Sunny Design alternatives are tools you can use instead of Sunny Design, SMA’s free tool for planning solar (PV), battery storage and hybrid systems. Pylon ranks first at 76.2/100. PVsyst ranks second at 75.6/100.
Sunny Design sizes strings (the groups of panels wired into one inverter input) against SMA inverters. It also checks yield (how much power the system will make) and self-consumption (the share of solar power a building uses itself). If you only fit SMA, it is hard to beat on price.
The trouble starts when you also sell Fronius, SolarEdge, Enphase or Huawei. Every inverter and device SMA names on its product page is its own. SMA does not say whether other brands can be modelled. We also found no customer proposal or e-signature feature. So many teams look for a Sunny Design alternative, or a second tool to use alongside it.
For a ranked list across every segment, see our best solar design software ranking.
Why do installers look for Sunny Design alternatives?
- Built around SMA kit. String sizing checks strings against SMA inverters. The device list is an SMA BOM (bill of materials, a parts list). If you quote several inverter brands, you need another tool for the rest.
- No sales proposals. You get a schematic circuit diagram, a device list as a CSV file and a cost view. We found no branded proposal, e-signature or CRM (software that tracks customers and sales).
- The best features cost extra. Some need Sunny Design PRO. These are heat pumps, CHP (combined heat and power), EV charging, peak shaving (cutting the highest power draw), tariff tools and 3D model import. PRO costs EUR 600 a year net.
- No user reviews. We found no G2, Capterra or app store listing, and no installer threads. You cannot check how others rate it.
What you would give up: free string sizing checked against SMA’s own rules. You would also give up battery, off-grid and hybrid design at no cost.
Sunny Design at a glance
Item | Sunny Design (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
What it is | SMA’s web planning tool for PV, storage and hybrid systems built on SMA inverters |
Pricing | Free. Sunny Design PRO EUR 600 a year net |
Free plan / trial | Free core tool. 1-month free trial of PRO |
Ratings | No G2, Capterra or app store listing found (October 2026) |
Still suits | Installers who fit only SMA inverters and do proposals in another tool |
Source: SMA Sunny Design, checked October 2026. Read our full Sunny Design review.
Quick picks
Rank | Product | Best for | Starting price (company page, checked October 2026) | Customer proposals | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Design plus proposals, paid per project | ✓ GBP 4 per project | Yes, with eSignature | 76.2 | |
2 | Independent sizing and bankable yield | ✓ CHF 700 a year | No | 75.6 | |
3 | US home sales with financing | ✓ USD 159 per user a month | Yes, with financing | 73.2 | |
4 | Utility-scale PV and BESS | Quote only | No (engineering documents) | 70.7 | |
5 | Heat pumps, EVs and batteries in Europe | ✓ EUR 845 a year + VAT | Customer presentation export | 69.9 | |
6 | C&I rooftop stringing in AutoCAD | Quote only | No | 68.3 | |
7 | C&I yield in a browser | ✓ USD 159 a month | On Pro | 67.5 | |
8 | Ground-mount layout and civil design | Quote only | No | 63.4 | |
9 | Free small jobs. Imports Sunny Design | ✓ Free version. EUR 990 a year | Finance reports | 61.8 | |
10 | US design to permit in one plan | ? USD 2,799 a year | Yes, with financing | 61.5 |
✓ 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 10 tools scored
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
Tool | Score chart | Score |
|---|---|---|
76.2 out of 100 | 76.2 | |
75.6 out of 100 | 75.6 | |
73.2 out of 100 | 73.2 | |
70.7 out of 100 | 70.7 | |
69.9 out of 100 | 69.9 | |
68.3 out of 100 | 68.3 | |
67.5 out of 100 | 67.5 | |
63.4 out of 100 | 63.4 | |
61.8 out of 100 | 61.8 | |
61.5 out of 100 | 61.5 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.7 | 6.7 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 76.2 | |
8.2 | 6.3 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 75.6 | |
7.4 | 7.9 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 73.2 | |
7.4 | 6.9 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 10.0 | 70.7 | |
7.0 | 5.4 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 69.9 | |
6.3 | 6.4 | 4.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 68.3 | |
8.2 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 67.5 | |
5.9 | 8.3 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 5.0 | 63.4 | |
6.7 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 61.8 | |
7.4 | 3.3 | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 61.5 |
A 5.0 on reviews, ease, support or momentum is our neutral score. We use it when public evidence is thin. It is not a judgement.
