Key Takeaways
- SurgePV is a complete solar design platform with native electrical engineering, SLDs, and no project size limits
- OpenSolar is free but limited to 500 kW, with no SLDs for US projects and no electrical engineering
- SurgePV includes automated SLDs, three-line diagrams, permit packages, and global compliance
- OpenSolar has good proposal features but requires workarounds for commercial projects
- SurgePV scales to 5MW and supports utility-scale design
- OpenSolar is best for solo installers and very small teams on a tight budget
- SurgePV is better for teams planning to grow into commercial and utility-scale work
Quick Verdict
Our Verdict
If you are a solo installer or very small team doing basic residential projects and need a zero-cost starting point, OpenSolar works. For any team that needs professional engineering output, commercial project support, accurate simulation, or plans to grow beyond basic residential work, SurgePV is the better investment at $1,499/year.
Company Overview
SurgePV
Founded
2025
Headquarters
London, UK (Global)
Focus
All-in-one solar platform
Best For
Global residential, commercial & utility
Pricing Starts
$1,499/yr
OpenSolar
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Melbourne, Australia
Focus
Free solar design & proposals
Best For
Small residential teams on a budget
Pricing Starts
Free forever
Feature Comparison
Here is a detailed feature-by-feature breakdown of SurgePV vs OpenSolar across the capabilities that matter most to solar professionals.
| Feature | SurgePV | OpenSolar |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-Based Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI-Powered Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✓ (Google & Nearmap HD) | ✓ (Lower resolution) |
| Shade Analysis | ✓ (8760-hour simulation) | ✓ (Basic) |
| Energy Yield Simulation | ✓ (8760-hour, P50/P75/P90) | ✓ (Standard accuracy) |
| Auto Panel Layout | ✓ (AI-powered) | ✓ |
| String Sizing | ✓ (Auto-stringing) | ✓ |
| Single-Line Diagrams (SLD) | ✓ (Native) | ✗ |
| Three-Line Diagrams | ✓ (Native) | ✗ |
| Permit Package Generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bill of Materials | ✓ (Detailed with pricing) | ✓ (Basic) |
| Proposal Generation | ✓ (Web + PDF) | ✓ (Lifestyle proposals) |
| Financial Modeling | ✓ (Global, multi-currency) | Basic |
| Battery Storage Design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial Projects (>100kW) | ✓ (Up to 5MW) | Degrades above 500kW |
| Utility-Scale Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| API Access | ✓ (All plans) | Limited |
| White-Label Proposals | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-Signature | Coming soon | ✓ |
Design Capabilities
Both SurgePV and OpenSolar are cloud-based platforms with AI-powered design. The difference is in the depth and precision of their solar design software capabilities, especially as project size increases.
SurgePV Design Strengths
SurgePV provides professional-grade design capabilities across all project types. The platform features AI-powered auto-design with high-resolution satellite imagery (Google and Nearmap), 8760-hour shade simulation with monthly granularity, and auto-stringing for efficient electrical design.
The platform’s native electrical engineering tools — SLDs, three-line diagrams, wire sizing, BOM with pricing, and permit packages — are a major differentiator. These capabilities eliminate the need for AutoCAD or other supplementary software.
SurgePV also scales to 5MW for commercial projects and supports utility-scale design, giving teams a platform they will not outgrow as their business expands.
OpenSolar Design Strengths
OpenSolar provides a zero-cost entry point for solar design. The platform includes AI-powered auto-design, basic shade analysis, and a straightforward panel layout tool. For small residential projects, OpenSolar gets the job done — you can create a design and generate a proposal without spending anything on software.
OpenSolar’s lifestyle proposals are visually appealing and designed to impress homeowners. The platform also supports basic battery storage modeling and string sizing.
The limitations become apparent as project complexity increases. OpenSolar uses lower-resolution satellite imagery than premium platforms, which can affect panel placement accuracy on complex roofs. The platform has no native SLD generation, no three-line diagrams, and no permit package creation — meaning you still need separate tools for engineering documentation. Performance also degrades above 500kW, making it unsuitable for medium-to-large commercial projects.
Proposal & Sales
SurgePV Proposals
SurgePV generates both web-based and PDF proposals with comprehensive financial modeling. The platform supports cash, loan, lease, and PPA structures with multi-currency support and P50/P75/P90 energy yield projections.
The proposal builder connects directly to your design and simulation data, producing detailed documents with system specs, shade analysis results, financial projections, and custom branding. For teams that need to present to commercial clients, investors, or international customers, SurgePV’s solar proposal software financial depth is a clear advantage.
OpenSolar Proposals
OpenSolar offers attractive lifestyle proposals that combine system details with visual elements designed to appeal to residential homeowners. The proposals include energy production estimates, basic financial modeling, and system specifications.
OpenSolar also includes e-signature capability, which is a useful feature for closing residential deals quickly.
The financial modeling is relatively basic compared to paid platforms. It handles standard residential scenarios but lacks multi-currency support, detailed ROI analysis at multiple confidence levels, and the depth needed for commercial project financing.
