Solar software is a set of programs that help a UK installer design systems, write proposals, run jobs and file paperwork. Payaca ranks first on this list, at 78.1/100, because it covers MCS and DNO paperwork in one pipeline.
Payaca documents MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) paperwork. It also handles DNO (distribution network operator) G98/G99 grid submissions through ENA Connect, the network operators’ online portal. G98 is the notice for a small system, and G99 is the application for a larger one.
We ranked 6 tools out of 13 scored. Pylon ranks second at 73.6/100.
What do UK installers need that others do not?
A UK domestic job carries paperwork that US-built tools rarely model. MCS certification needs performance and structural calculations and handover documents. The DNO needs a G98 notification or a G99 application.
Many UK installers also fit batteries and heat pumps, so a PV-only tool covers just part of the sale. Prices in GBP, ex VAT (before tax), matter for budgeting too. Several of the best-known US tools publish only USD prices.
So we scored each tool on how many of those jobs it covers. Global tools with no named UK presence scored lower, because local paperwork and GBP billing matter here.
Design specialists such as Easy PV and PVsyst still earn a place. The table below gives the top pick for each job and links to the UK page that ranks it in full. The global field is on our best solar software hub.
Which solar software is the top pick for each job?
Job | Top pick for UK installers | Why | Full ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
Domestic design | Per-project pricing, MCS reports, editable SLDs | ||
Free design with MCS calcs and DNO forms | Free Basic plan from distributor Midsummer | ||
Proposals | GBP 4 per proposal on Standard, eSignature per project | ||
CRM, MCS and DNO paperwork | MCS documents and G98/G99 via ENA Connect in one pipeline | ||
Solar plus heat pumps | 3D PV design, heat pump planning and CRM together | ||
Scheduling and field teams | Map-based scheduling and an offline field app | ||
C&I and solar farm yield | The yield reference engineers and lenders’ advisers expect |
Which tool is best for design and proposals?
Pylon ranks first in our UK design ranking. Easy PV is the zero-budget pick there. Its free Basic plan includes MCS structural and performance calculations, an automatic schematic and automated DNO forms.
PV*SOL premium (EUR 845 a year) is the desktop choice when you must model batteries, heat pumps and EV loads together.
Distributors also supply quoting tools. Segen’s trade portal has Quick Quote, a heat pump designer and a battery calculator. Its new design tool was still listed as coming soon in June 2026.
Which tool is best for CRM, MCS and DNO paperwork?
Payaca leads our UK solar CRM ranking. A CRM (customer relationship manager) is software that tracks your customers and sales. Payaca is the only CRM we found that documents both MCS paperwork and G98/G99 submissions through ENA Connect.
Pylon’s CRM add-on (from GBP 49 per user per month) suits teams who already design in Pylon. CRM tools across all markets sit in our CRM and lead management category.
Which tool is best for operations, field teams and monitoring?
Payaca covers scheduling, stock and invoicing for clean-tech installers. If you also run heating or electrical service work, see Commusoft and BigChange at 5 and 6 below.
We found no UK-specific monitoring platform in this research. Most installers use the inverter maker’s portal. See solar monitoring software for fleet options.
Quick picks
Rank | Product | Best for | Starting price (company page, checked October 2026) | Pricing model | Free plan / trial | UK presence | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | MCS and DNO paperwork in one pipeline | ✓ GBP 299 per month ex VAT (Accelerator, new businesses). Growth GBP 1,199 | Monthly subscription, users included | Demo only | UK-built | 78.1 | |
2 | Small installers paying per job | ✓ GBP 4 per project | Per project, unlimited users | 5 free project credits | UK pricing page, MCS reports | 73.6 | |
3 | Free design and proposals | ✓ Free (API and connectors paid, rates not published) | Free core. Paid add-ons | Free plan | UK named among company’s markets | 64.2 | |
4 | PV, storage and heat pumps from one platform | Quote only | Not published | Demo only | UK site (en-gb). German company | 62.5 | |
5 | Heating and service firms that also fit solar | Quote only (minimum 4 licences) | Per licence per month, 12-month contract | Demo only | UK company | 55.2 | |
6 | Firms with large mobile workforces | Quote only | Not published | Demo only | Based in Leeds, UK | 47.2 |
✓ 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 6 tools scored
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
Tool | Score chart | Score |
|---|---|---|
78.1 out of 100 | 78.1 | |
73.6 out of 100 | 73.6 | |
64.2 out of 100 | 64.2 | |
62.5 out of 100 | 62.5 | |
55.2 out of 100 | 55.2 | |
47.2 out of 100 | 47.2 |
Each bar shows the weighted score out of 100. Tools marked (general) are general tools that are not solar-specific.
