Expert Verified — Written by Nirav Dhanani, CMO at Heaven Green Energy Limited. 8 tools tested for commercial solar proposals. Pricing verified July 2026. Based on 300+ C&I installs delivered and 10+ years structuring commercial solar deals.
A commercial proposal is not a prettier residential quote. The buyer is a CFO, a facility director, or a procurement committee. They want IRR, NPV, and a defensible production estimate — not a sunset render.
Most solar proposal software was built for residential sales. It shows monthly savings and a simple payback chart. That fails in a C&I boardroom, where 6 decision-makers compare 4 bids over 3 months.
We tested 8 platforms on real commercial projects between May and July 2026. We scored each on financial modeling depth, deal structure support, design integration, and proposal output quality. Here is what actually works for C&I teams.
Quick Picks
Best for enterprise C&I sales teams: Aurora Solar
Best for engineering-grade C&I design: Helioscope
Best for design-to-proposal speed: SurgePV
Best for financial modeling depth: Energy Toolbase
Best free option for small C&I: OpenSolar
Best for bankable yield estimates: PVsyst
What Makes a Commercial Proposal Different
Residential proposals sell a feeling — lower bills, energy independence, a nice roof render. Commercial proposals survive scrutiny. A facilities engineer checks your production math. A CFO stress-tests your cash flow assumptions.
The deal structures multiply fast. Cash, loan, lease, PPA, and tax equity each change the savings story. Your software must model all of them, not just the easy ones.
Sales cycles run 3–12 months with multiple stakeholders. The proposal gets forwarded, printed, and compared line by line against 3 competitors. Weak financial assumptions get found, and found means disqualified.
That context shaped our scoring. Visual polish counts for less. Financial defensibility counts for more.
How We Evaluated These Tools
We scored every platform against 6 weighted criteria. The weights reflect what wins C&I deals, not what looks good in a demo.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Financial modeling depth | 25% | IRR, NPV, payback, LCOE, PPA and lease structures |
| Deal structure support | 20% | Cash, loan, lease, PPA, tax equity comparisons |
| Design integration | 20% | Does production data flow from the same model? |
| Proposal output quality | 15% | Branding, layout, client-facing clarity |
| C&I workflow fit | 10% | Multi-user, approvals, project size limits |
| Pricing and value | 10% | Total cost per user per year |
Testing used 3 real projects: a 400 kW rooftop, a 1.2 MW carport, and a 3 MW ground mount. We built a full proposal in each tool and timed the workflow.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Free Trial | Financial Depth | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Enterprise C&I sales teams | ~$4,800/yr per user | Demo only | Strong | Sales Mode + Contract Manager |
| Helioscope | Engineering-grade C&I design | $159/mo | Yes | Moderate (5.2/10 on G2) | DNV-validated simulation |
| SurgePV | Design-to-proposal speed | $1,499/user/yr | Yes | Strong (IRR, NPV, payback) | One workspace, no re-entry |
| Energy Toolbase | Financial modeling depth | $199/user/mo | Demo | Deepest (70,000+ rates) | Utility rate accuracy |
| OpenSolar | Free small C&I | $0 | Free forever | Basic–moderate | $0 with cash/loan/lease/PPA |
| PVsyst | Bankable yield estimates | ~$775/yr | 30 days | Strong (LCOE, NPV, IRR) | Lender-accepted P50/P90 |
| Solargraf | Simple commercial quotes | $2,799/yr | Yes | Basic | 3-minute proposals |
| RatedPower | Utility-scale pre-design | Custom quote | Demo only | Strong (CAPEX, LCOE) | Layout in under 60 seconds |
1. Aurora Solar — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Enterprise C&I Sales Teams
Aurora Solar is the market leader for a reason. Over 7,000 companies run their sales process on it, and the proposal output is the most polished we tested.
What It Does Well
Sales Mode generates a client-ready proposal fast. Aurora reports under 3 minutes from design to document. In our tests, a 400 kW rooftop proposal took about 8 minutes including pricing adjustments.
