using imported site and weather assumptions to update production estimate outputs.
CADD and workflow operators
Export layout geometry to downstream tools
Fewer downstream rework steps
Operators export photovoltaic geometry so computer-aided design steps maintain fidelity for downstream estimating.
Best for: Fits when engineering teams need repeated solar design iterations with consistent assumptions and CAD exports.
SolarEdge Designer
vertical specialistOnline photovoltaic design software for SolarEdge layouts, energy estimates, and bill-of-materials planning.
Design-to-document continuity that keeps photovoltaic system layout decisions aligned with SolarEdge electrical planning outputs.
SolarEdge Designer focuses on end-to-end solar planning tied to SolarEdge hardware, with layout generation that maps directly to module and inverter design assumptions. It supports roof plane mapping, obstruction analysis inputs, and energy yield simulation outputs that feed a permit-ready planning workflow.
- +SolarEdge-specific design assumptions stay consistent from layout to single-line output
- +Export options support drawing-based review workflows for permit plan sets
- +Energy yield simulation integrates planning inputs into production estimates
- +Library-driven layout helps reduce mismatch between hardware and modeled strings
- –Interconnection requirements and utility edits are not as comprehensive as plan-set specialists
- –More effective results depend on accurate site inputs such as obstructions
- –Customization beyond SolarEdge-centric workflows requires process workarounds
- –Large multi-building projects can feel slower during iterative redesign cycles
Solar installers and designers
Create roof layouts aligned to system components
Faster accurate planning submissions
Electrical engineering teams
Review wiring design with consistent layout mapping
Reduced rework during revisions
Show 2 more scenarios
Permitting and compliance staff
Validate permit-ready documentation from simulations
More compliant permit packages
Obstruction inputs and yield outputs support planning workflows that feed permit documentation packages.
CAD and drafting teams
Export designs for downstream documentation review
Streamlined document handoffs
Computer-aided design exports support coordinated review in project documentation and drawings.
Best for: Fits when teams plan SolarEdge projects and need tight consistency between layout, single-line, and yield outputs.
Solargis
enterpriseSolar resource assessment and photovoltaic forecasting software for project development and operations.
Geospatial site modeling that connects roof plane mapping and irradiance inputs directly into shading analysis for yield outputs.
Solargis is solar planning software focused on geospatial site workflows that turn measured conditions into design inputs for PV projects. It supports roof plane mapping and solar irradiance assessment workflows that feed shading analysis and energy yield simulation.
- +Geospatial workflow for roof plane mapping and model-ready site outputs
- +Irradiance assessment inputs that align with energy yield simulation needs
- +Shading analysis depth suitable for production estimates and loss diagrams
- +Automation-friendly project modeling for repeatable study pipelines
- –Shading analysis fidelity can require disciplined data and reference assumptions
- –Advanced outputs depend on downstream design workflows for electrical details
Solar farm design engineers
Compare tracker and module layout variants
Select layout with yield estimates
Regional solar resource analysts
Assess irradiance and PV performance regionally
Produce regional resource comparisons
Show 2 more scenarios
Solar developers and portfolio teams
Screen candidate regions and sites fast
Shortlist sites for feasibility
Compare expected PV production using consistent assumptions across multiple geographic options.
Engineering consultancies
Standardize repeatable multi-site yield studies
Deliver consistent production projections
Use shared modeling inputs to generate comparable yield estimates across sites.
Best for: Fits when engineering teams need repeatable geospatial solar studies that drive design-ready site inputs.
Pylon Solar
SMBCloud platform for solar design, quoting, and project management targeting residential installers.
Tight coupling of roof plane mapping and obstruction shading analysis feeding the energy yield simulation with reviewable loss logic.
Pylon Solar is built around a guided planning sequence where roof geometry and scene elements drive shading behavior used in the energy yield simulation. Project outputs commonly include a production estimate with losses, plus diagrams that show the logic behind the estimate for internal review. The workflow is designed to reduce rework by keeping layout and production assumptions linked rather than separated into disconnected tabs.
- +Roof plane mapping stays linked to shading inputs and yield outputs
- +Obstruction analysis produces diagrams suitable for proposal reviews
- +Production estimate includes loss transparency for iterative design work
- +Exports support handoff to design and reporting workflows
- –Advanced electrical single-line diagram details need additional manual work
- –Some constraint edge cases can push teams toward engineering sidecar tools
- –Tooling depth for utility interconnection requirements varies by project complexity
- –Automation coverage is narrower than full design automation suites
Solar proposal managers
Rapid roof shading to yield estimates
Faster proposal turnaround
EPC preconstruction teams
Iterate layout before engineering handoff
Less rework in planning
Show 2 more scenarios
Sales engineering teams
Stakeholder-friendly diagram explanations
Higher stakeholder alignment
Present obstruction and shading outcomes with estimate-linked diagrams for internal review.
Operations analysts
Batch design review consistency
More consistent estimates
Standardize production estimate logic across projects to support repeatable planning decisions.
Best for: Fits when project teams need fast, diagram-driven yield estimates from geometry and shading inputs.
Polysun
vertical specialistSimulation software for photovoltaic, solar thermal, and heat pump system design with yield calculation.
