Short answer: For design accuracy and bankable proposals, Aurora Solar is the industry standard. For a genuinely free all-in-one platform, OpenSolar is the standout. Commercial teams should look at HelioScope, and installers who want design, proposals and permitting in one cheaper bundle should price Solargraf before signing anything.
Best AI Tools for Solar Installers at a Glance
| Tool | Best for | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | Residential design accuracy | Basic $159/user/month; Premium $259 | Best overall for installers |
| OpenSolar | Free all-in-one platform | Free | Best free pick |
| HelioScope | Commercial & industrial design | About $159/license/month | Best for C&I projects |
| Solargraf | Design + proposals + permitting | About $2,799/year | Best bundled alternative |
| Sunbase | Solar, roofing & construction ops | From $59/user/month | Best multi-trade option |
| Energy Toolbase | Storage financial modelling | About $170/user/month | Best for solar + storage maths |
1. Aurora Solar — best for residential design accuracy
Aurora uses aerial imagery and LiDAR-based shading analysis to build accurate 3D roof models remotely, then turns the same design into an interactive sales proposal with financing and e-signature. That one-file truth — proposal generated from the design that gets built — is why financing partners trust its numbers. Published pricing: Basic $159/user/month, Premium $259/user/month, Enterprise custom. Best for: residential installers closing at volume.
- Pros: Leading shade/production accuracy; AI roof detection speeds design; deep CRM integrations
- Cons: Premium per-seat cost; learning curve for new reps
2. OpenSolar — best free platform
OpenSolar offers AI-assisted design, proposals, a built-in CRM and financing options at no subscription cost — it monetises through its ecosystem rather than seat fees. For a small installer, it is the obvious first platform to learn on. Best for: new and small installers watching cash flow.
- Pros: Free; complete sales-to-design workflow
- Cons: Less engineering depth than Aurora for complex roofs
3. HelioScope — best for commercial solar
HelioScope (owned by Aurora) is the design tool for commercial and industrial projects: flexible layouts and detailed shading/performance simulation for flat roofs and larger arrays. Pricing is around $159/license/month in published comparisons. Best for: C&I designers and engineers.
- Pros: Built for commercial scale and detail
- Cons: More engineering tool than sales tool
4. Solargraf — best bundled alternative
Solargraf (from Enphase) combines AI-assisted design, live-editable proposals and permitting support in one platform, listed at about $2,799/year. For teams that would otherwise buy design and permitting separately, the bundle can undercut per-seat stacks. Best for: installers wanting one vendor for design through permit.
- Pros: Design, proposal and permitting together; annual pricing is predictable
- Cons: Annual commitment; smaller ecosystem than Aurora
5. Sunbase — best for multi-trade contractors
Sunbase is operations software for contractors spanning solar, roofing and construction, with proposal generation and built-in estimation, from $59/user/month. Best for: companies that sell more than solar and want one system across trades.
- Pros: Lower entry price; covers project operations, not just design
- Cons: Design depth trails the specialist tools
6. Energy Toolbase — best for storage financial modelling
Energy Toolbase specialises in the money side of commercial solar and storage: tariff-accurate financial analysis and storage simulation, at about $170/user/month. Best for: commercial projects where the storage business case decides the deal.
- Pros: Serious tariff and storage modelling
- Cons: A specialist add-on, not your main design tool
How should a solar installer choose?
Decide what you are paying for: accuracy (Aurora/HelioScope), zero seat cost (OpenSolar), a bundle (Solargraf), operations (Sunbase) or storage maths (Energy Toolbase). Run one real, complex project through a trial — that is where the gaps show.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free solar design software?
OpenSolar is the strongest free option, covering design, proposals and CRM without a subscription fee.
How much does Aurora Solar cost?
Published pricing is $159/user/month for Basic and $259/user/month for Premium, with custom Enterprise pricing. Confirm current rates with Aurora.
Do these tools replace a site visit?
They replace the first visit for most residential jobs — remote imagery and LiDAR shading are usually enough to propose accurately — but complex sites still warrant an in-person survey before install.
Which tool is best for commercial solar?
HelioScope for design and Energy Toolbase for storage financial modelling are the common commercial pairing.
Prices and features checked October 2026 from vendor and comparison sources. This is research-based coverage, not a hands-on test.