The enterprise layer is where Aurora separates from the pack. Contract Manager handles e-signatures in-platform. Pricing automations support flat price, price per watt, and per-component models with adders and discounts. Advanced user permissions let sales managers control what reps can change.
Accuracy is a genuine strength. Aurora’s energy yield assessment scores 9.2/10 on G2, and its 3D visualization scores 9.5/10. LIDAR-assisted modeling and HD imagery reduce site visit dependence.
Our Take: Aurora earns its premium if you run a 10+ person C&I sales team with pipeline discipline. For a 3-person EPC, you are paying enterprise prices for features you will never open.
Where It Falls Short
Cost is the obvious issue — pricing is not public, and reviewers report roughly $4,800–$7,200 per user per year. The automated modeling is inconsistent: G2 reviewers describe it as “either spot on or missing a lot.” Complex industrial sites and non-US projects expose real gaps.
Key Features
- Sales Mode proposals with pricing automations and discounts
- Contract Manager with native e-signature
- LIDAR-assisted 3D site modeling with HD imagery
- Sync API and advanced user permissions on higher tiers
Pricing
- Foundation / Build / Grow / Scale: Contact sales — estimated ~$4,800–$7,200/user/year
- Free trial: Demo only; no self-serve trial
Who Should Use Aurora Solar
Strong fit: Enterprise C&I sales organizations, national installers, and dealer networks needing permissions and API access.
Probably not right for: Small EPCs on tight budgets, teams doing complex industrial or international projects.
Read our full Aurora Solar review for deeper analysis.
2. Helioscope — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Engineering-Grade C&I Design
Helioscope was purpose-built for commercial solar. Its sweet spot is 100 kW to 5 MW — exactly where most C&I work lives.
What It Does Well
The simulation engine is the draw. Helioscope runs module-level modeling validated by DNV GL within 1% of PVsyst. Sunstone Credit recognized it as bankable in October 2025 — a first for a web-based platform.
Speed matters for proposal teams. Users report running 4x more layout iterations than with desktop tools. The Pro plan adds P90, P95, and P99 production estimates, which lenders actually ask for.
Proposals ship from the Pro tier with a drag-and-drop editor, custom branding, and one-click sharing. The financial calculator covers NPV, IRR, payback, and LCOE. Ease of use scores 8.9/10 on G2 — the highest in this list.
Our Take: If your proposals must survive an engineer’s review, Helioscope gives you PVsyst-adjacent credibility in a browser. Pair it with Energy Toolbase when the deal needs storage or complex rate modeling.
Where It Falls Short
Financial modeling scores 5.2/10 on G2 — thin next to dedicated tools. There is no native battery modeling, so storage deals require an export to Energy Toolbase or Homer. Projects above 5 MW hit performance issues, and 15 MW is a hard cap.
Key Features
- Module-level simulation, DNV-validated within 1% of PVsyst
- P50, P90, P95, P99 production estimates (Pro and up)
- Drag-and-drop proposal editor with custom branding
- 40,000+ module and 10,000+ inverter database
Pricing
- Basic: $159/month — 1 user, 10 projects/month, 1.25 MW cap
- Pro: $259/month — adds financial modeling, P90+, proposals, 5 MW cap
- Enterprise: Custom — unlimited users, 30 MW cap, PVsyst export
- Free trial: Yes; academic and nonprofit discounts available
Who Should Use Helioscope
Strong fit: C&I EPCs and developers on 100 kW–5 MW rooftop, carport, and ground mount projects.
Probably not right for: Residential installers, utility-scale teams above 15 MW, storage-heavy deals.
See our full Helioscope review.
3. SurgePV — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Design-to-Proposal Speed
Full disclosure: SurgePV is our product. We rank it #3 here honestly — Aurora and Helioscope are stronger for enterprise C&I teams. Where we win is workflow compression.
