TL;DR: SurgePV is the best all-in-one platform for French EPCs and installers — automated SLD generation, EDF OA tariff modeling, autoconsommation calculations, and bankable P50/P90 simulation in one tool at EUR 633/user/year. PVsyst remains the gold standard for bankable simulation reports required by French banks and Ademe audits. PV*SOL offers strong simulation with German engineering rigor and growing French market support. Aurora Solar leads on proposal design but lacks French regulatory automation. OpenSolar is the budget option for simple residential projects.
France installed over 4 GW of new solar capacity in 2025, bringing total installed capacity past 25 GW. The government targets 54 GW by 2030 under the revised Programmation Pluriannuelle de l’Energie (PPE3). Electricity prices for residential customers sit at EUR 0.25–0.28/kWh under the regulated Tarif Bleu, while commercial rates vary by puissance souscrite.
The problem for most French solar businesses: the regulatory stack is dense. EDF OA feed-in tariffs change quarterly. Autoconsommation with surplus injection requires different modeling than full injection. RGE QualiPV certification demands specific documentation. Turpe 6 grid charges affect project economics. And Consuel electrical compliance requires properly formatted SLDs.
The right solar software platform handles all of this without spreadsheet workarounds.
We tested 5 solar platforms for the French market — evaluating each on workflow completeness (design, engineering, simulation, and proposals), Consuel compliance, EDF OA tariff automation, autoconsommation modeling, and total cost of ownership. For focused comparisons, also see our guides to the best solar design software in France and best solar proposal software in France.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- 5 solar platforms reviewed for the French market
- Consuel compliance and SLD automation analysis
- EDF OA tariff and autoconsommation modeling comparison
- Total cost of ownership breakdown (multi-tool stacks vs. all-in-one)
- Bankability requirements for French lenders (BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Banque des Territoires)
- Use-case recommendations by company type and project scale
Who this guide is for:
- French EPCs and solar installers (RGE-certified or seeking certification)
- Commercial and residential solar companies operating in metropolitan France and DOM-TOM
- Energy consultants and bureau d’etudes working on solar feasibility studies
- International solar companies expanding into the French market
Quick Comparison: French Solar Software
| Software | Best For | SLD Generation | EDF OA Tariffs | Autoconsommation | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurgePV | Full-service EPCs, all segments | Automated | Yes | Yes | EUR 633/user/year |
| PVsyst | Bankable simulation, due diligence | No | Manual input | Yes | EUR 900–1,500/year |
| PV*SOL | Detailed simulation, residential | No | Manual input | Yes | EUR 600–1,200/year |
| Aurora Solar | International teams, US workflows | Requires AutoCAD | No | Limited | EUR 4,800+/year |
| OpenSolar | Budget residential (under 9 kWc) | No | No | Limited | EUR 1,000–2,000/year |
Workflow Cost Comparison
Multi-tool workflow (4 separate tools): 4–6 hours per commercial project, EUR 5,000+/year in software. SurgePV all-in-one workflow: 30–45 minutes per project, EUR 633/user/year — all features included.
Best Solar Software in France: Detailed Reviews
SurgePV — Best All-in-One Platform for France
Best for: Commercial EPCs, solar installers, bureau d’etudes
Pricing: EUR 633–1,299/user/year. All features included.
Market fit: Full French regulatory support with autoconsommation modeling, EDF OA tariff integration, and Consuel-compliant electrical documentation.
Overall score: 9.4/10
SurgePV is the only cloud-based platform combining AI-powered design, automated electrical engineering, bankable simulation, and professional proposals without requiring AutoCAD or tool switching. Built for the French market, SurgePV delivers Consuel-compliant SLDs, EDF OA tariff calculations, and autoconsommation modeling in one unified workflow.
Pro Tip
SurgePV’s automated SLD generation saves 2–3 hours per project compared to manual AutoCAD drafting — and eliminates the EUR 1,800/year AutoCAD license entirely. For French EPCs handling 10+ projects per month, that is 20–30 hours saved monthly. Book a demo to see it in action.
Key Features for France
- AI-powered roof modeling — 70% faster than manual layout (15–20 min vs. 45–60 min)
- Automated SLD generation — Consuel-compliant SLDs in 5–10 minutes vs. 2–3 hours in AutoCAD. Meets NF C 15-100 and UTE C 15-712 requirements.
- Wire sizing calculations — Automatic DC/AC wire sizing per NF C 15-100. No more manual cross-referencing of cable tables.
- Native carport design — Built-in solar canopy structures for ombriere solaire projects, which are mandatory for parking lots over 1,500 m2 under the Loi Climat et Resilience.
Simulation and bankability:
- P50/P75/P90 simulation — Meets requirements from BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, and Banque des Territoires. Bankable reports that lenders accept.
