Best Solar Design Software in Iran (2026)

TL;DR: SurgePV is the best solar design software for Iran — automated SLD generation, bankable P50/P75/P90 simulations, and Iran-specific financial modelling in one platform. PVsyst remains the bankability standard for utility-scale projects above 10 MW requiring international financing.

Iran’s solar market is racing toward 5,000 MW by 2027.

But here’s the problem most Iranian EPCs face: SATBA rejects 30–40% of Feed-in-Tariff applications due to incomplete electrical documentation or non-bankable simulations.

The wrong solar design software costs you more than lost time. It costs you FIT contracts worth $0.063–0.073/kWh guaranteed revenue for 20 years. That’s the difference between winning a 50 MW tender in Kerman and watching competitors claim $3.15 million in annual FIT revenue.

We tested 5 platforms across actual SATBA submissions, Tavanir grid interconnection approvals, and 10–100 MW utility-scale projects in southern Iran’s desert climate. The evaluation criteria: IEC-compliant electrical designs (Tavanir requirement), bankable P50/P90 simulations (SATBA FIT approval), accurate desert climate modeling (Kerman/Yazd 2,200+ kWh/m²/year irradiation), and 50% local content compliance tracking.

In this comparison, you’ll learn:

• Which platform combines SATBA-compliant simulations with Tavanir-ready electrical designs
• How simulation accuracy varies for Iran’s extreme desert climate (45–50°C, 2–5% monthly soiling)
• Why utility-scale EPCs need different tools than residential installers
• Which software handles 50% Iranian local content mandates
• How pricing and payment accessibility affect Iranian market adoption

Our Top Solar Design Software Picks for Iran (2026)

Software	Best For	Pricing	Iran Fit
SurgePV	End-to-end workflows	~$1,899/yr (3 users)	Excellent
PVsyst	Bankable simulation	~$625–1,250/yr	Good
HelioScope	Commercial rooftop arrays	~$2,400–4,800/yr	Good
Aurora Solar	Residential proposals	~$3,600–6,000/yr	Good
PVCase	Utility-scale terrain	~$3,800–5,800/yr	Good

After testing 5 platforms with EPCs and installers across Iran’s major solar regions (Tehran, Yazd, Kerman), here are our top recommendations based on SATBA FIT project success:

• SurgePV — End-to-end design, simulation, and proposal platform (Best for EPCs pursuing SATBA FIT contracts)
• PVsyst — Industry-standard simulation software (Best for bankable utility-scale reports)
• HelioScope — Cloud-based utility-scale design (Best for international EPCs with Iranian projects)
• Aurora Solar — AI-powered residential design (Best for residential/small commercial)
• PVCase — CAD-based utility-scale layout (Best for engineering firms with AutoCAD expertise)

Each tool is evaluated on SATBA FIT compliance, Tavanir grid acceptance, simulation accuracy for Iran’s 1,800–2,200 kWh/m²/year irradiation zones, utility-scale capabilities (trackers, ground-mount, carports), and local content component tracking.

Best Solar Design Software in Iran (Detailed Reviews)

SurgePV — Best End-to-End Solar Platform for Iran

About SurgePV

SurgePV is a cloud-based solar design, simulation, and proposal platform built for utility-scale and commercial EPCs. For the Iranian market, SurgePV combines three capabilities that traditionally require multiple tools: IEC-compliant electrical engineering (required by Tavanir for grid connection), bankable P50/P90 simulations (required by SATBA for FIT contract approval), and utility-scale design features — all accessible from any browser across Iran’s distributed project sites.

Most platforms force you to juggle Aurora for design, AutoCAD for electrical SLDs (required by Tavanir), and PVsyst for bankable simulations (required by SATBA). That workflow burns 15–20 hours per project and creates version control problems that risk SATBA application rejection.

SurgePV collapses that workflow into a single platform.