Sub-scores at a glance (0-10)
Product | Use-case fit | User reviews | Pricing | Ease of use | Support | Momentum | Total /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.7 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 78.1 | |
5.9 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 73.6 | |
5.2 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 64.2 | |
6.7 | 6.6 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 62.5 | |
3.0 | 8.2 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 5.0 | 55.2 | |
3.0 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 47.2 |
A 5.0 on reviews, ease, support or momentum is our neutral value where public evidence is thin, not a judgement.
How did we rank these UK solar software tools?
How the score is weighted
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
We considered 14 products and scored 13 from 22 to 25 October 2026, using company documents, pricing pages and public user reviews. We excluded the Midsummer Kit Builder because we could not find a company page confirming it exists. This was desk research. We did not run projects in any tool. We score each product on six criteria:
- Use-case fit (35%): How well it does this page’s job. Here that means breadth across design, proposals, CRM, compliance paperwork and operations. Global tools with no named UK presence in our research score lower.
- User reviews (20%): G2, Capterra and Trustpilot ratings. Ratings based on only a few reviews count for less. With fewer than 8 reviews, a product gets a middle score of 5 out of 10.
- Pricing (15%): Free and published pricing score higher than quote-only.
- Ease of use, support and momentum (10% each): Review sub-scores and dated release notes. Each gets a middle score without evidence.
13 scored: 6 ranked (4 solar tools and 2 general tools), 7 also considered. Only 4 solar tools reach our minimum match score (4 out of 10). Commusoft and BigChange have no solar features, but we rank them 5 and 6, labelled as general, so you have more than four options.
Scores are specific to each page, so the same tool can score differently elsewhere. SurgePV is not part of this ranking. Full method: how we score software.
1. Payaca: best for MCS and DNO paperwork in one pipeline
Best for: UK installers of solar, batteries, heat pumps and EV chargers who want one system from enquiry to commissioned install. Score: 78.1/100.
What it is: Payaca is a UK-built platform for CRM, quoting, scheduling, compliance and invoicing. It is aimed at small and mid-sized clean-tech installers, and solar is one of several trades it serves. It added euro support for Ireland in October 2026.
Why we picked it: It is the only tool we found that handles MCS documents and G98/G99 submissions in the same pipeline as quotes, scheduling and invoicing. It also has UK prices in GBP and high Capterra ratings (4.9/5, 19 reviews).
Key features:
- MCS documents and DNO G98/G99 applications via ENA Connect.
- Multi-option proposals with e-signature, customer portal and Stripe deposits.
- Map-based scheduling and an offline field app with timesheets.
- Stock and purchase orders per project, plus Xero and QuickBooks sync.
- Glow in-app roof design and string planning (limited release, September-October 2026).
- Integrations with OpenSolar, Easy PV and Heatpunk.
Pricing: All prices are ex VAT. Checked October 2026 on the Payaca UK pricing page.
- Accelerator: GBP 299 per month (GBP 249 billed annually). It is for new install businesses only, for 12 months and up to 25 users.
- Growth: GBP 1,199 per month (GBP 999 annually), with 25 users included, plus GBP 1,500 one-off onboarding.
- Scale: GBP 1,999 (GBP 1,666 annually) with 50 users.
- Scale Max: GBP 3,199. Enterprise: custom.
- SMS: 4p per message.
Pros (from user reviews): From Capterra reviewers.
- It is intuitive and easy to use.
- Interactive multi-option quotes save office time: one reviewer cut admin work by over 60%.
- The support team responds fast and acts on feedback.
Cons (from user reviews):
- Some data mapped incorrectly in the Xero sync (October 2025 review).
- One email address per project is awkward for repeat customers.
- The mobile app is weaker than the web app, and layouts change often.
Reviews: Capterra 4.9/5 (19 reviews) and G2 4.0/5 (1 review), checked October 2026. Most Capterra reviews date from 2021-2024, and none is explicitly from a solar installer.
Want to see Payaca 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. Pylon: best for small installers paying per job
Best for: Domestic and small commercial installers who want design, proposals and an optional CRM without a per-seat subscription. Score: 73.6/100.
What it is: Pylon is a design and proposal tool built in Sydney. It has a UK pricing page, MCS reports and unlimited users. Its customers are small and mid-sized installers in Australia, the UK, Ireland and the US. It published dated product updates through July 2026, including a single-line diagram editor.
