The costs of solar panels and equipment have plummeted in the last decade, helping to make solar energy mainstream. Unfortunately, soft costs, such as customer acquisition, permitting, siting, design, installation, and financing, haven’t fallen as quickly. As the solar industry expands and matures, many companies are streamlining their operations with solar design software. But which is the best solar software?
Reducing soft costs through integrating technology into core business practices is a way to maintain profitability and improve accuracy while reducing total solar system costs. Different types of solar software fulfill various needs, including customer identification, customer relationship management (CRM), proposal generation and photovoltaic system design, financing and risk management, and operations and energy management.
Adding greater automation to the process, from customer acquisition through solar PV system maintenance, can help solar providers scale up their operations. Using effective solar design software is an excellent addition to that workflow.
Why Use Solar Energy Software?
The best solar design software helps automate the design process and makes it easier to create accurate solar system sales proposals for potential customers. Many solar design software options include layout and performance modeling while saving time and reducing costs.
It makes it faster and easier for salespeople, designers, and engineers to create comprehensive PV system designs. Then, meticulous designs aid PV project management and help ensure a seamless solar installation process. Solar design software is helpful at any level, from small residential installers to utility-scale solar contractors.
Choosing The Best Solar Design Software
With numerous software platforms available to installers and contractors, it is essential to understand the various features. Some solar software offers a free trial or a one-month subscription, allowing new users to try it out before making a big commitment. Keep in mind that the capabilities and scope of solar software vary by product, so choosing the best solar design software depends on your needs.
For example, many do not have CRM capabilities and require a separate CRM platform. Some solar design software might integrate seamlessly with other software, while some may not. Examining the big picture and how various platforms integrate is essential when considering the job from start to finish. In addition to functionality, aesthetics are important when generating proposals for potential new clients. Some software may prepare more attractive proposals or allow more branding opportunities to set your company apart.
Solar Project Creation
Most solar design software platforms will require users to input the proposed project address and historic electricity bill data. Most solar design software uses satellite data and even LiDAR data to conduct a solar feasibility analysis. Sometimes, designers can add or remove trees and other obstructions, adjust solar production estimates, and create 3D models of potential solar projects.
Solar Design Options
Most solar design software allows users to change the solar panel angle, panel orientation, row spacing, and azimuth. Many platforms allow for planning around roof obstructions like HVAC equipment, green roofs, and skylights and contain a database of different PV modules, inverters, and racking systems.
Solar Consulting
Many solar professionals provide consulting services in addition to design plans. The best solar design software allows consultants to provide reports, single-line diagrams, 2D and 3D-CAD images for layouts and blueprints. Many solar software options include energy production, payback estimates, and financing options.
Reporting And Solar Metrics
Most solar software offers various reports and calculations after users have entered the required information. Many platforms can provide estimated cumulative cash flows, a financial analysis, solar PV system performance, shade analysis, and financing options, including leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Reports often include graphs, diagrams and spreadsheets.
Solar Energy Software Pricing Options
Most platforms use a software as a service (SaaS) model and are available for a monthly fee. Many options charge a fee per user and include a discount with an annual or customized plan. Some solar design software platforms offer a free trial period, and others provide premium features at a higher cost. Occasionally, software is available for purchase and has an annual maintenance fee.
Solar Energy Software Customization Options
Consider the design, template, report, and user interface customization options. For example, look for software that allows you to customize solar system designs according to your specific requirements. This may include adding or removing modules, adjusting tilt angles, modifying wiring configurations, or customizing the system's layout.
Best Solar Design Software
Numerous solar software platforms are available. Although this is not an exhaustive list, it examines several of the best products on the market.
Application: Residential and commercial solar PV contractors
Aurora Solar energy software allows users to conduct a solar shading analysis, design solar arrays, forecast electricity generation, estimate power bill savings, add energy storage capabilities, explore financing options, and create solar system proposals. Users can input or upload energy consumption data and utilize data sets, including LiDAR data, to analyze solar energy potential. Aurora Solar design software is known for being relatively easy to learn and user-friendly.
Aurora Solar Software Pricing
It uses a Saas model and offers basic, premium, and customized pricing plans starting at $135 monthly per user. Alternatively, if you choose the annual billing option, you can save $288 per year, resulting in a cost of $129 per user per month.
Application: Residential and commercial solar PV contractors
This web-based PV system design software provides CAD-like tools customized for the solar industry. Helioscope is interactive, making it easy to run various simulations and compare the results. The software can also create complete single-line diagrams and solar proposals, assisting in the sales process.
Because it is cloud-based, it is easy to collaborate with subcontractors and manufacturers. The integration between HelioScope and Energy Toolbase allows users to import solar PV designs, production data, layout images, and equipment with one click, enhancing project modeling and asset monitoring capabilities. The collaboration between subcontractors and manufacturers facilitated by the cloud-based nature of HelioScope can further streamline project workflows.