Pricing Comparison
The pricing comparison between SurgePV and OpenSolar is straightforward: paid vs free. The real question is whether the free platform meets your professional needs.
| Plan | SurgePV | OpenSolar |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $1,499/year (3 users) | Free forever |
| Premium | $1,299/user/year (5 users) | Paid tiers available |
| CAD for SLDs Needed? | No (native SLDs) | Yes (+$1,800/yr) |
| Total Year 1 Cost (1 user) | $1,499 | $0–1,800+ (if CAD needed) |
| Commercial Capability | Up to 5MW | Degrades above 500kW |
| Features Included | All features, all plans | Basic design + proposals |
SurgePV $1,499 with SLDs built in vs OpenSolar $0 + CAD $1,800 = $1,800Upgrade to Professional-Grade Solar Software
Native SLDs, permit packages, commercial support up to 5MW, and detailed financial modeling — all starting at $1,499/year.
Start Free TrialNo credit card required · Full access · All features included
Pros & Cons Side-by-Side
SurgePV
Pros
Cons
OpenSolar
Pros
Cons
Who Should Choose What?
The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and growth plans. Use this decision matrix to find the best fit.
| Your Situation | Choose SurgePV | Choose OpenSolar |
|---|---|---|
| Need electrical engineering (SLDs) | ✓ | |
| Commercial projects (any size) | ✓ | |
| Growing team with expansion plans | ✓ | |
| Need permit package generation | ✓ | |
| International / European market | ✓ | |
| High-accuracy simulation needed | ✓ | |
| Utility-scale projects | ✓ | |
| All-in-one platform (no add-ons) | ✓ | |
| Solo installer, zero software budget | ✓ | |
| Basic residential projects only | ✓ |
Migration Guide: OpenSolar to SurgePV
Switching from OpenSolar to SurgePV is straightforward. Most teams complete the transition within 1-2 days. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Sign Up for SurgePV Free Trial
Create your SurgePV account with full access to all features. No credit card required, no feature limitations during the trial.
Export Your OpenSolar Project Data
Download your existing project data, customer records, and proposal templates from OpenSolar before making the switch.
Recreate Active Projects with AI Auto-Design
Use SurgePV’s AI-powered auto-design to recreate your active projects. You will notice immediately better imagery and more design options.
Explore New Capabilities
Set up SLD templates, configure permit package generation, and try the detailed financial modeling. These are capabilities you did not have access to in OpenSolar.
Complete the Transition
Once your team is comfortable with SurgePV and all active projects are migrated, you can deactivate your OpenSolar account. If you had a separate CAD tool for SLDs, cancel that subscription too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SurgePV better than OpenSolar?
For teams that need professional-grade engineering, commercial capabilities, and scalable workflows, yes. OpenSolar is a solid free option for small residential teams just getting started, but SurgePV offers native SLDs, higher simulation accuracy, and commercial support up to 5MW.
Is OpenSolar really free?
Yes, OpenSolar offers a free-forever tier. However, the free plan has limitations in simulation precision, imagery quality, and engineering capabilities. There is no native SLD generation, and the platform degrades in performance above 500kW.
Can SurgePV replace OpenSolar?
Yes. SurgePV covers everything OpenSolar does and adds native electrical engineering, higher-accuracy simulation, professional proposals, and commercial/utility-scale support. Most teams switching from OpenSolar see immediate improvements in output quality.
Does OpenSolar work for commercial projects?
OpenSolar can handle small commercial projects but performance degrades above 500kW. It lacks native SLD generation and detailed engineering documentation needed for commercial permitting. SurgePV supports commercial projects up to 5MW with full engineering output.
Which has better proposals, SurgePV or OpenSolar?
Both generate customer-facing proposals. OpenSolar offers lifestyle-style proposals aimed at residential homeowners. SurgePV produces web and PDF proposals with more detailed financial modeling, multi-currency support, and P50/P75/P90 energy yield projections.
Should I start with OpenSolar and switch to SurgePV later?
You can, but starting with SurgePV avoids the cost of retraining your team and rebuilding project templates. SurgePV’s free trial gives you full access to evaluate the platform before committing.
What does SurgePV include that OpenSolar does not?
SurgePV includes native single-line and three-line diagrams, permit package generation, 8760-hour shade simulation, P50/P75/P90 energy yield projections, multi-currency financial modeling, and commercial project support up to 5MW. OpenSolar lacks all of these.
Does SurgePV have a free trial?
Yes. SurgePV offers a free trial with full access to all features. No credit card is required, so you can evaluate the complete platform before purchasing.
How much does SurgePV cost compared to OpenSolar?
OpenSolar is free forever, though many teams still need a separate CAD tool for SLDs at roughly $1,800 per year. SurgePV starts at $1,499 per year and includes native SLDs, permit packages, and all other features with no required add-ons.
Who should choose OpenSolar over SurgePV?
Solo installers and very small teams with no software budget, doing only basic residential projects, are the best fit for OpenSolar. Anyone planning commercial work, needing engineering documentation, or wanting an all-in-one platform should choose SurgePV.
