Free tool is not suitable for designing a mega solar system project. This is because, in most cases, all the advanced features are not available in a free version. There are different types of free online solar panel layout tool that most engineers and solar system designers are used. Let’s see some of the best free solar layout software
- OpenSolar
- Google Project Sunroof
- PVWatts Calculator
- SolarDesignTool
- Aurora Solar
- Helioscope
Using such tools, you can design your home solar system and commercial also. You can also get estimation that how many solar panel you need, where you need to set up panel, how much power you may get from your system, and many more. So, use these software to design your solar panel system layout.
What Is a Solar Panel Layout Tool?
A solar panel layout tool is sometimes called design tool that is used to design or make a layout of a solar panel system. Designer can decide solar panel placement geographical location, visualization, sun position in 8 hours in a day, and apply various technique to boost solar panel energy generation capacity. A solar panel layout tool helps you design and visualize the placement of solar panels on a rooftop or property. These tools often use:
- Satellite imagery (Google Maps)
- AI-assistant panel placement
- Energy production estimators
- Tilt and angle calculations
Free Online Solar Panel Layout Tool with Features
There are many online solar panel layout tools. Some of offer a free package with a limited feature, and offer a specific day or free trial. We have brought here the best free solar design software that can assist you for solar panel layout drawing.
| Tool Name | Free Use | AI-Feature | Key Feature |
| OpenSolar | Yes | Yes | Full suite, CRM, layout, proposals |
| PVSOL online | Yes | No | Simple energy calculator |
| Google Sunroof | Yes | Yes | Map-based solar estimation |
| Aurora Solar | Free Trial | Yes | 3D design, shading, pro-level tools |
| Solargis Prospect | Yes | Yes | Global solar potential mapping |
| HelioScope | Free Trial | Yes | Detailed simulations |
| SolarDesignTool | Free Trial | No | Electrical and layout design |
| PVGIS | Yes | No | Location-based resource data |
| EasySolar App | Free Trial | Yes | Mobile layout + 3D simulation |
| SunDAT (FTC Solar) | Free Trial | Yes | Utility-scale design & automation |
Why Use a Free Online Solar Design Tool?
There are dozens of significant reasons to use free online design tool, such as
- No cost for necessary features
- Best for small or start up solar business
- No installation needed
- Free for homeowners & beginners
- Instant solar production estimates
- Supports self-install or professional quotes
- Useful for DIY planning or EPC firms
1. Open Solar Design Software
Best for: Free with premium features, small, and medium size solar installer companies.
If you look for an efficient, modern and the best free solar system layout design tool, then Open Solar will be your first choice. To accelerate solar system installation, make a world sunshine, and solar installer privileges, Open Solar has made this software. It is always free and no need to pay a single charge for premium features. It is considered the solar system designer friendly software. However, there are massive users of Open Solar Design Software
- Over 25,000 active solar design users.
- It is available in over 160 countries.
- 13+ language support (multilingual).
- Completely free of cost to get advanced features.
- 150+ industry partners and providers globally.
- This software can be used for selling solar system and offer some attractive features, such as
- Cash Flow Management.
- Integrated Finance.
- E-Signature & Payments.
- Automated Bill of Materials.
- On-demand Permitting.
Using this software, Shop, Open API, Built-in CRM and manage other tasks smoothly. Therefore, you can manage solar system installation company team members like assigning new roles, Premising any specific task and so on. So, you are getting many thing or all in one software. So, OpenSolar may be your ultimate design tool.
Features of OpenSolar Design Tool
- Accurate 3D Design.
- Premium Imagery.
- Mounting Designer.
- Scaffolding.
- Single Line Diagrams.
- A Project Cash Flow Management.
- Team Member Role Assign.
2. PVSOL online
PVSOL is the PV system calculation online tool. It is considered the free tool but it has some essential premium features. Small design and simulation task can be done using PVSOL design tool. It’s online free version is suitable for photovoltaic system design and simulation. PVSOL offers some attractive advantage to the PV system designer, such as
- Location selection by world map (country and city with latitude/longitude)
- Display of annual global irradiation and average temperature
- Load profile selection (various household types, business, heat pump, constant load)
- Annual energy consumption (kWh/year)
- PV module selection from manufacturer database
- Solar module configuration (model, orientation, inclination, quantity, total power)
- Solar panel Installation options (roof-parallel, roof-integrated rear-ventilation, roof-mounted, etc.)
