Essential tools for solar PV project design, resource assessment, and financial analysis. From residential installs to utility-scale solar farms, find the right solution for solar project development and investment.
The industry standard for PV system simulation
PVsyst is the most widely used software for photovoltaic system design, simulation, and analysis. It provides detailed performance modeling including 3D shading analysis, system sizing, comprehensive loss calculations, and financial evaluation. Accepted by banks and investors worldwide for bankable yield assessments.
Solar engineers and project developers who need bankable energy yield assessments accepted by financial institutions
From CHF 650/year for single license, multi-user licenses available
NREL's free techno-economic modeling software
SAM is a free techno-economic software model developed by NREL that facilitates decision-making for renewable energy projects. It combines detailed performance models with financial models for PV, concentrating solar power, wind, geothermal, and other technologies. Widely used for research, policy analysis, and project development.
Researchers, policy analysts, and developers who need comprehensive techno-economic analysis at no cost
Free and open source
Web-based commercial solar design platform
HelioScope by Aurora Solar is a sophisticated web-based platform for commercial and industrial solar project design. It emphasizes simplicity without sacrificing analytical accuracy, delivering bankable performance predictions with intuitive layout tools and single-line diagram generation.
Commercial solar developers and EPCs who need fast, accurate designs with bankable reports
Basic from $159/month, Pro from $259/month, Enterprise available
All-in-one solar design and sales platform
Aurora Solar is a comprehensive platform combining advanced 3D modeling, automated design, energy production simulation, and sales proposal generation. It uses AI and LIDAR data to create accurate roof models and optimized system designs, streamlining the entire solar sales process.
Residential and commercial solar installers who want to streamline design-to-sales workflow
Pricing on request, multiple tiers available
Bankable solar resource data and assessment
Solargis provides the most accurate solar resource data and assessment services for any location worldwide. Their data products include irradiance maps, time series, and long-term averages used for site prospecting, due diligence, and bankable feasibility studies. Trusted by major financial institutions.
Project developers and investors who need bankable solar resource data for financing and due diligence
Data products from €50, enterprise subscriptions available
Free solar design and proposal software
OpenSolar is a free solar design platform that democratizes access to professional design tools. It includes 3D modeling, energy simulation, financial analysis, and proposal generation at no cost. The platform is supported by financing partners and offers a path to monetize through integrated lending.
Small solar installers and new market entrants who need professional tools without upfront software costs
Free for core features, premium add-ons available
C&I solar and energy project analysis
Orkestra is designed for commercial and industrial energy projects, enabling rapid evaluation of solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging configurations. It evaluates hundreds of system configurations in seconds to identify the optimal financial solution for each project and customer.
C&I solar developers who need to quickly evaluate and optimize complex energy projects
Subscription-based, pricing on request
Clean energy project analysis software
RETScreen Expert is a comprehensive clean energy management software platform developed by Natural Resources Canada. It supports feasibility analysis, energy efficiency, and performance monitoring across solar, wind, and other renewable technologies. Used by governments and organizations worldwide.
Organizations evaluating multiple renewable energy and efficiency options with government-backed methodology
Free Viewer mode, Professional from CAD 695/year
Hybrid renewable energy system modeling
HOMER Pro is the global standard for microgrid and hybrid renewable energy system design. It simulates and optimizes systems combining solar, wind, storage, diesel, and grid connections. HOMER identifies the least-cost system configuration considering technical constraints and economic factors.
Developers designing microgrids, off-grid systems, or hybrid renewable projects with multiple generation sources
From $720/year for basic, Pro and Grid tiers available
Detailed PV system simulation with 3D visualization
PV*SOL by Valentin Software is a professional PV simulation program with comprehensive 3D visualization and shading analysis. It supports detailed electrical design including string configuration, inverter selection, and cable sizing. Popular in European markets for residential and commercial projects.
Solar installers and engineers who need detailed electrical design with strong 3D visualization capabilities
From €545/year, Premium version with 3D from €995/year
Focus on fast design and compelling proposals:
Use industry-standard tools accepted by financiers:
Balance speed with accuracy for C&I projects:
Tools for complex multi-source systems:
Check out our Wind Energy Analysis tools for wind farm feasibility and resource assessment.
View Wind Energy Tools →