What It Does Well
Problem: Most C&I teams design in one tool, model financials in a spreadsheet, and assemble the proposal in a third. Agitate: Every handoff re-enters data, and mismatched numbers kill credibility with technical buyers. Solution: SurgePV runs design, simulation, financials, and the proposal in one cloud workspace.
The 3D design module handles rooftop modeling, module layout, string sizing, and BOM generation. Shadow analysis runs physics-based irradiance on the same 3D model. The generation and financial tool produces yield estimates with payback, IRR, and NPV in the same workspace.
The proposal pulls directly from that data — branded PDFs with financials and visuals, no re-entry. Clara AI assists with proposal copy. Achieve: In our internal timing, a 400 kW commercial proposal took under 45 minutes from blank canvas to client-ready document.
Our Take: We built SurgePV for the EPC who loses deals to faster bidders. If your bottleneck is the 3-tool shuffle, one workspace removes it. If your bottleneck is enterprise pipeline management, buy Aurora instead.
Where It Falls Short
We do not offer a native CRM yet — it is planned, not live. There is no public API for headless proposal generation. Tariff library coverage varies by region, and our enterprise permission controls are thinner than Aurora’s.
Key Features
- 3D design with module layout, string sizing, and automated BOM
- Physics-based shadow analysis on cloud-rendered models
- Yield simulation with payback, IRR, and NPV in one workspace
- Branded PDF proposals with Clara AI writing assistance
Pricing
- Individual: $1,899/year — 3 users, all features included
- For 3 Users: $1,499/user/year — all features, no feature gating
- For 5 Users: $1,299/user/year — same full feature set
- Free trial: Yes; book a demo for a live project walkthrough
Who Should Use SurgePV
Strong fit: Small and mid-size EPCs who want design, financials, and proposals without tool-switching.
Probably not right for: Enterprise sales teams needing CRM depth, or lenders who contractually require PVsyst reports.
See SurgePV pricing for plan details — transparent rates, all features included.
4. Energy Toolbase — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Financial Modeling Depth
Energy Toolbase does one thing better than anyone: the money math behind C&I solar and storage. Over 1,500 distributed energy organizations use it.
What It Does Well
The utility rate database is the core asset — 70,000+ rates across 1,200+ territories, maintained by an in-house team. When your proposal’s savings claim depends on the correct tariff, this matters more than any visual polish.
Financial modeling covers NPV, IRR, payback, and cash flow with multi-value stream analysis. Demand charge reduction, time-of-use arbitrage, and grid services revenue all model natively. NEM 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 scenarios are supported out of the box.
Storage modeling is the second pillar. Acumen EMS optimizes battery dispatch with 24-hour forecasting, and the platform is hardware-agnostic across major battery brands. Proposals generate as professional web URLs with unlimited runs. SunGreen Systems cut proposal time from 16 hours to 1–2 hours using it.
Our Take: For storage-attached C&I deals above 500 kW, Energy Toolbase is the financial engine we trust most. It is not a design tool — budget for Helioscope or SurgePV alongside it.
Where It Falls Short
There are no native design capabilities — no 3D modeling, no shade analysis, no panel layout. CRM integration is absent, though Salesforce sync is on the roadmap. You will always run a second tool for design.
Key Features
- 70,000+ utility rates maintained by a dedicated team
- Solar + storage financial analysis with multi-value stream modeling
- Acumen EMS battery dispatch optimization, hardware-agnostic
- Instant PPA quotes via financing partner integrations
Pricing
- ETB Developer: $199/user/month — 10% annual discount
- Acumen EMS / ETB Monitor: Custom quote per project
- Free trial: Demo available; no self-serve trial
Who Should Use Energy Toolbase
Strong fit: C&I developers, ESCOs, and financiers modeling storage and complex rate structures.
Probably not right for: Teams wanting one tool for design plus proposal, or budget-constrained startups.
Read our full Energy Toolbase review.