- Solar panel adjustment parameters (albedo, shading, soiling)
- Inverter selection from manufacturer database
- Automatic configuration manager (module, inverter matching, sizing, MPP, modules/string, parallel strings, PV field)
- Simulation of PV system
- Output power (annual PV energy, performance ratio, own power consumption, solar fraction, pie chart)
Premium system is more advanced that allows Unique 3D design, Up-to-date product database, Financial analysis, Worldwide climate data, and so on. In that case, designer does not require solar CRM software for financial analysis. It is also called all in one PV solution.
PVSOL Online Tool Features
- Location tracking system
- Load profile
- PV module data management
- Inverter manufacturer selection
- Track PV system Performance ratio
- Own power consumption system
- Solar fraction analysis
3. Google Sunroof
Google Sunroof is a smart solar design tool. Using Google Maps data, 3D modeling, and local weather patterns, designer can estimate how much sunlight your roof receives. This makes it easier to calculate potential savings, energy output, and the solar panels installation financial value. It helps homeowners and businesses quickly understand the financial and environmental benefits of switching to solar. People are drawn to Google Sunroof for its simplicity, transparency, and cost-saving insights.
Google Sunroof Tool Features
- Roof Analysis
- Solar Potential Estimate
- Cost & Savings Calculator
- Local Installer Links
- Green Impact Insight
- Environmental Impact Insight
4. Aurora Solar Design Tool
Aurora Solar is a SaaS based solar system designing tool. This tool is not completely free. Aurora solar design tool is a subscription based, but allows free trial for the users. Aurora design tool pricing includes
- Basic: $159
- Premium: $259
- Custom is available
It develops and offers a cloud-based platform for designing, selling, and delivering solar energy systems. Arora Solar panel layout tool is widely used by solar installers, solar sales teams, and project developers to manage the entire project lifecycle. As of now, around 90% of top U.S. residential solar companies use Aurora.
Aurora emphasizes that you can produce a highly accurate. A designer can design without needing an on-site visit. That saves PV system installer time and cost. It also accelerates the sales cycle. Residential solar installers can sales and design operations. Companies can increase sales cycles and improve customer engagement. So, this tool may be the best choice for Installers that want to reduce field changes and improve build certainty
Aurora Solar Design Tool Features
- Shading analysis
- Analysis of losses
- CAD tools
- Energy production estimates
- Performance simulation
- Solar panels layout
- 3D design
- 3d site modeling
5. Solargis Prospect
Solargis Prospect is another renowned solar panel layout software. It is a web-based application. Solargis Prospect developed to support the pre-feasibility and solar photovoltaic (PV) projects early planning phases. It allows developers, investors, and solar system design engineers to quickly evaluate a sites without the need for on-site presence. This online solar panel design software is completely free. It is a subscription based and free trial is available for a specific time.
- Basic: € 2,400 / year
- Professional: € 4,800 / year
- Custom is available
Designer can set insights into solar irradiation, weather conditions, air quality, albedo, snow, and other environmental parameters. Solargis Prospect has over 30 interactive map layers. Users can visualize and compare multiple potential sites, screen different PV technologies, and estimate long-term yield with confidence.
Solargis Prospect Design Software Features
- Updated global solar database
- User-friendly system
- Project management system
- Pre-feasibility reports management
- High-resolution solar resource maps
- Pre-feasibility finance calculator
6. HelioScope
HelioScope is a powerful online solar PV systems design and analyzing tool. It combines accurate solar system 3D modeling, shading analysis, and performance simulations. It helps solar system designers to create reliable solar designs faster. Most engineers, developers, and solar installers are drawn to HelioScope because it reduces project turnaround time, improves accuracy, and builds stronger customer trust.
However, is HelioScope a free online too? No this software is not completely free. HelioScope is a subscription based, but offer 14 days’ free trial. Its plan includes
- Basic Plan: 159 USD per license per month. This package Includes 1 user and 10 projects per
- month with limited features.
- Pro Plan: 259 USD per license per month. It Includes 1 user and 10 projects per month with unlimited features.
Enterprise PlanHelioScope Solar Design Software Features
- CAD-style interface
- Automatic layout
- Shading analysis
Final Thought
Solar design software is most necessary in the panel installation company. The PV system designer design solar system to give visual structure. In that case, designer can set geographical location, shading, panel placement, etc. However, we have referred here some of the best free solar design software or Solar panel layout drawing tool, that can assist you to design a great PV system overview structure.