Best AI Tools for Solar Installers (2026)
Solar installation is booming, and AI tools are helping installers design systems faster, generate proposals in minutes, and close more deals. Here are the best tools for solar companies in 2026.
Top Picks
| Tool | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Solar | AI system design + proposals | Custom |
| OpenSolar | Free solar design platform | Free |
| Scanifly | Drone-based site surveys | From $99/project |
| Enact Systems | Sales + project management | Custom |
| SolarEdge Designer | System design (SolarEdge products) | Free |
| ChatGPT / Claude | Proposals, customer education | $20/mo |
| Zapier / Make | Lead + project automation | Free - $20/mo |
System Design
Aurora Solar
Aurora Solar is the industry-leading AI platform for solar design, sales, and project management.
Key features:
- AI-powered 3D site modeling from satellite imagery
- Automatic panel placement optimized for maximum production
- Shade analysis using LIDAR data
- Financial analysis (ROI, payback period, savings)
- Automated proposal generation with financing options
- NEC code compliance checking
- Permit-ready plan sets
Why installers love it: Design a complete solar system in 15 minutes instead of 2 hours. The AI handles panel placement, shading, and production estimates — you review and refine.
OpenSolar
OpenSolar offers a free, full-featured solar design platform.
Key features:
- 3D design with satellite imagery
- Panel layout optimization
- Production estimates using PVWatts
- Financial modeling
- Proposal generation
- Free forever (funded by financing partners)
Best for: Smaller installers who need professional design tools without the Aurora Solar price tag.
Site Assessment
Scanifly
Scanifly uses drones and AI for precise solar site assessments.
Key features:
- Drone-captured 3D roof models (centimeter accuracy)
- AI-detected roof obstructions (vents, chimneys, skylights)
- Shade analysis from 3D point clouds
- Structural assessment indicators
- Export to Aurora Solar and other design tools
Why installers love it: Drone surveys take 15 minutes and produce more accurate models than satellite imagery. Fewer change orders, fewer surprises on install day.
Pricing: From $99/project.
Sales & Proposals
AI-Enhanced Proposals
Use Claude or ChatGPT to level up your proposals:
- Customized savings analysis — "Generate a homeowner-friendly explanation of solar savings for a 4-bedroom home in [city] with average electric bill of $250/month"
- Financing comparison — draft clear comparisons of purchase vs lease vs PPA
- FAQ documents — address common homeowner concerns (roof damage, maintenance, home value)
- Follow-up emails — personalized follow-ups based on objections raised during the sales call
Workflow Automation
Key Automations
- New lead → auto-assign to sales rep → send info packet → schedule site assessment → add to CRM
- Site assessment complete → trigger system design → generate proposal → schedule presentation
- Contract signed → order equipment → schedule permitting → assign install crew → notify customer
- Install complete → schedule inspection → trigger interconnection application → send maintenance guide
- Anniversary → send production report → request referral → offer maintenance check
FAQ
What's the ROI of AI design tools for solar companies?
Most installers report 50-70% reduction in design time and 20-30% higher close rates with professional, instant proposals. Aurora Solar pays for itself within the first few projects.
Can AI replace a site visit?
For many residential projects, satellite + LIDAR imagery is sufficient for design. Drone surveys (Scanifly) provide even higher accuracy. However, complex roofs, structural concerns, and electrical panel assessments still benefit from in-person evaluation.
The Bottom Line
- Aurora Solar or OpenSolar for system design (eliminate design bottleneck)
- Scanifly for precise site assessment (reduce change orders)
- ChatGPT/Claude for proposals and customer communication ($20/mo)
- Zapier for lead-to-install workflow automation
Start with design software — it's the highest-leverage investment for any solar company.