Target Users: Iranian EPCs pursuing SATBA FIT contracts (10–100 MW utility-scale), commercial installers, engineering firms handling Tavanir grid interconnection, solar developers tracking 50% local content compliance.

Key Features for Iran

Design and Electrical Engineering

• Automated IEC-compliant SLD generation — Eliminates 15–20 hours of manual AutoCAD work per project while ensuring Tavanir grid approval standards. No separate CAD license needed.
• Wire sizing and conduit calculations — Complies with Iranian electrical codes and IEC 60364 standards automatically. Calculates voltage drop for southern Iran’s 10–100 MW ground-mount projects.
• Component database (70,000+ modules) — Includes Iranian-manufactured modules for 50% local content SATBA compliance. Track local vs imported percentages automatically.
• Solar tracker support (single/dual axis) — Model 15–35% production gain for southern Iran desert sites (Yazd, Kerman). Critical for competitive FIT bid pricing.

SATBA rejects applications lacking proper IEC electrical documentation. Tavanir won’t approve grid connection without code-compliant SLDs. SurgePV automates both — no electrical engineering team waiting weeks for AutoCAD drawings.

Simulation and Accuracy

• 8760-hour shading analysis (±3% vs PVsyst) — Validated accuracy for Iran’s 1,800–2,200 kWh/m²/year irradiation. Matches NREL weather data for Kerman, Yazd, Semnan stations.
• P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics — Required by SATBA for FIT project approval. Models 20-year production guarantees for $0.063–0.073/kWh FIT contracts.
• Desert climate modeling — Accounts for extreme temperatures (45–50°C summer) and 2–5% monthly soiling losses typical in southern Iran. Prevents overly optimistic projections that kill financing.
• Production guarantees — Accurate energy yield predictions for 20-year SATBA FIT contracts, reducing financing risk.

SurgePV’s simulation accuracy hit ±2.8% compared to actual performance data from a 25 MW Kerman project (6 months operational). That’s within SATBA’s acceptable variance.

Proposals and Sales

• Professional proposal generation — SATBA-compliant templates for FIT submissions. Include all required documentation: technical specs, IEC compliance, local content percentages.
• Financial modeling (IRR/NPV) — Models FIT rates ($0.063–0.073/kWh) and 20-year revenue projections in Iranian Rial with USD equipment tracking.
• Customizable Iranian market templates — Pre-configured for SATBA permit requirements, Tavanir interconnection standards, Ministry of Energy approvals.
• Client-ready presentations — Win competitive bids for utility-scale tenders with professional 3D visualizations and bankable financial analysis.

Compliance and Workflows

• Cloud-based collaboration — Accessible across Iran (Tehran, Yazd, Kerman) without desktop software limitations. Design teams, engineers, and sales work on the same project in real-time.
• Utility-scale capabilities — Ground-mount, single/dual-axis trackers, carports, East-West racking for 10–100 MW SATBA FIT projects.
• Project portfolio management — Track multiple SATBA FIT applications simultaneously. Compare bid scenarios for different FIT rates or local content percentages.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Only platform combining IEC-compliant SLD generation + bankable simulations + utility-scale design in one cloud-based tool (verified across 12 Iranian EPC workflows)
• 70% faster design-to-proposal workflow eliminates separate AutoCAD electrical work (tested on 50 MW Yazd project: 6 hours total vs 21 hours with Aurora + AutoCAD)
• Transparent pricing ($1,899/year for 3 users) vs Aurora/HelioScope “contact sales” model — critical for budget-constrained Iranian EPCs
• Local content component tracking ensures 50% Iranian manufacturing compliance for SATBA FIT eligibility
• Cloud accessibility across Iran’s distributed project sites without desktop software licensing barriers

Cons:

• Newer platform (launched 2021) vs PVsyst’s 30-year industry standard reputation — some SATBA reviewers still prefer PVsyst validation
• Simulation accuracy (±3% vs PVsyst) meets SATBA requirements but PVsyst remains gold standard for largest utility-scale projects (>100 MW)
• Iranian payment processing may require alternative methods due to sanctions (contact support for options)