HelioScope Pricing
HelioScope offers monthly and annual plans starting at $159 a month per user and offers discounts for yearly plans.
Application: Micro-grid and distributed generation power system design and optimization
This solar energy software was initially created by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and licensed to HOMER Energy (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources). HOMER Pro specializes in optimizing hybrid renewable microgrids in all sectors, including villages, military bases, and island grids. It creates a simulation model with various equipment in a clean energy microgrid for up to a year.
HOMER Software Pricing
Homes software prices start at $125 a month for an annual solar software plan, and the other premium plans include instructor-led training and other advanced features.
Application: Residential and commercial solar PV installers
OpenSolar is a powerful web-based solar design and sales software designed to streamline the solar PV installation process for residential and commercial contractors. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features to simplify end-to-end solar project management. It offers an intuitive design interface, collaboration and customized access, centralized project management, and excellent sales and proposal generation tools to streamline the entire solar project lifecycle.
OpenSolar Pricing
This solar energy software is free to use. It is made possible by their partners, including hardware manufacturers, finance companies, and other service providers within the solar industry.
Application: Residential and commercial solar PV contractors and EPCs
PVComplete’s PVSketch is a web app created as a sales tool that allows multiple array layouts. The designs can then be exported to PVCAD, the first and only CAD for solar, and modeling in AutoCAD allows for extreme accuracy. This software is powered by Autodesk technology and utilizes NREL’s PVWatts for energy production modeling. PVComplete uses an ever-expanding database of solar PV modules, inverters, and racking systems, saves time, and prevents costly errors.
PVSketch Pricing
Solar software users can generate single-line diagrams and complete electrical calculations with ease. PVSketch pricing starts at $0 a month and goes up to $115 for unlimited sketches per month. The AutoCAD plugin starts at $260, and the PVCAD Mega bundle is $490 a month per user, with discounts for an annual agreement.
Application: Residential and commercial solar PV
contractors
This web-based solar design tool has a helpful CAD interface. Solargraf allows customized access for different users, depending on their role and level in the organization. The dashboard shows all active projects, assisting in project management. Designers can use Google Sunroof data to conduct a shade analysis and create accurate proposals.
Solargraph Pricing
Plans start at $229 per month for two users, with discounts available for annual solar energy software agreements.
Pros & Cons of Solar Energy Software
The advantages and disadvantages listed below are general and may vary depending on the specific solar software.
Pros of Solar Software | Cons of Solar Software |
Streamlines design process | The learning curve for new solar energy software users |
Accurate solar system designs | Cost of solar software and potential subscription fees |
Efficient project management | Limited customization options for some software |
Collaboration and communication | Dependence on internet connection |
Professional solar proposal generation | Integration challenges with other software or tools |
Shading analysis capabilities | Updates and support may vary depending on the solar software provider |
Centralized solar project tracking | Potential compatibility issues with different operating systems |
Common Problems With Solar Energy Software
When using solar design software, solar contractors may encounter several potential challenges or problems. Here are five common issues associated with even the best solar design software:
Solar Software Complexity: Some solar energy software solutions can be complex and have a steep learning curve. Users, especially those new to the software, may struggle to navigate the interface, understand all the features, and effectively utilize the tools without adequate training or support.
Compatibility issues: Solar design software may not always be compatible with other tools or software used in a solar business. Integration problems can arise when trying to import or export data, causing inefficiencies and potential errors in the design and project management process.
Limited customization: While customization options are important, some solar energy software solutions may have limited flexibility for users to tailor designs, templates, or reports to meet their specific needs. This can restrict creativity and hinder the ability to deliver personalized and professional proposals to clients.
Technical glitches: Like any software, solar design tools may experience technical glitches, bugs, or software malfunctions that can disrupt workflow and lead to errors in design or calculations. Regular software updates and maintenance are essential to address and prevent these issues.
Solar Software Cost: The cost of using the best solar design software can be a barrier for some users, especially for smaller companies or individuals with tight budgets. Some software solutions may have high subscription fees, additional costs for advanced features, or require ongoing payments for updates and support, making it challenging to invest in the solar software long-term.
To mitigate these solar energy software problems, users can proactively seek solar software training and support to address complexity issues, research compatibility options before committing to a software solution, explore customization features during the selection process, stay updated on software releases and patches to address technical glitches, and carefully consider the total cost of ownership when evaluating different software options.
Choosing The Best Solar Design Software
If a solar company is adopting solar energy software for the first time or switching to a better match, it can be pivotal for the company. An effective platform can help ease workflow between different team members and assist in the sales process. A roofing design feature can allow salespeople to show potential customers how panels will look on their roof and their orientation. The ability to generate a customized quote during a site evaluation could help close the deal faster.
GreenLancer can help you meet your solar permit design, interconnection and engineering needs. Fill out the contact form to speak with an account rep today.
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