Why we picked it: You pay per job with unlimited users, which suits a small UK firm with uneven work. It adds MCS reports and has 25 Capterra reviews behind it.
Key features:
- Solar and battery design on aerial imagery.
- MCS reports for UK jobs.
- Web and PDF proposals with eSignature and financial projections.
- Editable SLDs (single-line diagrams), added July 2026.
- Optional CRM with automations, plus an API (a link for other software) with webhooks (automatic alerts to other apps).
Pricing: Standard is GBP 4 per project up to 30 kW DC. Pro is GBP 10 per project (custom load profiles, commercial sizes of 99 kW and up), and Enterprise is quote only. The CRM add-on starts at GBP 49 per user per month. eSignature is shown as "80c" per project, and the payment gateway takes 2.5% per transaction. You get five free Standard credits, with no card needed. Checked October 2026 on the Pylon UK pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews): From Capterra and G2 reviewers.
- Paying per job keeps costs low for a small UK firm with an uneven workload.
- Customers get detailed, thorough proposals.
- Beginners get a manual, and most find the layout friendly, though one G2 reviewer says it takes time to pick up.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Imagery quality and age vary by location, so some UK roofs are harder to draw.
- Usage modelling is awkward to use.
- It does not handle DNO G98/G99 submissions or job scheduling, so you need a second tool for those.
Reviews: Capterra 4.6/5 (25 reviews) and G2 4.3/5 (2 reviews), checked October 2026. Most Capterra reviews date from 2021-2023.
What we could not confirm: which plan covers systems of 30 to 99 kW, and the currency of the "80c" eSignature fee.
Read our full Pylon review or our Pylon alternatives.
Want to see Pylon 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 free design and proposals
Best for: UK installers who want design to signed proposal at no subscription cost. Score: 64.2/100.
What it is: OpenSolar is a free design and proposal platform from OpenSolar Inc., funded by hardware, finance and imagery partners. The company lists the UK among its markets and pushed its hardware shop in the UK in 2026. Payaca integrates with it, so the two can work as a low-cost pair.
Why we picked it: The core design and proposal tool costs nothing, and the company names the UK as a market. Payaca links to it, so you can pair the two cheaply.
Key features:
- 3D and 2D rooftop design with shading, plus AI design in OS 3.0.
- Interactive web proposals with e-signature and payment collection.
- AI lead generation and lead capture.
- Hardware shop with distributors.
Pricing: The core platform is free. From 16 April 2026, two add-ons are charged at rates the company does not publish. These are API access (usage-based, 30-day free trial) and Xero or QuickBooks connectors (monthly fee per company). Checked October 2026 on OpenSolar’s pricing announcement.
Pros (from reviews and our research):
- Adding and changing panels is very easy, say G2 reviewers.
- The interactive app gives your team information in the field.
- You pay no per-seat or per-project fee for the core platform.
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Panel design lacks automatic customisation, so an engineer still needs to review it.
- Reviewers say it is "not completely free": API access and accounting connectors cost extra at unpublished rates.
- You need another tool, such as Easy PV or Payaca, for MCS calculations and DNO forms.
Reviews: G2 4.8/5 (3 reviews), checked October 2026. That is too few to rely on.
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. Reonic: best for installers selling PV, storage and heat pumps together
Best for: Installers who design and sell PV, batteries, wallboxes and heat pumps from one platform. Score: 62.5/100.
What it is: Reonic is an all-in-one installer platform from Reonic GmbH in Germany, with a UK site. It covers 3D PV design, yield simulation, proposals, CRM and project management, plus heat pump planning. Most customers sell solar, storage, wallboxes and heat pumps, mainly in German-speaking Europe and now the UK.
Why we picked it: It plans PV, batteries and heat pumps in one tool, which few rivals do. It has a UK site and 33 Trustpilot reviews.
Key features:
- 3D roof model from satellite, orthophoto (a corrected aerial photo) or drone scans, with auto-layout.
- Shading and hourly yield forecasts.
- Proposal configurator with profitability, branded PDF and e-signature.
- CRM, tasks, site visits and a customer portal.
- Heat pump planning alongside PV and storage.
Pricing: Quote only, and you can book a demo. Checked October 2026 on the Reonic UK product page.
Pros (from user reviews): From Trustpilot reviewers.
- A UK reviewer likes the heat loss and system design tools and the clean layout (March 2026).
- New customers get strong onboarding support (UK, March 2026).
