Arka360 Review: Features, Pricing & Pros vs Cons (2026)

TL;DR: Arka360 is a cloud-based solar design and proposal platform known for its built-in CRM, India market leadership, and pricing starting at $199/month. Based on 129 G2 reviews, users praise the integrated CRM and ease of use but report missing features (16 mentions), software performance issues (8 mentions), and system instability (6 mentions). For India-only operations needing built-in CRM, Arka360 delivers strong value. For multi-market EPCs (India + US) requiring complete electrical engineering and commercial structures, SurgePV — the leading solar design software — offers superior capabilities with automated SLD generation, carport design, and international coverage.

Author: Keyur Rakholiya Title: Contributing Writer, SurgePV | MD & CEO, Heaven Green Energy Limited Expertise: 1+ GW solar projects delivered, 20+ design software platforms tested, 10+ years EPC operations Published: January 19, 2026 Last Updated: January 25, 2026 Review Methodology: Official Arka360 documentation, 129 G2 verified reviews (G2.com/products/arka360), competitive testing, India market expertise

Who This Review Is For

This complete Arka360 review helps:

• Solar EPCs evaluating Arka360 for India or US markets
• Installers considering all-in-one platforms with integrated CRM
• Commercial teams assessing electrical engineering capabilities
• Teams comparing Arka360 vs Aurora Solar, SurgePV, or OpenSolar

Who should skip this review:

• Pure residential sales teams (Aurora may be better)
• Utility-scale only operations (PVCase/RatedPower are more specialized)
• Teams with existing CRM already embedded in their workflow

What Is Arka360?

Arka360 is a cloud-based, made-for-solar platform combining CRM, design, proposals, shading analysis, and permit packages in one solution. Unlike Aurora Solar or SurgePV — which lack native CRM — Arka360 integrates lead management and sales pipeline tracking directly into the platform.

Company Background

Core Value Proposition

“Single integrated platform offering CRM, Design, Proposal, Shade Analysis, Site Surveys, Permit Packages in one simple to use and low cost package.”

This all-in-one approach differentiates Arka360 from competitors requiring multiple tools. Where Aurora users need separate CRM integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot), Arka360 provides everything natively.

Target Market

Primary Audiences:

1. Solar EPCs (residential and commercial projects)
2. Technical salespeople and engineers
3. Solar contractors looking for all-in-one design and sales solution

Geographic Focus:

• Primary: India (strong local presence, India-specific features)
• Secondary: United States
• Coverage: India + US + International (limited)

Market Position: Positioned as “India’s #1 Solar Design & Proposal Tool for Professionals” with particularly strong presence in the Indian market due to local climate data integration and India-specific regulatory compliance.

Unique Positioning

Arka360 is the only platform among major competitors (Aurora, SurgePV, OpenSolar, PVCase) with native built-in CRM — eliminating the need for external CRM integrations or subscriptions.

Key Features & Capabilities

We analyzed Arka360’s features across 8 categories based on official documentation, 129 G2 reviews, and competitive testing against platforms like SurgePV.

Design Capabilities

AI-Powered 3D Design Studio

Arka360’s 3D design engine provides:

• AI-assisted roof detection automatically detecting roof geometry
• Optimized panel placement using intelligent algorithms
• Energy simulations completed within minutes
• Full 3D modeling accurate to the inch
• Advanced 3D LIDAR analysis for precise shading
• Smart autodetection of obstructions and trees

Residential & Commercial Support

The platform handles both project types:

• Accurate 3D modeling for residential and commercial installations
• Support for roof-mounted and ground-mounted systems
• Various mounting type configurations

User Feedback on Design

What users praise:

• 3D viewing (10 G2 mentions) — strong visualization capabilities
• 3D modeling (9 mentions) — quality design representation
• Ease of design (8 mentions) — intuitive workflow

What users criticize:

• Design issues (6 mentions) — some design-related problems
• Layout issues (6 mentions) — interface friction points

SurgePV Design Comparison

Both platforms offer strong 3D design capabilities. The key difference: SurgePV adds commercial structures Arka360 lacks — carports, trackers, and East-West racking.