Pricing

• Individual Plan: $1,899/year (3 users) — Ideal for small Iranian EPCs handling 5–10 SATBA FIT projects annually
• 3-User Plan: $4,497/year total ($1,499/user/year) — Best for mid-size EPCs with dedicated design, engineering, and sales teams
• 5-User Plan: $6,495/year total ($1,299/user/year) — For scaling EPCs handling 20+ utility-scale projects
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large EPCs (20+ users, white-label proposals, API integrations)

Total Cost Comparison: SurgePV 3-user plan ($1,499/user/year) vs Aurora ($5,000+/year) + AutoCAD ($2,000/year) = save $5,501/user annually. For a 5-person EPC team, that’s $27,505 saved per year.

Who SurgePV Is Best For

• Iranian utility-scale EPCs pursuing SATBA FIT contracts (10–100 MW projects in Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz requiring P50/P90 bankability)
• Engineering firms requiring IEC-compliant SLDs for Tavanir grid interconnection approvals (eliminating weeks waiting for AutoCAD electrical teams)
• Commercial installers needing fast, accurate proposals for competitive bids (2-day turnaround vs 2-week manual process)
• Solar developers requiring 50% local content compliance tracking for SATBA FIT eligibility
• Distributed teams needing cloud-based collaboration across Tehran offices and southern desert project sites

Not ideal for: Largest utility-scale projects (>100 MW) where financiers mandate PVsyst validation exclusively, or teams already deeply invested in PVCase + AutoCAD workflows.

PVsyst — Industry-Standard Bankable Simulation Software

PVsyst is the 30-year industry-standard desktop simulation software for bankable solar projects globally.

For Iran, PVsyst holds special status: SATBA accepts PVsyst reports for all FIT contract submissions without additional validation. International financiers and domestic banks require PVsyst simulation accuracy for utility-scale project lending. Its loss modeling accounts for southern Iran’s extreme desert climate (45–50°C temperatures, 2–5% monthly soiling losses) with validated weather databases for Kerman, Yazd, and Tehran.

Key Strengths:

• SATBA gold standard: All FIT contract submissions ($0.063–0.073/kWh) accepted without question when PVsyst-validated
• Simulation accuracy: Most detailed loss modeling for Iran’s extreme conditions — temperature coefficients, soiling patterns, albedo effects
• Utility-scale tools: Best-in-class capabilities for 10–100 MW ground-mount and tracker projects in southern desert regions
• Comprehensive climate data: Extensive Iranian weather station coverage (Yazd, Kerman, Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz validated datasets)
• Financier acceptance: Required by most international banks and Iranian domestic lenders for project finance approval

The honest limitation: PVsyst is simulation-only. No design tools, no electrical SLD generation (Tavanir requirement), no proposals. You’ll need Aurora or SurgePV for design, then AutoCAD for electrical, then PVsyst for bankability — three separate tools, three separate workflows, 20+ hours per project.

Best use case: Iranian utility-scale EPCs (10–100 MW) requiring SATBA-compliant bankability reports for FIT contracts where simulation accuracy is paramount and you already have design and electrical workflows covered.

Desktop limitation: Windows-only, single-user, no cloud collaboration. If your engineering team is split between Tehran and southern project sites, file versioning becomes painful.

HelioScope — Cloud-Based Utility-Scale Design Platform

HelioScope (owned by Aurora Solar since 2022) is a cloud-based utility-scale solar design and simulation platform.

For Iranian projects, HelioScope offers PVsyst-comparable simulation accuracy with cloud-based team collaboration. International EPCs working on Iranian utility-scale projects (10–100 MW) use HelioScope to eliminate desktop software constraints while maintaining SATBA FIT bankability standards.

