Optimize your solar project development with precision.
Grade: C — Score: 65/100
SolarFarmer leverages advanced technology to provide users with powerful tools for solar project design, analysis, and optimization. The software incorporates sophisticated algorithms and data analytics to ensure accurate assessments of solar potential and system performance.
The workflow within SolarFarmer is designed to enhance collaboration among project stakeholders, allowing for seamless integration of data and insights throughout the project lifecycle. Users can easily manage project timelines, resources, and documentation, ensuring that all aspects of the project are aligned and efficiently executed.
By identifying and mitigating potential risks early in the project development process, SolarFarmer helps users make informed decisions that can lead to more successful project outcomes. The software provides risk assessment tools that evaluate various factors, including financial, technical, and regulatory risks, ensuring that users are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of solar project development.
Custom License: Custom (contact sales)
Academic/Research License: Discounted (apply via free trial)
Consider switching to HOMER Energy: HOMER Energy offers similar functionalities for energy modeling and optimization.
SolarFarmer and PVsyst are direct competitors for bankable PV yield simulation. Independent validation shows SolarFarmer delivers a mean error of ±0.1% against site measurements with a standard deviation 30% lower than PVsyst, translating to tighter P50–P90 spreads. Key technical differences include SolarFarmer's 3D hemicube shading model (versus PVsyst's simpler approach), integrated sub-module electrical mismatch calculation, and sub-hourly simulation capability that better captures inverter clipping during variable cloud conditions. SolarFarmer has been used to underwrite 2+ GW of project financings in the US. PVsyst remains the more widely adopted industry default with a larger user base and longer track record.
Yes. SolarFarmer Cloud API v4 enables programmatic access to the full simulation engine for portfolio-scale batch processing. Users retrieve an API access token from the SolarFarmer Web Service (solarfarmer.dnv.com) and can run calculations remotely. Results are delivered as compressed packages in CSV and JSON formats. The API supports 3D shading calculations, beam shading for trackers, SolarEdge power optimizer modelling, bifacial simulations, and custom IAM profiles. Third-party platforms like Solesca Design have integrated the SolarFarmer API directly into their workflows.
Yes. SolarFarmer supports bifacial module simulation with detailed rear-side irradiance modelling, along with single-axis and dual-axis tracker configurations. The automated layout tool generates tracker arrays that respect terrain constraints and exclusion zones. The 3D hemicube shading model resolves both direct and diffuse shading from adjacent tracker rows at sub-module resolution. Tracker position time histories can be imported for detailed analysis. The platform also supports SolarEdge power optimizers (beta) for string-level optimization modelling.
SolarFarmer's desktop application requires Windows 10, a 3 GHz or faster processor, 16 GB RAM minimum, and a display resolution of 1920x1200 at 100% DPI (designed for widescreen). Graphics acceleration is only used for data cleaning, not simulation. The software supports SRTM terrain data download, multiple background imagery providers, GIS vector/raster/contour imports, and COLLADA 3D object imports. There is no native macOS or Linux version. For users who cannot run the desktop application, the Cloud API provides an alternative for running simulations remotely.
SolarFarmer is designed for utility-scale and commercial solar PV projects, not residential rooftop systems. It excels at complex terrain modelling, large-array automated layout, and bankable yield reports for project finance. For residential design, tools like Aurora Solar, Helioscope, or PVsyst's simplified modes are more appropriate. SolarFarmer's custom licensing model and Windows-only desktop requirement further position it as a professional engineering tool rather than a consumer product.
SolarFarmer follows a regular release cadence with major versions approximately every 6 months. The latest release is version 1.7 (February 23, 2026), following v1.6.2 (December 2025), v1.6 (June 2025), v1.5 (December 2024), and v1.4 (June 2024). Each release adds new modelling capabilities — recent additions include SolarEdge power optimizer support, enhanced beam shading for trackers in 3D, PVsyst-format time series output, and custom IAM profiles. Downloads and release notes are available through DNV's MySoftware portal.
SolarFarmer supports a wide range of formats. For import: SRTM terrain data (auto-download), GIS vector/raster/contour data, multiple solar resource formats, COLLADA 3D objects for near-shade obstacles, horizon files in multiple conventions, and tracker position time histories. For export: CSV and JSON time-series outputs with timestamped irradiance, module temperature, DC/AC power, and itemized loss categories. PVsyst-format time series export is also supported with columns for shading factor, power binning, and optimizer operations. A scripting capability allows interfacing with custom in-house formats.
SolarFarmer is developed by DNV AS, a Norwegian classification society and technical advisory firm founded in 1864, headquartered in Høvik, Norway. DNV is one of the largest independent energy advisors globally, providing technical due diligence, certification, and independent engineering for solar, wind, and other energy projects. The SolarFarmer model is the same tool used by DNV's own Solar Energy Assessment team for independent engineering services worldwide. This dual role — software vendor and independent engineer — means the model is continuously validated against real project data from DNV's consulting engagements.