Top 10 Best Solar Pv Design Software of 2026

Aurora Solar is a leading cloud-based platform for solar PV design, engineering, sales, and customer management, enabling professionals to create precise 3D models of rooftops and sites using high-resolution aerial imagery, LiDAR data, and AI-driven analysis. It streamlines the entire solar project workflow, from site assessment and system optimization to generating professional proposals with financial forecasting and performance simulations. The software integrates seamlessly with CRMs, monitoring systems, and other tools to boost efficiency and close deals faster.

PVsyst is a comprehensive software tool for the design, sizing, and performance simulation of photovoltaic (PV) systems, supporting grid-connected, stand-alone, and pumping applications. It provides detailed modeling of PV modules, inverters, batteries, and system components, with advanced simulations accounting for solar radiation, shading, soiling, and aging effects. Users can generate bankable reports for feasibility studies, optimization, and financial analysis, backed by an extensive database of meteorological data and equipment.

HelioScope is a cloud-based solar PV design and engineering platform tailored for commercial, industrial, and utility-scale projects. It automates site layout optimization, shading analysis, energy production modeling, and financial pro forma generation using advanced algorithms like HoloLayout. The software enables rapid iteration of designs, ensuring compliance with engineering standards while integrating seamlessly with CRM and proposal tools.

PV*SOL premium from Valentin Software is a professional-grade tool for designing, simulating, and optimizing grid-connected and standalone PV systems. It features advanced 3D modeling of roofs and surroundings for precise shading analysis, a comprehensive database of over 100,000 PV modules and 10,000 inverters, and detailed yield predictions including thermographic views. The software supports economic evaluations, grid impact studies, and generates professional reports and layouts for system proposals.

RatedPower is a cloud-based software platform specialized in the automated design, optimization, and engineering of utility-scale solar PV plants. It uses advanced algorithms to generate 3D layouts, perform terrain analysis, energy yield simulations, and produce bankable documentation in minutes. The tool excels in handling complex, large-scale projects with features like electrical design optimization and shading analysis.

OpenSolar is a cloud-based solar PV design and sales platform that automates the creation of professional 3D system designs, financial proposals, and customer presentations for solar installers. It integrates site analysis, shading detection, equipment selection, and CRM tools to streamline the entire sales process from lead to contract. The software is particularly noted for its speed and accessibility, enabling users to generate accurate designs in minutes without upfront costs.

The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a free, open-source software developed by NREL for simulating the performance and financial metrics of renewable energy systems, with robust capabilities for solar PV projects. It allows users to model PV system performance using detailed inputs like module data, inverter specs, weather files, and shading factors to predict annual energy production and losses. SAM also includes advanced financial models for metrics like LCOE, NPV, and PPA analysis, making it a powerful tool for techno-economic evaluation. While not focused on graphical layout design, it excels in accurate, validated simulations for system sizing and optimization.

SolarEdge Designer is a free, cloud-based software tool for designing solar PV systems, featuring intuitive 3D roof modeling and drag-and-drop component placement. It specializes in optimizing layouts for SolarEdge inverters, power optimizers, and batteries, providing detailed performance simulations, energy yield predictions, and professional reports including single-line diagrams. The tool supports site assessment via satellite imagery and generates stakeholder-ready proposals quickly.

Enphase Designer is a free, cloud-based solar PV design platform optimized for Enphase microinverters, IQ Batteries, and related ecosystem products. It allows users to import property data, create 3D rooftop models, place panels and components with drag-and-drop tools, and run detailed energy production simulations accounting for shading and weather. The software generates professional proposals, single-line diagrams, and permit packages, streamlining the design-to-installation process for Enphase-focused projects.

EasySolar is a cloud-based solar PV design software tailored for installers, distributors, and EPCs, enabling rapid creation of 3D PV system designs, single-line diagrams, and professional sales proposals. It leverages satellite imagery, AI-driven roof detection, and automated calculations to streamline the design-to-installation workflow. The platform also includes CRM, project management, and monitoring integrations for end-to-end solar business operations.