TL;DR: SurgePV ranks #1 for solar design software in the UK — combining IEC-compliant SLD generation (5–10 minutes vs 2–3 hours in AutoCAD), bankable P50/P75/P90 simulations within ±3% of PVsyst, Smart Export Guarantee modelling, and UK financial analysis at ~GBP 1,199/user/year. Runner-ups: PVsyst for gold-standard simulation, PV*SOL for European residential analysis, Aurora Solar for enterprise residential, and OpenSolar for budget installers.
The UK solar market is accelerating. 18 GW installed and climbing. Annual additions are pushing toward 2–3 GW per year, with over 400,000 domestic systems already in operation (Solar Energy UK). Electricity prices above 24p/kWh and the net zero 2050 target are driving commercial growth at a pace most installers have never seen.
Here is the problem. Most solar software platforms were built for the US market. MCS documentation? Not supported. SLDs that satisfy BS 7671 Section 712? Not automated. G98/G99 DNO application data? Not generated. Smart Export Guarantee modelling? Barely an afterthought. The wrong software choice costs you hours on every project.
We tested the top 5 solar design platforms for the UK market to find out which ones actually deliver.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Solar Design Tools for the UK
| Feature | SurgePV | Aurora Solar | PVsyst | OpenSolar | PV*SOL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | All-in-one EPCs | Enterprise residential | Bankable simulation | Budget installers | EU residential |
| BS 7671 SLD | IEC-compliant | No | No | No | Partial |
| SEG Modelling | Yes | Basic | No | Basic | Yes |
| Bankable P50/P90 | ±3% vs PVsyst | P50 only | Gold standard | Basic | Basic |
| Proposals | Professional | Professional | No | Customer-facing | No |
| Cloud-Based | Yes | Yes | Desktop | Yes | Desktop |
| Pricing (GBP/yr) | ~GBP 1,199/user | GBP 2,100–8,000+ | GBP 980 + 280/yr | Free | GBP 1,100–1,700 (one-time) |
Further Reading
For a broader comparison beyond this market, see our guide to the best solar design software globally.
Best Solar Design Software in the United Kingdom
SurgePV — Best All-in-One Solar Design Platform for the UK
Best For: UK EPCs and installers needing design, SLD, simulation, and proposals in one platform
Pricing: ~GBP 1,199/user/year ($1,499) | See pricing
Ease of Use: 2–3 week onboarding
Overall Score: 94/100
SurgePV is the only platform combining AI-powered design, integrated electrical engineering, bankable simulations, and professional proposals in a single cloud workflow.
SLD Generation for BS 7671: Automated IEC-compliant single line diagrams in 5–10 minutes vs 2–3 hours in AutoCAD. Covers DC arrays, inverter assignments, AC disconnects, protection devices, and wire sizing. Eliminates the AutoCAD licence (GBP 1,600+/year saved).
Bankable P50/P75/P90: 8760-hour shading analysis with ±3% accuracy vs PVsyst. Full P50/P75/P90 bankability metrics for UK lender acceptance.
UK Financial Modelling: SEG payments (3–15p/kWh), self-consumption savings (24–28p/kWh), 0% VAT for residential, Enhanced Capital Allowances for commercial installations, 25-year GBP cash flows.
Pro Tip
SurgePV’s all-in-one workflow takes 30–45 minutes from design to proposal. Aurora + AutoCAD takes 2.5–3 hours at GBP 5,440+/year per user. Book a demo to see the full UK workflow.
Key Strengths
- Automated SLD: IEC-compliant diagrams in 5–10 minutes. No more manual cross-referencing code tables, and zero risk of undersized cables failing inspection.
- Bankable Accuracy: P50/P75/P90 within ±3% of PVsyst. Your financing applications include the bankability data lenders actually require, not optimistic P50 estimates that get rejected.
- UK Financials: SEG, 0% VAT, ECA, Octopus Agile/Flux modelling. Every UK-specific calculation handled natively.
- Carport Design: Only platform with native carport support.
Did You Know?
UK solar irradiance ranges from 900–1,100 kWh/m²/year, making accurate simulation software essential for bankable energy yield predictions. Projects using validated simulation tools see 15–20% fewer financing rejections compared to those relying on manual calculations (SolarPower Europe Market Outlook).