- Energy-flow simulation and fast proposals helped one firm sell more (Germany, September 2024).
Cons (from our research):
- Pricing is quote only, so you cannot compare costs before a demo.
- Some listed services, such as grid registration and KfW state-bank funding, are for Germany only.
- Its review base is thin: Trustpilot only, with none on Capterra and no G2 listing.
Reviews: Trustpilot 4.5/5 (33 reviews), checked October 2026. Capterra lists it as "360 household" with no reviews, and we found no G2 listing.
What we could not confirm: any MCS or DNO paperwork, or a dated changelog. Trustpilot also notes the company has not recently invited reviews, so the rating may not be typical.
Read our Reonic alternatives.
Want to see Reonic 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. Commusoft (general field-service software): best for heating and service firms that also fit solar
Best for: UK installers whose heating, plumbing or electrical service work outweighs PV. Score: 55.2/100.
What it is: Commusoft is UK job-management software from Commusoft Ltd. It serves heating, plumbing, electrical and renewables trades. It links a renewables industry page, but we found no solar features such as MCS or DNO handling.
Why we picked it: It is a UK job-management tool with a large, positive review base. It earns a place for firms whose service work outweighs solar, not for solar features.
Key features:
- Job tracking and scheduling, with suggested and automatic appointments.
- A mobile app for engineers.
- Asset management and planned maintenance, with SFG20 import.
- Supplier invoice import and automated invoicing.
- Fleet and vehicle tracking (Fleet+).
- A separate Commusoft Sales CRM module.
Pricing: Quote only, per licence per month on a 12-month contract. There is a minimum of 4 licences and mandatory paid onboarding. Rolling and daily licence types are also on offer. Checked October 2026 on the Commusoft pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews): From Capterra reviewers.
- Live billing and parts tracking cut payment delays.
- The desktop and mobile apps together save a lot of admin time.
- Engineers find the mobile app simple, and the office has everything in one place.
Cons (from user reviews):
- You cannot bulk-delete old data, which causes storage problems.
- You must buy extra storage when you run out.
- The engineer map view is laggy.
Reviews: Capterra 4.7/5 (212 reviews), G2 4.8/5 (41 reviews) and Trustpilot 4.1/5 (17 reviews, commusoft.com profile), checked October 2026.
Want to see Commusoft (general field-service software) 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. BigChange (general field-service software): best for firms with large mobile workforces
Best for: Trade firms with many engineers on the road who want CRM, scheduling and vehicle tracking in one place. Score: 47.2/100.
What it is: BigChange is a job-management platform based in Leeds, UK. It combines CRM, scheduling, a mobile app, vehicle tracking, quotes and invoicing. Firms across many trades use it. We found no solar features.
Why we picked it: It is a UK platform that joins CRM, scheduling and vehicle tracking for big field teams. We rank it as a general tool, as it has no solar features.
Key features:
- CRM, job scheduling and dispatch.
- An engineer mobile app with live job sync.
- Live vehicle tracking, plus fleet and AI dashcam add-ons.
- Quotes, invoicing and business intelligence dashboards.
- A collaboration network for subcontractors.
- Accounting links and a REST API.
Pricing: Quote only, with no plan names or prices published. "Request pricing" leads to a demo request. Checked October 2026 on the BigChange pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews): From Capterra reviewers.
- CRM, scheduling, fleet tracking and finance sit in one platform and replace several tools.
- The office and engineers’ tablets sync in real time.
- Reviewers praise the RoadCrew support team.
Cons (from user reviews):
- The stock and equipment module is hard to use and rigid.
- Reports are hard to build and export, with little automation.
- Trustpilot reviewers report rigid contracts, upselling, and onboarding and billing problems.
Reviews: Capterra 4.5/5 (270 reviews) and Trustpilot 3.3/5 (141 reviews), checked October 2026. Trustpilot is split. Some praise ease of use and support, while others complain about contracts and billing.
Want to see BigChange (general field-service software) 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 the design-to-proposal part of an installer workflow. It is not a built-in CRM or fleet-monitoring platform. Check local outputs. 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 6 UK solar software tools compare?
Product | Design | MCS paperwork | DNO G98/G99 | Heat pumps | Scheduling | Pricing basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glow (limited release) | Yes | Yes, via ENA Connect | Yes (trade served) | Yes | Monthly, GBP 299+ | |
Yes, with SLDs | MCS reports | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | GBP 4 per project | |
Yes, AI design | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Free core | |
Yes, 3D | Not documented | Not documented | Yes, planning | Tasks and site visits | Quote only | |
No | Not documented | Not documented | Heating trades focus | Yes | Quote, min 4 licences | |
No | Not documented | Not documented | No | Yes | Quote only |
Also considered
- Aurora Solar (58.2/100): Strong 3D design and reviews, but USD-only pricing and no named UK presence in our research, so it scored below the minimum. It ranks third in our UK design ranking.
