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Top 10 Best Solar Design Services of 2026

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Top 10 Best Solar Design Services of 2026

Top solar design services roundup comparing offerings, scope, and fit for commercial solar projects, with tradeoffs highlighted for buyers.

18 min readUpdated Editorially scoped research
How we ranked these tools
01Editorial Scope

Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.

02Source Research

Agents extract product evidence with provenance, then collect written reviews and transcribe video reviews and podcasts.

Read our full methodology →

Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%

Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy

Solar developers and EPC teams rely on solar design services to translate resource data, site constraints, and grid interconnection needs into buildable engineering packages, including civil, electrical, and permitting pathways. This comparison helps technical evaluators weigh tradeoffs between feasibility and due diligence depth, owner’s engineering rigor, and delivery support for utility-scale or commercial deployments.

Jacobs is the best choice for EPCs and solar developers needing multidisciplinary design that holds up through permitting and interconnection, because its coordinated civil, structural, and electrical execution keeps assumptions consistent across permit and build deliverables, while Kimley-Horn is a strong alternative for teams prioritizing construction-ready site plus structural plus electrical packages in one workflow.

Editor’s top 3 picks

Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.

Editor pick
1

Jacobs

Coordinated civil, structural, and electrical engineering execution that keeps design assumptions consistent across permit and build deliverables.

Best for: Fits when EPC or solar developers need multidisciplinary design that holds up through permitting and interconnection reviews.

2

WSP

Editor pick

Coordinated electrical and structural design outputs that reduce mismatches between layout assumptions and build documents.

Best for: Fits when EPC and developers need coordinated, construction-ready solar design with permit and interconnection alignment.

3

DNV

Editor pick

Documented technical governance that ties preliminary sizing assumptions to permit-grade drawings and stakeholder-ready electrical content.

Best for: Fits when EPC and developers need traceable design governance across site, electrical, and compliance deliverables.

Comparison Table

1
JacobsBest overall
enterprise_vendor
9.0/10
Overall
2
enterprise_vendor
8.9/10
Overall
3
enterprise_vendor
8.8/10
Overall
4
enterprise_vendor
8.3/10
Overall
5
enterprise_vendor
8.2/10
Overall
6
specialist
7.9/10
Overall
7
7.5/10
Overall
8
specialist
7.1/10
Overall
9
specialist
6.8/10
Overall
10
enterprise_vendor
6.5/10
Overall
#1

Jacobs

enterprise_vendor

Delivers renewable energy planning, engineering, environmental review, and program management for solar assets.

9.0/10
Overall
Features9.0/10
Ease of Use9.0/10
Value9.0/10
Standout feature

Coordinated civil, structural, and electrical engineering execution that keeps design assumptions consistent across permit and build deliverables.

Jacobs provides engineering execution for utility-scale and distributed generation projects with a strong emphasis on coordinated technical scope across site, structures, and electrical systems. Design work commonly centers on solar photovoltaic system design, electrical design deliverables such as single-line diagram outputs, and construction-ready drawing sets built for permit and bid workflows. Integration between disciplines is practical when structural loading, routing, and electrical design decisions must stay consistent across revisions.

A tradeoff appears in turnaround flexibility, since Jacobs’ multidisciplinary engineering process favors controlled review cycles and disciplined change management. Jacobs fits when developers and EPC teams need engineering that can withstand permitting and interconnection scrutiny, including projects with constrained rooftops or large ground-mount layouts where assumptions must be defensible. Use cases that involve many stakeholders benefit from Jacobs’ ability to document design intent in a way construction teams can translate.

