Solar installation is one of the most software-dependent trades in 2026. You can’t just show up with tools and start working: every project requires system design, shading analysis, permit packages, utility interconnection applications, financing paperwork, and project coordination across weeks or months. The right software stack doesn’t just save time; it determines whether your proposals win and whether your projects stay profitable.

I’ve evaluated the major platforms solar installers use in 2026, from design tools to all-in-one project management systems. Here’s what works at different company sizes.

The Best Software for Solar Installers

Aurora Solar: Best System Design + Shading Analysis

$150–300/month

Aurora Solar is the gold standard for solar system design. The 3D modeling engine uses satellite imagery and LIDAR data to create accurate roof models with shading analysis that accounts for trees, neighboring buildings, and seasonal sun paths. Your designs are bankable: meaning financing companies and utilities accept them without additional engineering review.

Why Aurora dominates design:

Accurate production estimates. The shading analysis and panel placement algorithms generate energy production forecasts within 3–5% of actual performance. This matters because production guarantees are part of your customer contracts. Overestimate and you’re liable; underestimate and you lose the sale.

Remote site assessment. For most residential projects, you can design a complete system without a site visit using Aurora’s satellite imagery and LIDAR integration. This accelerates your sales process from days to hours.

Permit-ready plan sets. Generate electrical single-line diagrams, structural calculations, and site plans that meet AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) requirements. Submitting permits becomes a one-click export instead of hours of manual drafting.

Proposal generation. Aurora’s proposals include 3D renderings of panels on the customer’s actual roof, 25-year savings projections, and financing options. Customers see exactly what their home will look like: and the payback math in plain English.

The limitation: Aurora is a design and proposal tool, not project management. Once the customer signs, you need another system for installation coordination, permitting tracking, and crew scheduling.

For broader estimating tools that work across trades, see our best estimating software for contractors guide.

OpenSolar: Best Free Proposal Generation

Free

OpenSolar’s business model is brilliant: the design and proposal software is completely free. They monetize through lending partnerships: when your customer chooses financing through OpenSolar’s marketplace, the platform earns a fee from the lender. If the customer pays cash or uses their own financing, you pay nothing.

What you get for free:

• 3D system design with shading analysis
• Professional proposals with financing options
• Multiple design scenarios (good-better-best)
• E-signature and acceptance workflow
• Customer-facing portal with project status

The design accuracy is slightly below Aurora’s (particularly on complex roofs or heavy shading), but for standard residential installations it’s more than adequate. If you’re a small solar company doing 5–15 installs per month and proposal cost is a concern, OpenSolar eliminates that line item entirely.

The financing marketplace is actually a benefit too. Offering multiple financing options (from multiple lenders) in your proposal increases close rates. Customers compare rates within your proposal instead of shopping around separately.

Solo: Best All-in-One Solar CRM + Project Management

$100–200/month

Solo (formerly known as PVComplete) is purpose-built for solar companies and covers the full workflow: lead management → design → proposal → sale → permit → installation → inspection → interconnection. One platform, end-to-end.

For installation companies specifically, the project management features stand out:

Milestone tracking. Every project moves through defined stages (contract signed, permit submitted, permit approved, materials ordered, install scheduled, inspection passed, PTO received). Nothing falls through the cracks because every project is visible on one board.

Document management. Utility applications, permit packages, HOA approvals, inspection photos: everything associated with a project lives in one place. When the inspector asks for the structural engineer’s letter, you’re not digging through email.

Team coordination. Assign tasks to sales reps, designers, permit coordinators, and install crews. Everyone sees what’s needed from them and what’s blocking progress.

Pipeline reporting. Know exactly how many projects are at each stage, what revenue is committed, and where bottlenecks exist (permits taking too long? Utility interconnection delayed?).

For companies managing your own CRM and needing project oversight, see our best CRM for contractors guide.

Scoop Solar: Best Field Project Management

$50–100/user/month

Scoop Solar focuses on what happens after the sale: installation project management, field communication, and quality control. If your bottleneck is coordinating crews, tracking installation progress, and managing change orders: Scoop addresses that specifically.