How did we choose and score these Sunny Design alternatives?
How the score is weighted
- Use-case fit 35%
- User reviews 20%
- Pricing 15%
- Ease of use 10%
- Support 10%
- Momentum 10%
From 22 to 25 October 2026 we scored 13 tools that could replace Sunny Design. We used company pages, price lists and user reviews. We did not test any tool hands-on. Every tool cleared our fit floor (our minimum score for fit). The 10 highest scores are ranked, and three sit under Also considered. Sunny Design itself is not ranked.
- Use-case fit (35%): How well a tool does Sunny Design’s job. That job is string sizing, shading, yield and storage design.
- User reviews (20%): G2 and Capterra ratings. A tool with under eight reviews gets a middle score.
- Pricing (15%): Published prices and free entry points beat quote only (you have to ask the company for a price).
- Ease of use, support and momentum (10% each): Review sub-scores and dated releases.
When we call a tool brand-neutral, we mean its maker does not sell inverters. We did not check each tool’s inverter library. Confirm your brands in a trial or demo. Read the full method.
1. Pylon: best for design plus proposals, paid per project
Best for: UK, Irish and Australian installers who sell solar and batteries to homes and small firms. Score: 76.2/100.
vs Sunny Design: Pylon adds web and PDF proposals with eSignature, and its maker sells no inverters. You pay per project instead of nothing.
What it is: Pylon is a design and proposal tool from a Sydney firm, with an optional solar CRM (software that tracks customers and sales). There is no monthly minimum. You can add as many users as you like.
Why we picked it: It scored highest overall, helped by pricing, support and recent updates, and it adds the customer proposals Sunny Design lacks.
Key features:
- Solar and battery design on aerial images.
- Editable single-line diagrams (SLDs, simple drawings of how the wires connect), added in the July 2026 update.
- Web and PDF proposals with eSignature.
- MCS reports (a UK certification scheme) and support for STC/PDRS (Australian incentive schemes).
- Optional CRM with automations.
Pricing: Standard is GBP 4 per project (up to 30 kW DC). Pro is GBP 10 per project, adding custom load profiles and commercial sizes. Enterprise is quote only. The CRM add-on starts from GBP 49 per user per month. Five free Standard credits come with no card. Checked October 2026 on the Pylon UK pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Small firms only pay when they design a job (Capterra).
- Beginners find the screens and manual friendly (Capterra).
- Quotes are detailed enough to send straight to the client (G2).
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Aerial image quality changes from place to place (Capterra).
- Usage modelling is awkward to set up (Capterra).
- Every design uses a paid credit, so a busy month costs more than a free tool.
Reviews: Capterra 4.6/5 (25 reviews, customer service 4.9/5) and G2 4.3/5 (2 reviews), checked October 2026.
What we could not confirm: US and Australian prices. We could only check the UK price list.
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.
2. PVsyst: best for independent string sizing and bankable yield
Best for: Engineers and EPCs (firms that design and build solar projects) who size systems for lenders. They do not want a tool tied to one inverter maker. Score: 75.6/100.
vs Sunny Design: PVsyst comes from a Swiss software house, not a hardware maker. Its P50/P90 reports (yield forecasts that banks use to judge risk) are the usual bank reference. It has no proposals either.
What it is: PVsyst is Windows software from PVsyst SA for PV simulation and yield checks.
Why we picked it: It sizes strings and yield without tying you to one inverter maker. Lenders know its reports, and its price is public.
Key features:
- Grid-tied, standalone and pumping system sizing.
- 3D near-shading scene with mismatch losses (power lost when panels perform differently).
- P50/P90 yield reports with a loss diagram.
- Battery storage and self-consumption strategies.
- Pulls weather files from Meteonorm 9, PVGIS, NSRDB, Solcast or Solargis.
Pricing: PVsyst 8 Professional is CHF 700 a year per seat, with multi-seat discounts of 5% to 20%. Checked October 2026 in the PVsyst shop. A 30-day evaluation mode uses generic components only.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Reviewers trust its detailed yield modelling (G2 themes).
- The loss breakdown is thorough (G2 themes).
- SketchUp links help with 3D shade scenes (G2 themes).
Cons (from user reviews):
- The screens look old and are complex.
- New users need a lot of time (G2 ease of use 6.7/10, 14 reviews).
- Building 3D scenes is slow work.
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.