Pros
  • +Multidisciplinary engineering coverage reduces cross-discipline design drift
  • +Construction-ready drawing packages suited for permit and procurement workflows
  • +Coordinated electrical design inputs support consistent downstream engineering
  • +Engineering documentation style supports stakeholder reviews
Cons
  • –Design iterations can require strict change control to stay on schedule
  • –Integration effort is higher when internal teams require bespoke tooling workflows
Use scenarios
  • Utility-scale solar developers

    Multi-discipline design for grid-connected plants

    Fewer late-stage design conflicts

  • Commercial EPC teams

    Rooftop system design with permitting deliverables

    Permitting package stays coherent

Show 1 more scenario
  • Solar asset owners

    Engineering support for complex retrofit scopes

    Better continuity across phases

    Jacobs documents design intent across disciplines so later phases can build on stable assumptions.

Best for: Fits when EPC or solar developers need multidisciplinary design that holds up through permitting and interconnection reviews.

#2

WSP

enterprise_vendor

Offers solar feasibility, engineering, environmental, grid, and construction support services.

8.9/10
Overall
Features8.9/10
Ease of Use8.9/10
Value8.9/10
Standout feature

Coordinated electrical and structural design outputs that reduce mismatches between layout assumptions and build documents.

WSP is a strong fit when solar design must move from early layouts into construction-ready drawings with coordinated electrical scope and structural load considerations. The engagement shape suits teams that need repeatable engineering outputs for rooftops, ground mounts, and larger utility-scale sites. WSP’s value shows up in how it ties system design choices to downstream permit and interconnection requirements instead of handing off loosely connected assumptions.

A key tradeoff is that WSP’s engineering depth can increase iteration cost when design changes are frequent after feasibility review. WSP fits best when procurement and permitting timelines require configuration discipline, such as inverter stringing decisions, DC-to-AC ratio selection, and cable routing implications. Teams using WSP for early-stage layouts typically benefit most when they provide site constraints and owner standards up front to reduce rework.

Pros
  • +Engineering-grade design sets aligned to permit and interconnection workflows
  • +Coordinated structural and electrical design for buildable solar layouts
  • +Layout decisions supported by shading and yield-focused analysis outputs
  • +Works well for rooftops and ground-mounted projects with consistent documentation
Cons
  • –Iteration cycles can slow when layouts change late in the design timeline
  • –Automation and API access are not the focus for design delivery handoffs
  • –Requires clear owner and site input to avoid rework during configuration
  • –More suitable for engineering-led teams than for ad hoc concept-only work
Use scenarios
  • EPC engineering leads

    Construction-ready design for utility-scale plants

    Fewer late-stage drawing conflicts

  • Solar developers

    Site-to-design workflow for distributed generation

    Cleaner permitting submissions

Show 1 more scenario
  • Interconnection-focused teams

    Electrical configuration aligned to grid requirements

    Reduced rework risk

    WSP’s design choices maintain consistency between system configuration assumptions and interconnection submissions.

Best for: Fits when EPC and developers need coordinated, construction-ready solar design with permit and interconnection alignment.

#3

DNV

enterprise_vendor

Provides solar resource assessment, energy yield analysis, technical due diligence, and owner’s engineering.

8.8/10
Overall
Features8.8/10
Ease of Use8.8/10
Value8.8/10
Standout feature

Documented technical governance that ties preliminary sizing assumptions to permit-grade drawings and stakeholder-ready electrical content.

DNV works well for projects that require engineering rigor across site, energy, and electrical scope, because deliverables typically connect preliminary design decisions to permitting and interconnection steps. The typical workflow emphasizes clear technical assumptions, which helps internal reviewers and third parties understand why sizing and layout choices were made. Teams benefit most when they already have module, inverter, and array boundary preferences or when DNV is given those inputs early enough to converge designs into a permit-grade output.

A common tradeoff is schedule cost when DNV is brought in late, because quality gates and documentation traceability increase iteration cycles after layouts and grid assumptions change. DNV is a strong usage fit when EPC or solar developers must coordinate multiple stakeholders, including electrical design reviewers and permitting authorities, around a consistent set of drawings and calculations.

