Best Solar Design Software UK: Top 5 Solutions For Efficient Panel Design

In the UK, solar energy usage is expanding, and for good cause. It not only contributes to lowering carbon pollution and energy expenses, but it is a sustainable and renewable energy source.

The design of the solar cells, which can greatly affect how well they work, is a crucial component of effective solar energy systems. Use reputable solar design tools to get the best outcomes available.

The best 5 solar design software options offered in the UK will be examined in this article.

The Role of Photovoltaic Design Software

When designing and installing successful solar energy systems, photovoltaic (PV) design tools is essential. Key details about its function are as follows:

• Predicts performance: By accounting for elements like solar energy, shading, and module alignment, PV design software precisely forecasts the performance of a PV system.
• Design optimization: By modeling the system's energy output, PV design tools can assist in design optimization, lowering costs and boosting energy effectiveness.
• Analyzes scenarios: Scenario analysis is made possible by PV design software, which enables designers to consider various possibilities and decide on the system's ideal parts and arrangements after careful consideration.
• Enhances accuracy: PV design software improves the precision of energy output projections and financial analysis, assisting in ensuring the project's viability and affordability.
• Enhances communication: By offering concise and obvious representations of the system's design and performance, PV design software enhances communication between parties.

Software for solar panel design is crucial for producing effective panels. Some of the finest solar design software options that are currently offered in the UK are those that are mentioned above. The performance of their solar cells can be optimized, and the energy production of their systems can be predicted by solar designers using these software solutions.

Now let's examine some of the well-known solar design software mostly used by solar PV installers:

ARKA 360

A leading provider of computer vision and artificial intelligence for solar energy is ARKA 360. Through the provision of cutting-edge solutions for solar panel design, installation, and upkeep, Bengaluru, India-based ARKA 360 hopes to transform the solar industry. ARKA 360 is dedicated to developing cutting-edge goods that improve the effectiveness and dependability of solar energy systems. The company has a staff of skilled engineers and scientists. Leading solar businesses use their cutting-edge technology to maximize solar energy output and lower costs.

Features:

• Advanced computer vision technology: ARKA 360 analyzes satellite and aerial pictures using cutting-edge computer vision technology to provide extremely precise information on solar cells and their performance.
• Artificial intelligence algorithms: ARKA 360's AI algorithms are made to maximize the setup, upkeep, and use of solar panels, leading to higher productivity and lower expenses.
• A cloud-based platform: Users can access data and information using ARKA 360's cloud-based platform from any location, making it simple to track solar energy output and improve efficiency.
• Quick and precise solar panel layout design: ARKA 360's unique software can quickly and precisely create solar panel plans for any location, taking into consideration elements like shading, topography, and temperature.
• Remote tracking and maintenance: ARKA 360's technology makes it possible to watch and maintain solar energy systems remotely, minimizing the need for on-site trips and maximizing availability.

Pricing:

• The Lite plan costs $99/month paid annually or $149/month paid monthly. Basic project planning and report creation are part of this plan.
• The Basic plan costs $129/month paid annually or $169/month paid monthly.This plan allows for an unlimited number of residential and business projects.
• The Premium plan costs $169/month paid annually or $199/month paid monthly. Advanced processes, permissions and 3D exports are all part of this strategy.

Availability:

ARKA 360 is a Software as a Service (SaaS) that is accessible online and usable on any contemporary browser on desktops, laptops, and even mobile devices.

Website: https://arka360.com/

Rating:   4.8 / 5

Ease of Use:

• In just 30 minutes, you can present commercially viable technical ideas.
• You can conduct shadow analysis and make precise 3D models using this software.
• Using the design studio, you can produce both finance analysis and generation analysis.
• Additionally, CAD modeling and PvSyst output are supported.

Limitations:

There are no supported languages other than English for the user interface.

Aurora Solar

Leading technology firm Aurora Solar is an expert in solar design and sales tools. Aurora Solar, a San Francisco, California-based company, offers cutting-edge solutions that simplify the solar design and sales process, allowing solar firms to extend their operations and increase access to renewable energy.

Features:

• Accurate 3D modeling: Solar businesses can produce precise and thorough plans for solar energy systems that take into consideration elements like topography and shading thanks to Aurora Solar's cutting-edge 3D modeling technology.
• Creation of proposals: The platform provided by Aurora Solar has tools for creating expert proposals and quotes, making it simple for solar businesses to connect with customers and conclude deals.
• Integration with other software: Aurora Solar's software works with other tools used in the solar industry, such as project management and funding software, to make it simpler for solar firms to run their operations

Pricing:

• The Basic plan costs £98.55/user/month billed annually, saving £209.76 per year.
• The Premium plan costs £160.60/user/month billed annually, saving £355.50 per year.
  

Availability:

Aurora Solar is an online SaaS business that evaluates solar installation projects using overhead photography.

Website: https://www.aurorasolar.com/

Rating:   4.6 / 5

Ease of Use:

• Previously, a complex process that involved using multiple software applications, conducting hours of design work, and performing site visits can now be accomplished remotely and with greater precision in less than 10 minutes using Aurora.
• Aurora's effortless computer-aided design modeling tools, remote shading analysis algorithm, and three-dimensional LIDAR datasets make designing accurate PV systems a breeze. To further enhance the precision of solar production estimates, horizon shading is also included.

• Aurora's financial analysis tools can instantly simulate loan, lease, power purchase agreement (PPA), and cash payment models. The project data and financial analysis are seamlessly integrated into a customized sales proposal. Users can also obtain live PPA rates and apply for financing within the application.

Limitations:

Pricing and subscriptions are quite expensive.

Solargis

Leading software and data providers for the solar energy sector include Solargis. The business provides a number of services, such as solar irradiance and weather data, web tools for solar energy system design and performance analysis, and consulting services for the development of solar projects. Solargis is a global company with a Slovakian base.