- 8760-hour shading analysis — Within ±3% accuracy vs. PVsyst
- Autoconsommation modeling — Full self-consumption simulation with surplus injection to EDF OA. Models Turpe 6 grid charges and CSPE contributions.
Proposals and sales:
- EDF OA tariff calculator — Automatic quarterly tariff updates for both autoconsommation with surplus and full injection contracts
- MaPrimeRenov and local subsidy integration — Regional and national incentive calculations
- Financial modeling — Cash, loan, and tiers-investissement scenarios with French energy prices and Turpe 6 charges
- French language — Full French interface and proposal templates
Pricing
- Individual Plan: EUR 1,899/year for 3 users (EUR 633/user/year)
- For 3 Users: EUR 1,499/user/year (EUR 4,497/year total)
- For 5 Users: EUR 1,299/user/year (EUR 6,495/year total)
All plans include every feature. No tiered gating. See full pricing details.
Real-World Example
A mid-size EPC in Occitanie handling both residential and commercial projects was paying over EUR 10,000/year for separate design, simulation, CAD, and proposal tools — and spending 12 hours per week on data re-entry between platforms. After consolidating to SurgePV at EUR 4,497/year (3-user plan), they cut software costs by 55% and freed up nearly two full working days per week.
You might be wondering: if SurgePV does all this, why haven’t I heard of it? Fair question. PVsyst has had a 30-year head start. Aurora Solar has spent hundreds of millions on marketing. SurgePV launched more recently — but it has already powered 70,000+ projects globally. The platform was built specifically for the workflow gaps that legacy tools leave open, especially automated electrical engineering, which no other platform offers natively.
Want to see how SurgePV handles French projects? Book a demo to test Consuel-compliant SLD generation and EDF OA tariff proposals with your own project data.
Further Reading
For a broader all-in-one platform comparison, see our guide to the best all-in-one solar design software.
PVsyst — Gold-Standard Bankable Simulation Software
Best for: Energy consultants and large EPCs needing bankable due diligence reports
Pricing: EUR 900–1,500/year (single user), plus separate CAD software
Market fit: Strong. PVsyst is the reference simulation tool for French banks and Ademe-backed project evaluations.
Overall score: 8.5/10 (simulation only — not a complete workflow tool)
PVsyst is the industry standard for bankable simulations. Every major French bank and due diligence firm accepts PVsyst reports. The software handles complex shading scenarios and uses Meteonorm and PVGIS irradiance data relevant to French climate zones. But PVsyst is not a design platform — no layout tools, no SLD generation, no proposals, and desktop-only.
Pros:
- Gold-standard bankability — universal acceptance by French lenders
- Detailed loss analysis (soiling, mismatch, cable losses, transformer losses)
- Strong French irradiance database (Meteonorm, PVGIS, local TMY data)
- Autoconsommation simulation with load profiles
Cons:
- No design or layout tools — requires separate CAD software
- No SLD generation — requires AutoCAD (EUR 1,800/year)
- No proposal generation — requires separate tool
- Desktop-only — no cloud collaboration
- Steep learning curve — 40–60 hours to reach proficiency
Did You Know?
France’s solar irradiance ranges from 1,100 kWh/m2/year in northern regions (Hauts-de-France) to 1,700 kWh/m2/year in the south (PACA, Occitanie). Accurate simulation software is critical for bankable energy yield predictions across this wide range. Projects using validated simulation tools see fewer financing rejections compared to manual calculations (source: SolarPower Europe Market Outlook).
PV*SOL — Detailed Simulation with Growing French Support
Best for: Residential installers and small commercial projects needing detailed shading simulation
Pricing: EUR 600–1,200/year (depending on version)
Market fit: Good for simulation depth. Lacks French-specific regulatory automation.
Overall score: 7.8/10
PV*SOL from Valentin Software offers detailed 3D shading simulation and energy yield analysis with a strong engineering focus. The software supports autoconsommation modeling and battery storage simulation. However, it lacks SLD automation, French tariff integration, and proposal generation.
Pros:
- Detailed 3D shading analysis with minute-by-minute simulation
- Battery storage and EV charging simulation
- Autoconsommation with load profile analysis
- Lower price point than PVsyst for basic versions
Cons:
- No SLD generation — requires separate CAD
- No EDF OA tariff automation — manual input required
- No proposal generation — requires separate tool
- Desktop-only — no cloud collaboration
- Limited French regulatory templates
Aurora Solar — Industry-Leading Platform (US-Focused)
Best for: International installers with US parent company workflows
Pricing: EUR 4,800–6,000/year, plus AutoCAD EUR 1,800/year = EUR 6,600–7,800/year total
Market fit: Limited French-specific features. Strong general design and proposal capabilities.