Pros
  • +Engineering governance supports consistent assumptions across layout and electrical design
  • +Deliverable set commonly aligns to permitting and interconnection documentation workflows
  • +Clear traceability in calculations helps stakeholder reviews move faster
  • +Electrical documentation quality supports fewer rework loops for installers
Cons
  • –Late scope changes trigger extra documentation and redraw effort
  • –Integration automation depth is limited for teams expecting API-style design provisioning
Use scenarios
  • EPC engineering teams

    Converging permit-grade design packages

    Fewer reviewer clarification cycles

  • Solar project developers

    Interconnection-facing electrical design readiness

    Reduced application resubmissions

Show 1 more scenario
  • Grid-facing project owners

    Coordinating technical assumptions across stakeholders

    More consistent technical alignment

    DNV standardizes assumptions so multiple parties review the same basis for sizing and compliance claims.

Best for: Fits when EPC and developers need traceable design governance across site, electrical, and compliance deliverables.

#4

Ramboll

enterprise_vendor

Offers solar feasibility, technical advisory, engineering, permitting, and energy yield assessment services.

8.3/10
Overall
Features8.3/10
Ease of Use8.3/10
Value8.3/10
Standout feature

Multi-disciplinary delivery that ties electrical design sequencing to structural and civil constraints for fewer downstream drawing changes.

Ramboll delivers solar design work across distributed generation and utility-scale projects with a strong engineering and regulatory posture. The service typically spans early site and layout scoping through construction-ready deliverables that integrate structural, electrical, and permitting needs.

Pros
  • +Engineering-led solar deliverables that connect civil, structural, and electrical scopes
  • +Construction-ready documentation orientation for permitting and build handoff
  • +Structured design progression from early layout decisions to detailed system sizing
  • +Grid and code compliance focus that reduces late-stage electrical rework risk
Cons
  • –Project onboarding can be document-heavy for teams with minimal site inputs
  • –Requires clear responsibility boundaries between EPC execution and design assumptions

Best for: Fits when engineering-heavy solar projects need buildable drawings, code rigor, and disciplined handoffs across disciplines.

#5

Stantec

enterprise_vendor

Provides renewable energy consulting and engineering for solar facilities, transmission, and interconnection.

8.2/10
Overall
Features8.2/10
Ease of Use8.1/10
Value8.3/10
Standout feature

Stantec’s documented design package structure aligns engineering outputs to permit and construction review expectations across disciplines.

Stantec delivers solar design work that spans site assessment through construction-ready drawing packages, including mechanical and electrical scope coordination for rooftop and ground-mounted projects. The service supports photovoltaic system design deliverables such as energy yield assessment inputs, array layout and plane-of-array considerations, and electrical design artifacts like single-line diagrams and electrical site plans.

Pros
  • +End-to-end design package handoffs from site inputs to permit-ready drawings
  • +Strong cross-discipline coordination between civil, structural, and electrical scopes
  • +Clear deliverable structure for review cycles and construction procurement interfaces
  • +Detailed electrical documentation including single-line and site plan outputs
Cons
  • –Limited evidence of productized automation for rapid iterative layout changes
  • –Project-specific review cycles can slow turnaround during frequent design churn
  • –Integration depth depends on client-provided constraints and data quality
  • –Process rigor increases administrative effort for small EPC teams

Best for: Fits when EPC and solar developers need construction-oriented engineering deliverables with disciplined handoffs.

#6

Kimley-Horn

specialist

Provides solar site planning, civil engineering, permitting, electrical design, and construction support.

7.9/10
Overall
Features7.9/10
Ease of Use7.9/10
Value7.9/10
Standout feature

Construction-ready drawing packages that coordinate civil site development, structural intent, and electrical design details in one workflow.

Kimley-Horn delivers solar design services that lean on civil engineering and site-development depth for rooftop, ground-mounted, and utility-scale projects. The firm’s core work centers on photovoltaic system design outputs that integrate layout decisions with permitting-grade documentation and electrical design coordination.