- PV*SOL premium (52.5): Desktop design with heat pump and EV loads. It is design only, so it is a weak match for a cross-job page.
- PVsyst (50.8): Yield simulation only. It is the tool for C&I (commercial and industrial) and solar farm yield files.
- Easy PV (48.9): The free UK design tool with MCS calcs and DNO forms. It has no CRM or operations, and the last dated update we found is February 2023.
- HelioScope (46.2): Commercial design priced in USD, with no named UK presence.
- SolarEdge Designer (39.2): SolarEdge equipment only, with facts from 2018-2020 press.
- Segen Design Tool and Quick Quote (39.2): Free distributor portal tools with a Segen trade account. The OpenSolar link ended on 18 March 2026, and the new design tool was still "coming soon" in June 2026.
- Midsummer Kit Builder (excluded): We found no company page confirming it exists. Midsummer’s Easy PV covers kit lists.
How do you choose solar software in the UK?
- Do DNO applications and MCS documents eat your office time? Pick Payaca, and pair it with OpenSolar or Easy PV for design. It integrates with both.
- A small domestic installer paying per job should pick Pylon, and add its CRM only when a spreadsheet stops working.
- With zero software budget, use Easy PV for MCS calculations and DNO forms, and OpenSolar for web proposals.
- When heat pumps are a large share of your sales, book demos with Reonic and Payaca. Compare PV*SOL premium for modelling.
- Running a heating or electrical service business that also installs PV? Look at Commusoft for job management.
- For C&I or solar farm design, budget for PVsyst and see our simulation ranking.
- Working in other markets too? Compare our India, Australia and South Africa guides.
UK solar software FAQs
What is the best solar software in the UK?
Payaca is the best solar software in the UK on our October 2026 scores, at 78.1/100. It handles CRM (customer and sales tracking), MCS paperwork and DNO G98/G99 submissions in one UK-built system. Pylon (73.6/100) is best for design and proposals paid per job, at GBP 4 per project.
Is there free solar software for UK installers?
Yes. Easy PV’s Basic plan is free and includes MCS calculations, an automatic schematic, proposals and DNO forms. OpenSolar’s core design and proposal platform is free too, but API access and accounting connectors cost extra. Segen’s portal tools are free with a trade account.
Does solar software need to support MCS and BS 7671?
It should support MCS for certified domestic work. Pylon produces MCS reports, Easy PV runs MCS calculations and Payaca handles MCS documents. None of the tools we scored in October 2026 documents BS 7671 (UK Wiring Regulations) checks, so check your electrical design yourself.
Which solar software do UK lenders accept for yield reports?
We found no UK lender policy that names a tool. For C&I (commercial and industrial) and solar farm finance, engineers and lenders’ advisers expect PVsyst. A seat costs CHF 700 per year (checked October 2026). Domestic design tools give customers estimates, not lender-grade yield reports.
How does UK solar software handle DNO applications and the Smart Export Guarantee?
Payaca submits G98 and G99 applications through ENA Connect. Easy PV automates DNO forms, with automatic DNO application on its Pro plan. As of October 2026, we found no tool in this research that documents Smart Export Guarantee (the scheme that pays for power you send to the grid) applications.
What does solar design software cost in the UK per year?
Easy PV Basic is free. Pro costs GBP 35 plus VAT per user a month, about GBP 420 a year. Pylon charges GBP 4 per Standard project, so cost rises with job count. Payaca Growth is GBP 999 a month billed annually, plus onboarding (all prices checked October 2026).
Sources
All checked 22 to 25 October 2026.
- Payaca: UK pricing, integrations, product updates, Capterra, G2
- Pylon: UK pricing, July 2026 update, Capterra, G2
- OpenSolar: pricing announcement, news, G2
- Reonic: UK product page, Trustpilot
- Commusoft: pricing, Capterra. BigChange: pricing, Capterra, Trustpilot
- Easy PV: pricing and features (Pro billing rechecked 25 October 2026). Segen: trade portal, new design tool
- Aurora Solar: pricing. PV*SOL premium: shop. PVsyst: shop
Last updated 28 October 2026. Next scheduled review: 23 January 2027.