Cut Your C&I Proposal Time to Under 45 Minutes
SurgePV combines 3D design, shadow analysis, financial modeling, and branded proposals in one cloud workspace.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
5. OpenSolar — Best Free Commercial Proposal Tool for Small C&I
OpenSolar is free — genuinely free, with unlimited projects and users. For small C&I shops watching cash flow, that changes the math entirely.
What It Does Well
The proposal workflow is fast. Users report proposals in under 2 minutes for standard jobs. Cash, loan, lease, and PPA payment types all model natively, with markup, tiered, and fixed pricing schemes.
The platform covers the full sales loop — 3D design, CRM, proposals, e-signature, and payments. Mobile apps for iOS and Android carry the complete workflow. 28,000+ professionals across 185+ countries have created 6M+ designs on it.
Commercial work fits up to 500 kW in 3D, with 2D design for 500 kW–1 MW projects. That covers small C&I rooftops comfortably. Accuracy is third-party validated by a US government agency and PVEL.
Our Take: For a 2–5 person shop bidding sub-500 kW commercial jobs, OpenSolar at $0 is hard to argue against. Know the ceiling before you build your process on it.
Where It Falls Short
The 500 kW 3D cap excludes mid-size C&I. Photogrammetry replaces LIDAR, so precision trails Aurora and Helioscope. Electrical depth is limited — no NEC-compliant modeling, no voltage rise calculation, no AC cable sizing.
Key Features
- Free all-in-one platform — design, CRM, proposals, e-signature
- Cash, loan, lease, and PPA payment modeling
- Full iOS and Android apps with design and signing
- Financing integrations for US, UK, and AU markets
Pricing
- Free tier: $0 — unlimited projects, unlimited users, all features
- HD Premium Imagery: Optional paid bundles
- Free trial: Not needed — the product is free forever
Who Should Use OpenSolar
Strong fit: Small installers mixing residential and light commercial under 500 kW.
Probably not right for: Mid-size C&I above 500 kW, bank-grade engineering, or enterprise CRM needs.
See our full OpenSolar review.
6. PVsyst — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Bankable Yield Estimates
PVsyst is not proposal software — we include it because lenders decide whether your C&I deal closes. Its production estimate is the number banks trust.
What It Does Well
Bankability is the entire story. Billions in solar projects have been financed on PVsyst reports, and most financiers will not accept substitutes. P50, P90, P95, and P99 uncertainty analysis comes standard.
The technical depth is unmatched — 25+ loss categories, bifacial modeling, sub-hourly simulation, and BESS support. Design and engineering scores 9.4/10 on G2, the highest rating we found. The component database holds 14,000+ modules and 4,500+ inverters.
Economic analysis covers LCOE, NPV, IRR, ROI, and payback with multi-tariff comparisons. Reports are detailed enough for independent engineer review. At roughly $775 per year, it is also the cheapest serious tool on this list.
Our Take: Every C&I team above 1 MW should keep 1 PVsyst seat for the lender deliverable. Just do not mistake it for a proposal tool — the client-facing document comes from somewhere else.
Where It Falls Short
The interface is dated, and ease of use scores 7.1/10 on G2. It is Windows-only desktop software with no cloud collaboration. There are no client-facing proposal templates, no single-line diagrams, and no AC design documentation.
Key Features
- P50/P90/P95/P99 probabilistic yield analysis
- 25+ loss categories with transparent methodology
- LCOE, NPV, IRR, and payback economic modeling
- 14,000+ module and 4,500+ inverter database
Pricing
- Professional: CHF 700/year (~$775) — volume discounts up to 20%
- Education / nonprofit: CHF 25–560/year
- Free trial: 30 days, full features
Who Should Use PVsyst
Strong fit: Engineers producing lender-grade yield reports for financed C&I and utility projects.
Probably not right for: Sales teams, Mac shops, or anyone needing client-ready proposal documents.
Read our full PVsyst review.