Pros
  • +Strong coordination between civil constraints and PV layout outcomes
  • +Produces construction-ready drawing sets that reduce handoff gaps
  • +Clear electrical design documentation for utility-facing deliverables
  • +Experience across distributed and utility-scale project types
Cons
  • –Collaboration overhead can increase for fast iteration cycles
  • –Detailed deliverables may be heavy for early concept-only scopes
  • –Automation interfaces are not a primary part of the engagement model
  • –Interconnection and electrical scope clarity depends on tight scoping

Best for: Fits when developers need coordinated site, structural, and electrical design deliverables for permitting and interconnection.

#7

Westwood Professional Services

specialist

Provides civil, electrical, survey, geospatial, and permitting services for solar and storage projects.

7.5/10
Overall
Features7.5/10
Ease of Use7.5/10
Value7.5/10
Standout feature

Construction-ready drawing packages that keep structural and electrical assumptions consistent from early layout through permit set.

Westwood Professional Services is distinctive because its solar design work is packaged as engineering outputs that stay tied to permitting constraints and interconnection needs. The firm delivers photovoltaic system design artifacts that translate site assumptions into drawings teams can use for approvals. Shading and solar access inputs influence early array layout so later engineering cycles focus on refinement rather than rework. Structural and electrical constraints are reflected in the permit set rather than handled as separate stand-alone studies.

Pros
  • +Engineering-led outputs that stay aligned with permitting constraints
  • +Electrical design deliverables support interconnection packaging needs
  • +Shading and solar access inputs feed early array layout decisions
  • +Structural considerations are reflected in drawings used for permitting
Cons
  • –Workflow depth can increase coordination load for fast-moving teams
  • –Documentation breadth can outpace projects that only need preliminary layouts

Best for: Fits when developers and EPC teams need engineering-led solar design packages tied to permitting and interconnection deliverables.

#8

Ulteig

specialist

Designs solar generation, energy storage, substations, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.

7.1/10
Overall
Features7.1/10
Ease of Use7.2/10
Value7.0/10
Standout feature

Design outputs packaged as interconnection-ready electrical documentation tied to layout decisions.

Ulteig focuses on solar design work for EPCs and project developers, with delivery geared toward engineering documentation for permitting and interconnection workflows. The core strengths center on photovoltaic system design packages, including electrical drawings that support string sizing, inverter selection, and site-level layout.

Pros
  • +Produces electrical site plan packages and supporting single-line diagrams
  • +Pairs array layout work with shading inputs used for energy yield assessment
  • +Supports PV design decisions like string sizing and inverter selection
  • +Delivers permit-ready documentation sets for grid interconnection processes
Cons
  • –Works best with clear design inputs and engineering assumptions upfront
  • –Automation and API access are not apparent for self-serve workflows
  • –Change turnaround depends on engineering scope and document set size
  • –Limited evidence of managed configuration for module-level power electronics

Best for: Fits when EPC and developer teams need coordinated PV design documents for permitting and interconnection.

#9

Sargent & Lundy

specialist

Provides engineering and consulting for solar photovoltaic, battery storage, and renewable generation facilities.

6.8/10
Overall
Features6.8/10
Ease of Use6.8/10
Value6.8/10
Standout feature

Construction-ready electrical and structural design packages that integrate utility coordination and code-driven documentation.

Sargent & Lundy delivers solar design work that covers site planning and engineering documentation for EPC and large solar project teams. Its engineering scope typically spans photovoltaic system design with electrical layout deliverables such as single-line diagrams and construction-ready drawings.

Pros
  • +Engineering documentation supports permitting and construction workflows.
  • +Electrical design outputs include single-line diagrams and coordinated plans.
  • +Structural detailing supports wind and snow loads for mounting systems.
  • +Utility-facing coordination supports interconnection-driven electrical decisions.
Cons
  • –Collaboration is documentation-heavy and less suited to quick iterations.
  • –Requires a project team that can supply accurate site and grid inputs.
  • –Process fit favors large-scope projects over small rooftop revisions.
  • –Automation via public API is not a primary part of the service delivery.