• Standard rooftop residential/commercial: Both platforms perform well.
• Commercial structures (carports, trackers): Only SurgePV provides native support.

Electrical Engineering Features ⚠️ LIMITED

This is where Arka360 shows substantial limitations compared to complete electrical platforms.

Single Line Diagram (SLD) Generation

Available: ✅ Yes (but limited)

Capabilities:

• Automated SLD generation
• Export to AutoCAD via DXF file format
• Tables auto-update based on modules and inverters
• Download in PDF or export to Excel

Limitation: Arka360’s SLD capabilities are basic compared to complete electrical solutions. Users may still need AutoCAD for complex commercial electrical documentation.

Wire Size Calculator

Available: ✅ Yes

Capabilities:

• Integrated wire sizing based on US electrical calculations
• Tables represent input/output between electrical components
• Helps with SLD, 3LD, and permit drawing approvals
• Exportable to Excel or PDF

Limitation: Basic wire sizing without advanced features like voltage drop analysis or conduit fill calculations.

Real-World Electrical Workflow Comparison

100kW commercial rooftop project:

For commercial EPCs at scale (50 projects/month):

• Monthly time saved: 75–100 hours
• Annual productivity gain: 900–1,200 hours
• Labor value saved (at $75/hour): $67,500–$90,000/year
• Software cost saved: $2,000/year (no AutoCAD license)

Shading Analysis

Method: LIDAR-based shading analysis

• LIDAR mapping for accurate calculations
• Smart autodetection of obstructions and trees
• 8760-hour analysis (industry standard)

Accuracy:

Why this matters: For bankable projects requiring financier approval, documented accuracy (“±3% vs PVSyst”) carries far more weight than unquantified claims.

CRM & Lead Management ⭐ MAJOR DIFFERENTIATOR

This is Arka360’s strongest competitive advantage.

Built-in CRM: ✅ Yes (Unlike Aurora, OpenSolar, SurgePV)

Capabilities:

• Made-for-solar CRM integrated directly into platform
• Multiple business dashboard configurations
• Track lead status and progression
• Custom dashboards with sorting, filtering, pipeline management
• Configurable for sales and admin accounts
• KPI widgets and graphs

CRM Competitive Gap

When built-in CRM adds value: Small to mid-size installers without an existing CRM system.

When built-in CRM doesn’t matter: EPCs already using Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho — you’ll be paying for a feature you won’t use.

Energy Storage & NEM 3.0 Support ✅ AVAILABLE NOW

Battery Storage Modeling: ✅ Available

• Advanced energy storage simulations
• Model and analyze different storage scenarios
• Evaluate performance metrics and optimize storage configurations
• Energy and storage simulations for technical users

NEM 3.0 Support: ✅ Available

• Navigate California’s NEM 3.0 policy changes
• Maximize financial benefits of grid export
• Storage integration modeling for project viability

Competitive Comparison

Current advantage: Arka360 and Aurora for storage-focused or California NEM 3.0 projects.

Proposal Generation

Sales Mode: Unique Feature

Create instant designs while interacting with clients in real time — a differentiated capability compared to traditional design-then-propose workflows.

Proposal Builder

Speed: Generate accurate solar proposals in under 5 minutes.

Features:

• AI-powered proposal automation
• Data auto-synced from design layout
• Customized proposals with brand logos, pricing, incentives, and financing
• Interactive web-based proposals

Output formats: PDF, shareable web links, direct email delivery

Financial Models Supported:

• Cash purchase
• Loans
• RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company)
• CAPEX models
• Leases
• PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements)

SurgePV Proposal Comparison

Both platforms offer strong proposal capabilities.

