Solargraf — Independent Software Review

The #1 Solar Proposal Software & Design Tool

Compliance Transparency Index

Grade: B — Score: 75/100

Best For

• Residential solar installers who need fast, mobile-friendly proposal generation. The platform is optimized for in-home sales on iPads and tablets, with 3-minute design-to-proposal turnaround.
• Enphase dealer network members who want Enlighten data integration and a unified Enphase ecosystem from design through installation.
• California-focused installers navigating NEM 3.0 complexity. Solargraf pre-loads CPUC 8760 hourly sell rates, auto-fetches utility tariffs, and supports FERA/CARE low-income programs.
• Small to mid-size solar companies (2-6 reps) that want design, proposals, financing, permitting, and CRM in one platform without managing separate subscriptions for each function.

Not Ideal For

• Teams requiring high-accuracy production estimates for contractual guarantees. Users on G2 and Capterra report 10-20% production variance compared to Aurora Solar and HelioScope. There is no manual override to adjust estimates per site.
• Companies needing monthly billing flexibility. Solargraf requires annual contracts only. Combined with per-project credit limits, this creates cost risk for businesses with unpredictable design volume.
• Commercial EPCs and utility-scale designers. The platform handles residential and light C&I but does not support carport structures, single-axis or dual-axis solar trackers, or East-West racking configurations.
• Organizations that need advanced standalone CRM. Solargraf includes basic lead and pipeline management, but companies with complex sales workflows typically still need Salesforce or HubSpot alongside it.

Operational Overview

Pricing Structure

Starter: $2,799/year

• 240 projects included
• 2 users
• +$11 per additional project
• +$1,440 per additional user
• Full feature suite (design, proposals, permitting, financing, CRM)

Small Business: $4,799/year

• 480 projects included
• 4 users
• +$10 per additional project
• +$1,200 per additional user
• Full feature suite

Teams: $6,399/year

• 720 projects included
• 6 users
• +$9 per additional project
• +$960 per additional user
• Full feature suite

Enterprise: $12,999/year

• 1,500 projects included
• Unlimited users
• +$9 per additional project
• Public API access
• Full feature suite

Alternative Consideration

Consider switching to Competitor Name: May offer different features or pricing structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is Solargraf's shading and production analysis?

Solargraf's shading engine is verified by NREL and NYSERDA, which provides third-party bankability validation for financing applications. The analysis runs pixel-by-pixel and hour-by-hour using weather data and aerial imagery. However, multiple verified reviewers on G2 and Capterra report 10-20% production estimate variance compared to Aurora Solar and HelioScope on complex sites with heavy shading. A common workaround among installers is to use Solargraf for proposals and cross-check production numbers with Aurora or HelioScope before including them in contracts. There is currently no manual override to adjust production estimates on a per-site basis.

Does Solargraf only work with Enphase products?

No. Solargraf is hardware-agnostic. It supports panels, inverters, and batteries from all major manufacturers, not just Enphase. The platform includes equipment from over 25 battery manufacturers and works with string inverters, microinverters, and optimizers from multiple brands. That said, the deepest integration is with the Enphase ecosystem. Enphase Enlighten data validation, IQ Battery sizing, and Enphase-specific design recommendations are built in. Solargraf founder Lennie Moreno confirmed after the 2021 Enphase acquisition that the platform would remain agnostic.

How does Solargraf compare to Aurora Solar for residential design?

Solargraf prioritizes speed and sales workflows. Installers consistently report 3-minute design-to-proposal turnaround, with a mobile-optimized interface for in-home presentations on iPads. Aurora Solar prioritizes engineering accuracy, with LIDAR-based shading that delivers tighter production estimates on complex roofs. Aurora starts at $159/month with per-seat pricing. Solargraf charges $2,799/year for 2 users and 240 projects. For high-volume residential sales teams that need fast proposals, Solargraf is typically more cost-effective. For teams where contractual production guarantees require high-accuracy estimates, Aurora is the safer choice.

Can Solargraf generate permit-ready plan sets?

Yes. Solargraf produces AHJ-compliant single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and engineering calculations. The platform references a database of over 14,000 Authority Having Jurisdiction records for local code requirements. An in-house team of 200+ engineers provides stamped permit plan sets as an add-on service. Some reviewers on Capterra note quality issues with permit plan sets, including occasional errors that require revision. The platform does not currently support all AHJ-specific requirements in every jurisdiction, so installers in smaller or less common AHJs may need to verify compliance manually.

How does Solargraf handle NEM 3.0 in California?

Solargraf includes built-in NEM 3.0 support for California installers. The platform pre-loads CPUC 8760 hourly sell rates, auto-fetches utility tariffs from the major California IOUs, and supports FERA and CARE low-income program modeling. Installers can build optimized solar-plus-battery systems based on energy production and consumption modeling to predict payback periods and bill offset under the NEM 3.0 net billing tariff. This California-specific tooling is a significant differentiator compared to platforms that require manual tariff configuration.

Does Solargraf offer a free trial or free plan?

New accounts receive 120 free project credits to evaluate the platform. There is no ongoing free tier. After the credits are used, paid plans start at $2,799/year for the Starter plan (240 projects, 2 users). All contracts are annual with no monthly billing option. Cancellation requires emailing accounts@solargraf.com at least 5 days before the term ends, and is only processed once written confirmation is received. For a permanently free alternative, OpenSolar offers full design, proposal, and CRM functionality at no cost.

What financing integrations does Solargraf support?

Solargraf integrates directly with LightReach, GoodLeap, Service Finance, Mosaic, and Everbright for residential third-party ownership (TPO) financing. Installers can import loan products via API, show financing terms on proposals, and submit loan applications from within the platform. Credit decisions are typically returned within minutes of application submission. For commercial projects, Solargraf partners with the Bank of Montreal (BMO) for C&I financing. Installers can also create custom loan, lease, or PPA offerings within the platform for non-integrated financiers.

Can Solargraf design commercial and utility-scale solar projects?

Solargraf supports light commercial and industrial (C&I) projects including flat-roof and ground-mount designs with 3D modeling, cumulative cash flow analysis, and MACRS depreciation calculations. It does not support carport structures, single-axis or dual-axis solar trackers, or East-West racking configurations. For utility-scale projects, HelioScope (now owned by Aurora Solar) handles designs up to 5 MW with plans from $159/month. For projects exceeding 5 MW, RatedPower and PVcase are the industry standards.

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