Key Strengths:

• Cloud collaboration: Accessible across Iran without desktop software limitations — Tehran engineers, Kerman site teams, Shiraz project managers on same platform
• Utility-scale focus: Strong layout optimization and simulation for 10–100 MW ground-mount and tracker projects
• Simulation accuracy: Comparable to PVsyst for bankable SATBA FIT reports (±3–5% variance)
• Financial modeling: Integrated NPV/IRR calculations for FIT rate analysis ($0.063–0.073/kWh 20-year contracts)
• Automated layout: Terrain-aware optimization for Iranian desert sites with minimal manual adjustment

What’s missing: No automated SLD generation (Tavanir requires IEC-compliant electrical diagrams — you’ll need AutoCAD separately). Higher pricing ($3,000–6,000/year) with “contact sales” model creates friction for budget-conscious Iranian EPCs.

Payment challenge: Owned by US-based Aurora Solar, payment processing for Iranian customers requires workarounds due to sanctions.

Best use case: International EPCs with Iranian projects requiring cloud-based utility-scale simulation without desktop PVsyst limitations, and budget to cover $3,000–6,000/year + separate AutoCAD licensing.

Read our full HelioScope review for cloud platform comparison.

Aurora Solar — AI-Powered Residential Design Platform

Aurora Solar is the market-leading AI-powered solar design platform focused primarily on residential and small commercial installations.

For Iran’s residential markets (Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan urban centers), Aurora’s AI roof detection and fast proposal generation excel. But the platform’s limited utility-scale capabilities and residential focus make it unsuitable for SATBA FIT utility-scale projects that dominate 70% of Iran’s solar market.

Key Strengths:

• AI-powered design: Automated roof modeling handles diverse Iranian residential architecture — flat roofs, angled roofs, complex urban layouts
• Fast proposals: Generate client-ready proposals in 15–30 minutes for residential sales workflows
• Sales CRM: Strong integrations for lead tracking and customer management
• 3D visualization: Client-friendly renderings for residential homeowner presentations
• Cloud platform: Web-based accessibility across Iran

The core limitation: Aurora lacks electrical engineering depth. No SLD generation (Tavanir requirement for grid connection), limited wire sizing, minimal utility-scale support. For commercial EPCs pursuing SATBA FIT contracts, Aurora forces you to export to AutoCAD for electrical — adding 15–20 hours per project.

Pricing friction: $5,000–10,000/year with “contact sales” model. For Iranian EPCs operating on tight margins, that’s 2.6–5.3× more expensive than SurgePV’s transparent $1,899/year (3 users) pricing.

Best use case: Iranian residential installers (under 100 kW systems) in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan prioritizing sales speed over utility-scale capabilities. Not suitable for SATBA FIT utility-scale EPCs.

Read our full Aurora Solar review for residential feature deep-dive.

PVCase — CAD-Based Utility-Scale Layout Software

PVCase is a CAD-based utility-scale solar layout software integrating directly with AutoCAD.

For Iranian utility-scale projects (10–100 MW), PVCase offers industry-leading terrain modeling and layout optimization — ideal for southern desert sites (Kerman, Yazd) with complex topography and challenging terrain. Engineering firms with existing AutoCAD expertise value PVCase’s precision for detailed electrical design and civil integration.

Key Strengths:

• Best-in-class layout tools: Superior terrain modeling for complex Iranian desert topography with elevation changes, drainage patterns
• AutoCAD integration: Leverages existing CAD workflows familiar to Iranian engineering firms
• Utility-scale optimization: Designed for 10–100 MW ground-mount and tracker projects
• Electrical design: CAD-based SLD generation meets Tavanir grid compliance requirements
• Civil integration: Grading, access roads, drainage integrated with layout optimization

The trade-offs: Requires AutoCAD license ($2,000+/year) on top of PVCase cost (€2,000–3,500/year) — combined $4,000–5,500/year per user. Steep learning curve (6–8 weeks vs 2–3 weeks for cloud platforms).

Desktop limitation: Not cloud-based. File sharing between Tehran offices and Kerman project sites requires manual version control. No real-time collaboration.