• Arka360 advantage: Real-time Sales Mode for live client interaction
• SurgePV advantage: Proposals backed by complete electrical documentation

Permit Packages & Export Formats

Permit services available:

• Complete permit package generation
• AHJ-compliant solar permit services
• PE stamp services (separate pricing)
• Pre-made permit bundles

Export formats:

• PDF: Proposals and documentation
• DXF: CAD layout exports
• SketchUp: 3D model exports (zip)
• .3ds: PVSyst integration (Ground and Subarrays)
• Excel: Wire size calculator data

Integrations & API

CRM Integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot Customer Platform, Zoho CRM

Other Integrations: GoHighLevel, Nearmap, PVsyst, SketchUp

API Availability: ⚠️ Conflicting information — SourceForge lists API as available; SoftwareFinder states “does not offer API.” Verify directly with Arka360 before building integrations.

Pricing & Plans

Pricing Tiers

• Annual billing saves 15–17% over monthly billing
• Free trial available (request demo)
• India pricing: ₹7,500–₹16,500/month + GST (visit official website)

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Net savings with SurgePV vs Arka360 Premium + AutoCAD: $2,500/year per user ($3,999 vs $1,499)

Net savings with SurgePV vs Aurora + AutoCAD: $5,301/year per user ($6,800 vs $1,499)

See SurgePV transparent pricing for full details.

Hidden Costs (Not Disclosed by Arka360)

• Implementation fees: Unknown
• Training costs: Unknown
• Premium support tiers: Unknown
• PE stamp services: Separate pricing (not disclosed)
• Feature gating between tiers: Not fully documented

Recommendation: Request a detailed quote from Arka360 to understand true TCO including hidden fees and tier feature restrictions.

User Reviews & Feedback

We analyzed 129 verified G2 reviews (as of January 2026) to understand real user experiences.

Top Praised Features

Top Criticisms

Sentiment Summary

Overall: Mixed

Pattern observed: Arka360 excels for straightforward residential projects with CRM needs. Users hit limitations on complex commercial projects requiring advanced features.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

1. Built-in CRM Integration ⭐ UNIQUE ADVANTAGE

Only major solar software platform with native made-for-solar CRM. Eliminates need for Salesforce or HubSpot for teams without existing CRM.

2. India Market Leadership

Strong local presence with India-specific climate data, regulations, and local support. #1 positioning in India market.

3. Competitive Pricing

Transparent, affordable pricing tiers. Basic at $199/month ($1,699/year annual) is accessible for solo designers and startups.

4. All-in-One Platform

CRM + Design + Proposals + Permit Packages in a single solution reduces tool-switching and streamlines workflow from lead to close.

5. Energy Storage & NEM 3.0 (Available Now)

Immediate support for battery storage modeling and California NEM 3.0 — an advantage over SurgePV where storage is still planned.

6. Ease of Use

Top-rated for ease of use (21 G2 mentions). Intuitive interface with a gentler learning curve than Aurora or PVCase.

7. Customer Support Quality

Highly praised responsive support (11 G2 mentions). Critical for teams without dedicated IT expertise.

8. 3D Design & LIDAR Shading

AI-powered 3D modeling and LIDAR-based shading deliver professional design quality for client presentations.

⚠️ Cons

1. Missing Features ⚠️ CRITICAL (16 G2 mentions)

Most frequently cited criticism. Users find capabilities Arka360 doesn’t provide — likely advanced electrical engineering, carport/tracker design, and simulation depth.

2. Limited Electrical Engineering

Basic SLD requiring manual configuration. Complex commercial electrical may require AutoCAD ($2,000/year extra). SurgePV automates complete SLD in 5–10 minutes with no external tools.

3. Software Performance Issues (8 G2 mentions)

Slow loading times, system lag during complex designs, and processing delays reported by users.

4. System Instability (6 G2 mentions)

Unexpected crashes and data loss risks reported. Risk to project timelines and data integrity.

5. No Commercial Structures

Cannot design carports, solar trackers (single-axis, dual-axis), or East-West racking. Limits addressable commercial project types.

6. Accuracy Not Quantified

No published ±% variance vs PVSyst. Unquantified accuracy claims may not satisfy financier requirements for bankable projects.

7. Limited International Coverage

Primarily India + US. Not suited for EPCs operating across multiple countries without investing in additional tools.

