Indian solar installers work with a compliance stack that is materially different from Europe or the US. ALMM-listed components, DISCOM-specific single-line diagram formats, PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculations, state-specific APPC rates, and Indian-calibrated irradiance data all need to flow from the design process — not be added manually after.
Software built for the US (with NREL TMY data, NEC 690 documentation, net metering at retail rate) or Europe (IEC standards, FiT rates, local VAT handling) works partially for Indian projects but misses the India-specific compliance layer. This comparison covers the main platforms available to Indian installers in 2026 and how each handles the India workflow.
What Indian Installers Need from Design Software
Before comparing tools, it is worth being specific about what “India-compatible” means in practice for a rooftop solar installer.
ALMM compliance verification: Every component in a PM Surya Ghar or government-tender project must be on the current MNRE ALMM list. Software that lets you select any module or inverter from a global database without flagging ALMM status creates compliance risk. An ideal tool maintains an ALMM-linked component library or clearly marks ALMM-listed products.
DISCOM-format single-line diagram: The SLD submitted for DISCOM grid connection approval needs to show inverter model, string configuration, protection relay details, earthing points, and the connection point — formatted to what the specific DISCOM’s application requires. A US-format NEC 690 SLD typically needs significant modification for Indian DISCOM submissions.
PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation: The proposal presented to residential customers should clearly show the PM Surya Ghar central financial assistance (Rs. 78,000 max for 3 kW), any applicable state top-up, net system cost after subsidy, and concessional loan EMI alongside net metering savings.
State-specific APPC rates: Net metering export earnings in India vary from Rs. 2.80/unit (MP) to Rs. 4.50/unit (Tamil Nadu) depending on the state. A proposal that uses a generic “feed-in tariff” or the wrong state’s rate understates or overstates savings significantly.
India irradiance data: PVGIS has good India coverage. NREL has an India TMY dataset. Software relying only on US NREL TMY data will have limited or lower-quality India location coverage, particularly for tier-2 cities and rural areas.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | SurgePV | Aurora Solar | OpenSolar | Helioscope | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India irradiance data | Yes | Partial | Yes (PVGIS) | Partial | Yes (PVGIS) |
| ALMM component library | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| DISCOM-format SLD | Yes | Manual | Manual | Manual | No |
| PM Surya Ghar subsidy calc | Yes | Manual | Manual | No | No |
| State APPC net metering | Yes | Manual | Manual | No | No |
| India Rs. proposals | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 3D shading / shadow analysis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| String sizing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engineering simulation | Good | Good | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Price (approx. per month) | Moderate | Higher | Freemium | Higher | Perpetual |
SurgePV
SurgePV is a cloud-based solar design, simulation, and proposal platform built with India’s compliance workflow in mind.
What works well for India:
- ALMM-verified component library: modules and inverters verified against MNRE ALMM lists
- Single-line diagrams formatted for Indian DISCOM application submissions — including protection relay symbols, earthing notation, and inverter model details as required
- PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation integrated into the financial model: automatically applies the Rs. 30,000/kW (first 2 kW) and Rs. 18,000/kW (third kW) slabs, with state top-up inputs
- State-specific APPC net metering rates: configure the applicable state rate for accurate export earnings projection
- India-calibrated irradiance data for generation modelling
- Shadow analysis for rooftop shading assessment — particularly relevant in dense urban installations where neighbouring buildings affect yield
- Customer proposals in Indian Rupees with subsidy breakdown, EMI illustration for concessional loans, and 25-year savings projection
Best for: Indian rooftop solar installers managing PM Surya Ghar residential installations, commercial rooftop projects, and multi-project pipeline at scale.
Aurora Solar
Aurora Solar is a US-built platform widely used by Indian installers who have worked with international standards.
