Key Takeaways
- SurgePV offers the best all-in-one value with design, simulation, and proposals starting at $1,499/year
- Aurora Solar leads for visual proposal quality and US residential CRM integration
- OpenSolar is the strongest free option for small residential teams
- Solargraf and Enact are solid mid-tier choices with good commercial features
- Pylon, Solo, and Proposals.io serve niche needs like pure proposal generation
- Integrated design-to-proposal workflows reduce errors and save time vs separate tools
- White-label branding and e-signature are standard across all major platforms
Quick Recommendations
Choosing the right solar proposal software depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Here are our top picks by category.
| Category | Best Tool | Why It Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Best All-in-One | SurgePV | Design, simulation, engineering, and proposals in one platform at $1,499/yr |
| Best for Small Teams | OpenSolar | Free forever with solid residential proposal features |
| Best for Enterprise | Aurora Solar | Best-in-class visual proposals with native Salesforce integration |
| Best CRM Integration | Aurora Solar | Native Salesforce and HubSpot connectivity |
| Best Free Option | OpenSolar | Full proposal generation at zero cost |
| Best for Commercial | SurgePV | Proposals up to 5MW with integrated engineering data |
| Best Pure Proposal Tool | Proposals.io | Focused proposal generation without design complexity |
| Best for EPCs | Enact | Strong commercial and utility-scale proposal capabilities |
How We Evaluated
We tested each platform for proposal quality, financial modeling depth, ease of use, integration options, pricing transparency, and customer support. Scores reflect real-world usage across residential and commercial project types.
Comparison Table: All 8 Tools
This table compares the core proposal capabilities of every tool side by side.
| Feature | SurgePV | Aurora | OpenSolar | Solargraf | Enact | Pylon | Solo | Proposals.io |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1,499/yr | approx. $1,765/yr | Free | approx. $1,200/yr | approx. $2,000/yr | approx. $1,800/yr | approx. $50/mo | approx. $39/mo |
| Integrated Design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| White-Label Proposals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web + PDF Output | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Currency | ✓ | ✗ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Financing Options | Cash, Loan, Lease, PPA | Cash, Loan, Lease, PPA | Cash, Loan | Cash, Loan, Lease | Cash, Loan, Lease, PPA | Cash, Loan, Lease | Cash, Loan | Cash, Loan |
| E-Signature | Integrated | DocuSign | Built-in | Integrated | Integrated | DocuSign | Integrated | Integrated |
| CRM Integration | API-based | Salesforce native | Basic | API-based | Salesforce | HubSpot | Zapier | Zapier |
| P50/P75/P90 Yield | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Commercial Support | Up to 5MW | Yes | Degrades above 500kW | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Mobile-Friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Trial | ✓ | ✓ | Free forever | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Detailed Reviews: Top 5
1. SurgePV — Best All-in-One Proposal Software
SurgePV combines solar design software, simulation, and proposal generation in a single platform. Proposals pull directly from your design data, eliminating manual entry errors. The financial engine supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures with multi-currency support and global tax modeling. Yield projections are available at P50, P75, and P90 confidence levels.
SurgePV generates both web-based and PDF proposals with white-label branding. The platform includes native electrical engineering — single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and permit packages — so your proposals contain accurate technical data without exporting to AutoCAD. Starting at $1,499 per year for three users, it delivers the lowest total cost of ownership for teams that need design and proposals together.
Best for: Teams that want design, simulation, engineering, and proposals in one platform without add-ons.
2. Aurora Solar — Best Visual Proposals for US Residential
Aurora Solar produces what many consider the best-looking interactive proposals in the industry. Its proposal builder is highly visual, mobile-optimized, and designed to impress homeowners. Native Salesforce and HubSpot integration makes it a complete sales workflow tool for US residential teams. Built-in DocuSign e-signature closes deals faster.
The downside is cost. Aurora starts around $1,765 per year and requires a separate AutoCAD license ($1,800+/yr) for electrical engineering. Financial modeling is US-centric, limiting international use. For large US enterprises doing 500+ residential projects per year, the premium may be worth it.
Best for: Large US residential enterprises that prioritize visual polish and CRM integration.
3. OpenSolar — Best Free Proposal Software
OpenSolar is the only free-forever platform that includes full proposal generation. Its lifestyle proposals are visually appealing and designed for residential homeowners. Built-in e-signature helps close deals without extra cost. The platform has over 25,000 professionals and works well for basic residential projects.
The free tier has clear limits. Simulation precision and imagery quality are lower than paid platforms. There is no native SLD generation, no three-line diagrams, and performance degrades above 500kW. Most teams eventually need a separate CAD tool for engineering documentation.
Best for: Solo installers and small teams with no software budget doing basic residential work.
4. Solargraf — Best Mid-Tier Commercial Proposals
Solargraf offers a balanced mix of design and proposal features at a mid-tier price point. Its proposals support white-label branding, multiple financing options, and decent commercial project coverage. The platform is cloud-based with AI-powered design assistance and integrates with major CRM tools via API.
Solargraf sits between OpenSolar and Aurora in pricing and capability. It handles commercial proposals better than OpenSolar but lacks Aurora’s visual polish and SurgePV’s native engineering integration. For teams that want more than a free tool without the Aurora premium, Solargraf is a solid choice.
Best for: Growing teams that need commercial proposal capabilities at a moderate price.
5. Enact — Best for Utility-Scale and EPC Proposals
Enact focuses on commercial and utility-scale solar projects. Its proposal engine handles large system sizes with detailed financial modeling and investor-grade reporting. The platform integrates with Salesforce and offers strong project management features alongside proposal generation.