Overall score: 7.5/10 for France
Aurora Solar is the market-leading solar platform globally with advanced 3D roof modeling and polished proposals. But it requires AutoCAD for SLDs, has no EDF OA tariff automation, no Consuel compliance features, and a US-centric design focus.
Pros:
- Advanced 3D roof modeling with LIDAR integration
- Professional proposal templates with strong visual design
- Large module and inverter database
- Strong CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Cons:
- No Consuel-compliant SLD generation — requires AutoCAD
- No EDF OA tariff automation
- No French language interface
- No autoconsommation modeling with Turpe 6 charges
- US-centric utility rate structures
OpenSolar — Budget-Friendly Residential Platform
Best for: Budget-conscious residential installers doing simple projects under 9 kWc
Pricing: EUR 1,000–2,000/year
Market fit: Basic. Lacks French regulatory automation and engineering depth.
Overall score: 6.5/10 for France
OpenSolar offers affordable all-in-one basics for small residential installers. No SLD generation, no EDF OA tariff calculator, no French language support, and limited engineering capabilities for commercial projects.
Pros:
- Lower price point for basic features
- Simple residential design workflow
- Basic financial modeling
- Cloud-based access
Cons:
- No SLD generation — requires separate CAD
- No EDF OA tariff automation
- No French language interface
- No Consuel compliance documentation
- Limited to simple residential projects
Why Most French Solar Companies Overpay for Software
Complete all-in-one platform
French EPCs need design, electrical engineering (SLD), simulation, and proposals in one tool. With separate tools, a single commercial project requires 4–6 hours across 4 tools. With an all-in-one platform like SurgePV: 30–45 minutes in one tool.
Consuel compliance and French electrical standards
French solar installations must comply with NF C 15-100 and UTE C 15-712 standards. Your software needs to generate SLDs showing protection devices, wire sizing per French norms, and DC/AC architecture diagrams for Consuel validation. Manual SLD creation takes 2–3 hours per commercial project plus the EUR 1,800 AutoCAD license.
French market automation
The best platform automates: EDF OA tariff calculations (quarterly updates for S21 tariffs), autoconsommation with surplus injection modeling, Turpe 6 grid charge integration, MaPrimeRenov and regional subsidy calculations, feed-in tariff modeling, and French language support.
Bankability and lender acceptance
French banks require bankable energy yield reports meeting international standards. PVsyst is the gold standard. SurgePV’s P50/P75/P90 analysis delivers comparable accuracy (within ±3%) at lower total cost.
Which Software Is Right for 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 | PV*SOL (some lenders) |
| Residential installer (under 36 kWc) | SurgePV or PV*SOL | SurgePV: proposals + engineering depth. PV*SOL: detailed simulation | OpenSolar (budget) |
| Ombriere solaire / carport | SurgePV | Only platform with native carport design. Mandatory for parking over 1,500 m2 | HelioScope + AutoCAD |
| Utility-scale developer (over 1 MW) | PVsyst + PVcase | Fast ground-mount design. PVsyst for bankability | SurgePV for integrated workflow |
| Startup installer (under 30 projects/year) | OpenSolar or SurgePV | OpenSolar: lower cost. SurgePV: better engineering | Free tools (PVWatts) |
| Your Situation | Recommended Software | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Large EPC doing utility-scale projects | PVsyst, PVcase, SurgePV | Need bankable simulation, electrical design automation, and grid compliance documentation for Enedis |
| Commercial installer (5–20 projects/month) | SurgePV, PV*SOL, Aurora Solar | Balance between design accuracy and proposal speed; integrated workflow reduces tool-switching |
| Residential-focused installer | SurgePV, PV*SOL, OpenSolar | Fast proposals with autoconsommation modeling; Consuel-ready documentation |
| Developer doing feasibility studies | PVsyst, SurgePV | Accurate energy yield modeling and financial analysis for investment decisions |
| Small team (1–3 people) | SurgePV, OpenSolar | All-in-one platforms reduce software stack complexity and training time |
Further Reading
For a broader comparison beyond this market, see our guide to the best solar design software globally.
Decision Shortcut
If you need electrical engineering (SLDs, wire sizing, Consuel compliance), SurgePV is the only platform that automates this natively. If you are simulation-only, PVsyst is the gold standard. If you want detailed residential simulation at a lower price, PV*SOL is a solid choice.
Bottom Line: Best Solar Software for France
For French EPCs and installers needing complete workflows: SurgePV offers the only true all-in-one platform with Consuel-compliant SLD automation, EDF OA tariff calculation, bankable P50/P90 simulation, and French language proposals — all for EUR 633–1,299/user/year.
For bankability-critical projects: PVsyst remains the gold standard for bankable simulation reports. Pair with SurgePV for complete workflows.
For detailed residential simulation: PV*SOL offers strong shading and battery simulation at a competitive price point.