Best for: Fits when EPC teams need construction-ready solar engineering outputs with utility and code coordination.

#10

Burns & McDonnell

enterprise_vendor

Provides engineering, permitting, procurement, and construction support for utility-scale solar projects.

6.5/10
Overall
Features6.5/10
Ease of Use6.5/10
Value6.5/10
Standout feature

Integrated support for utility interconnection application deliverables alongside electrical design package development.

Burns & McDonnell delivers solar design services through engineering-led teams that handle both electrical and civil scope across distributed generation and large projects. Its work typically covers photovoltaic system design inputs such as layout planning, electrical design, and construction-ready drawing sets for permitting and build.

Pros
  • +Engineering-led deliverables connect electrical design to site and structural requirements
  • +Interconnection documentation support fits utility-facing study and application workflows
  • +Construction-ready drawing sets target permit and field execution needs
  • +Strong handling of complex project scope across distributed and utility-scale contexts
Cons
  • –Slower to initiate than smaller design boutiques for small scope rooftop work
  • –Requires disciplined technical inputs from EPC teams for fast design iterations
  • –Less suited to quick turnaround pre-sales layout-only studies
  • –Automation and API access are not the primary delivery mechanism

Best for: Fits when EPC or solar developers need engineering-managed electrical and interconnection design for permitted, build-ready schedules.

Conclusion

After evaluating 10 solar design, Jacobs 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.

Our Top Pick
Jacobs

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 Design

Which provider handles interconnection documentation handoffs with fewer reworks?
Ramboll ties electrical design sequencing to structural and civil constraints, which reduces drawing churn when interconnection expectations change. DNV focuses on traceable technical governance across site, electrical, and compliance deliverables, which helps keep interconnection-related assumptions consistent across the permit and electrical package.
How do EPC teams structure a workflow for shading and energy yield inputs into layout decisions?
Jacobs coordinates civil, structural, and electrical execution so shading and energy yield modeling inputs remain aligned with permit set drawings. Westwood Professional Services carries structural and electrical constraints into the final permit set instead of treating shading and layout as disconnected studies.
When does the design package need a construction-ready single-line diagram and electrical site plan early?
Sargent & Lundy targets construction-ready electrical and structural design packages that integrate utility coordination and code-driven documentation. Ulteig prepares interconnection-ready electrical documentation tied to layout decisions, which keeps string sizing and inverter selection from diverging late in the process.
What breaks if structural load analysis assumptions are left out until after electrical design is finalized?
Kimley-Horn builds coordinated drawings that keep site constraints, structural intent, and electrical requirements aligned, which avoids midstream changes to array placement that invalidate electrical layout assumptions. WSP emphasizes coordinated electrical and structural outputs so mismatches between layout assumptions and build documents do not appear after permitting review.
Which service fits best for multidisciplinary rooftop projects that must align mechanical and electrical scope?
Stantec manages solar design from site assessment through construction-ready drawing packages with mechanical and electrical scope coordination for rooftop and ground-mounted projects. Jacobs provides multidisciplinary project engineering depth across civil, structural, and electrical scope that supports coordinated permit sets instead of fragmented packages.
How should teams manage data migration when switching from preliminary layout work to permit set engineering?
Stantec structures document package outputs so engineering traceability survives transitions from early assessment into permit and construction review expectations. DNV supports disciplined technical governance with traceable assumptions that help teams map preliminary sizing inputs into stakeholder-ready electrical content without losing calculation intent.
What admin controls and audit log practices matter for multi-disciplinary design teams sharing a single drawing set?
Ramboll supports disciplined multi-disciplinary handoffs with electrical sequencing aligned to structural and civil constraints, which limits unauthorized edits to interdependent drawing outputs. DNV emphasizes documented technical governance across electrical and compliance deliverables, which supports controlled review cycles for changes that affect permit-grade content.
Where does extensibility come into play when the interconnection application workflow changes partway through design?
DNV and Sargent & Lundy both emphasize stakeholder-ready electrical and compliance documentation, which makes it easier to adjust electrical and structural content when application requirements shift. Ulteig packages interconnection-ready electrical documentation tied to layout decisions, which improves reuse when revised application data requires updates to string sizing or inverter selection.
Which provider supports integrations and API-based automation for design data exchange with EPC or developer systems?
Burns & McDonnell and WSP deliver repeatable document workflows that connect energy yield assumptions to single-line diagram details and field-ready deliverables, which helps system teams automate data exchange even when no direct API is offered. DNV and Stantec focus on traceable, structured design package outputs, which reduces manual mapping when EPC systems ingest electrical and compliance data through custom integrations.