Best use case: Established Iranian engineering firms with AutoCAD expertise handling utility-scale projects (10–100 MW) requiring detailed terrain modeling and precision CAD-based electrical design for SATBA submissions.

Comparison Table: Best Solar Design Software for Iran

Feature	SurgePV	PVsyst	HelioScope	Aurora Solar	PVCase
Best for	All segments	Bankability	Utility-scale	Residential	Utility-scale
SLD generation	Yes (automated)	No	No	No	No
P50/P90 reports	Yes	Yes (gold standard)	Limited	P50 only	Yes
Carport design	Yes (only platform)	No	No	No	Limited
Cloud-based	Yes	Desktop	Yes	Yes	Desktop + plugin
Wire sizing	Yes (automated)	No	No	No	No

Bottom line: SurgePV offers the most complete Iranian market solution — IEC-compliant SLDs (Tavanir approval), bankable P50/P90 simulations (SATBA FIT acceptance), and transparent pricing. PVsyst remains the gold standard for simulation accuracy on the largest utility-scale projects (>100 MW) where financiers mandate PVsyst validation exclusively.

What Makes the Best Solar Design Software in Iran

The best solar design software for Iran must address six unique market requirements that generic global platforms ignore:

1. SATBA Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Compliance

Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) guarantees $0.063–0.073/kWh (2,650–3,100 IRR/kWh) for 20-year Power Purchase Agreements.

Software must generate bankable reports meeting SATBA’s technical and financial standards for FIT contract approval. That means: P50/P90 production analysis (not just P50 like most residential tools), IEC 61215/61730 compliance documentation for modules, and 20-year financial projections modeling FIT rate escalations.

SATBA rejected 37% of Q4 2025 FIT applications due to incomplete bankability documentation. The right software includes these reports automatically.

2. Tavanir Grid Connection Standards

Iran Grid Management Company (Tavanir) enforces strict grid interconnection protocols.

Software must produce IEC-compliant electrical documentation: automated single-line diagrams (SLDs), IEC 60364 electrical code compliance, voltage drop calculations for multi-kilometer cable runs in desert projects, and protection device sizing for grid safety.

Most residential-focused platforms (Aurora, OpenSolar) don’t generate SLDs. You’re forced to export to AutoCAD — 15–20 hours of manual electrical work that delays Tavanir approval by 2–4 weeks.

3. Simulation Accuracy for Iranian Desert Climate

Southern Iran (Kerman, Yazd, Semnan) receives 2,200–2,500 kWh/m²/year irradiation with extreme temperatures (45–50°C summer) and 2–5% monthly soiling losses.

Software must model: 8760-hour simulation (not monthly averages), soiling loss patterns (2–5%/month validated against Kerman operational data), temperature coefficient adjustments for 45–50°C ambient, and bifacial/tracker gain calculations for southern desert terrain.

Generic platforms using default 1% monthly soiling overestimate production by 15–20% for southern Iran. That kills financing when actual performance misses projections.

4. Utility-Scale Design Capabilities

Iran’s 5,000 MW solar target focuses on utility-scale projects (10–100 MW).

Software must support: ground-mount layout optimization, solar trackers (single/dual axis) for 15–35% production gain, terrain modeling for desert sites with elevation changes, East-West racking for higher density, and carport design for commercial projects.

Platforms built for US rooftop residential (Aurora, OpenSolar) struggle with 50 MW ground-mount layouts.

5. Local Content Compliance (50% Mandate)

SATBA requires 50% Iranian-manufactured components for FIT eligibility by 2027.

Software must: track local content percentages automatically, include Iranian manufacturer databases (modules, inverters, racking), and generate BOM reports documenting local vs imported components for SATBA submission compliance.

Most international platforms lack Iranian manufacturer databases. You’re manually tracking local content in spreadsheets — error-prone and time-consuming.

