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.
Solargraf
Solargraf is a comprehensive solar design and sales software that helps you create accurate 3D models, generate professional proposals, and manage your entire project pipeline from a single platform.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | PVsyst | Solargraf |
|---|---|---|
| Website | pvsyst.com | solargraf.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $55/month | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No 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 | 1992 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Satigny, Switzerland | Montreal, Canada |
Overview
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.
Solargraf
Solargraf is an all-in-one design and sales platform built to help you scale your solar business. You can generate precise 3D designs using high-resolution aerial imagery and calculate complex shading analysis in seconds. The software simplifies the entire pre-construction phase by allowing you to create customized, professional proposals that your customers can sign digitally on any device.
Beyond design, you can manage your entire sales pipeline and project workflows without switching between multiple tools. It solves the problem of inaccurate manual measurements and slow turnaround times by providing automated permit-ready plan sets and integrated financing options. Whether you are a solo installer or a large solar enterprise, you can use these tools to close more deals and reduce soft costs.
Overview
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.
Solargraf Features
- 3D Design Tool. Create accurate 3D solar models and roof layouts using high-resolution imagery to ensure perfect system sizing.
- Shading Analysis. Calculate precise solar access values and shading reports automatically to provide guaranteed production estimates for your clients.
- Custom Proposals. Generate beautiful, web-based proposals that you can customize with your branding, specific hardware, and financing options.
- E-Signatures. Close deals faster by letting your customers sign contracts and documents digitally from their phone or computer.
- Permit Plan Sets. Order professional, jurisdiction-specific permit stamps and plan sets directly through the platform to speed up installation.
- Financing Integration. Connect with leading solar lenders to offer your customers instant credit approvals and multiple loan options.
Pricing Comparison
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
Solargraf Pricing
Pros & Cons
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
Solargraf
Pros
- Extremely fast proposal generation saves hours of manual work
- High-quality aerial imagery provides superior accuracy for remote designs
- Integrated financing makes it easy to present monthly payment options
- User-friendly interface requires very little technical training for sales reps
Cons
- Occasional glitches in the 3D modeling tool during complex roof designs
- Customer support response times can vary during peak solar seasons
- Pricing can be higher than basic competitors for small installers