OpenSolar Review: Overview, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2025

Proposals taking too long to prepare again?

If you’re evaluating solar software, you know how frustrating it is to juggle design tools, manual proposals, messy CRM data, and clunky financing workflows.

Let’s be honest—losing deals because proposals aren’t accurate or fast enough is what holds you back every single day.

That’s exactly where OpenSolar sets itself apart, giving you access to a browser-based, all-in-one platform that combines 3D design, interactive proposals, financing, and project management without the usual headaches or licensing costs.

In this review, I’ll break down how OpenSolar helps you win more solar deals by streamlining the sales and design process from start to finish.

Throughout this OpenSolar review, you’ll see what really matters for your evaluation: hands-on experience with key features, detailed pricing info, plus side-by-side alternatives that fit your workflow and budget.

You’ll walk away knowing exactly the features you need to confidently move forward with your solar business.

Let’s dive into the analysis.

OpenSolar Overview

OpenSolar has been around since 2017, founded by industry veterans in Sydney, Australia. Their core mission is to accelerate global solar adoption with accessible, powerful software.

What I find compelling is how they serve solar professionals of all sizes, from solo installers just starting their business to established enterprise teams. They don’t just chase high-end commercial projects like some rivals.

Recent partnerships with Sunnova for AI design and LoanOptions.ai for financing are smart moves. Through this OpenSolar review, you’ll see how these integrations add practical value.

Unlike competitors that charge significant fees, OpenSolar’s key value is its completely free end-to-end platform. You get the feeling it was built by people who actually understand the tight margins in this industry.

They work with a massive range of installers globally, from new residential startups needing an affordable entry point to established businesses looking to consolidate expensive, disconnected software tools.

Their entire strategy is quite clever and buyer-friendly: keep the core software free and generate revenue through an ecosystem of integrated hardware and finance partners. This aligns their success directly with your own, which builds my confidence in their long-term business model.

Now let’s examine their capabilities.

OpenSolar Features

Worrying about accurate solar designs?

OpenSolar features deliver an integrated suite of tools designed to streamline your entire solar project lifecycle. These are the five core OpenSolar features that revolutionize how you design, sell, and manage solar installations.

1. Accurate 3D Design

Struggling with precise solar mapping?

Inaccurate system designs can lead to costly errors and frustrated clients. This problem often hinders your ability to provide reliable quotes remotely.

OpenSolar’s 3D design tool allows you to map out customer properties with incredible precision, including roof details and shading. From my testing, the NREL-validated accuracy for sun access is truly impressive, ensuring your designs are robust. This feature makes it easier to design optimal systems and give precise quotes.

This means you can confidently sell remotely, knowing your designs are accurate and your proposals are reliable.

2. Dynamic and Interactive Proposals

Static proposals failing to impress clients?

Providing generic, non-interactive proposals can make it hard for customers to visualize their options. This often slows down the sales cycle significantly.

This feature enables you to generate fully customizable, interactive proposals accessible online, not just as PDFs. What I love is how you can include detailed financial information and system variations, helping clients make informed decisions. This makes the sales experience smoother and more engaging.

So you can provide prompt, personalized proposals that truly resonate with your potential clients.

3. Integrated Finance and Payments

Complicated financing slowing down sales?

Fragmented payment and financing processes can create roadblocks for both your team and your customers. This often delays project approvals and impacts your cash flow.

OpenSolar integrates financing options directly into your proposals, allowing for real-time approvals and simplifying the entire process. Here’s what I found: the built-in payment system for branded invoices enhances cash flow management. This feature also provides flexible payment milestones and automated reminders.

This means you can offer clear financial solutions that streamline the path to project approval and improve your payment collection.

4. Built-in CRM and Project Management

Managing leads and projects across multiple tools?

Scattered customer data and project details can lead to missed opportunities and operational inefficiencies. This creates unnecessary overhead for your team.

OpenSolar includes a comprehensive lead capture and CRM system, along with robust tools for project tracking and management. This is where OpenSolar shines, allowing you to manage everything from lead to installation within a single platform. It even tracks customer interactions, like proposal views.

This means you can maintain a complete overview of your customer relationships and project progress, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

5. Open API and Partner Ecosystem

Limited by isolated software systems?

Having to switch between different tools for hardware, financing, and permits can fragment your workflow. This often wastes valuable time and introduces potential errors.

OpenSolar offers an Open API for seamless integration with your existing CRM and other business systems. What I find valuable is the extensive partner ecosystem with over 130 integrations, including hardware and finance providers. This feature lets you access marketing collateral, imagery, and financing directly.