8. API Availability Unclear

Conflicting sources on API availability. Verify directly with Arka360 before building any custom integrations.

Arka360 vs SurgePV

Both Arka360 and SurgePV target commercial EPCs and installers, but with different strengths. Here’s an honest, feature-by-feature comparison.

Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

Electrical Engineering — Critical Differentiator

Arka360:

• Basic SLD (requires manual configuration)
• Wire sizing calculator
• May need AutoCAD for complex electrical

SurgePV:

• Automated complete SLD in 5–10 minutes
• Advanced wire sizing + voltage drop + conduit fill calculations
• NEC Article 690 compliant, permit-ready output
• NO AutoCAD required — saves $2,000/year

At scale (50 commercial projects/month):

• Monthly time saved: 75–100 hours
• Annual labor value saved (at $75/hour): $67,500–$90,000

CRM — Arka360 Advantage

If you don’t have a CRM: Arka360’s built-in solution adds genuine value. No separate subscription, no integration complexity.

If you already have Salesforce or HubSpot: You’re paying for a redundant feature you won’t use. SurgePV integrates with your existing CRM investment.

Commercial Structures — SurgePV Advantage

Arka360 does not support:

• ❌ Carport solar design (parking lot canopies)
• ❌ Solar trackers (single-axis, dual-axis)
• ❌ East-West racking optimization

SurgePV supports:

• ✅ Carport solar design (only platform with native support)
• ✅ Solar trackers with backtracking
• ✅ East-West racking optimization (20–40% higher kW density per roof area)

Market reality: Carport solar is the fastest-growing commercial segment. Trackers increase production 15–35%. If you design these types — or want to — Arka360 cannot handle them natively.

Pricing & TCO — Full Comparison

Net savings: SurgePV vs Arka360 Premium + AutoCAD: $2,500/year per user Net savings: SurgePV vs Aurora + AutoCAD: $5,301/year per user

Who Should Choose Arka360?

✅ Best Fit for Arka360

1. India-Only Operations Solar EPCs operating exclusively in India. Arka360’s #1 market positioning, India-specific climate data, local regulatory compliance, and local support infrastructure make it the strongest option for pure India operations.

2. Teams Needing Built-in CRM Small to mid-size installers without existing CRM investments. The integrated lead management and sales pipeline eliminates a separate CRM subscription.

3. Budget-Conscious Startups New solar companies or solo designers. Basic tier at $199/month ($1,699/year annual) is accessible without sacrificing core design and proposal capabilities.

4. Residential-Focused Teams Installers primarily designing residential rooftop systems (80%+ of portfolio). Sales Mode for real-time client interaction is particularly valuable here.

5. Teams Needing Immediate Storage Support California-focused installers and teams designing battery storage now. Arka360’s energy storage modeling and NEM 3.0 support are available today.

Who Should Choose SurgePV?

✅ Best Fit for SurgePV

1. Multi-Market EPCs (India + US) Solar EPCs operating across multiple regions. SurgePV covers India + US + International with 3,000+ US utilities and equal market focus.

2. Commercial EPCs Needing Complete Electrical Teams designing commercial projects requiring permit-ready electrical documentation. Automated SLD saves 1.5–2.5 hours per project and eliminates AutoCAD ($2,000/year).

3. Teams Designing Commercial Structures EPCs designing carport solar, solar trackers, or East-West racking. SurgePV is the only platform with native carport design support.

4. EPCs with Existing CRM Systems Teams already using Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho. SurgePV integrates rather than duplicating your CRM investment.

5. Teams Valuing Transparent Pricing Decision-makers wanting predictable, all-inclusive costs. SurgePV transparent pricing starts at $1,899/year for 3 users with no feature gating.

6. Bankable Project Focus EPCs working on projects requiring financier approval. SurgePV’s documented ±3% accuracy vs PVSyst provides the validation financiers and investors expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Arka360 cost?