3. Aurora Solar: best for US home sales with financing
Best for: US home and light-commercial installers who design and close deals in one tool. Score: 73.2/100.
vs Sunny Design: Aurora adds proposals with financing and bankable (lender-accepted) shade reports. Its maker sells no inverters. It costs from USD 159 per user a month, where Sunny Design is free.
What it is: An online tool from Aurora Solar Inc. that takes a US home job from roof model to signed sale. Its pricing page is written for North America.
Why we picked it: It has strong user ratings (4.7/5 from 121 G2 reviews) and takes a US job from design to signed sale.
Key features:
- 3D design with LIDAR-assisted modelling (laser height data) on Premium.
- Production simulation and shade analysis.
- Battery sizing for backup power, self-use or bill savings.
- Proposals with tax-credit estimates (US credit rules change, check current law) and TPO (third-party ownership, where the customer pays for power instead of buying panels) financing.
Pricing: Basic is USD 159 per user per month, or USD 135 billed annually, for one user and 50 projects a month. Premium is USD 259 (USD 220 billed annually). Enterprise is custom, per project. Checked October 2026 on the Aurora Solar pricing page.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Shade reports and output figures are accurate (Capterra).
- Design results and service are strong (G2 review).
- Training videos make it easy to learn (Capterra).
Cons (from reviews and our research):
- Some reviewers find proposal and finance tools thin for the price (Capterra).
- A G2 reviewer says it does not connect well to other tools.
- There is no free plan, unlike Sunny Design.
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.
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4. RatedPower: best for utility-scale PV and BESS
Best for: Developers, EPCs and IPPs (independent power producers) who plan large solar and storage plants. Score: 70.7/100.
vs Sunny Design: It covers MV/LV (medium and low voltage) design, SLDs and substations for whole plants, not one maker’s devices. It is quote only, where Sunny Design is free.
What it is: RatedPower, from an Enverus company, is a cloud platform for siting, layout, yield and electrical design. It is built for utility-scale plants (very large solar farms).
Why we picked it: It covers whole-plant electrical design, with 305 G2 reviews to judge it by. It only fits utility-scale work.
Key features:
- Plant layouts that respect setbacks, roads and slopes, with earthworks.
- MV/LV electrical design and single-line diagrams.
- BESS (battery energy storage) and hybrid design with dispatch simulation.
- CAPEX (upfront cost) and LCOE (lifetime cost per kWh) studies.
Pricing: Quote only, across Basic, Advanced and Enterprise tiers. Checked October 2026 on the RatedPower pricing page. Demo only.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Reviewers most often praise ease of use (22 G2 mentions).
- Feasibility layouts come together fast (G2).
- Support gets good marks (G2).
Cons (from user reviews):
- Layout handling of land limits draws the most complaints (14 mentions).
- Some BESS and PCS (power conversion system) pairings are missing (G2).
- Drawing options are limited (G2).
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.
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5. PV*SOL premium: best for heat pumps, EVs and batteries in Europe
Best for: European installers who sell PV with heat pumps, EV charging and storage. Score: 69.9/100.
vs Sunny Design: Like Sunny Design PRO, it models heat pumps, EV charging and batteries. It comes from a software house rather than an inverter maker. We found no CHP modelling. It costs EUR 845 a year against PRO’s EUR 600.
What it is: PV*SOL premium is desktop 3D design and simulation software from Valentin Software in Germany. It is used for homes and C&I (commercial and industrial) work.
Why we picked it: It covers the heat pump, EV and battery modelling that Sunny Design PRO sells, from a firm that makes no inverters.
Key features:
- 3D design with detailed shading.
- AC- and DC-coupled batteries.
- Heat pump, immersion heater and EV loads.
- Per-consumer tariffs and a load profile library.
- Customer presentation export in PDF or DOCX.
Pricing: EUR 845 per year per named user plus VAT, or EUR 285 for three months. The 2D PV*SOL costs EUR 585 a year. Checked October 2026 in the Valentin shop. There is a 30-day trial.
Pros (from reviews and our research):
- A three-month licence covers a busy season.
- G2 users rate it easy to use (8.2/10 from 10 reviews).
- A new version ships each year: the 2026 release came out on 24 November 2025.
Cons (from our research):
- It is desktop software, with no tablet use like Sunny Design.
- Each named user needs a paid licence.
- We found no e-signature or financing for sales.
Reviews: G2 4.2/5 (12 reviews), checked October 2026.
What we could not confirm: stringing, cable and SLD depth.
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.