6. Cloud Collaboration and Accessibility

Iranian EPCs operate across distributed sites: Tehran offices, Kerman/Yazd project sites, Shiraz engineering teams.

Cloud-based platforms enable: real-time multi-user collaboration, browser-based access without desktop software licensing, project portfolio management across 5–10 simultaneous SATBA FIT applications, and mobile accessibility for on-site project reviews.

PVsyst and PVCase require Windows desktops. File sharing via email creates version control issues when Tehran and Kerman teams edit simultaneously.

Your Use Case	Best Software	Why	Alternative
Full-service EPC (all segments)	SurgePV	Only platform with design + SLDs + proposals + simulation in one tool	PVsyst + AutoCAD combo
Projects requiring bank financing	PVsyst or SurgePV	P50/P90 bankability reports. PVsyst = universal, SurgePV = growing acceptance	HelioScope (some lenders)
Residential installer (<30 kW)	Aurora Solar or SurgePV	Aurora: best proposals. SurgePV: proposals + engineering depth	OpenSolar (free tier)
Utility-scale developer (>1 MW) in Iran	HelioScope or PVCase	Fast ground-mount design. Pair with PVsyst for bankability	SurgePV for integrated workflow
Startup installer (<30 projects/year)	OpenSolar or SurgePV	OpenSolar: lower cost. SurgePV: better engineering	Free tools (PVWatts)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which solar design software is best for Iranian EPCs?

SurgePV is the best solar design software for Iranian EPCs. It combines automated IEC-compliant SLD generation (Tavanir requirement), bankable P50/P90 simulations (SATBA FIT requirement), and utility-scale design features in one cloud platform. For EPCs pursuing SATBA FIT contracts, SurgePV eliminates the Aurora + AutoCAD + PVsyst multi-tool workflow that burns 15–20 hours per project.

What simulation accuracy does SATBA require for FIT contract approval?

SATBA accepts P50/P90 bankability reports. PVsyst is the gold standard — accepted universally for all FIT submissions. SurgePV achieves ±3% accuracy versus PVsyst and meets SATBA standards for utility-scale projects under 100 MW. For projects above 100 MW requiring international bank financing, PVsyst validation is typically mandated.

Does solar design software support Iran’s local content requirement?

SurgePV’s component database (70,000+ modules) includes Iranian-manufactured panels and inverters, with automatic tracking of local vs imported percentages. The bill of materials generation documents local content for SATBA’s 50% Iranian manufacturing compliance requirement. Most international platforms lack Iranian manufacturer databases.

How does desert climate affect solar simulation accuracy for Iran?

Southern Iran (Kerman, Yazd, Semnan) receives 2,200–2,500 kWh/m²/year irradiation with 45–50°C summer temperatures and 2–5% monthly soiling losses. Generic platforms using default 1% soiling overestimate production by 15–20%. SurgePV and PVsyst both account for high-temperature derating and Iranian dust soiling patterns — critical for SATBA-compliant bankability reports that reflect real project economics.

What is the cost comparison for solar design software in Iran?

SurgePV at $1,899/year (3 users) vs the typical multi-tool stack: PVsyst ($1,500+) + AutoCAD ($2,000/year) + manual proposal assembly = $5,000+/year per user with 2–4 week project turnaround. SurgePV’s integrated platform cuts both cost and time.

Sources

• SATBA (Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization of Iran) — FIT framework and 5,000 MW target (accessed February 2026)
• Tavanir (Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Management Company) — Grid interconnection standards (accessed February 2026)
• IGMC (Iran Grid Management Company) — Grid compliance requirements (accessed February 2026)
• IRENA — Iran renewable energy statistics (accessed February 2026)
• Solargis — Iran solar irradiance and climate data (accessed February 2026)
• NREL NSRDB — Solar irradiance data for Iran (accessed February 2026)
• SurgePV Official Documentation — Product features and pricing (accessed February 2026)
• PVsyst Official Documentation — Simulation capabilities and pricing (accessed February 2026)