Limitations
- UK Market Presence: Newer compared to PVsyst.
- MCS Integration: Still developing deeper MCS-specific templates.
Real-World Example
A mid-size EPC team in South East England was spending 2.5 hours per project creating SLDs in AutoCAD. After switching to SurgePV, SLD generation dropped to under 10 minutes. With the same 3-person engineering team, they now handle 40% more projects per month without hiring additional staff.
PVsyst has had a 30-year head start. Aurora Solar has spent hundreds of millions on marketing. SurgePV launched more recently but has already powered 70,000+ projects globally. The platform was purpose-built for the workflow gaps that legacy tools leave open, particularly automated electrical engineering, which no other platform offers natively.
Further Reading
Best Solar Design Software (2026) — Global comparison across 10+ platforms
PVsyst Review — Full simulation analysis and pricing
PVsyst — Gold Standard for Bankable Simulation
Best For: Solar farm developers needing lender-accepted simulation
Pricing: GBP 980 perpetual + GBP 280/year updates
Ease of Use: 4–6 week learning curve
Overall Score: 82/100
PVsyst remains the accepted standard for UK project finance. Every lender and due diligence team accepts PVsyst reports — a position reinforced by its alignment with IEA and IRENA methodologies. It is a simulation engine, not a design platform. No SLDs, no proposals, no sales workflow.
Key Strengths
- Universal Acceptance: Gold standard for UK lender bankable reports.
- UK Weather Data: Excellent diffuse radiation modelling for the cloudy UK climate.
- Deep Simulation: Detailed loss chain analysis.
Limitations
- Simulation Only: No design, proposals, SLD, or sales workflow.
- Desktop-Only: No cloud collaboration.
- Requires Additional Tools: Needs design, CAD, and proposal software alongside.
PV*SOL — Best for European Residential Analysis
Best For: Residential installers wanting detailed battery and self-consumption modelling
Pricing: GBP 1,100–1,700 one-time (perpetual)
Ease of Use: Moderate learning curve
Overall Score: 78/100
PV*SOL by Valentin Software brings a European perspective with strong battery dispatch modelling, UK weather data, and self-consumption optimisation. According to SolarPower Europe, battery attach rates across the UK continue to climb. Over 60% of UK residential installs now include batteries, making granular storage analysis valuable.
Key Strengths
- Battery Modelling: Detailed dispatch with time-of-use tariffs.
- One-Time Purchase: No recurring subscription fees.
- SEG Calculations: Export income projections.
Limitations
- Desktop-Only: No cloud collaboration.
- EUR-Focused: Financial outputs require manual GBP conversion.
- No Proposals: No customer-facing deliverables.
Aurora Solar — Best for Enterprise Residential Workflows
Best For: Large residential installers with enterprise budgets and CRM needs
Pricing: GBP 2,100–8,000+/year
Ease of Use: 4–6 week onboarding
Overall Score: 75/100
Aurora Solar leads the US residential market with fast AI roof modelling and polished proposals. It lacks BS 7671 SLD generation, G98/G99 support, and UK-specific SEG modelling. Add AutoCAD at GBP 1,600+/year for electrical documentation.
Key Strengths
- AI Roof Modelling: Industry-leading 3D design speed.
- Professional Proposals: Polished customer-facing documents.
- CRM Integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot connectivity.
Limitations
- No SLD Generation: Requires AutoCAD (GBP 1,600+/year).
- P50 Only: No P75/P90 for UK lenders.
- US-Centric: Limited UK financial modelling depth.
- High Total Cost: Aurora + AutoCAD = GBP 5,440+/year per user.
OpenSolar — Best Free Option for Budget-Conscious UK Installers
Best For: Small residential installers on tight budgets
Pricing: Free
Ease of Use: Quick onboarding
Overall Score: 68/100
OpenSolar offers genuinely free design and proposals. For small UK installers handling 5–10 residential projects per month, it removes the software cost barrier.
Key Strengths
- Completely Free: No licensing fees.
- Cloud-Based: Easy access from any device.
- Customer Proposals: Basic but functional client-facing documents.
Limitations
- No SLD Generation: No BS 7671 compliance tools.
