SolarScope vs PVsyst: Complete 2026 Comparison
AI-powered site analysis vs the industry-standard bankable simulation engine — two tools, two different jobs.
Overview
PVsyst is a Swiss-made desktop simulation application that has been the industry standard for detailed solar energy yield analysis for over 30 years. Its simulation engine accounts for near-shading losses from 3D objects, spectral effects, soiling, and module degradation, producing the P50/P90 production estimates that lenders and investors require for project financing. A single-user license costs approximately $3,400/year and requires a Windows PC installation.
SolarScope is a cloud-based AI solar analysis platform designed for fast, location-based feasibility studies. Using NREL and NASA irradiance data with a GPT-4o AI assistant, it enables solar professionals to evaluate site viability, estimate production, and model project economics in minutes from any browser. Pricing starts at $99/year with no installation required.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | SolarScope | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | AI site analysis & feasibility | Bankable energy yield simulation |
| Deployment | Cloud-based, no installation | Windows desktop app |
| Speed to Analysis | Minutes | Hours to days |
| AI Capabilities | GPT-4o AI assistant | None |
| Bankable Reports | Not applicable | Industry-standard P50/P90 |
| Annual Cost | $99–299/year | ~$3,400/year |
| Learning Curve | Low — intuitive interface | High — weeks of training |
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose PVsyst if:
- You need bankable P50/P90 production reports for project financing
- You require detailed near-shading analysis with 3D object modeling
- Your project financiers or investors require PVsyst reports specifically
- You need module-level and inverter-level performance modeling
- You're an independent energy consultant producing reports for third parties
Choose SolarScope if:
- You need rapid site feasibility analysis before committing to detailed design
- You're screening multiple candidate sites for development
- You want AI-guided analysis with natural language interaction
- You need grid connectivity, flood zone, and irradiance data in one tool
- You need professional analysis without $3,400/year desktop software costs
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SolarScope | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| AI Assistant | ✓ GPT-4o with site-specific context | ❌ Not included |
| Solar Irradiance Data | NREL NSRDB + NASA POWER (real-time API) | Meteonorm + TMY import |
| Production Estimates | NREL-backed screening estimates | Detailed bankable simulation |
| Near-Shading Analysis | ❌ Not included | ✓ Full 3D object modeling |
| Loss Tree Analysis | Performance ratio estimate | ✓ Detailed loss breakdown |
| Grid Infrastructure Data | ✓ Hosting capacity, transmission | ❌ Not included |
| Flood Zone Data | ✓ FEMA data integrated | ❌ Not included |
| Cloud Access | ✓ Any browser, no install | ❌ Windows only, local install |
| Module/Inverter Database | Standard performance ratio | ✓ 10,000+ components |
| P50/P90 Analysis | ❌ Not included | ✓ Industry standard |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | SolarScope | PVsyst |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $99/year ($8/month) | ~$3,400/year (single user) |
| Professional | $299/year ($25/month) | ~$3,400+/year |
| Team of 5 (annual) | $495 – $1,495 | ~$17,000 |
| Installation Required | No — browser-based | Yes — Windows PC |
SolarScope Pro ($299/year) costs less than one month of PVsyst at a per-month equivalent.
The Smart Workflow: Use Both Tools
Experienced solar developers use SolarScope and PVsyst at different project stages for maximum efficiency:
- Site screening with SolarScope — Analyze 20 candidate sites in a day. AI-guided feasibility, irradiance data, grid connectivity, financial estimates.
- Narrow to 2–3 viable sites — Use SolarScope's AI analysis to rank and prioritize.
- Run PVsyst on shortlisted sites — Detailed simulation for the sites that pass feasibility. Produce bankable P50/P90 reports for investors.
This approach dramatically reduces the number of PVsyst simulations needed, saving engineering time and ensuring PVsyst's depth is applied only to viable projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SolarScope produce bankable production reports like PVsyst?
No. PVsyst is the industry standard for bankable P50/P90 energy yield reports required by lenders and investors. SolarScope provides NREL-backed screening estimates for feasibility decisions, not financial-grade simulation reports.
Is PVsyst hard to learn?
Yes, PVsyst has a significant learning curve. New users typically require several days of training to run complete simulations, and mastering near-shading analysis with 3D objects takes weeks. SolarScope has a minimal learning curve — most users complete their first analysis within minutes of signing up.
Does SolarScope work on Mac or Linux?
Yes. SolarScope is browser-based and works on any operating system. PVsyst is Windows-only, which limits it for Mac users without virtualization software.
What irradiance data does PVsyst use?
PVsyst integrates Meteonorm weather data and supports import of TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) datasets, including NREL TMY3 files. SolarScope directly queries NREL's NSRDB API and NASA POWER for real-time irradiance data, without requiring file imports.
Who uses PVsyst professionally?
Independent energy consultants, lender engineering reviews (OEPR/IEA), EPCs needing bankable production estimates, and project developers seeking investor-ready documentation. PVsyst is widely accepted by financial institutions as the standard for solar energy yield verification.
The Bottom Line
PVsyst is irreplaceable when you need bankable energy yield reports for project financing. For detailed near-shading, spectral corrections, and P50/P90 analysis, PVsyst remains the industry standard despite its high cost and steep learning curve.
SolarScope excels at everything that happens before you need PVsyst — fast site screening, AI-guided feasibility, irradiance comparison, and go/no-go decisions. At $99/year, it's the smart first step that ensures you only invest PVsyst time on projects worth detailed simulation.
Try SolarScope Free
Rapid AI-powered site analysis using NREL and NASA data. No installation required.
Screen sites in minutes. Save PVsyst time for projects that matter.