Key Takeaways
- SurgePV offers better value with all features included at lower pricing
- Aurora Solar excels in visual proposal quality and US market coverage
- SurgePV includes native SLD generation, BOM, and permit packages
- Aurora requires AutoCAD license ($1,800+/yr) for electrical engineering
- SurgePV is stronger for global teams and commercial/utility projects
- Aurora is stronger for large US enterprises with Salesforce workflows
- Both offer cloud-based design with satellite imagery
Quick Comparison at a Glance
SurgePV and Aurora Solar are both cloud-based solar design platforms, but they target different team profiles. For a deeper look at Aurora’s capabilities, see our Aurora Solar review. The table below summarizes the main differences before the detailed breakdown.
| Comparison Point | SurgePV | Aurora Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | All-in-one global teams, commercial & utility | Large US residential enterprises |
| Starting Price | $1,499/yr | ~$1,765/yr |
| Shade Analysis | 8760-hour simulation, monthly shade maps | LIDAR + solar access data |
| Electrical Engineering | Native SLDs, three-line diagrams, permit packs | Requires AutoCAD add-on |
| Proposals | Web + PDF, multi-currency, global finance | Best-in-class visual, US-centric |
| CRM Integration | API-based | Native Salesforce |
| Commercial & Utility | Up to 5MW, native engineering | Commercial only, no utility scale |
| Support | Guided onboarding + migration assistance | Established US support |
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is one of the biggest differences between SurgePV and Aurora Solar. Aurora’s total cost rises quickly when you add the AutoCAD license required for electrical engineering documentation.
| Plan | SurgePV | Aurora Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $1,499/year (3 users) | ~$1,765/year |
| Premium | $1,299/user/year (5 users) | ~$2,875/year |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
| AutoCAD Required? | No (native SLDs) | Yes (+$1,800/yr) |
| Total Year 1 Cost (1 user) | $1,499 | $3,565+ |
| Features Included | All features, all plans | Tiered (some locked) |
SurgePV $1,499 vs Aurora $3,565+ — SurgePV saves ~58%Design Accuracy
Both platforms deliver accurate solar designs, but SurgePV covers more of the engineering workflow without external tools.
SurgePV Design Accuracy
SurgePV is built as comprehensive solar design software. It uses AI-powered auto-design to generate optimized panel layouts from satellite imagery. The 8760-hour shade simulation produces monthly shade maps, so you can see how obstruction patterns change across seasons.
Where SurgePV stands out is native electrical engineering. Single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, automatic wire sizing, and permit-ready documentation are all included. There is no need to export to AutoCAD. SurgePV also supports carport solar design, commercial projects up to 5MW, and utility-scale layouts.
Aurora Solar Design Accuracy
Aurora Solar is a leading design tool for the US residential market. It integrates LIDAR data for roof modeling and Nearmap HD aerial imagery for panel placement. Its shade analysis engine is among the best in the industry.
The limitation is electrical engineering. Aurora does not include native SLDs, three-line diagrams, or detailed electrical documentation for DSO approvals. Teams must purchase a separate AutoCAD license, typically $1,800 or more per year, to complete that work.
Feature Comparison
Here is a feature-by-feature breakdown comparing SurgePV vs Aurora Solar across the capabilities that matter most to solar design teams.
| Feature | SurgePV | Aurora Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) | ✓ (Google & Nearmap) |
| 3D Shade Analysis | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) | ✓ (LIDAR + solar access) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ (AI-powered) | ✓ |
| String Sizing | ✓ (Auto-stringing) | ✓ |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✓ (Native) | ✗ (Needs AutoCAD) |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✓ (Native) | ✗ |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) | Basic |
| Permit Package Generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Financial Modeling | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) | Basic (US-focused) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Web + PDF) | ✓ (Best-in-class visual) |
| CRM Integration | API-based | ✓ (Native Salesforce) |
| E-Signature | Coming soon | ✓ (DocuSign) |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) | ✓ |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✓ (All plans) | Enterprise only |
| White-Label Proposals | ✓ | ✓ |
Proposals and Sales
SurgePV generates solar proposals in both web and PDF formats. The financial engine supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures with multi-currency support and global tax and incentive modeling. Yield projections are available at P50, P75, and P90 confidence levels.