What works for India:
- Strong 3D roof modelling and shading analysis
- Good satellite imagery coverage for urban India
- Reasonable India irradiance data through integration with global weather datasets
- Customer proposals in Indian Rupees (configurable)
What requires manual work for India:
- No ALMM-linked component library — manual verification required before each project
- SLD output is US NEC-format and typically needs significant modification for DISCOM submissions
- PM Surya Ghar subsidy must be manually entered as a custom incentive — no automated slab calculation
- State APPC net metering rates must be manually configured
Best for: Installers who need strong 3D design and shading tools and are comfortable supplementing with manual India-specific compliance documentation.
OpenSolar
OpenSolar is a freemium platform with a growing India user base.
What works for India:
- Free tier makes it accessible for smaller installers and new entrants
- PVGIS-sourced irradiance data with good India coverage
- Customer proposals in local currency with configurable incentive fields
- Reasonable 3D design capability
What requires manual work for India:
- No ALMM component verification
- SLD outputs require manual adaptation for DISCOM formats
- PM Surya Ghar subsidy requires manual configuration
- State APPC rates must be manually configured per project
Best for: Smaller installers or new entrants who need a no-cost starting point and can tolerate manual supplementation of India-specific compliance elements.
Helioscope
Helioscope (now part of Aurora Solar) is primarily an engineering simulation tool.
What works for India:
- Good simulation accuracy for yield assessment
- Handles complex roof layouts with multiple faces and obstructions
What does not work for India:
- No India-specific compliance documentation
- No ALMM library
- No PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation
- No Indian Rupee proposal output
- Not primarily a customer-facing proposal tool
Best for: Engineering teams needing precise yield assessment for large commercial projects — not for customer-facing residential/commercial sales workflow.
PVsyst
PVsyst is the industry standard for detailed energy yield simulation used by Indian EPCs and large developers.
What works for India:
- PVGIS and Meteonorm data with good India coverage
- Highly accurate simulation for large and complex systems
- Detailed loss analysis and PR (Performance Ratio) modelling
- Used for bankable yield assessments for large commercial and utility projects
What PVsyst does not do:
- No customer proposals
- No DISCOM documentation
- No PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation
- No net metering financial modelling
- Requires dedicated training to use effectively
Best for: Engineers and EPC consultants producing detailed bankable yield assessments for large commercial or industrial projects. Not for residential sales or DISCOM application preparation.
Design, Simulate, and Propose Indian Solar Projects in One Platform
SurgePV handles ALMM component verification, DISCOM-ready SLDs, PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculations, and state-specific APPC financial modelling — giving Indian installers a single workflow from first survey to signed proposal.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
Choosing the Right Tool for Your Business
| Business Type | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Small residential-focused installer (< 50 systems/year) | OpenSolar (free) + manual India compliance supplementation |
| Growing residential + commercial installer | SurgePV — India compliance built in, scales with pipeline |
| Large commercial-industrial installer | SurgePV for proposals + PVsyst for bankable yield assessment |
| Engineering/EPC consultant (utility scale) | PVsyst for simulation; SurgePV or Aurora for commercial proposals |
The most common workflow gap for Indian installers is the disconnect between the design tool and DISCOM application documentation. Systems designed in one tool, then SLDs redrawn manually for DISCOM submission, create errors and delay. Using solar design software that generates DISCOM-compatible SLDs from the design — rather than requiring a separate SLD drawing — is the single change that most reduces application rejection rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does design software need for India specifically?
ALMM-verified components, DISCOM-format SLDs, PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation (Rs. 78,000 max for 3 kW), state-specific APPC net metering rates (Rs. 2.80–4.50/unit), India irradiance data, and Indian Rupee proposals with subsidy breakdowns.
Can Aurora Solar be used for Indian projects?
Yes — with manual supplementation of ALMM verification, DISCOM SLD formatting, and PM Surya Ghar subsidy configuration. It works but requires significant manual work for Indian compliance workflows.
Does SurgePV support India?
Yes. ALMM-verified components, DISCOM-format documentation, PM Surya Ghar subsidy calculation, and state APPC net metering financial modelling are built into the SurgePV workflow.
Is PVsyst useful for Indian installers?
For large commercial and industrial projects requiring bankable yield assessments — yes. For residential sales workflows, DISCOM documentation, and customer proposals — no.
