A comparison of the top 5 photovoltaic planning software 2024

Photovoltaic (PV) is a technology that is used to generate renewable energy from the sun. However, planning PV systems requires precise knowledge of local conditions and careful calculation in order to achieve maximum performance. Fortunately, there are a number of software programs that can help with planning PV systems. In this blog article, we will introduce you to the five best PV planning software programs.

PV*SOL by Valentin Software

PVSOL is a software program from Valentin Software that enables users to calculate and simulate the performance of PV systems. The program is easy to use and provides detailed information about the energy yield and CO2 savings of a PV system. PVSOL is also able to calculate the optimal location for a PV system based on location data and shadow analysis.

advantages:

• Simple user interface
• Importing 3D models
• Detailed information on energy yield and CO2 savings
• Ability to calculate the optimal location of a PV system
• 1 month free trial available

Disadvantages:

• Not available in the cloud
• Only runs on Windows computers
• PV Sol*premium 2023 from 1.295€

Sunny Design by SMA

Sunny Design is a free PV planning software program from SMA, a leading company in the solar industry. The program allows users to calculate the energy yield of PV systems based on location data, orientation, and shadow analysis. Sunny Design is also able to simulate a wide range of PV systems, including on-grid, off-grid, and hybrid systems.

advantages:

• free (basic version)
• Available in the cloud
• Importing 3D models is possible
• Ability to simulate a wide range of PV systems
• Very detailed shading analysis
• 1 month free trial available

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes a bit slow
• Sunny Design Pro 600€ per year

PVsyst

PVsyst is a powerful PV planning software program from PVsyst SA that enables users to calculate the energy yield of PV systems based on location data, shadow analysis and weather conditions. PVsyst is also able to simulate a wide range of PV systems and provides detailed information about the energy yield and CO2 savings of a PV system.

advantages:

• Powerful functionality
• Ability to simulate a wide range of PV systems
• Practical design tool

Disadvantages:

• Importing 3D data is not possible
• PVsyst 7 Professional starting at 600 francs per year

SolarEdge Designer

SolarEdge Designer is an online tool developed by SolarEdge Technologies to make it easy to plan and configure SolarEdge systems. The tool allows users to design and optimize solar systems based on various factors such as roof dimensions, orientation, pitch, and shading.

advantages:

• Ease of use: The tool is easy to use
• The tool is specifically designed for SolarEdge products
• Importing 2D DXF/DWG possible
• free for SolarEdge customers

Disadvantages:

• Importing 3D data is not possible
• Limited customization options
• specifically optimized for SolarEdge products

Hottgenroth PV Planer & Simple Measure

Hottgenroth PV Planer and Simple Measure are software solutions for designing solar systems and measuring on photos, which were developed by Hottgenroth Software GmbH. The tools enable users to plan and calculate the size and design of solar systems that can be mounted on various types of roofs. The tool takes into account factors such as location, orientation, slope and shading to enable an accurate calculation of energy yield.

advantages:

• Importing 2D photos possible
• Version available for tablets

Disadvantages:

• Not available in the cloud
• Only runs on Windows computers
• Distortions and scale must be manually removed or entered from the images
• Importing 3D models is not possible
• A variety of different software solutions available, e.g. getSolar Professional, PV Planer, Simple Measure, HottCAD
• Costs 99€-499€ per year

Conclusion

The Top5 PV planning software offer various advantages and disadvantages. Depending on what is particularly important for your business, the choice is different. If you need locally installed software with 3D import, PV Sol Premium is your first choice. If a cloud solution with 3D import is particularly important to you, Sunny Design Pro from SMA is ideal. If you are increasingly using Solar Edge products, the Solar Edge Designer is probably your first choice. And if 3D data doesn't play a major role for you, PV Syst and Hottgenroth PV Planner are a very good choice.