Arka360 offers three pricing tiers:

• Basic: $199/month ($1,699/year with annual billing)
• Premium: $358/month ($1,999/year with annual billing)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing (contact sales)

Free trial available (request demo). Annual billing offers 15–17% discount.

India pricing: ₹7,500–₹16,500/month + GST. Visit the official Arka360 website for India-specific plans.

Total cost comparison:

• Arka360 Premium: $1,999/year (mid-tier, annual billing)
• SurgePV (3 Users): $1,499/user/year (all features, complete electrical engineering)
• Aurora + AutoCAD: ~$6,800/year

Does Arka360 have electrical engineering capabilities?

Yes, but limited.

Arka360 offers:

• ✅ Basic SLD generation (requires manual configuration)
• ✅ Wire sizing calculator (US electrical calculations)
• ⚠️ Limited compared to complete electrical platforms

Complex commercial electrical documentation may still require AutoCAD.

SurgePV comparison:

• Automated complete SLD in 5–10 minutes
• Advanced wire sizing + voltage drop + conduit fill
• NO AutoCAD required — saves $2,000/year and 1.5–2.5 hours per project

Can Arka360 design carport solar or trackers?

No.

Arka360 does NOT support:

• ❌ Carport solar design (parking lot canopies)
• ❌ Solar trackers (single-axis, dual-axis)
• ❌ East-West racking optimization

It is limited to standard rooftop and ground-mount systems.

SurgePV:

• ✅ Carport solar design (only platform with native support)
• ✅ Solar trackers (single-axis, dual-axis)
• ✅ East-West racking

Is Arka360 better than Aurora Solar?

Depends on your specific needs.

Arka360 advantages over Aurora:

• ✅ Built-in CRM (Aurora lacks native CRM)
• ✅ More transparent pricing (public tiers vs contact sales)
• ✅ Easier learning curve

Aurora advantages over Arka360:

• ✅ More established brand
• ✅ Better for pure residential sales
• ✅ More polished UI and proposals

SurgePV advantage: Better than both for commercial EPCs needing complete electrical engineering, commercial structures, and transparent all-inclusive pricing. See the Aurora Solar review for detailed comparison.

Does Arka360 work in the United States?

Yes, but India is its primary market.

Arka360 US capabilities:

• ✅ US coverage available
• ✅ NEM 3.0 support (California)
• ✅ US electrical calculations (wire sizing)
• ⚠️ India is the primary market focus

SurgePV US coverage:

• All 50 states supported
• 3,000+ US utilities
• NEC Article 690 compliance
• Equal India and US focus

How does Arka360 handle energy storage and NEM 3.0?

Arka360 has immediate storage support.

Available now:

• ✅ Battery storage modeling
• ✅ NEM 3.0 California support
• ✅ Energy and storage simulations
• ✅ Storage financial analysis

SurgePV storage status: Planned (not yet available).

For California projects and storage-focused teams: Arka360 provides immediate support. This is a genuine Arka360 advantage while SurgePV’s storage feature is in development.

What do users say about Arka360? (G2 Reviews)

Based on 129 verified G2 reviews:

Most praised (Top 5):

1. Ease of use (21 mentions)
2. Customer support (11 mentions)
3. 3D viewing (10 mentions)
4. 3D modeling (9 mentions)
5. Ease of design (8 mentions)

Most criticized (Top 5):

1. Missing features (16 mentions) ⚠️ CRITICAL
2. Software performance (8 mentions)
3. System instability (6 mentions)
4. Layout issues (6 mentions)
5. Design issues (6 mentions)

Overall sentiment: Mixed. Users love ease of use and support but report substantial feature gaps and performance issues.

Can I switch from Arka360 to SurgePV?

Yes. Migration path:

What transfers easily:

• Project data (export from Arka360)
• Module/inverter selections
• Customer information

What requires recreation:

• Electrical SLD (SurgePV generates automatically — actually faster)
• Design customizations
• Proposal templates

Migration timeline: 2–3 weeks (SurgePV onboarding + team training)

Consider before switching:

• If using Arka360 CRM heavily, you’ll need a separate CRM solution
• If storage modeling is critical, wait for SurgePV storage release
• If India-only market, evaluate whether multi-market coverage is needed

When switching makes sense:

• Need complete electrical engineering (eliminate AutoCAD)
• Expanding to commercial structures (carports, trackers)
• Multi-market operations (India + US + international)
• Hitting consistent feature limitations with Arka360

Is Arka360’s accuracy good enough for bankable projects?

