Solar design software in India helps EPCs (engineering, procurement and construction firms) and installers plan solar systems on roofs and fields. It lays out panels, models shade and estimates yield (how much power a system will make). Aurora Solar ranks first at 73.0/100, but it sells in US dollars. Arka 360 (71.3) is the India-based pick.
We scored 12 tools and ranked 7. India presence and INR (Indian rupee) pricing are built into the scores.
Currency, local support and rooftop versus utility work decide your shortlist. For the global ranking, see our best solar design software list. For quoting and sales documents in India, see our best solar proposal software in India guide.
Quick picks
Rank | Product | Best for | Starting price (company page, checked October 2026) | Pricing model | Free plan / trial | India presence (our research) | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Residential design teams that want 3D and LIDAR tools and can pay in USD | ✓ USD 159 per user per month (USD 135 billed annually) | Per user subscription | None stated | Global only, no named India presence | 73.0 | |
2 | Indian rooftop EPCs wanting INR pricing and local support | ✓ INR 7,500 or 8,500 per month plus 18% GST (page shows two price sets) | Subscription | Demo only | Indian company (Bengaluru) | 71.3 | |
3 | Small EPCs designing residential rooftops on a zero software budget | ✓ Free core platform | Free, partner-funded. Paid API and connectors | Free core platform | India named by the company. India partnerships Oct 2026 | 69.3 | |
4 | Engineers modelling rooftop yield, storage and loads on the desktop | ✓ EUR 845 per named user per year plus VAT | Annual or 3-month licence | 30-day trial | Global only | 67.9 | |
5 | P50/P90 yield reports for C&I and utility projects | ✓ CHF 700 per seat per year | Annual subscription | 30-day evaluation | Global only | 66.2 | |
6 | Developers engineering utility-scale ground-mount plants | Quote only | Tiered, sales-led | Demo only | Global only | 64.7 | |
7 | C&I rooftop and carport projects up to 30 MW DC | ✓ USD 159 per month (USD 1,620 per year if billed yearly) | Per licence, capped by MW DC | Free trial (length not stated) | Global only | 63.7 |
✓ Verified on the company’s own pricing page. ◐ Published by the company outside its pricing page (help centre, store or press release). ? We could not read the company’s pricing page, so the figure is not confirmed. Prices checked October 2026.
Quote only means the company shows no public price. You ask it for a quote.
How the 7 tools scored
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
Tool | Score chart | Score |
|---|---|---|
73 out of 100 | 73.0 | |
71.3 out of 100 | 71.3 | |
69.3 out of 100 | 69.3 | |
67.9 out of 100 | 67.9 | |
66.2 out of 100 | 66.2 | |
64.7 out of 100 | 64.7 | |
63.7 out of 100 | 63.7 |
Each bar shows the weighted score out of 100.
Sub-scores at a glance (0-10)
Product | Use-case fit | User reviews | Pricing | Ease of use | Support | Momentum | Total /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 73.0 | |
7.8 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 71.3 | |
6.7 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 69.3 | |
6.5 | 5.4 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 67.9 | |
5.5 | 6.3 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 66.2 | |
5.7 | 6.9 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 64.7 | |
6.2 | 6.2 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 63.7 |
A 5.0 on reviews, ease, support or momentum is our neutral value where public evidence is thin, not a judgement.
Should rooftop and utility EPCs use different design tools?
Yes. Rooftop residential and C&I (commercial and industrial) EPCs need fast layout on imagery, shading and a yield estimate to show the customer. Utility and open-access developers sell power straight to large buyers over the grid. They need terrain, electrical engineering and a yield report that will survive due diligence.
- Residential rooftop: Arka 360, OpenSolar and Aurora Solar. SolarEdge Designer, in Also considered, suits SolarEdge kit only.
- C&I rooftop and carport: HelioScope, Arka 360 and PV*SOL premium.