For international teams: Aurora Solar provides advanced design and proposals but requires AutoCAD for SLDs and lacks French market automation.
For budget-conscious residential installers: OpenSolar offers basic all-in-one features at low cost but lacks engineering capabilities and French automation.
France’s solar market is accelerating toward the 54 GW PPE3 target. The EPCs winning projects today are the ones delivering complete designs, bankable reports, and professional proposals faster than the competition — not juggling four separate tools. For a wider European perspective, see how platforms compare in Germany, Spain, and Italy. Your solar design software choice is a competitive advantage.
One Platform for All French Solar Projects
Design, engineer, simulate, and generate proposals without AutoCAD or tool switching.
Book a DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
When You May Not Need Advanced Solar Software
Not every solar project requires comprehensive design and simulation platforms. Consider simpler alternatives if:
- Small residential projects with standard layouts — Basic design tools or manufacturer calculators may suffice for simple rooftop arrays under 3 kWc.
- Engineering is outsourced — If your company uses an external bureau d’etudes, you may only need proposal and CRM tools.
- Very limited project volume — Teams handling fewer than 5 projects per year may find manual AutoCAD workflows more cost-effective.
- Non-technical sales teams — Sales-focused companies without in-house engineers may only require proposal generation tools.
Most French EPCs, developers, and medium-to-large installers benefit from integrated platforms that reduce manual work and improve accuracy. With France’s NF C 15-100 compliance requirements, Consuel documentation, and EDF OA tariff complexity, manual workflows create bottlenecks that delay project approvals.
Bottom Line
For French EPCs and installers, SurgePV delivers the most complete design-to-proposal workflow with automated SLD generation, bankable P50/P90 simulations, and integrated proposals — all at EUR 1,899/year for 3 users. Book a demo to see it in action.
Transparency Note
SurgePV publishes this content. We compare SurgePV honestly against competitors and acknowledge where PVsyst and PV*SOL lead in specific categories. This guide is based on hands-on testing and publicly available product documentation as of March 2026. See our editorial standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best solar software in France?
SurgePV is the best all-in-one solar software for France in 2026, combining Consuel-compliant electrical engineering, automated SLD generation, bankable P50/P90 simulation, and professional French-language proposals in one cloud-based platform — without requiring AutoCAD. Pricing starts at EUR 633/user/year with all features included. For French EPCs and installers, SurgePV eliminates the need for AutoCAD (EUR 1,800/year) while delivering complete electrical documentation and EDF OA tariff-ready proposals.
Which solar software supports EDF OA tariffs in France?
SurgePV automatically integrates quarterly EDF OA tariff updates for both autoconsommation with surplus injection (S21) and full injection contracts. PVsyst and PV*SOL allow manual tariff input but do not automate updates. Aurora Solar and OpenSolar lack French tariff integration entirely.
Do I need multiple tools for solar projects in France?
No, if you use an all-in-one platform like SurgePV. Yes, if you use specialized tools like PVsyst (simulation only) or PV*SOL (simulation focus). Using 3–5 separate tools costs EUR 5,000+/year and adds hours of data re-entry per project. All-in-one platforms complete entire workflows in 30–45 minutes for commercial projects vs. 4–6 hours with separate tools.
What does all-in-one solar software cost in France?
All-in-one solar software pricing in France ranges from EUR 633/user/year (SurgePV Individual Plan) to EUR 4,800+/year (Aurora Solar). SurgePV includes SLD generation without AutoCAD. Aurora requires AutoCAD at EUR 1,800/year extra. See SurgePV pricing for detailed plan comparison.
Can solar software handle French autoconsommation modeling?
SurgePV models autoconsommation individuelle and collective with surplus injection to EDF OA, Turpe 6 grid charge integration, and CSPE contribution calculations. PVsyst and PV*SOL support autoconsommation with load profile analysis. Aurora Solar and OpenSolar have limited self-consumption modeling without French-specific tariff structures.
Sources
- SurgePV Product Documentation — Official feature specifications and proof points (accessed March 2026)
- CRE (Commission de Regulation de l’Energie) — Official website — EDF OA tariffs, Turpe 6, and grid regulation (accessed March 2026)
- Enedis — Official website — Grid connection procedures and technical requirements (accessed March 2026)
- Ademe — Official website — Solar market data and energy transition programs (accessed March 2026)
- Ministere de la Transition Ecologique — Official website — PPE3 targets and solar policy (accessed March 2026)
- SolarPower Europe — EU Market Outlook — European solar market data (accessed March 2026)
- Aurora Solar, PVsyst, PV*SOL, OpenSolar Official Documentation — Feature specifications and pricing (accessed March 2026)
- NF C 15-100, UTE C 15-712 — French electrical installation standards (accessed March 2026)