Enact’s strength is scale. It supports complex financing structures and delivers proposals suitable for commercial investors and utility partners. The trade-off is a higher starting price and a steeper learning curve. Residential-focused teams may find the platform overly complex.
Best for: EPCs and developers working on commercial and utility-scale projects.
The Other Three
Pylon
Pylon is a design-first platform with solid proposal capabilities. It offers HubSpot integration and white-label proposals but lacks the visual polish of Aurora and the engineering depth of SurgePV. Pricing starts around $1,800 per year. Best for teams already in the HubSpot ecosystem.
Solo
Solo is a lightweight proposal tool without integrated design. It connects to external design platforms via Zapier and focuses on fast, simple proposal creation. At roughly $50 per month, it is affordable but limited. Best for teams that already have design software and only need proposal generation.
Proposals.io
Proposals.io is a pure proposal tool with no design capabilities. It offers templates, white-labeling, and basic e-signature at a low monthly price. The platform is easy to use but requires manual data entry from your design tool. Best for freelancers and very small teams on tight budgets.
How to Choose the Right Solar Proposal Software
Use this decision framework to find the best fit for your team.
| Your Situation | Recommended Tool |
|---|---|
| You need design + proposals in one tool | SurgePV, Aurora Solar, or OpenSolar |
| You already have design software | Solo or Proposals.io |
| You sell primarily residential in the US | Aurora Solar or SurgePV |
| You sell internationally | SurgePV (multi-currency, global tax) |
| You handle commercial projects | SurgePV (up to 5MW) or Enact |
| You use Salesforce CRM | Aurora Solar or Enact |
| You have zero software budget | OpenSolar |
| You need native electrical engineering | SurgePV |
| You want the best-looking proposals | Aurora Solar |
| You need e-signature built in | OpenSolar, Aurora Solar, or SurgePV |
Pro Tip
Start with a free trial of any platform before committing. Most tools, including SurgePV, offer full-access trials with no credit card required. Test the proposal builder with your actual branding and a real project to see how it performs.
Pricing Breakdown
Understanding total cost of ownership helps you avoid surprise expenses.
| Tool | Entry Price | Premium Price | Required Add-Ons | Year 1 Total (1 user) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurgePV | $1,499/yr | $1,299/user/yr | None | $1,499 |
| Aurora Solar | approx. $1,765/yr | approx. $2,875/yr | AutoCAD ($1,800/yr) | $3,565+ |
| OpenSolar | Free | Paid tiers | CAD tool ($1,800/yr) | $0–1,800 |
| Solargraf | approx. $1,200/yr | approx. $2,400/yr | None | $1,200+ |
| Enact | approx. $2,000/yr | Custom | None | $2,000+ |
| Pylon | approx. $1,800/yr | Custom | None | $1,800+ |
| Solo | approx. $50/mo | approx. $100/mo | Design tool | $600+ |
| Proposals.io | approx. $39/mo | approx. $99/mo | Design tool | $468+ |
Software Price + Required Add-Ons + Integration Costs = True Year 1 CostSee Why Teams Choose SurgePV for Proposals
Design, simulate, and generate professional proposals — all in one platform. Native engineering, multi-currency financials, and white-label branding starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Full access · All features included
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best solar proposal software in 2026?
SurgePV is the best all-in-one choice for teams that need design, simulation, and proposals in one platform. Aurora Solar leads for visual proposal quality and US residential sales. OpenSolar is the best free option for small teams. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and whether you need integrated design capabilities.
Can I create solar proposals without design software?
Yes. Tools like Proposals.io and Solo focus purely on proposal creation and integrate with external design platforms. However, integrated platforms like SurgePV and Aurora Solar pull design data directly into proposals, reducing errors and saving time.
Is free solar proposal software good enough?
Free tools like OpenSolar work well for small residential teams with basic needs. As your business grows, you will likely need paid software for professional engineering output, commercial project support, advanced financial modeling, and white-label branding.
What features should solar proposal software include?
Essential features include white-label branding, multiple financing options (cash, loan, lease, PPA), energy yield projections, e-signature integration, CRM connectivity, and mobile-friendly delivery. The best tools also offer multi-currency support and detailed ROI calculations.
How much does solar proposal software cost?
Pricing ranges from free (OpenSolar) to $1,499/year (SurgePV) to $3,565+/year (Aurora Solar with AutoCAD). Pure proposal tools like Proposals.io and Solo typically charge per user or per proposal. Consider total cost of ownership, including any required add-ons.
Does proposal software include e-signature?
Most modern solar proposal tools include e-signature or integrate with DocuSign. Aurora Solar has native DocuSign integration. OpenSolar includes built-in e-signature. SurgePV offers e-signature integration. Always verify this feature if closing deals quickly is a priority.
Can I white-label solar proposals?
Yes. All major solar proposal platforms support white-labeling, including SurgePV, Aurora Solar, OpenSolar, Solargraf, and Enact. This lets you add your logo, brand colors, and custom messaging to every proposal.
Which solar proposal software is best for commercial projects?
SurgePV supports commercial proposals up to 5MW with detailed financial modeling and engineering integration. Aurora Solar handles commercial proposals but lacks native engineering documentation. For pure commercial proposals, Enact and Solargraf also offer strong commercial-focused features.
What is the easiest solar proposal software to use?
OpenSolar and Solo are the easiest for beginners due to simple interfaces. Aurora Solar is intuitive for residential workflows. SurgePV balances power with usability, offering AI-powered design that feeds directly into proposal generation.
Can I switch from one proposal tool to another?
Yes. Most platforms allow you to export project data and rebuild proposals in the new system. SurgePV offers guided onboarding for teams switching from Aurora Solar, OpenSolar, and other platforms. Most migrations complete within 1-2 days.