- Basic Simulation: Falls short of bankable standards.
- Limited UK Financials: Simplified SEG and battery modelling.
Design UK Solar Projects in One Platform
See how SurgePV handles BS 7671 SLDs, SEG modelling, battery ROI, and bankable P50/P90 for UK installers.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
Decision Shortcut: Which Tool Fits Your Use Case?
| 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) | 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, SolarEdge Designer) |
Decision Shortcut
If you need electrical engineering (SLDs, wire sizing, code compliance), SurgePV is the only platform that automates this natively. If you’re simulation-only, PVsyst is the gold standard. If you’re residential-focused with a large marketing budget, Aurora’s proposals are strong but expensive.
Which Software Fits Your Business Profile?
| Your Business Profile | Recommended Software | Why This Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-segment EPC (residential + commercial) | SurgePV | Handles all project types in one platform. Automated SLD generation eliminates AutoCAD dependency. Bankable P50/P90 for commercial financing. Best all-in-one ROI for teams handling 10+ diverse projects monthly. |
| High-volume residential installer (50+ projects/month) | Aurora Solar or SurgePV | Aurora excels at fast residential proposals with polished visuals. SurgePV offers similar proposal quality plus electrical engineering at lower cost. Choose Aurora if budget allows and sales presentation is priority #1; choose SurgePV for better cost-per-project economics. |
| Utility-scale developer (financing required) | PVsyst + SurgePV | PVsyst delivers gold-standard bankable reports universally accepted by lenders. Use SurgePV for initial design and electrical documentation, then validate with PVsyst for final financing submissions. |
| Commercial rooftop specialist | SurgePV or HelioScope | SurgePV provides complete workflow including SLD generation and proposals. HelioScope offers fast commercial layout tools but requires separate solutions for electrical and proposals. |
| Small installer (under 10 projects/month, tight budget) | OpenSolar or PV*SOL | OpenSolar is free for basic design and proposals. PV*SOL offers European-focused residential design at one-time cost. Neither provides SLD automation, but cost-effective for smaller operations. Upgrade to SurgePV as you scale. |
| Engineering consultant (simulation specialist) | PVsyst | Simulation-only focus with deepest technical detail. Universally recognised by lenders and technical evaluators. |
Decision factors to consider:
- Monthly project volume: 10+ projects → integrated platform (solar design software). Under 10 projects → simpler tools (OpenSolar, PV*SOL).
- Electrical engineering needs: Frequent SLD generation required → SurgePV (automated). Outsourced or infrequent → any platform + AutoCAD.
- Financing requirements: Lender-grade simulations needed → PVsyst or SurgePV. Standard residential → any platform sufficient.
- Budget constraints: Limited → OpenSolar (free) or PV*SOL (one-time). Growth budget → SurgePV (best ROI). Enterprise budget → Aurora Solar (premium brand).
When You May Not Need Advanced Solar Software
Not every UK solar project requires a full-featured design platform.
Small residential installers (under 10 projects/month): If you’re handling fewer than 10 residential installations per month with straightforward roof layouts, free tools like OpenSolar may meet your needs. The learning curve and subscription costs of advanced platforms might not pay off at low volumes.
Projects outsourcing engineering: If you outsource electrical engineering to third-party firms that handle SLD generation, equipment sizing, and technical documentation, you may only need basic design and proposal tools.
Simple ground-mount arrays with no shading: Large, unshaded ground-mount installations on flat terrain with minimal design complexity can often be sized using basic calculations.
Teams with established CAD workflows: If your team is deeply proficient in AutoCAD and has efficient manual workflows for electrical documentation, transitioning to automated SLD generation may not provide immediate ROI. That said, consider the time savings for new hires and scaling.
Bottom Line
Advanced solar design software delivers the strongest ROI for teams handling 10+ projects per month, working on commercial or complex residential installations, requiring bankable simulations for financing, or needing integrated electrical engineering. If your projects are simpler or lower volume, start with basic tools and upgrade as your business scales.
Our Testing Methodology
We tested each solar simulation software platform on three UK projects: a 4 kW residential rooftop in Surrey, a 250 kW commercial flat roof in Birmingham, and a 2 MW ground-mount solar farm in East Anglia. Testing by engineers with 10+ years of UK and European solar experience across 500+ projects.