Key features:

Mobile-first field communication. Install crews update project status, upload photos, and flag issues from the field. Office staff sees real-time progress without making phone calls.

Quality control checklists. Customizable installation checklists ensure consistent quality across crews and projects. Photo documentation at each stage provides proof of workmanship for warranty claims.

Change order management. When site conditions differ from the design (unexpected shading, roof issues, electrical panel upgrades needed), change orders are documented, priced, and approved within the platform.

Subcontractor coordination. If you use sub-crews for electrical work, roofing, or trenching, Scoop manages their scheduling and communication alongside your internal team.

Scoop pairs well with Aurora Solar (design + proposals) or OpenSolar (free proposals). Use the design tool for pre-sale, Scoop for post-sale project execution.

For general construction project management, see our best construction management software roundup.

Salesforce + Solar App (Enterprise)

$150+/user/month

For larger solar companies (50+ installs/month, multiple offices, complex sales teams), Salesforce with a solar-specific app (like Sighten, now Mosaic, or custom implementations) provides enterprise-grade CRM and project management.

This only makes sense when:

• You have a dedicated CRM administrator
• Your sales process involves multiple touchpoints and long cycles
• You need custom reporting and integrations with ERP systems
• You operate in multiple states with different requirements

For most solar companies doing 5–50 installs/month, Salesforce is overkill. The implementation cost alone ($10K–50K) could fund simpler tools for years. But at enterprise scale, the customization and integration capabilities are unmatched.

For project management alternatives that work at smaller scale, see our best project management for small teams guide.

What Solar Installers Need That Other Contractors Don’t

Solar has unique software requirements:

System design and production modeling. No other trade needs to simulate 25 years of energy production based on panel placement, shading, and degradation. This is non-negotiable software.

Financing integration. 70%+ of residential solar is financed. Your software needs to present loan and PPA/lease options within the proposal: ideally from multiple lenders so customers can compare.

Permit and interconnection tracking. Every project requires municipal permits AND utility interconnection approval. These are separate processes with different timelines, and both must complete before you install. Tracking them manually at scale is impossible.

Long project timelines. A solar project takes 6–12 weeks from sale to completion. That’s 3–5x longer than most home service jobs. Your project management needs to handle this timeline without losing visibility.

Incentive and rebate management. Federal ITC, state incentives, utility rebates: the financial picture is complex and varies by jurisdiction. Good software calculates these automatically in proposals.

How to Choose

Small company (under 10 installs/month): OpenSolar (free) for design and proposals + Scoop Solar for project management. Total: $50–100/month.

Growing company (10–30 installs/month): Aurora Solar for design + Solo for CRM and project management. Total: $250–500/month.

Large company (30+ installs/month): Aurora Solar + Salesforce implementation. Or Solo at scale with premium plan.

FAQ

Is Aurora Solar worth $150–300/month when OpenSolar is free? For companies where design accuracy and proposal quality directly impact close rates, yes. Aurora’s shading analysis and LIDAR integration are measurably more accurate on complex roofs. If you’re installing simple south-facing systems on new construction, OpenSolar is plenty accurate and saves $150+/month.

Can I use generic project management software (Monday, Asana) for solar? You can, but you’ll spend weeks building custom workflows for permit tracking, milestone management, and utility interconnection stages. Solar-specific tools come pre-configured for these workflows. The time investment in customizing generic tools rarely pays off.

How important is financing integration in proposal software? Extremely important. Customers who see monthly payment options in the proposal (not just total system cost) are significantly more likely to close. Both Aurora and OpenSolar integrate financing options directly into proposals.

Do I need separate tools for design and project management? Usually yes, unless you use Solo (which covers both). Aurora and OpenSolar are excellent at pre-sale (design, proposals) but don’t manage post-sale installation projects. Scoop Solar and Solo handle post-sale. Many companies use Aurora + Scoop or OpenSolar + Solo.

What’s the best software for tracking permits across multiple jurisdictions? Solo and Scoop Solar both handle multi-jurisdiction permit tracking well. They let you define different permit requirements by AHJ and track each project’s permit status independently. For companies installing in 10+ jurisdictions simultaneously, this is essential.