- Utility-scale ground mount: RatedPower, with PVsyst for the bankable (lender-accepted) yield report. PVcase Ground Mount is in Also considered. Aurora’s core product is not a PVsyst or utility-scale alternative.
Our utility-scale design software page goes deeper on the ground-mount tools.
How did we rank the best solar design software in India?
How the score is weighted
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
We scored 12 products from 22 to 25 October 2026 and ranked 7. The other 5 are in "Also considered". This was desk research from company docs, pricing pages and public reviews, so we did not run projects in any tool. We used six weighted tests:
- Use-case fit (35%): How well it does this page’s job. That means layout, 3D modelling, shading, stringing (how panels wire into inverters) and yield simulation, weighted towards layout. A tool with no named presence in India scores lower here, and lower still if we found no sign it is sold in India.
- User reviews (20%): G2 and Capterra ratings. Ratings based on fewer than 8 reviews get a middle score.
- Pricing (15%): Published and free pricing score higher than quote-only or hardware-tied pricing.
- Ease of use, support and momentum (10% each): Review sub-scores and dated release notes. With no evidence, a tool gets a middle score.
Nine tools cleared our minimum match score (4 out of 10), and we rank only the top 7. The 3 inverter makers’ tools did not clear it. Scores are for this page’s job only, and third-party ratings are never used in rating markup. SurgePV is not part of this ranking. Full method: how we score software.
1. Aurora Solar: best for residential design teams paying in USD
Best for: Residential and light C&I design teams that want 3D, LIDAR (laser-scanned height data) and shade tools, and accept US-centred pricing and support. Score: 73.0/100.
What it is: Built for US residential and light commercial installers, Aurora Solar is a cloud platform for 3D design, simulation and proposals. Its pricing page is North American and in USD, and we found no named India presence.
Why we picked it: Strong 3D, LIDAR and shade tools, published prices and a large, positive review base carry it to the top. None of that is India-specific, so check the cons first.
Key features:
- Cloud 3D design with LIDAR-assisted modelling (Premium).
- Shade analysis and bankable shade reports.
- Production simulation and battery modelling.
- On-demand and AI-assisted site models.
- Plan sets, engineering stamps and API on Enterprise.
Pricing: Basic is USD 159 per user per month (USD 135 per month billed annually), with 50 projects a month. Premium is USD 259 (USD 220 annually) and adds LIDAR-assisted modelling, bankable shade reports and battery modelling. Enterprise is custom, priced per project. Checked October 2026 on the Aurora pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- You can show customers shade reports and output estimates that reviewers rate as accurate (Capterra).
- Designs come out accurate, and customer service is strong (G2).
- New staff learn fast from the videos and knowledge base.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Finance features are built for US schemes such as tax-credit estimates (US credit rules change, check current law) and TPO (third-party ownership), which do not apply in India.
- Reviewers call proposal and finance features limited for the cost.
- It uses a lot of memory on weaker machines (2019 reviews) and links to few other tools.
Reviews: G2 4.7/5 (121 reviews) and Capterra 4.1/5 (7 reviews), checked October 2026.
Read our full Aurora Solar review or our Aurora Solar alternatives.
Want to see Aurora Solar working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
2. Arka 360: best for Indian rooftop EPCs wanting local support
Best for: Residential and C&I rooftop EPCs in India that want INR pricing, a local team and SLD (single-line diagram) export in one tool. Score: 71.3/100.
What it is: Arka 360, formerly The Solar Labs, is a cloud design, proposal and light CRM platform. It has offices in Bengaluru and Allen, Texas, and is the only Indian company in the ranking.
Why we picked it: It pairs INR prices and a local team with rooftop and ground-mount design, stringing and SLD export in one cloud tool. Users rate its support highly.
Key features:
- 3D rooftop and ground-mount design with shading analysis.
- Stringing, including micro-inverter and optimiser design.
- SLD export (listed with the Premium plan).
- Sales proposals and generation reports, plus a CRM add-on.