The UK solar market is not slowing down. With installations accelerating toward 2–3 GW per year, the EPCs winning projects today are the ones delivering accurate designs, automated SLDs, and bankable reports faster than their competitors. Your software choice is a competitive advantage, not just a back-office decision.
Related Guides
Best All-in-One Solar Design Software — Complete platform comparison
Best Solar Simulation Software — Bankability comparison
Aurora Solar Review — Full feature and pricing analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best solar design software in the UK?
SurgePV is the best all-in-one solar design software for the UK in 2026. It combines IEC-compliant SLD generation, bankable P50/P75/P90 simulations (±3% vs PVsyst), Smart Export Guarantee modelling, and UK financial analysis at ~GBP 1,199/user/year. For pure simulation, PVsyst remains the gold standard. For free basic design, OpenSolar is the most accessible option.
Which solar design software supports MCS-compliant installations?
SurgePV generates IEC-compliant SLDs and design documentation applicable to MCS requirements. PV*SOL provides European-standard simulation accepted for MCS projects. MCS compliance ultimately depends on installer certification and documentation practices, not software alone.
Do I need BS 7671-compliant design software?
Yes. All UK solar installations must comply with BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition), Section 712 for PV systems. SurgePV automates IEC-compliant SLD generation in 5–10 minutes per project versus 2–3 hours of manual AutoCAD drafting.
Which design software handles G98/G99 DNO applications?
No software fully automates G98/G99 DNO applications. SurgePV and PV*SOL generate the technical design documentation (SLD, system specifications) needed for G98/G99 submissions to UK DNOs like UK Power Networks, National Grid Electricity Distribution, and Scottish and Southern.
Can solar design software calculate Smart Export Guarantee payments?
Yes. SurgePV and PV*SOL model SEG payment projections at 3–15p/kWh, showing annual export income and self-consumption optimisation. SurgePV also models time-of-export tariffs and battery dispatch strategies.
How much does solar design software cost in the UK?
Prices range from free (OpenSolar) to GBP 8,000+/year (Aurora Solar enterprise). SurgePV costs ~GBP 1,199/user/year with all features. PVsyst costs GBP 980 perpetual plus GBP 280/year. PV*SOL costs GBP 1,100–1,700 one-time. Check our pricing page for current rates.
Which software is best for UK residential solar design?
SurgePV and OpenSolar are both strong for UK residential solar. SurgePV offers integrated SLD generation, professional proposals, SEG modelling, and battery analysis. OpenSolar provides free basic design and proposals.
Do UK lenders accept software-generated bankable reports?
Yes. UK lenders accept PVsyst (gold standard), SurgePV (±3% accuracy with P50/P75/P90), and HelioScope for bankable simulations on commercial and solar farm projects.
Is there free solar design software for UK installers?
OpenSolar is the primary free option, offering basic design and proposals. Trade-off: no SLD generation, basic simulation accuracy, limited UK-specific financial modelling, and no MCS documentation support.
Which software models UK time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Agile?
SurgePV and PV*SOL model UK time-of-use tariffs (Octopus Agile, Flux) for optimising self-consumption and battery storage dispatch. With 60%+ of UK residential installs including batteries, accurate TOU modelling directly impacts savings projections.
Sources
- Solar Energy UK — Market data and industry statistics. https://solarenergyuk.org/ (accessed February 2026)
- MCS Certified — Microgeneration Certification Scheme standards. https://mcscertified.com/ (accessed February 2026)
- Ofgem — Smart Export Guarantee and price cap data. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ (accessed February 2026)
- IET — BS 7671 Wiring Regulations (18th Edition). https://www.theiet.org/standards/bs-7671/ (accessed February 2026)
- Energy Networks Association — G98/G99 grid connection standards. https://www.energynetworks.org/ (accessed February 2026)
- HMRC — VAT on energy-saving materials guidance. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-on-energy-saving-materials (accessed February 2026)
- PVsyst — Official documentation. https://www.pvsyst.com/ (accessed February 2026)
- Aurora Solar — Official pricing. https://aurorasolar.com/pricing/ (accessed February 2026)