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6. PVcase Roof Mount: best for C&I rooftop stringing in AutoCAD
Best for: C&I EPCs and engineering firms who design large roofs in AutoCAD (a drawing program). Score: 68.3/100.
vs Sunny Design: It goes past string sizing to MPPT setup, cable trays, cable sizing and SLD export. Its maker sells no inverters. It is quote only.
What it is: PVcase Roof Mount is a rooftop design tool that runs in AutoCAD, from PVcase in Lithuania. It targets C&I teams, not homes.
Why we picked it: It goes deeper on stringing, cables and SLDs than Sunny Design. Reviewers rate its ease of use and support very highly.
Key features:
- Stringing and MPPT (the inverter input that tracks each string’s best power) configuration.
- Cable trays, 3D cabling, cable sizing and voltage drop.
- SLD and BOM export.
- Shading, irradiance and energy simulation, with PVsyst export.
Pricing: Quote only, with one Professional plan. Checked October 2026 on the PVcase Roof Mount pricing page. Demo only.
Pros (from reviews and our research):
- Reviewers say it saves time (G2 theme).
- CAD users get going quickly (G2 ease of use 9.1/10 from 16 reviews).
- Support is rated very highly (9.8/10 on G2).
Cons (from our research):
- No public price, so you need a sales call.
- It is not built for home installs.
- PanelClaw ballast reports (the weight that holds a flat-roof system down) only cover Eurocode countries.
Reviews: G2 4.6/5 (17 reviews), checked October 2026.
What we could not confirm: whether you need your own AutoCAD licence.
Want to see PVcase Roof Mount 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 yield in a browser
Best for: C&I designers who want fast layouts and yield on any computer. Score: 67.5/100.
vs Sunny Design: It also runs on the web, but its maker (Aurora Solar Inc.) sells no inverters. Proposals need the Pro tier.
What it is: HelioScope is a web design and performance tool for C&I and small utility projects up to 30 MW DC.
Why we picked it: It scored high on fit for browser-based yield and storage design, and its price is public.
Key features:
- Rooftop, carport and ground-mount layout.
- Shading and wiring-loss modelling.
- Output the company says is within 1% of PVsyst.
- Storage design on every plan.
- Financial modelling and proposals on Pro.
Pricing: Basic is USD 159 a month, or USD 1,620 a year if billed yearly (one user, up to 1.25 MW DC). Pro is USD 259 a month or USD 2,640 a year (up to 5 MW DC). Enterprise is custom, up to 30 MW DC. Checked October 2026 on the HelioScope pricing page. A free trial is offered.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Simple screens that are quick to learn (G2).
- Fast, accurate layouts and loss figures.
- Reports and SLDs come out quickly.
Cons (from user reviews):
- The subscription is costly for occasional users.
- Yearly project limits bite on big systems.
- US units are the default, say reviewers in India and Mexico.
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.
8. PVcase Ground Mount: best for ground-mount layout and civil design
Best for: Developers and EPCs who lay out ground-mount plants on uneven land. Score: 63.4/100.
vs Sunny Design: It adds terrain, grading and piling work that Sunny Design does not touch, plus stringing and SLDs. It is quote only.
What it is: PVcase’s plant design tool works inside a CAD program. Teams use it to lay out large ground-mount sites. They then plan earthworks and wiring.
Why we picked it: It has strong user ratings (4.7/5 from 415 reviews in G2’s search listing) and covers terrain and civil work.
Key features:
- Terrain-following layouts for fixed tilt and trackers.
- Slope, grading heatmaps and piling (driving support posts into the ground) analysis.
- Stringing, cable sizing and single-line diagrams.
- BESS layout, AC and DC coupled.
- BOM export and export to PVsyst.
Pricing: Quote only, with one Professional plan. Checked October 2026 on the PVcase Ground Mount pricing page. Demo only.
Pros (from user reviews):
- Tracker and fixed-tilt layouts take far less time, say G2 reviewers.
- CAD users feel at home, and sending scenes to PVsyst saves hours (G2).
- Slopes are handled well, and support usually answers within a day (G2).
Cons (from user reviews):
- Reviewers want more automation in its SLD and cable tools (G2).
- Smaller firms call the price high (G2).
- Expect to train new staff before they are quick (G2).
Reviews: G2 4.7/5 (415 reviews in G2’s search listing), checked October 2026.
Read our full PVcase Ground Mount review.