- 3D export to SketchUp and PVsyst.
Pricing: Arka’s India page lists Lite, Basic and Premium plans in INR plus 18% GST, with an INR 10,000 onboarding fee. In October 2026 the page showed two different price sets. Lite was INR 7,500 a month or INR 46,000 a year in one set, and INR 8,500 or INR 56,000 in the other. Premium was INR 16,500 a month or INR 1,00,000 a year, or INR 17,500 and INR 1,10,000. We could not confirm which set is current, so get the figure in writing. US plans run from USD 159 to USD 999 a month. Checked October 2026 on the Arka 360 India pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- It is smooth to use and has many useful tools (14 mentions on G2).
- Shadow analysis and project estimates help you quote quickly.
- 3D views help close deals, and support staff are caring.
Cons (from user reviews):
- It lags or hangs on projects of 3 MWp and above.
- Some features are missing, and the structure choice is confusing.
- Multi-user teams hit limits, and some users find the start steep.
Reviews: G2 4.3/5 (137 reviews), checked October 2026, with support rated 9.2/10. We found no Capterra listing.
Read our full Arka 360 review or our Arka 360 alternatives.
Want to see Arka 360 working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
3. OpenSolar: best for small EPCs on a zero software budget
Best for: Small residential EPCs that want free design and proposals and can live with partner-funded add-ons. Score: 69.3/100.
What it is: You pay nothing for the core of OpenSolar, a design, proposal and sales platform. Hardware and finance partners, imagery and, since 16 April 2026, API and connector fees pay for it. The company names India among its markets, and its news page lists India partnerships in October 2026.
Why we picked it: A free core platform lets a small EPC start designing with no software budget. It is one of only two ranked tools that name India in their own market information.
Key features:
- Free 2D and 3D rooftop design with shading.
- AI design (OS 3.0, September 2025).
- Interactive web proposals with e-signature and payment collection.
- A hardware shop with distributors.
Pricing: The core platform is free, and the company says it "will always be free". API access and Xero or QuickBooks connectors are charged from 16 April 2026, at rates the company does not publish. Premium imagery is optional. Checked October 2026 on OpenSolar’s pricing announcement.
Pros (from reviews and our research):
- Adding, removing and changing panels is very easy (G2).
- The app gives your team job facts on site (G2).
- You pay nothing for the core design and proposal app, so you can start with no software budget.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Panel design lacks automatic custom settings, so an engineer still has to check it (G2).
- The screens look dated, though they work (G2).
- It is "not completely free", as one reviewer puts it: API access and accounting connectors cost extra.
Reviews: G2 4.8/5 (3 reviews), checked October 2026. That is too few to rely on.
What we could not confirm: how deep the yield simulation goes, as its features come from marketing pages, not docs.
Read our full OpenSolar review or our OpenSolar alternatives.
Want to see OpenSolar working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
4. PV*SOL premium: best for desktop rooftop yield and storage modelling
Best for: Design engineers modelling rooftop yield, batteries and consumption profiles in detail on the desktop. Score: 67.9/100.
What it is: Germany’s Valentin Software makes PV*SOL premium, a desktop tool for 3D design and simulation. It models storage, heat pump and EV loads. It is a global product with EUR pricing, and we found no Indian office or reseller.
Why we picked it: It models yield, batteries and loads in more detail than the cloud sales tools. Published prices, including a 3-month licence, make the cost clear up front.
Key features:
- 3D design with detailed shading analysis.
- Yield simulation using Meteonorm 9 climate data as the input.
- AC- and DC-coupled battery storage.
- A load profiles library and per-consumer tariffs.
- Customer presentation export (PDF or DOCX).
Pricing: PV*SOL premium 2026 costs EUR 845 per named user per year, or EUR 285 for 3 months. The 2D PV*SOL 2026 costs EUR 585 per year. All prices are plus VAT. Checked October 2026 on the Valentin Software shop.
