PVcase
PVcase provides a suite of solar design and data management tools that help you automate engineering workflows and optimize the performance of utility-scale solar power plants.
PVsyst
PVsyst is a specialized solar design software used by engineers and researchers to accurately simulate, model, and analyze the energy production of photovoltaic systems for various weather conditions.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | PVcase | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Website | pvcase.com | pvsyst.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $55/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2018 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Kaunas, Lithuania | Satigny, Switzerland |
Overview
PVcase
PVcase offers a specialized suite of solar engineering tools designed to help you streamline the entire lifecycle of utility-scale solar projects. By integrating directly with AutoCAD, the platform allows you to automate complex layout tasks, perform terrain analysis, and generate accurate energy yield estimates without switching between multiple disconnected applications.
You can manage everything from initial site selection and topographical assessment to final electrical design and data monitoring. The software helps you reduce manual data entry errors and significantly cuts down the time required for site iterations, ensuring your solar assets are optimized for maximum energy production and financial return.
PVsyst
PVsyst is a technical modeling tool designed to help you predict the energy yield of solar photovoltaic systems. You can import meteorological data from various sources and define specific system components like modules, inverters, and cabling to create a highly accurate digital twin of your project. The software handles everything from small residential setups to massive utility-scale power plants, providing you with the detailed reports needed for financial planning and technical validation.
You can perform complex shading analysis using a 3D CAD environment to see exactly how nearby objects impact your energy production. It allows you to account for thermal losses, horizon shading, and spectral effects to ensure your simulations match real-world performance. Whether you are an engineer designing a grid-connected system or a researcher studying stand-alone installations, you get the precision required for bankable solar energy assessments.
Overview
PVcase Features
- Automated Layout Generation Generate optimal solar layouts instantly by defining boundaries and exclusion zones directly within your AutoCAD environment.
- Terrain Following Analysis Analyze complex topography to see how your trackers or fixed-tilt structures will interact with the actual ground surface.
- Electrical Design Automation Automate your stringing and cabling layouts to reduce copper waste and ensure your electrical systems meet project specifications.
- Yield Estimation Calculate potential energy production using integrated meteorological data to provide stakeholders with reliable financial projections.
- Civil Analysis Tools Evaluate grading requirements and earthwork volumes to minimize site preparation costs before construction begins.
- Cloud Data Management Centralize your project data in the cloud so your team can collaborate on the most recent design versions.
PVsyst Features
- System Simulation. Model your entire PV system by defining modules, inverters, and strings to calculate hourly energy distribution and losses.
- 3D Shading Tool. Build a 3D representation of your installation site to visualize and calculate the impact of shadows on your panels.
- Meteo Data Management. Import weather data from Meteonorm, NASA, or your own sensors to simulate performance under specific local climate conditions.
- Grid-Connected Modeling. Design large-scale solar farms and calculate the injected energy while accounting for grid limitations and ohmic losses.
- P50/P90 Analysis. Evaluate the financial risk of your project by generating probability reports that show expected yields under different scenarios.
- Bifacial Modeling. Calculate the additional energy gain from bifacial modules by simulating ground reflections and back-side irradiance accurately.
- Pumping & Stand-alone. Design off-grid systems and solar water pumping stations with specialized tools for battery storage and hydraulic needs.
- Detailed Loss Tree. Identify exactly where you are losing energy with a comprehensive breakdown of thermal, wiring, and mismatch losses.
Pricing Comparison
PVcase Pricing
PVsyst Pricing
- Full simulation capabilities
- Unlimited project modeling
- Access to PV component database
- 3D shading analysis
- Technical support included
- Software updates for one year
- Everything in Professional, plus:
- Discounted rate for educational use
- Restricted to non-commercial research
- Full feature set access
- Annual renewal required
Pros & Cons
PVcase
Pros
- Seamless integration with existing AutoCAD workflows
- Significant reduction in manual design time
- Highly accurate terrain and shading analysis
- Excellent technical support for complex engineering questions
Cons
- Requires an existing AutoCAD license to operate
- High learning curve for advanced civil features
- Premium pricing reflects enterprise-level capabilities
PVsyst
Pros
- Industry standard for bankable solar energy reports
- Extensive database of global solar modules and inverters
- Highly accurate shading and loss calculations
- Regular updates to include new solar technologies
- Detailed PDF reports ready for project investors
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to modern web apps
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Requires Windows environment or virtual machine
- 3D CAD tool can be difficult to master