Are you still designing solar panel systems the hard way? The best solar design software can speed up your design process by ten times compared to other tools. Solar design software tools address the need for a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient method of planning solar installation projects.
With the right tools, you can drag and drop solar panels onto a site map, instantly calculate system efficiency, and generate stunning, easy-to-understand proposals for your clients. Additionally, as photovoltaic technology continues to evolve, so does the software designed to plan these systems. So, investing in quality solar design software can help you save both time and money on your projects.
From AI-assisted panel optimization to 3D modeling and energy simulations, here we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed decision for your solar business.
Aurora Solar: Solar Design Software Leveraged By Wattmonk
We at Wattmonk leverage the advantages of Aurora Solar. Founded in 2013, it has become one of the industry’s most advanced cloud-based solar design software for professional sales enablement and designing. Alongside this solar design software we use other expert tools to deliver fast, highly accurate, and code-compliant designs—powered only by your project address and an electric bill. This allows our team to streamline your sales and permitting process from concept to completion.
Key Features of Aurora Solar
Advanced 3D modeling– Our design team uses LIDAR-assisted roof modeling to build pixel-perfect layouts, complete with automatic obstruction detection for realistic system output.
Remote site assessmen– No need for on-site visits. With Aurora, we conduct detailed virtual assessments and turn them into permit-ready designs.
Bankable shade reports– We provide accurate solar access values that align with utility standards, comparable to traditional on-site measurements.
Sophisticated financial analysis– Need customer-facing comparisons or ROI projections? Our designs include financial simulations to strengthen your sales proposals.
Sales Mode– Wattmonk integrates proposal-ready layouts optimized for tablets and sales teams, reducing close times and boosting confidence.
Battery storage modeling– We simulate storage add-ons for self-consumption and energy cost savings where required.
Aurora AI – Our experts speed up modeling through AI-driven roof tracing and smart object detection—without sacrificing precision.
Why Wattmonk Trusts Aurora Solar
Exceptionally accurate LIDAR mapping for trustworthy proposals
Rich 3D models and true-to-life sun path visualization
Smart roof detection of shading, trees, and obstructions
Seamless exports to PDF and CAD formats
Access to a vast equipment and component library
Ability to apply company-specific design standards
How Do You Benefit from Aurora Solar?
Rather than expecting you to navigate complex tools, with us, you can focus on what matters—closing deals and installing systems.
Some advantages it gives you are:
Enterprise-level accuracy– Our designs are trusted by large-scale installers handling high volumes and strict utility rules
Remote efficiency– Save time and money with fully remote site evaluations
Pitch-perfect designs– Aurora’s modeling often outperforms homeowner estimates, increasing trust and speeding up approvals
Sales acceleration– Our clients go from hours to minutes in turnaround time, freeing up bandwidth for more appointments
Reduced change orders – With precise modeling, our clients report up to a 99% drop in costly redesigns
Other Top Solar Design Softwares
Helioscope
Helioscope stands out as a powerful web-based solar design software specifically optimized for commercial and industrial solar projects. Developed by Folsom Labs and now owned by Aurora Solar, this software combines streamlined layout tools with a robust simulation engine, enabling designers to work 5-10 times faster than with comparable programs.
Key features
Flexible system modeling– Design rooftop, carport, or ground mount arrays all in the same project, allowing you to present multiple options to clients
Bankable simulations– Production estimates consistently accurate within 1% of PVsyst, making them reliable enough to secure financing
Speed & ease of use– The intuitive interface allows designers to model projects to company specifications in minutes rather than hours
Extensive component library– Access to over 50,000 modules and inverters for accurate system design
Advanced shade modeling– Detailed analysis of row-to-row shading, obstruction shading, and horizon shading
The Pro plan of this solar design software includes LIDAR-assisted modeling, improving design accuracy by incorporating precise elevation data. The platform also features integrated financial analysis tools and customizable reports to streamline the sales process.
Pros
Reduces design time several fold with optimized workflows
Allows for quick design iterations (up to 4x more iterations in the same timeframe)
Designs are detailed and accurate enough to use through contract
Excellent for large-scale commercial systems, particularly those exceeding 50kW
Includes single-line diagram generation and CAD export capabilities
Cons
Higher learning curve for new users with limited recent training resources
Default imagery quality is subpar unless integrated with Nearmap (at additional cost).
May require supplementary tools for advanced engineering analyzes
Less optimal for small residential installations under 15kW
Limited import capabilities
Pricing
Helioscope offers three distinct pricing tiers:
Basic Plan: USD 159.00 per month per license (USD 1,620.00 annually with 15% discount)
Pro Plan: USD 259.00 per month per license
Enterprise: Custom pricing
OpenSolar
OpenSolar emerges as a game-changer in the solar design software market, offering a completely free platform without compromising on functionality. With a growing community of over 25,000 solar professionals across 160+ countries, this cloud-based solution serves as a comprehensive tool for designing, selling, and managing solar projects.
OpenSolar key features
The platform boasts an impressive array of capabilities that make it stand out among other solar design software options:
Advanced 3D design technology – Create automated, fully rendered 3D designs with pitch, azimuth, and shading calculated automatically
Detailed battery modeling – Tracks battery state hourly, monitoring capacity, throughput, and degradation profiles
Multiple pricing scheme options – Customize pricing using price per watt, markup percentage, price per watt by size, or fixed price models
Integrated e-signature and payment processing – Allows customers to sign contracts and pay online directly from proposals
Comprehensive CRM system – Fully featured lead capture and customer relationship management tools built in
Pros
Zero cost platform with no licensing fees, seat limits, or design caps
Independently verified design accuracy by a leading US Government agency
Built-in financial analysis tools and customizable reports
Ability to design both residential and commercial systems
Reduces costs by approximately 25% and increases profitability by 30% in the first year
Cons
Free version relies on Google Maps imagery, which may lack detail for precise design work
Nearmap integration available but costs approximately $250 for higher quality imagery
Learning curve can be steep due to extensive feature set
Less suitable for complex off-grid system designs compared to specialized alternatives
Pricing
In contrast to other solutions in this list, OpenSolar operates on a unique pricing model:
Core Platform: Completely free with no subscription fees
Nearmap Integration: Available on a project-by-project basis for high-resolution aerial imagery
Hardware Catalog: Trade and bulk discounts available when ordering equipment directly through the platform
Wrapping Up
The right solar design software impacts your ability to deliver accurate designs and compelling proposals to clients. Throughout this guide, we’ve explored 3 powerful solar design software that streamline the solar design process in 2025. Each option offers unique advantages whether you need Helioscope’s commercial prowess, Aurora’s comprehensive modeling, or OpenSolar’s free yet robust platform.
The ideal software ultimately depends on your specific business requirements. Budget considerations also play a role in your decision. Though some premium options require substantial investment, free alternatives deliver impressive functionality without licensing costs. Before making your final decision, take advantage of free trials whenever possible. This hands-on experience will help you determine which interface works best for your team and which features truly matter for your specific projects.
Regardless of which tool you select, implementing professional solar design software will undoubtedly enhance your capacity to create optimized systems, win more projects, and grow your solar business in 2025 and beyond.