This means you can connect your essential tools and access critical services, creating a cohesive and efficient operational workflow.

You’ll actually appreciate how these OpenSolar features work together as a truly integrated platform that simplifies solar business operations.

OpenSolar Pricing

Worried about hidden software costs?

OpenSolar pricing operates on a uniquely free core model, focusing on partnerships rather than traditional user licenses, setting it apart in the solar software market.

Plan	Price & Features
Core Platform	100% Free of Charge • Accurate 3D design tool • Dynamic, interactive proposals • Integrated finance & payments • Built-in CRM & project management • Open API & partner ecosystem
Add-ons (Optional)	Varies by partner (e.g., ~$250/month for Nearmap) • High-resolution aerial imagery (e.g., Nearmap) • Premium training services • Advanced integrations with specific systems
Enterprise Services	Custom pricing – contact sales • Custom API implementations • Unique customer proposal builds • Faster/larger data throughput • Dedicated support & consulting

1. Value Assessment

Incredible value proposition.

OpenSolar’s commitment to a free core platform is truly disruptive, saving solar installers significant operational costs. From my cost analysis, this unique model effectively eliminates licensing fees you’d typically pay for design, sales, and project management tools.

This means your budget gets a substantial boost, allowing you to invest more in growth rather than software subscriptions.

2. Trial/Demo Options

Try before you buy, easily.

OpenSolar makes evaluation simple: the entire platform is free to use upon creating an account. What I found particularly helpful is that there’s no time-limited trial; you get full access to the core features immediately.

This allows you to thoroughly assess the platform’s fit for your business without any financial commitment.

3. Plan Comparison

Choose only what you need.

The core OpenSolar platform provides robust features for free, covering most solar professionals’ needs. What stands out is how optional add-ons and enterprise services target specific needs, like premium imagery or custom integrations.

This tiered approach helps you match pricing to actual usage requirements, allowing you to pay only for specific enhancements.

My Take: OpenSolar’s pricing strategy is groundbreaking, offering a comprehensive free platform that significantly reduces overhead for solar installers, ideal for businesses seeking maximum value.

The overall OpenSolar pricing reflects unparalleled value for solar professionals.

OpenSolar Reviews

What do actual customers think?

I’ve dug deep into numerous OpenSolar reviews to bring you an unbiased look at what users truly experience with this platform, based on real feedback. I’ve dug deep into numerous OpenSolar reviews to bring you an unbiased look at what users truly experience with this platform, based on real feedback.

1. Overall User Satisfaction

Users are largely very happy.

From my review analysis, OpenSolar consistently receives positive feedback, especially given its free core offering. What I found in user feedback is that its comprehensive nature stands out across design, presentation, and sales functionalities. Many reviews highlight its value proposition.

This means you can expect a highly functional tool that satisfies core solar business needs.

2. Common Praise Points

Ease of use and accuracy top the list.

Users frequently praise OpenSolar for its intuitive interface, allowing teams to generate live quotes quickly. From the reviews I analyzed, its design accuracy is independently validated, giving users confidence in shading and energy modeling, which is crucial for remote sales.

This suggests you’ll find it easy to pick up and trust its design outputs for your projects.

3. Frequent Complaints

Image quality and learning curve are common gripes.

Frequent complaints revolve around the free version’s reliance on Google Maps imagery, sometimes lacking detail for precise designs. What stands out in customer feedback is how advanced features can present a steep learning curve for new users, despite overall user-friendliness.

These issues seem like minor hurdles, often addressable with paid imagery or initial training investment.

Overall, OpenSolar reviews reveal strong user satisfaction despite minor UI and imagery limitations.

Best OpenSolar Alternatives

Navigating solar software choices can be tricky.

The best OpenSolar alternatives include several strong options, each better suited for different business situations, project complexities, and budget priorities in the competitive solar market.

1. Aurora Solar

Need utility-grade accuracy for complex projects?

Aurora Solar makes more sense if your primary concern is the absolute highest level of design accuracy and energy modeling for large-scale commercial or utility-scale projects. What I found comparing options is that Aurora offers superior LIDAR-based shading analysis, though its premium features come at a significantly higher cost.

Choose this alternative when precision for complex installations outweighs OpenSolar’s free, accessible model.

2. HelioScope

Require robust 3D modeling and detailed simulations?

HelioScope is a strong alternative for engineers and designers who need advanced 3D solar shading analysis and professional-grade reporting. From my competitive analysis, HelioScope excels in in-depth shading analysis, which is critical for complex installations, though it requires monthly fees and often additional imagery purchases.