Want to see PVcase Ground Mount working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
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9. Archelios PRO: best free option for small jobs, with Sunny Design import
Best for: French and European installers who want free design for small homes and room to grow. Score: 61.8/100.
vs Sunny Design: Like Sunny Design, it has a free version (up to 9 kWp, a measure of panel size, says the product page). It handles micro-inverters and optimisers (small devices fitted to each panel). It can import Sunny Design projects.
What it is: French firm Trace Software makes this desktop tool for 3D layout, yield and project finance. It links to SketchUp, and to Revit on the top plan.
Why we picked it: It has a free version for small jobs and imports Sunny Design projects, so the move is gentle.
Key features:
- Automatic table layout and inverter and string setup, including micro-inverters and optimisers.
- SMA Sunny Design and K2 Base import.
- Near and far shading with several weather sources.
- Self-consumption with Enedis/Linky or BDEW load profiles and batteries.
Pricing: A free version covers small projects (9 kWp, says the product page). Silver is EUR 990 a year (up to 100 kWp per project). Gold is EUR 1,490 (up to 1 MWp). Platinum is EUR 1,990 with no limit. All exclude VAT. Checked October 2026 in the Trace Software shop.
Pros (from our research):
- You can bring Sunny Design projects with you.
- Small home jobs stay free.
- Finance outputs (net present value, internal rate of return and payback) help you build the business case.
Cons (from our research):
- Paid plans are capped by project size until Platinum.
- Full electrical design is in archelios CALC, sold on its own.
- It is built for France, and the pages we used are in French.
Reviews: No user reviews found as of October 2026 (G2 lists it with 0 reviews).
What we could not confirm: the free version’s cap. The product page says 9 kWp, but earlier research found a different figure.
Read our Archelios alternatives.
Want to see Archelios PRO working? Book a demo with the SolarSoftwares team.
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10. Solargraf: best for US design to permit in one plan
Best for: US and Canadian home installers who want design, proposals, financing and plan sets together. Score: 61.5/100.
vs Sunny Design: It adds proposals, financing, CRM and permit plan sets. Enphase owns it. Check that it covers every inverter brand you sell.
What it is: Solargraf is an all-in-one design, proposal, financing and permitting platform. Enphase bought it with Sofdesk in 2021.
Why we picked it: It covers design, proposals, financing and permits in one plan for US installers, and it ships updates often.
Key features:
- 3D design with auto roofline and obstacle detection.
- Permit-ready SLDs, three-line diagrams and plan sets (NEC 2026, the US electrical code).
- Proposals with Concert, LightReach and EnFin financing.
- CRM and sales dashboard.
Pricing: Annual bundles: Starter USD 2,799 (240 projects, 2 users), Small Business USD 4,799, Teams USD 6,399 and Enterprise USD 12,999 (1,500 projects, unlimited users). Checked October 2026 on the Solargraf pricing page.
Pros (from reviews and our research):
- One tool runs from proposal to permit (Capterra).
- Clients find proposals and contracts clear (Capterra).
- Plan sets draw on a database of more than 14,000 AHJs (local permit offices).
Cons (from user reviews):
- Reviewers report crashes, and bad property data can throw off the 3D model (Capterra).
- Reviewers find it expensive (Capterra).
- Support waits have grown (Capterra).
Reviews: Capterra 3.2/5 (15 reviews), checked October 2026.
Read our full Solargraf review or our Solargraf alternatives.
Want to see Solargraf 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 modelling, array layout and proposals in one browser project. Compare required imports, design depth and local outputs on your own project. 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.
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How do the 10 Sunny Design alternatives compare?
This table shows what changes when you leave Sunny Design.
Product | Entry price (checked October 2026) | Maker sells inverters? | Proposals | Electrical output | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Free. PRO EUR 600/year | Yes (SMA) | Not found | Schematic diagram, SMA device list | Web, iPad, Android tablet | |
GBP 4/project | No | Yes | Editable SLDs | Cloud | |
CHF 700/year | No | No | Not a focus | Windows | |
USD 159/user/month | No | Yes | Plan sets on Enterprise | Cloud | |
Quote only | No | No | MV/LV, SLDs | Cloud | |
EUR 845/year + VAT | No | Presentation export | Not confirmed | Desktop | |
Quote only | No | No | Stringing, cables, SLD | AutoCAD | |
USD 159/month | No | On Pro | SLDs (per reviews) | Cloud | |
Quote only | No | No | Stringing, cables, SLDs | AutoCAD | |
Free version | No | Finance reports | Simple SLD. Full in CALC | Desktop | |
USD 2,799/year | Owned by Enphase | Yes | SLDs, three-lines, plan sets | Cloud |
Also considered
- SolarPlus: Scored 61.4/100. This Australian tool covers design, quoting and off-grid work. It starts from USD 135 a month (annual). It has one G2 review.
