Solispec vs. PVGround

Solispec is an easy-to-use online platform tailored for solar installers, PV designers, homeowners, distributors, and mounting manufacturers, streamlining the entire solar design and proposal creation process. This innovative tool combines multiple functionalities, such as site evaluations, structural assessments, and client proposals into a unified system. Users can create designs for ground-mounted solar panels and assess both flat and sloped roofs while checking the structural resilience of mounting systems against potential snow and wind loads. Furthermore, the software enables users to configure photovoltaic strings across MPPT inputs and generate comprehensive drawings, cutting lists, and bills of materials. It also offers predictions for PV energy output and payback timelines, visualizes shading from surrounding trees and buildings in 3D, and creates tailored proposals that can either be exported as PDFs or shared via a link for client approval. Users can select from a variety of manufacturer products or input their own custom items and pricing. Homeowners can initiate preliminary designs, while professionals gain access to project and client management capabilities, with the Business tier providing specific roles for team members and workflows for engineering reviews. Importantly, it is essential that all structural results are thoroughly assessed by a qualified professional before installation to guarantee safety and adherence to regulations. This all-encompassing approach not only streamlines the design process but also equips users with the necessary tools for successful project management, ultimately leading to a more efficient solar installation experience.

PVGround is an all-encompassing solar design application that operates as plugins for both AutoCAD and ZWCAD, specifically designed for photovoltaic projects, whether ground-mounted (PVGround) or rooftop (PVRoof). This software adeptly analyzes terrain from architectural drawings to optimally position solar panels, estimates megawatt capacity based on different row spacings, and performs shading analyses that take into account potential obstructions such as trees and fences. In addition, it helps plan DC, AC, and HV cable routes in a three-dimensional space, organizes pile lengths in relation to tonnage, calculates earthwork needs for cutting and filling, and verifies designs through cross-sectional assessments. On the other hand, PVRoof emphasizes roof geometry by simulating its slope and orientation, allowing users both automatic and manual options for panel placement while conducting shading evaluations. Users can conveniently export their designs into various formats, including PVsyst, Excel, PDF, and DXF. Moreover, the WebView feature grants users the ability to share their finalized designs through a token, which allows reviewers to access 3D models of terrain, modules, piles, and structures, along with live shading and read-only performance metrics such as annual production, specific yield, and performance ratio from any browser on devices like phones, tablets, or laptops—all without needing AutoCAD or a license, thereby keeping DWG files secure. New users can benefit from a complimentary 14-day trial, providing an opportunity to delve into the platform's extensive features and functionalities. This trial period serves as an excellent way for prospective clients to evaluate how the tool can meet their solar design needs effectively.