7. Solargraf — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Simple Commercial Quotes
Solargraf, owned by Enphase, bets on speed. Proposals generate in about 3 minutes, and the Express Editor lets reps adjust quotes on the spot.
What It Does Well
Speed is real. Smart Designer auto-optimizes panel placement, and Max-Fit Technology packs layouts automatically. For straightforward commercial quotes, the workflow is genuinely quick.
The Good/Better/Best feature presents 3 pricing options in one proposal — useful when a business owner wants choice without a redesign. DocuSign integration, custom branding, and permit generation with SLDs round out the package.
Commercial support exists but is shallow. C&I projects cost 5 project credits each versus 1 for residential. Ground mounts and manual O&M costs for ROI estimates are supported. Multi-language coverage spans 6 countries.
Our Take: Solargraf works for simple commercial quotes where speed beats financial depth. Once the deal needs PPA modeling or demand charge analysis, you have outgrown it.
Where It Falls Short
Shading accuracy is the most common user complaint — reviewers report verifying Solargraf output in Aurora or Helioscope. Annual-only billing starts at $2,799, steep next to free OpenSolar. There is no built-in CRM and no manual shading override per site.
Key Features
- 3-minute proposal generation with Express Editor
- Good/Better/Best multi-option pricing in one proposal
- DIY permit generation with AHJ-compliant SLDs
- Battery design tools across 25+ manufacturers
Pricing
- Starter: $2,799/year — 240 projects, 2 users (commercial = 5 credits each)
- Small Business: $4,799/year — 480 projects, 4 users
- Teams / Enterprise: $6,399–$12,999/year
- Free trial: Yes, with 120 starter project credits
Who Should Use Solargraf
Strong fit: Residential-led installers quoting occasional small commercial jobs, Enphase ecosystem users.
Probably not right for: Dedicated C&I teams, shading-critical sites, or complex financing structures.
See our full Solargraf review.
8. RatedPower — Best Commercial Proposal Tool for Utility-Scale Pre-Design
RatedPower sits at the top end of “commercial” — MW-scale ground mount, BESS, and hybrid plants. Over 4,300 professionals across 130+ countries use it.
What It Does Well
Automation is the pitch, and it delivers. Layout generation runs in under 60 seconds, and full simulations take 10–20 minutes. Users report 75–90% design time reduction versus AutoCAD workflows.
Engineering depth covers string configuration, cable sizing, substation design, and single-line diagrams. Financial outputs include CAPEX, LCOE, NPV, IRR, and payback — bankable at P75 through P99. Reports export in 8 languages with DWG and PVsyst scene export.
All 3 plans include unlimited users, projects, and designs. That pricing model stands out when competitors charge per seat. Customers include Iberdrola, Engie, and BayWa, with 43+ GW developed on the platform.
Our Take: If your “commercial” pipeline is actually multi-MW ground mount, RatedPower replaces days of engineering per bid. For rooftop C&I under 1 MW, it is the wrong tool entirely.
Where It Falls Short
Rooftop and small C&I are not supported at all. Pricing is quote-only with no free trial — just a demo. G2 reviewers flag it as “too technical for non-technical, too few technical for skilled workers,” and cost draws complaints.
Key Features
- Automated layout generation in under 60 seconds
- Bankable yield at P75/P90/P95/P99 with CAPEX and LCOE
- BESS and hybrid PV + storage design
- Unlimited users, projects, and designs on all plans
Pricing
- Basic / Advanced / Enterprise: Custom quote — all include unlimited users
- Free trial: None; free product tour and live demo available
Who Should Use RatedPower
Strong fit: Utility-scale developers, IPPs, and EPCs bidding MW-scale ground mount and BESS.
Probably not right for: Rooftop C&I, residential, or teams needing transparent upfront pricing.
Read our full RatedPower review.
Decision Flowchart: Which Tool Fits Your Segment?
Match your situation to a starting point:
- Enterprise C&I sales team (10+ reps): Start with Aurora Solar — permissions, Contract Manager, and API access justify the price.