Features:

• Solar resource data: For the purpose of planning and implementing solar energy systems, Solargis offers high-quality, trustworthy data on sun irradiance, temperature, and other meteorological factors.
• Online tools: Solargis provides a variety of online tools, such as Solargis PV Planner, Solargis Solar Time Series, and Solargis Solar Asset Management, for the construction and performance study of solar energy systems. Professionals in the field of solar energy can use these solar panel design tools to forecast energy output, watch system performance over time, and optimize system design.
• Consultancy services: In addition to viability studies, resource evaluations, and project management assistance, Solargis also offers consultancy services for the creation of solar projects.

Pricing:

Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) - Annual Subscription: This plan provides annual access to GHI data for a single location. The cost is €499 per year.

Solargis PV Planner - Monthly Subscription: This plan provides monthly access to an online tool for designing solar energy systems. The cost is €49 per month.

Solargis Solar Time Series - Annual Subscription: This plan provides annual access to a database of high-quality solar irradiance data. The cost is €2,499 per year.

Availability:

A variety of devices, including desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and cellphones, can access the array of tools and services that Solargis offers online.

Website: https://solargis.com/

Rating: 4.2 / 5

Ease of Use:

• It is simple to use and explore Solargis thanks to its intuitive UI.
• Users can customize their experience with Solargis' highly fluid and adaptable tools to suit their unique demands.
• Users can incorporate information about solar resources into their own software programs using Solargis' API.
• To speed up and improve the accuracy of solar resource evaluation and modeling, Solargis employs automated processes.

Limitations:

Solargis may not be able to offer extremely specialized information for certain regions or tasks. Users might need to contribute more on-site observations or data from other sources to Solargis' data.

PVsyst

Solar energy experts can use a variety of tools and services from the software provider PVsyst to build and improve their solar energy systems. Users can precisely simulate and maximize the performance of their solar energy systems with the aid of their software solutions, which come with tools for simulation and analysis as well as data management and reporting features.

Features:

• PVsyst enables users to model the performance of solar energy systems under various circumstances, such as various solar panel types or external variables like shading.
• Users of PVsyst have access to comprehensive data on solar energy output, enabling them to evaluate and improve the efficiency of their solar energy systems.
• PVsyst provides tools for planning and improving solar energy systems, such as cable sizing, converter sizing, and solar panel arrangement.

Pricing:

• PVsyst Designer: For £370, you get a lifetime license for the PVsyst programme as well as a year's worth of upgrades. Individual users who want to build and improve solar energy systems should use this strategy.
• PVsyst Project: The starting fee for this plan, which is dependent on the number of users and projects, is £870 for up to 10 projects and one user. The PVsyst software is accessible through this package, along with extra features like teamwork and project management tools.

Availability:

Both desktop and laptop machines can be equipped with the program and used with it. Additionally, PVsyst provides mobile software named PVsyst Mobile.

Website:https://www.pvsyst.com/

Rating: 4.4 / 5

Ease of Use:

• For evaluating the performance of solar energy systems, PVsyst offers strong modeling capabilities, including in-depth shadowing analysis, temperature modeling, and electrical modeling.
• To speed up the planning process, PVsyst can connect with other tools like CAD software and weather data sources.
• Energy output estimates, financial analyses, and analyses of the environmental effect are all included in the comprehensive reports and analyses of solar energy system performance offered by PVsyst.

Limitations:

A problem for the designers is creating bifacial PV panels placed on single-axis trackers.

HelioScope

Solar design software provider HelioScope provides cutting-edge features for developing solar energy systems. Users can build intricate solar energy systems, analyze shadowing, and produce precise performance projections using cloud-based software. The intuitive user UI and extensive design features of HelioScope are well known.

Features:

• With the help of HelioScope's sophisticated shading analysis features, users can precisely simulate how shadowing affects a solar energy system's performance.
• Users of HelioScope have access to a sizable collection of solar modules and inverters from numerous makers, giving them a variety of choices.
• Considerations like weather, irradiance, shading, and equipment specs can all be taken into consideration by HelioScope to produce accurate performance figures for solar energy systems.

Pricing:

• Users can make and save one project under the free plan. It provides access to fundamental features but excludes more sophisticated ones.
• All features, including sophisticated shading analysis, finance analysis, and bespoke reporting, are accessible with the £219 per month Pro plan. Up to 10 tasks may be created and saved by individuals.
• Teams of up to five individuals may collaborate on tasks under the £729 per month Team plan. It has all the features of the Premium package as well as tools for managing and collaborating with teams.

Availability:

Any device with an internet link and a web browser can access HelioScope.This covers tablets, cellphones, desktop and laptop computers, and more.

Website: https://www.helioscope.com/

Rating:   4.5 / 5

Ease of Use:

• HelioScope is a cloud-based application that doesn't need to be installed. Customers can easily view their accounts from any device with an internet connection.
• An automatic shading analysis tool built into the software creates a comprehensive shading map of the location using LIDAR data and high-resolution images.
• Users of HelioScope's 3D modeling application can see the solar project in three dimensions, which makes it simpler to spot possible design flaws.
• A variety of financial analysis tools are available through HelioScope, including cost and savings estimations, Return evaluations, and thorough financial summaries.

Limitations:

The cost options for the software may seem high to some users when compared to other solar design software available on the market.

Conclusion

The UK solar market is expanding quickly, and demand for effective panel design tools is rising. Each PV software provides special features and advantages to satisfy the various requirements of photovoltaic experts. When designing solar panels and systems, these solutions have shown to be dependable and effective, giving precise data and assisting in time and expense savings. Solar experts can simplify their design procedures and guarantee the best outcomes for their customers with the help of these software solutions.