SolarScope vs Solar Software: Complete 2026 Comparisons
How does SolarScope stack up against the major solar analysis and design tools? Here's how we compare to Aurora Solar, HelioScope, PVcase, PVsyst, SAM, and Google Project Sunroof — by pricing, features, and best use case.
All-In-One Comparison Table
SolarScope at a glance against the six major solar software tools:
| Tool | Best For | AI? | Cloud? | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolarScope | AI site screening & feasibility | ✓ GPT-4o | ✓ | $99/year |
| Aurora Solar | Residential design & proposals | Roof detection only | ✓ | ~$135/month |
| HelioScope | Commercial PV design | ❌ | ✓ | ~$95/month |
| PVcase Prospect | Utility-scale GIS prospecting | ❌ | ✓ | ~$1,200/month |
| PVsyst | Bankable energy yield reports | ❌ | ❌ Desktop | ~$3,400/year |
| SAM (NREL) | Research & techno-economic analysis | ❌ | ❌ Desktop | Free |
| Google Sunroof | Homeowner estimates | ❌ | ✓ | Free |
Which Solar Tool Is Right for You?
The best solar analysis tool depends entirely on your role, project type, and what stage of development you're in. Here's a quick guide by use case:
Site Screening & Early Feasibility
AI-powered analysis of any US location in minutes. NREL data, grid connectivity, flood zones, financial estimates. Best for developers, consultants, and engineers screening multiple sites.
Residential Design & Sales Proposals
3D satellite roof modeling, shade analysis, customer-facing proposals with financing. The standard tool for residential solar installers and sales teams.
Commercial PV System Design
Detailed module-level layout, string sizing, and energy yield simulation for commercial rooftop and ground-mount projects. Used by EPC contractors for bankable design documentation.
Utility-Scale Portfolio Prospecting
GIS-based land screening across large regions with slope, setback, and zoning constraints. Designed for enterprise developers screening hundreds of utility-scale candidate sites.
Bankable Energy Yield Reports
P50/P90 production analysis required for project financing. Industry standard for independent engineering reviews and investor due diligence on commercial and utility projects.
Research & Techno-Economic Analysis
Free, open-source LCOE, PPA pricing, and complex financial modeling. Best for researchers, academics, and engineers who need detailed modeling and have the expertise to use it.
Many professional workflows combine multiple tools. A common pattern: SolarScope for site screening → HelioScope or Aurora for design → PVsyst for bankable reports. SolarScope's $99/year cost means it adds value even if you already use other tools for later project stages.
Detailed Comparison Pages
Established Platforms
SolarScope vs Aurora Solar
AI site analysis vs residential design and proposal platform. Different strengths — see which fits your workflow and why many professionals use both in sequence.
SolarScope vs HelioScope
Site feasibility vs commercial PV design. Learn how to use both tools at different project stages for maximum efficiency.
SolarScope vs PVcase Prospect
AI-powered site analysis vs enterprise GIS prospecting for utility-scale developers. See why SolarScope delivers most of the analysis value at less than 1% of the cost.
Simulation & Research Tools
SolarScope vs PVsyst
Rapid AI site analysis vs the industry-standard bankable energy yield simulation engine. Two different stages of the project workflow — see when to use each.
SolarScope vs SAM (NREL)
Commercial site screening vs NREL's powerful free research tool. Fast AI analysis vs detailed techno-economic simulation — different users, different workflows.
Free Consumer Tools
SolarScope vs Google Project Sunroof
Professional AI analysis vs a free homeowner estimate tool. Why solar professionals need more than a consumer-facing ballpark estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes SolarScope different from other solar analysis tools?
SolarScope is the only solar analysis platform built around an AI assistant (GPT-4o) that interprets site data in plain English, giving solar professionals immediate, actionable analysis without simulation expertise. Combined with real-time NREL and NASA irradiance data, grid infrastructure maps, and financial modeling, SolarScope delivers professional-grade analysis in minutes at $99/year — far faster and more affordable than any alternative.
Is SolarScope a replacement for Aurora Solar?
For site screening and feasibility analysis — yes, SolarScope is faster and more affordable. For detailed residential roof design and customer sales proposals with financing, Aurora Solar has specialized tools that SolarScope doesn't replace. Many professionals use SolarScope for early screening and Aurora for final residential design.
Can I use SolarScope data for project financing?
SolarScope provides NREL-backed production estimates useful for early-stage feasibility and investor conversations. For bankable P50/P90 production reports required by lenders for construction financing, PVsyst or an independent engineering review is the industry standard. SolarScope is best used for the analysis that happens before formal financing is pursued.
Which solar tool has the best AI features?
SolarScope is the only major solar analysis platform with an integrated AI assistant (GPT-4o) that understands site-specific context. It can answer questions about irradiance data, explain what GHI values mean for a specific location, flag environmental concerns, and provide actionable site recommendations in plain English. No other tool on this list offers comparable AI functionality.
What is the best value solar analysis software in 2026?
For most solar professionals who need site screening, feasibility analysis, and project financial estimates, SolarScope at $99/year delivers the best value. It's 15–140x less expensive than competing professional tools, requires no installation, and provides AI-guided analysis that makes complex site evaluation accessible to any team member immediately.
Try SolarScope Free
AI-powered solar site analysis with NREL and NASA data. No credit card required.
See for yourself why solar professionals are adding SolarScope to their toolkit.