Pros (from our research):
- You can buy 3 months for a busy season instead of a full year.
- You get a new major version each year (the 2026 version came out on 24 November 2025).
- JSON export sends project data and results to your CRM or ERP.
Cons (from our research):
- It is priced in EUR only, and we found no INR pricing.
- It is desktop software, not a browser tool for field teams.
- There are few reviews to judge it by, and G2 shows no pros or cons summary.
Reviews: G2 4.2/5 (12 reviews), checked October 2026.
What we could not confirm: how deep its stringing and SLD tools go.
Read our full PV*SOL premium review or our PV*SOL alternatives.
Want to see PV*SOL premium working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
5. PVsyst: best for bankable yield reports on C&I and utility projects
Best for: Engineers producing P50/P90 (probability-based yield estimates) and loss reports for C&I, open-access and utility projects. Score: 66.2/100.
What it is: Yield and loss modelling is the whole job of PVsyst, Windows software from PVsyst SA in Switzerland. It is not a layout or proposal tool. Engineers usually pair it with a design tool that exports to it, such as Arka 360 or HelioScope Enterprise.
Why we picked it: It makes the P50/P90 yield and loss reports that lenders and engineers check on C&I and utility jobs. Prices are published, and patches come out often.
Key features:
- A detailed loss diagram and P50/P90 yield reports.
- 3D near-shading scene with electrical mismatch losses.
- Bifacial modules and trackers with backtracking.
- Meteo inputs from Meteonorm 9, PVGIS, NSRDB, Solcast, SolarAnywhere and Solargis.
- PVsystCLI for automated batch simulation (CHF 3,000 per year).
Pricing: PVsyst 8 Professional costs CHF 700 per seat per year. Multi-seat discounts are 5% (2-4 licences), 15% (5-9) and 20% (10+). Student and Classroom licences cost CHF 25 per year. Prices are shown only in CHF, with no INR, EUR or USD figure and no VAT statement. Checked October 2026 on the PVsyst shop.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Yield simulation is detailed and accurate (G2 reviewer themes).
- A full loss diagram shows lenders and engineers where yield is lost.
- SketchUp integration speeds up 3D shading scenes.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- The interface is dated and complex, with G2 ease of use at 6.7/10.
- Setting up 3D scenes takes time.
- It runs only on Windows, so Mac users need a Windows virtual machine.
Reviews: G2 4.5/5 (22 reviews), checked October 2026.
Read our full PVsyst review or our PVsyst alternatives.
Want to see PVsyst working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
6. RatedPower: best for utility-scale plant engineering
Best for: Developers, EPCs and IPPs (independent power producers) engineering utility-scale PV, BESS (battery energy storage) and hybrid plants. Score: 64.7/100.
What it is: Now part of Enverus, RatedPower covers siting, layout, yield and electrical design in the cloud. Its case list covers many regions, but India is not among those named in our research. Site-analysis datasets are available only in selected geographies.
Why we picked it: It is the only ranked tool built for utility-scale plant engineering, from layout to substation. It also has the largest review base of the ranked tools.
Key features:
- Rule-based layout with setbacks, roads, slope and cut-and-fill (earthworks to level the ground).
- MV/LV (medium and low voltage) electrical design, SLDs and substation engineering.
- BESS and hybrid design with dispatch simulation.
- CAPEX (upfront build cost), LCOE (levelised cost of energy) and 400+ editable documents.
- DWG (AutoCAD drawing file) round-trip with AutoCAD, and a yield model reconciled with PVsyst.
Pricing: Quote only, in Basic, Advanced and Enterprise tiers. Checked October 2026 on the RatedPower pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Ease of use is the most cited strength, with 22 mentions (G2 review themes).
- Feasibility layouts come together fast, saving time on each site (18 mentions).
- Customer support gets praise (11 mentions).
Cons (from user reviews):
- The layout tools are easy to start with, but land and constraint handling is the top complaint (14 mentions).