Tools reviewed

Primary sources checked during evaluation.

Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.

How to Choose the Right Solar Design

We see options separated most by how consistently they handle solar design inputs and outputs—from geometry and shading inputs to exportable results. In practice, Solar design report templates and API automation depth decide whether you can reuse results or must redo work.

Shading and solar access inputs

Why it matters

Solar design depends heavily on shading and solar access assumptions. If the tool treats these inputs inconsistently, you’ll get outputs that don’t match the field reality you intended to model.

How to check

In a demo, load a sample site and try changing one shading-related input (for example, a nearby obstruction height or position) and compare the results. Then repeat with an alternate input style or import path to see whether the tool preserves the meaning of your data.

Array tilt, azimuth, and layout logic

Why it matters

Solar design outputs depend on tilt/azimuth choices and how the layout is represented. If layout logic is unclear, two users can produce meaningfully different “solar design” results from the same intent.

How to check

Ask the demo to show how it represents panel placement changes when you adjust tilt or azimuth. Then export or review a summary view that reflects those changes so you can confirm the mapping from your adjustments to the design.

Electrical performance assumptions coverage

Why it matters

Solar design usually lands on energy yield and system behavior expectations. If the tool’s assumptions for conversion and performance are hidden or limited, the results can’t be trusted for decision-making.

How to check

On the demo, open an assumptions or calculation summary section and check whether it lists what drives performance. Then run the same case while changing one obvious performance-related input and confirm the output responds as expected.

Solar design report templates

Why it matters

Solar design stakeholders need the same story every time. Good report templates reduce rework and make outputs easier to compare across iterations.

How to check

Generate a report from a sample design, then switch between at least two template styles if offered. Verify the report includes the key inputs you edited and produces consistent sections across runs.

Iteration workflow for design changes

Why it matters

Solar design is rarely linear; you revise inputs and need fast re-runs. If the workflow loses context, you’ll spend time rebuilding decisions rather than refining the design.

How to check

In the demo, make a change to a core design input, re-run the calculation, and inspect what carries over versus resets. Also check whether the tool tracks versions or preserves prior outputs for side-by-side comparison.

API and automation for batch designs

Why it matters

Solar design teams often run many scenarios and need repeatability. A documented API and automation surface reduces manual steps and keeps results consistent across batches.

How to check

Ask for API documentation and a small example workflow for creating a design, running the calculation, and exporting results. In a sandbox or sample project, confirm you can replay the same process with different input sets.

Red flags

  • Changing shading inputs doesn’t visibly change solar design outputs
  • Reports omit the inputs you actually edited during the run
  • API examples don’t cover running calculations and exporting results

Fit by situation

  • If you expect to revisit shading assumptions often, prioritize Shading and solar access inputs.
  • If you need repeatable scenario runs across sites, prioritize API and automation for batch designs.
  • If you must share consistent results with stakeholders, prioritize Solar design report templates.
Commissioned Research

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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