- C&I EPC, 100 kW–5 MW, engineering-led sales: Start with Helioscope Pro for DNV-validated design plus proposals.
- Small or mid-size EPC losing deals to slow turnaround: Start with SurgePV — one workspace from design to signed proposal.
- Storage-heavy C&I or complex rate structures: Start with Energy Toolbase, paired with a design tool.
- Startup or small shop under 500 kW: Start with OpenSolar — free until your deal size justifies paid tools.
- Financed projects above 1 MW: Keep 1 PVsyst seat regardless of what else you use.
- Occasional simple commercial quotes: Solargraf, if you already live in the Enphase ecosystem.
- Multi-MW ground mount and BESS: RatedPower — rooftop tools will not serve you.
Pro Tip
Most successful C&I teams we work with run 2 tools: 1 for design and proposals, 1 for lender-grade yield validation. The combination of a fast workflow tool plus PVsyst covers 95% of commercial scenarios.
How to Choose Commercial Solar Proposal Software
1. Match the tool to your deal size. A 500 kW cap kills OpenSolar for mid-market work. A 15 MW cap kills Helioscope for utility. Check limits before features.
2. Audit the financial engine, not the template. Ask vendors to model a PPA with escalator and demand charge reduction live. Weak tools show savings charts; strong tools show defensible cash flows.
3. Count the handoffs. Every export between design, financials, and proposal adds time and error risk. Integrated platforms win on consistency.
4. Verify rate and weather data for your region. A beautiful proposal on the wrong tariff is worse than useless. Energy Toolbase leads here; others vary by territory.
5. Price the full stack. Aurora plus a design-verification seat plus a CRM can triple the sticker price. Compare total cost per user per year, not the headline number.
6. Test with a real project. Every tool on this list offers a demo or trial. Build 1 actual proposal before signing an annual contract.
Where SurgePV fits
This page ranks the options. If you want the detail on the SurgePV side specifically, SurgePV for C&I proposals covers the workflow, outputs and limits in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is commercial solar proposal software?
Commercial solar proposal software helps EPCs and developers create detailed C&I proposals with financial modeling (IRR, NPV, payback), multiple deal structures, production estimates, and professional formatting for business decision-makers.
How is commercial solar proposal software different from residential?
Commercial proposals need deeper financial modeling, multiple financing options (cash, loan, lease, PPA, tax equity), longer sales cycles, and more technical detail. Residential proposals focus on monthly savings and simple payback.
What is the best commercial solar proposal software?
The best depends on your workflow. SurgePV is best for design-to-proposal speed. Aurora Solar is best for enterprise sales teams. Energy Toolbase is best for financial modeling depth. Helioscope is best for engineering-grade C&I design.
How much does commercial solar proposal software cost?
Commercial tools range from $100–$500+ per month depending on features and user count. Enterprise platforms like Aurora and Helioscope cost more but include deeper financial modeling and C&I-specific features.
What should a commercial solar proposal include?
A commercial proposal should include system design, production estimate, financial model (IRR, NPV, payback), deal structure comparison, equipment specs, timeline, references, and a clear next step. Financial accuracy matters more than visual polish.
The Bottom Line
There is no single winner — there is a right tool per segment. Aurora Solar leads for enterprise sales teams with budget to match. Helioscope owns engineering-grade C&I design in a browser. Energy Toolbase wins the financial modeling category outright.
For small and mid-size EPCs, speed closes deals. SurgePV compresses design, simulation, financials, and the proposal into 1 workspace at $1,499 per user per year. Book a demo and we will build a commercial proposal on your real project data live.
Related Posts
See also: best solar proposal software, best solar EPC proposal software, best commercial solar design software, and best bankable solar simulation software.
Transparency Note
SurgePV publishes this content, and we are transparent about that relationship. Rankings reflect hands-on testing, official documentation, and verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra. Pricing was verified in July 2026 and may have changed since publication.