- SolarEdge Designer: Scored 56.6/100. SolarEdge launched it as a free design tool built around SolarEdge kit, so it ties you to one brand just as Sunny Design does. We could only confirm its facts from a 2018 press release and a 2020 article. See our SolarEdge Designer alternatives.
- GoodWe EzDesigner: Scored 52.8/100. This is GoodWe’s free design tool for its own inverters and batteries. We could not reach GoodWe’s own page. We found no dated updates since its October 2024 relaunch.
How do you choose a Sunny Design alternative?
- If you left Sunny Design because you need customer proposals, pick Pylon (UK, Australia, Ireland) or Aurora Solar (US).
- If you need string sizing and yield for any brand you specify, pick PVsyst.
- If you used Sunny Design PRO for heat pumps and EVs, pick PV*SOL premium.
- If you also fit SolarEdge or GoodWe kit, their free tools (also considered) cover their own brands. Keep Sunny Design for SMA jobs.
- If you design large C&I roofs, pick PVcase Roof Mount or HelioScope.
- If you build utility plants, pick RatedPower or PVcase Ground Mount.
- If you want a free start and to carry over Sunny Design projects, try Archelios PRO.
For more options, see our free solar design software list. Home installers can read our residential solar design software ranking. For big sites, see our commercial and utility-scale rankings.
Want more choices? Browse every tool we checked in our design and simulation category.
How do you switch from Sunny Design?
- Download the schematic diagram, device list (CSV) and yield report for every live project.
- Redraw one recent SMA job in the new tool and compare string sizes and yield.
- Build your proposal and cost templates in the new tool. We found no documented Sunny Design import except in Archelios PRO.
- Keep Sunny Design for SMA-only jobs while your team learns the new tool.
Sunny Design alternatives FAQs
Is there an alternative to SMA Sunny Design for other inverter brands?
Yes. PVsyst, Pylon, Aurora Solar and PV*SOL premium come from software firms that do not sell inverters. As of October 2026, SMA does not say whether Sunny Design can model other brands. Check your brands in a trial before you switch.
Is Sunny Design free?
Yes, the core tool is free, though some features need a registered account. Sunny Design PRO costs EUR 600 a year net, with a 1-month free trial (checked October 2026). PRO adds heat pumps, CHP (combined heat and power), EV charging, peak shaving and tariff tools.
Is Sunny Design accurate enough for yield estimates?
It forecasts yield and self-consumption with shading losses, but it is not the usual tool for lender reports. For bankable P50/P90 yield (a forecast lenders accept), PVsyst is the common reference. It costs from CHF 700 a year (October 2026).
What is the best free string sizing tool?
For SMA inverters, Sunny Design itself is free. For other kit, Archelios PRO has a free version up to 9 kWp per project, says its product page (October 2026). SolarEdge Designer and GoodWe EzDesigner launched as free tools for their own brands, but we could not check their current terms.
Can Sunny Design create customer proposals?
Not that we could find. SMA’s product page lists no proposal or e-signature feature (October 2026). Pylon (from GBP 4 per project), Aurora Solar and Solargraf all build customer proposals. Pylon adds eSignature, and the other two add financing to their proposals.
Can I import my Sunny Design projects into another tool?
Only Archelios PRO documents a Sunny Design import, and it has a free version for small jobs. We found no import in the other tools we ranked. Download the schematic diagram, device list and yield report for every live project before you switch.
Sources
All read 22 to 25 October 2026.
- Sunny Design: product page, SMA planning support
- Pylon: UK pricing, Capterra, G2, July 2026 update
- PVsyst: shop, G2, G2 comparison
- Aurora Solar: pricing, G2, Capterra
- RatedPower: pricing, G2
- PV*SOL premium: shop, G2
- PVcase Roof Mount: pricing, G2 comparison
- HelioScope: pricing, G2
- PVcase Ground Mount: pricing, G2
- Archelios PRO: shop, product page
- Solargraf: pricing, Capterra
- SolarPlus: pricing
- SolarEdge Designer: press release (2018)
- GoodWe EzDesigner: energynomics (October 2024)
Last updated 28 October 2026. Next scheduled review: 23 January 2027.