Aurora Solar produces what many consider the best-looking interactive proposals in the industry. Its proposal builder is visual, mobile-optimized, and integrates natively with Salesforce and HubSpot. It also offers built-in DocuSign e-signature. The trade-off is that Aurora’s financial models are US-centric, using US utility rates, tax credits, and financing models.
Ease of Use
SurgePV is designed as a single platform where design, simulation, proposal generation, and engineering documentation share one interface. Teams do not need to switch between Aurora and AutoCAD to complete a project. New users can import a site, run AI auto-design, and generate a proposal within one session.
Aurora Solar’s residential workflow is intuitive. You can move from satellite image to panel layout quickly. The friction appears when you need electrical engineering documents or permit packages. Exporting to AutoCAD, drawing SLDs, and re-importing adds steps that SurgePV handles natively.
Best For
The right choice depends on your team size, market, and workflow needs.
| Your Situation | Choose SurgePV | Choose Aurora Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Small team (1-5 people) | ✓ | |
| Budget-conscious teams | ✓ | |
| All-in-one platform (no add-ons) | ✓ | |
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ | |
| International/European market | ✓ | |
| Commercial + utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| Best visual proposal quality | ✓ | |
| Need Salesforce CRM integration | ✓ | |
| Large US enterprise (500+ projects/yr) | ✓ |
Customer Support
SurgePV provides guided onboarding for every new account, including teams switching from Aurora Solar. Support includes bulk data import assistance, help recreating active projects with AI auto-design, and training on proposal branding. Most migrations finish within one to two days.
Aurora Solar has a large support organization with established resources for the US market. Enterprise customers receive dedicated account management. However, Aurora does not offer a structured migration path to SurgePV because it is a competing platform.
Final Verdict
Our Verdict
For most solar design teams — especially those that need design, simulation, proposals, electrical engineering, and financial modeling in one platform at a lower price — SurgePV is the better choice. Choose Aurora Solar only if you are a large US enterprise doing 500 or more residential projects per year and need best-in-class visual proposals with native Salesforce CRM integration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than Aurora Solar?
It depends on your needs. SurgePV is the stronger choice for teams that want all-in-one solar design software with native electrical engineering, global financial modeling, and no required add-ons. Aurora Solar is better for large US enterprises that prioritize Salesforce CRM integration and best-in-class visual proposals.
Can SurgePV replace Aurora Solar and AutoCAD?
Yes. SurgePV includes native single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and permit package creation. Aurora requires a separate AutoCAD license, typically $1,800 per year, to produce the same engineering documentation.
Which has better shade analysis, SurgePV or Aurora Solar?
Both platforms deliver excellent shade analysis. SurgePV uses an 8760-hour simulation with monthly shade maps. Aurora uses LIDAR and solar access data. For most projects, accuracy is comparable.
Is Aurora Solar worth the higher price?
Aurora Solar can be worth the premium for large US enterprises managing 500 or more residential projects per year and relying on Salesforce workflows. For most other teams, SurgePV delivers more features at a lower total cost of ownership.
Can I migrate from Aurora Solar to SurgePV?
Yes. SurgePV offers guided onboarding for teams switching from Aurora Solar. Most teams complete the transition within one to two days.
What support does SurgePV offer for teams switching from Aurora?
SurgePV provides guided onboarding, bulk data import assistance, and dedicated migration support. The team helps recreate active projects using AI auto-design and trains users on proposal branding.
Which is better for commercial projects, SurgePV or Aurora Solar?
SurgePV supports commercial projects up to 5MW with native electrical engineering. Aurora handles commercial design but lacks native SLD generation and requires AutoCAD for engineering documentation.
How much does SurgePV cost compared to Aurora Solar?
SurgePV starts at $1,499 per year. Aurora Solar starts around $1,765 per year, plus an additional $1,800 per year for AutoCAD if you need electrical engineering drawings. SurgePV can reduce year-one costs by roughly 58 percent.
Does SurgePV include proposal generation like Aurora Solar?
Yes. SurgePV generates web-based and PDF proposals with multi-currency financial modeling. Aurora still leads on visual polish and interactive proposals, especially for US residential sales.
Who should choose Aurora Solar over SurgePV?
Choose Aurora Solar if you are a large US residential operation with 500 or more projects per year, need native Salesforce integration, and want the most polished visual proposals available.