Consider this option when your focus is solely on deep design and engineering over a comprehensive sales platform.

3. PVsyst

Looking for the most rigorous energy yield simulations?

PVsyst is ideal for highly technical users, researchers, and engineers who require the most detailed energy yield simulations and data analysis. Alternative-wise, PVsyst is an industry standard for bankability, though it’s paid, PC-based software, unlike OpenSolar’s free cloud model.

Choose PVsyst if you prioritize detailed technical analysis for complex PV projects over an end-to-end sales solution.

4. Energy Toolbase

Prioritizing in-depth financial and storage modeling?

Energy Toolbase is better suited for businesses that need specialized financial modeling for solar and storage projects, including precise utility bill analysis. From my analysis, Energy Toolbase provides accurate financial analysis for storage, using machine learning for sophisticated control, though it requires a monthly subscription.

This competitor is ideal when your projects demand advanced financial and energy storage management capabilities.

The best OpenSolar alternatives depend on your specific business needs and budget flexibility, not just feature lists.

OpenSolar Setup

Ready for a smooth solar software rollout?

OpenSolar setup is designed for rapid deployment, allowing most teams to go from initial configuration to generating live quotes in under a day, setting realistic expectations for this OpenSolar review.

1. Setup Complexity & Timeline

Expect a surprisingly quick start.

OpenSolar provides a simple setup wizard and template-based project workflows, enabling you to configure branding and customize preferences rapidly. From my implementation analysis, many users grasp the basics in hours, getting to live quotes in less than a day, rather than weeks.

You’ll want to plan for focused time to customize initial templates, not a lengthy project.

2. Technical Requirements & Integration

No complex IT setups needed here.

As a cloud-based, browser-based interface, OpenSolar requires no downloads or intricate server configurations, working seamlessly across devices. What I found about deployment is that your team only needs an internet connection to access the platform from desktops, tablets, or smartphones, avoiding major IT infrastructure investments.

Prepare your team with reliable internet access; no specialized hardware or software installations are required for this implementation.

3. Training & Change Management

User adoption can be swift, but depth takes time.

While OpenSolar’s interface is user-friendly, its extensive features mean mastering all functionalities requires a learning curve. From my analysis, interactive tutorials significantly reduce initial training time, yet you’ll need to allocate time for deeper exploration of advanced features.

Invest in dedicated time for your team to explore the robust help center and interactive tutorials to maximize adoption and proficiency.

Overall, OpenSolar setup emphasizes speed and ease of getting started, making it highly accessible for businesses looking to quickly implement solar design and sales tools.

Bottom Line

Is OpenSolar the right fit for your business?

My OpenSolar review synthesizes a comprehensive analysis into a clear recommendation, helping you understand who this software best serves and why.

1. Who This Works Best For

Solar professionals seeking a cost-effective, end-to-end solution.

OpenSolar is ideal for new solar companies, startups, and mid-market firms prioritizing remote sales and integrated design, CRM, and project management. What I found about target users is that businesses minimizing software costs without sacrificing functionality thrive with its free core platform.

You’ll succeed if your business values streamlined workflows and accurate, interactive proposals without hefty upfront investment.

2. Overall Strengths

Unbeatable value from a comprehensive, free platform.

The software stands out for its 100% free, end-to-end platform, delivering accurate 3D design, interactive proposals, and an integrated CRM from a user-friendly interface. From my comprehensive analysis, its unique revenue model enables powerful tools at no cost for core functionalities.

These strengths directly translate into improved sales efficiency and reduced operational costs for your solar business.

3. Key Limitations

Image quality can be a notable concern.

While powerful, the free version’s reliance on Google Maps imagery may lack the resolution needed for highly accurate designs, sometimes requiring paid upgrades. Based on this review, some users also find the user interface visually outdated, even if functional.

I’d say these limitations are manageable trade-offs for the overall value, but they are worth considering for your specific project needs.

4. Final Recommendation

OpenSolar earns a strong and confident recommendation.

You should choose this software if you’re a solar installer or sales team seeking a powerful, cost-effective, and comprehensive tool for design, sales, and project management. From my analysis, this solution empowers businesses of all sizes to streamline operations and accelerate solar adoption effectively.

My confidence level is very high for solar professionals prioritizing value and an all-in-one platform solution.

This OpenSolar review shows exceptional value for solar professionals, making it a highly compelling choice for streamlining your operations.