- Some features are missing (8 mentions), such as some BESS-PCS (power conversion system) combinations.
- Drawings are hard to tailor (6 mentions).
Reviews: G2 4.4/5 (305 reviews), checked October 2026.
Read our full RatedPower review or our RatedPower alternatives.
Want to see RatedPower working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
7. HelioScope: best for C&I rooftop and carport projects
Best for: C&I EPCs designing rooftop and carport systems up to 30 MW DC. Score: 63.7/100.
What it is: HelioScope is Aurora Solar’s separate commercial design and simulation tool. C&I EPCs use it to lay out roofs, carports and ground mounts.
Why we picked it: It handles C&I rooftops and carports up to 30 MW DC with published prices. Reviewers find it quick to learn.
Key features:
- Rooftop, carport and ground-mount layout.
- Shading and wiring-loss modelling.
- Production estimates the company states are within 1% of PVsyst.
- Single-axis trackers and PVsyst export (Enterprise).
Pricing: Basic is USD 159 per month (USD 1,620 per year if billed yearly), with 10 projects a month up to 1.25 MW DC. Pro is USD 259 per month (USD 2,640 per year if billed yearly), up to 5 MW DC, and adds P90/P95/P99 values. Enterprise is custom, up to 30 MW DC. Checked October 2026 on the HelioScope pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- New designers learn it fast, with G2 ease of use at 8.8/10 (G2).
- Layouts and shading and wiring-loss sums are quick.
- Reports and SLDs come out fast.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- It is expensive, and the tiers do not suit occasional users.
- Basic caps you at 10 projects a month.
- Reviewers in India and Mexico say units and prices default to US settings, which is awkward when you present in rupees and metric units.
Reviews: G2 4.5/5 (19 reviews), checked October 2026.
Read our full HelioScope review or our HelioScope alternatives.
Want to see HelioScope working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
SurgePV (unscored): for readers comparing roof design, shading, electrical drawings and proposals in one browser tool. Test local imagery, equipment data and approval outputs for your market. The numbered scores above do not include it.
Sources checked 27 October 2026: SurgePV product information · SolarSoftwares SurgePV review
Book a demo of SurgePV with the SolarSoftwares team.
Book a demoYour request goes by email to the SolarSoftwares team. A time is set only after we reply. It does not change any score or ranking.
How do the 7 solar design tools for India compare?
This table compares the 7 ranked tools side by side.
Product | Segment | Price currency | Starting price | Delivery | Hardware-neutral | India presence (our research) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Residential, light C&I | USD | USD 159/user/mo | Cloud | Yes | Global only | |
Residential, C&I | INR (plus 18% GST) | INR 7,500 or 8,500/mo | Cloud | Yes | Indian company | |
Residential, small C&I | Free | Free | Cloud | Yes | India named by the company | |
Residential, C&I | EUR (plus VAT) | EUR 845/yr | Desktop | Yes | Global only | |
C&I, utility | CHF | CHF 700/yr | Windows desktop | Yes | Global only | |
Utility | Not published | Quote only | Cloud | Yes | Global only | |
C&I to 30 MW DC | USD | USD 159/mo | Cloud | Yes | Global only |
Also considered
- PVcase Ground Mount (scored 60.8/100): An AutoCAD-based tool for terrain-following utility layouts, with G2 4.7/5 from 415 reviews. It ranked eighth, outside our top 7. It is quote only and suits utility EPCs, not rooftop teams.
- SolarEdge Designer (scored 49.3/100): A free web tool that strings to SolarEdge rules. It ranked ninth. We could not confirm its current status on SolarEdge’s site, and we found no user reviews.
- Huawei SmartDesign 2.0 (just below the minimum score): It designs only Huawei SUN2000 and LUNA2000 equipment and publishes no price. The regional pages in our research were for European countries and Singapore, and we did not confirm an India page.