Built-in loss breakdown connected to shading and design inputs, enabling auditable iteration of production estimates.
Polysun produces energy yield simulation and solar design planning from project inputs like geography, roof or facade geometry, and component selections. It focuses on turning shading and loss assumptions into a production estimate with a documented loss breakdown that supports iterative design changes.
- +Loss breakdown tied to inputs makes design iterations traceable
- +Variant planning supports rapid comparison of layout and component choices
- +Shading modeling feeds directly into energy yield estimates
- +Export-oriented outputs support handoff into documentation workflows
- –Model setup can be slow for complex roof obstructions and multi-plane cases
- –Advanced electrical detailing depends on how downstream drawings are produced
- –Interoperability depth varies by the target CAD and documentation toolchain
- –Automation and API surface are limited for high-volume design pipelines
Solar thermal engineers
Size collector loops and storage behavior
Evidence for solar fraction decisions
PV design teams
Compare yield across layout variants
Comparable annual yield estimates
Show 2 more scenarios
Solar site designers
Assess shading impact on PV layouts
Layout choices backed by estimates
Evaluate obstacles, row geometry, spacing, and horizon conditions to quantify production impact.
Battery capacity planners
Plan storage under time-series loads
Performance comparisons across configurations
Test storage capacity with dispatch assumptions, efficiency losses, autonomy targets, and coupling options.
Best for: Fits when design teams need repeatable production estimates from shading and loss assumptions, with variant comparisons.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 solar planning software, Aurora Solar stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Planning Software
How do Pylon Solar and Aurora Solar handle real-time changes during roof layout iteration?
Which tools generate outputs that align directly with a permit plan set workflow?
What breaks if module stringing assumptions are changed after the energy yield simulation is already approved?
When do teams choose Solargis over purely roof modeling tools for solar irradiance assessment?
How do integration options and API access typically show up in these solar planning tools?
How does PVcase handle CAD handoff compared with OpenSolar’s CAD export approach?
What security and access controls should teams verify for collaborative design workflows?
How does SolarEdge Designer keep the electrical single-line diagram consistent with layout and production estimates?
Tradeoff: where does obstruction analysis fall short if it is only used for shading visuals and not for yield inputs?
When does data migration matter most when switching planning tools mid-pipeline?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
How to Choose the Right Solar Planning Software
We separate solar planning software by how it handles planning-to-design consistency: whether changes carry through your models, and how well the workflow keeps calculations and outputs aligned. The biggest differences show up in criteria like shading workflow control and exportable design deliverables.
Project versioning and change trace
Why it matters
When a design changes after a client review, project versioning and change trace prevent “which numbers are current?” problems. It matters in solar planning because small edits can ripple into the final proposal.
How to check
In a demo, create a proposal, then adjust one input (for example, system size) and compare outputs between versions. Ask whether you can view what changed and roll back without overwriting prior results.
Shading workflow control
Why it matters
Shading workflow control affects whether the tool stays realistic during early design iterations. In planning work, you need clear control over where shading inputs come from and what the tool recomputes.
How to check
Run a sample plan with and without shading-related inputs, then verify what parts update. Ask how you add exclusions or revise shading inputs without restarting the whole project.
Import and export of planning inputs
Why it matters
Import and export of planning inputs determines whether your team can reuse data across meetings, sites, and partners. Solar planning projects often start from spreadsheets, photos, and existing measurements, so format compatibility drives time and accuracy.
How to check
Try importing a basic location/roof worksheet and see whether units and fields map cleanly. Then export a design package and confirm you can reopen it later with the same results.
Calculation transparency and assumptions
Why it matters
Calculation transparency and assumptions help you defend a proposal when results look off. In this software category, buyers need to see which assumptions are used, where they come from, and what is driving changes.
How to check
After running a plan, open the results view and look for a clear list of assumptions and derived inputs. Change one assumption and confirm the recalculated outputs update as expected.
Proposal outputs and report generation
Why it matters
Proposal outputs and report generation determine whether you can produce consistent client-ready deliverables without manual cleanup. Solar planning work depends on repeatable formatting across sites and revisions.
How to check
Generate a report from an example project and check that key values match the on-screen results. Ask whether the output includes traceable inputs and whether you can customize templates for your workflow.
Automation via API and import jobs
Why it matters
Automation via API and import jobs helps planning teams handle high project volume and reduce copy-paste errors. It also matters for integrations with internal tools that manage leads, addresses, and job status.
How to check
On a demo or documentation review, look for endpoints or automation around creating projects, updating inputs, and exporting outputs. Ask for a sandbox or sample payload and verify it can reproduce a small end-to-end workflow.
Red flags
- Versions change results without showing what inputs were modified
- Shading inputs update inconsistently or force full recompute resets
- Exports omit key assumptions, so reports don’t match the model
Fit by situation
- If you revise proposals after each site visit, prioritize project versioning and change trace to keep numbers aligned.
- If shading details vary by roof area and reviewer, prioritize shading workflow control so updates are controlled and repeatable.
- If you move data between internal tools, prioritize automation via API and import jobs so planning outputs stay consistent.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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