Solar simulation software for sales designs/permit packages.

[tom08588]

We currently use Aurora, but we notice it is very expensive and comes with several features we are currently not using. I've looked into Helioscope, BlueSol, PVSyst, Solargraf....we want to find a cheaper options than Aurora that possibly integrates the ability to generate permit packages. Has anyone had success or prefers a certain software over another?

 

[ggunn]

You might check out Scanifly, although it requires that you send someone with a drone to the site to take a bunch of pictures. We use it for input to AutoCAD for design and it was a game changer for us. It blew Aurora out of the water.

 

[tom08588]

wow, that does look interesting, but unfortunately we won't be able to use a drone on each sales proposal. Each designer does up to 30 proposals a day, and we would have to use google/bing/eagleeye/nearmap imagery.

 

[jaggedben]

I wasn't super impressed with Solargraf. I suppose it was cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[MJRobinson]

We currently use Aurora, but we notice it is very expensive and comes with several features we are currently not using. I've looked into Helioscope, BlueSol, PVSyst, Solargraf....we want to find a cheaper options than Aurora that possibly integrates the ability to generate permit packages. Has anyone had success or prefers a certain software over another?

I use EnergyToolbase and Aurora. I like the ability to place Aurora Models in Energy Toolbase Proposals. If you looking for a source for cost effective permit sets, I do those: http://michaeljrobinson.com/