Unknown — accuracy is not quantified.

Arka360:

• Claims “accurate” shading and production analysis
• No published ±% variance data
• No PVSyst validation disclosed
• No independent verification

SurgePV:

• ±3% accuracy vs PVSyst (documented and proven)
• 8760-hour shading analysis
• Validation methodology disclosed

For bankable projects: Documented accuracy provides confidence to financiers and investors. Arka360’s unquantified claims may require additional independent validation from lenders.

Final Verdict

Arka360 Executive Summary

Strengths:

• ✅ Built-in CRM (unique among major platforms)
• ✅ India market leadership
• ✅ Competitive pricing ($199/month Basic, $1,699/year annual)
• ✅ Easy to use (21 G2 mentions)
• ✅ Energy storage support (available now)
• ✅ All-in-one platform approach

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Missing features (16 G2 mentions — most critical issue)
• ⚠️ Limited electrical engineering (may need AutoCAD for commercial)
• ⚠️ Software performance issues (8 G2 mentions)
• ⚠️ System instability (6 G2 mentions)
• ⚠️ No commercial structures (carports, trackers, East-West)
• ⚠️ Accuracy not quantified (no ±% vs PVSyst)

The Decision Framework

Choose Arka360 when:

• 100% India market focus + No existing CRM + Budget-conscious ($1,699–$1,999/year annual)
• Residential project majority (80%+) + Need storage modeling now

Choose SurgePV when:

• Multi-market (India + US + international) + Commercial electrical needs + Commercial structures + Bankable project requirements

Value Analysis

Arka360 provides measurable value for India-focused installers needing affordable, integrated CRM and design capabilities. The built-in CRM eliminates a separate subscription cost — a genuine advantage for teams without existing CRM systems.

For commercial EPCs requiring complete electrical engineering, the calculation shifts. Arka360’s limited electrical capabilities may require AutoCAD for complex commercial documentation, adding $2,000/year in software costs and 1.5–2.5 hours per project in manual work.

Total Cost Comparison (annual):

Net annual savings with SurgePV: ~$10,000/year per designer

Take the Next Step

See how SurgePV’s complete electrical engineering and commercial structures support compare to Arka360.

• Book a demo — See SurgePV in action with your project types
• Compare platforms — Detailed platform comparisons
• Pricing calculator — Calculate your ROI and savings
• Best solar design software — Complete platform comparison guide

Switching from Arka360? SurgePV provides dedicated migration support, training, and onboarding for a smooth transition.

Related Resources

Platform Comparisons:

• Aurora Solar Review — Aurora Solar detailed analysis and comparison
• Best Solar Design Software — Complete platform comparison guide

Feature Deep Dives:

• Solar Designing — Complete design capabilities overview
• Commercial Solar Solutions — Commercial project features
• Solar Proposals — Proposal generation guide
• Voltage Drop Calculator — Free electrical calculation tool
• Best Solar Proposal Software — Proposal software comparison

Educational Resources:

• Solar Design Guide — Comprehensive solar design software guide
• Best Solar Software for India — India market software guide
• Solar Shading Analysis Software — Shading tools comparison

This Arka360 review was written by Keyur Rakholiya, Contributing Writer at SurgePV and MD & CEO of Heaven Green Energy Limited, with 1+ GW of solar project experience and hands-on testing of 20+ design software platforms. All claims about SurgePV are verified against official product documentation. All Arka360 information is sourced from official documentation (arka360.com) and 129 verified G2 user reviews (G2.com/products/arka360). We maintain editorial independence and disclose our company affiliation transparently.

Review last updated: January 25, 2026 | Next review: April 2026