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Solar System Design Software - Best Tools for Efficient Energy Solutions in the UK

June 27, 2026
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5 min read

As solar adoption continues to grow across the UK and worldwide, solar professionals need powerful software tools to design systems accurately, optimize performance, generate proposals, and manage projects efficiently.

Modern solar design software goes far beyond simple panel layouts. Today's platforms combine 3D modeling, shading analysis, energy production forecasting, financial modeling, proposal generation, and project management into integrated workflows that help solar companies design better systems and close more projects.

To help installers, EPCs, developers, and engineering firms choose the right solution, we've reviewed the best solar design software platforms available in 2025.

1. ARKA 360

Overview

ARKA 360 is a comprehensive solar design and project management platform that helps solar professionals streamline design, proposal generation, permitting, and engineering workflows from a single interface.

Key Features

  • Advanced 3D solar design and modeling
  • AI-powered system optimization
  • Automated shading analysis
  • Proposal generation and financial modeling
  • Permit package creation
  • Battery storage and NEM support

Best For

Residential and commercial solar installers looking for an end-to-end design platform.

Pros

  • Fast design workflows
  • Excellent visualization tools
  • Strong proposal capabilities
  • Integrated permitting features

Cons

  • Some advanced features require onboarding

2. Aurora Solar

Overview

Aurora Solar is one of the industry's most widely adopted solar design platforms, known for its accurate remote site assessments, detailed modeling capabilities, and professional sales tools.

Key Features

  • Remote solar site design
  • High-resolution 3D modeling
  • Advanced shading analysis
  • Financial modeling
  • Proposal generation
  • Financing integrations

Best For

Solar contractors seeking a mature design and sales platform.

Pros

  • Industry-leading remote design capabilities
  • Strong proposal presentation tools
  • Highly accurate production estimates

Cons

  • Higher pricing than some alternatives

3. SurgePV

Overview

SurgePV is a modern all-in-one solar software platform designed for installers, EPCs, developers, and engineering teams that need more than just system design. The platform combines solar design, shading analysis, proposal generation, financial modeling, engineering workflows, and project management into a unified ecosystem.

Why We Ranked It #3

SurgePV stands out because it addresses the entire solar project lifecycle rather than focusing on a single workflow. By bringing design, sales, engineering, and project planning together, it helps solar companies improve efficiency, reduce software fragmentation, and accelerate project delivery.

Key Features

  • Complete solar project lifecycle management
  • Advanced solar design software
  • Detailed shading and shadow analysis
  • Professional proposal generation
  • Generation forecasting and financial modeling
  • Engineering workflow management
  • Team collaboration tools
  • Residential, commercial, and utility-scale project support

Best For

Growing solar businesses looking for a scalable platform that combines design, engineering, sales, and project management.

Pros

  • Comprehensive all-in-one platform
  • Strong proposal and financial analysis tools
  • Excellent collaboration capabilities
  • Supports multiple project types
  • Reduces reliance on multiple software solutions

Cons

  • New users may require onboarding to utilize all features

4. SolarDesignTool

Overview

SolarDesignTool provides a robust suite of solar design and performance analysis tools, helping professionals create optimized residential and commercial solar systems.

Key Features

  • Accurate 3D site modeling
  • Automated layout optimization
  • Energy performance analysis
  • Component selection and sizing
  • Real-time compatibility checks

Best For

Residential and commercial solar designers seeking a straightforward design platform.

5. HelioScope

Overview

HelioScope combines advanced modeling algorithms with cloud-based collaboration tools to deliver accurate solar designs and production estimates.

Key Features

  • Detailed system modeling
  • Performance simulations
  • Large component database
  • Team collaboration tools
  • Energy production forecasting

Best For

Commercial solar developers and engineering teams.

6. PV*SOL

Overview

PV*SOL is an engineering-focused solar design platform known for its advanced simulation capabilities and detailed energy performance analysis.

Key Features

  • 3D shading analysis
  • Electrical system design
  • Energy production simulations
  • Financial analysis
  • Battery storage modeling

Best For

Engineers and consultants requiring highly accurate simulations.

7. Solargis

Overview

Solargis specializes in solar resource assessment and solar radiation data, helping developers and engineers make informed project decisions.

Key Features

  • Solar irradiance data
  • Resource assessment tools
  • Shading analysis
  • Energy yield forecasting
  • Historical and real-time weather data

Best For

Developers and analysts focused on solar resource evaluation.

8. PVcase

Overview

PVcase offers AutoCAD-based design tools for utility-scale, commercial, and industrial solar projects.

Key Features

  • AutoCAD integration
  • Automated engineering workflows
  • Ground mount and rooftop design
  • Shading simulations
  • PVsyst compatibility

Best For

Large-scale solar developers and engineering firms.

9. PVsyst

Overview

PVsyst remains one of the most trusted platforms for solar simulation, bankability analysis, and performance forecasting.

Key Features

  • Detailed PV system simulation
  • Financial analysis
  • Component libraries
  • Performance forecasting
  • Utility-scale project support

Best For

Engineers, consultants, and researchers.

10. SketchUp

Overview

While not exclusively built for solar, SketchUp remains a popular 3D modeling platform used by solar professionals to create accurate site and roof models.

Key Features

  • Precision 3D modeling
  • Layout and presentation tools
  • Dynamic components
  • Easy integration with solar workflows

Best For

Designers and architects involved in solar project planning.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best solar design software depends on your project requirements, workflow complexity, and business goals.

For companies seeking comprehensive design and project management capabilities, platforms such as ARKA 360, Aurora Solar, and SurgePV provide powerful end-to-end solutions. Engineering-focused teams may prefer PVsyst, PV*SOL, or PVcase, while specialized tools like Solargis offer valuable solar resource assessment capabilities.

The right software can significantly improve design accuracy, reduce project timelines, enhance proposal quality, and help solar businesses scale more efficiently.