- Sungrow iSolarDesign (below the minimum score): A Sungrow-only design tool with no user reviews. Its free status comes from a pv Europe article rather than a Sungrow page.
- SMA Sunny Design (below the minimum score): Free planning for SMA inverters, with a PRO tier at EUR 600 per year net. Layout and 3D are limited compared with the ranked tools.
How do you choose solar design software in India?
- Running a residential or C&I rooftop EPC in India? If you want local support and INR invoicing, pick Arka 360 and get the current INR price in writing.
- Small installers with no software budget can start with OpenSolar. Add a paid tool once you win larger C&I work.
- For 3D and shade tools priced in USD, look at Aurora Solar’s Basic plan. Its finance features are US-centric.
- C&I rooftop and carport designers who need P90 figures should pick HelioScope Pro, paired with PVsyst for financed projects.
- When lenders or engineers will review your yield, budget CHF 700 a seat for PVsyst, whatever design tool you use.
- Utility-scale developers should pick RatedPower for cloud engineering. If the team works in AutoCAD, also look at PVcase Ground Mount from Also considered.
- If you install only SolarEdge, Huawei, Sungrow or SMA inverters, use the maker’s free tool for stringing. Keep a neutral tool for customer designs.
For quoting and sales documents, see our India proposal software list. For lead and project tracking, see solar CRM in India. EPC-wide tools are compared on our design software for EPCs page.
Want more choices? Browse every tool we checked in our design and simulation category.
Solar design software in India FAQs
What is the best solar design software for Indian EPCs?
Aurora Solar has the highest score in our October 2026 ranking (73.0/100). Arka 360 (71.3) suits most Indian rooftop EPCs better. It is an Indian company with INR pricing and a Bengaluru office. For utility-scale work, RatedPower leads, with PVsyst for yield reports.
Is PVsyst good for Indian solar projects?
Yes, for yield and loss modelling. PVsyst produces the P50/P90 reports that engineering reviews expect, and it imports weather data from Meteonorm 9, PVGIS, NSRDB and Solcast. It is not a layout or proposal tool, runs only on Windows, and cost CHF 700 per seat per year in October 2026.
Does solar design software handle PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculations?
Not that we could document. None of the 12 tools we scored in October 2026 lists PM Surya Ghar (India’s rooftop solar subsidy scheme) subsidy calculations or paperwork in its company documentation. Test any such claim in a demo with a real project file.
Can solar design software generate DISCOM-compliant net-metering documents?
No tool on this list documents DISCOM (state power distribution company) net-metering output as of October 2026. Arka 360 lists SLD export with its Premium plan, which can feed a connection application. Check the drawing against your DISCOM’s format first.
Is solar design software worth it for a small Indian EPC?
Start free and pay when volume justifies it. OpenSolar’s core design and proposal platform is free. Arka 360’s India plans start at INR 7,500 or INR 8,500 a month plus 18% GST (checked October 2026). The figure depends on which of the two price sets on its page applies.
How much does a PVsyst licence cost in India?
PVsyst 8 Professional costs CHF 700 per seat per year (company shop, checked October 2026). Discounts run from 5% for 2-4 licences to 20% for 10 or more. The shop shows prices only in Swiss francs, with no INR price or VAT statement, so confirm the final invoice before ordering.
Sources
Checked 22 to 25 October 2026.
- Aurora Solar: pricing, G2, Capterra
- Arka 360: India pricing, commercial design page, G2
- OpenSolar: pricing announcement, features, news, G2
- PV*SOL premium: shop, 2026 release, G2
- PVsyst: shop, product page, G2, G2 comparison
- RatedPower: pricing, feature comparison, G2
- HelioScope: pricing, G2
- PVcase Ground Mount: pricing, G2
- SolarEdge Designer: pv magazine USA (2018 release)
- Also considered: Huawei SmartDesign, pv Europe on iSolarDesign, SMA Sunny Design
Last updated 28 October 2026. Next scheduled review: 23 January 2027.