Overview

OpenSolar brings solar-system design, customer sales, and project administration into one platform for installers, sales teams, and energy professionals. It is strongest for teams that want to move from design into proposals and payments without paying for the core Pro plan; API connections add a separate project-based cost.

Ada AI can generate multiple system designs from saved preferences in seconds, while proposals, invoicing, and project workflows extend the platform beyond design. The main trade-off is that API Access is not covered by the free core plan and incurs a geo-specific fee when a project is created.

Key features

Design and customer sales

Ada AI generates multiple solar system designs to match design preferences. That gives sales and design teams options to carry into customer discussions, though the described role is generation rather than a substitute for project-specific review. Customizable, business-branded proposals support flexible payments and real-time updates, keeping customer-facing terms connected to project progress.

Payments and project workflows

Branded invoices, payment milestones, automated reminders, online payments, and e-signatures cover several steps between proposal and payment. Site survey forms, design handoff, crew scheduling, and service visit tracking extend the workflow into delivery and service. Equipment ordering within the design experience and bill-of-materials generation from a hardware catalogue also bring purchasing preparation closer to system design.

API and operations

The API connects OpenSolar with CRM, accounting, operations, and incentive tools, and supports project, design, pricing, hardware, and contact data. That scope suits teams integrating solar work with existing systems, but the per-project charge means usage costs can grow with project creation. API Access has a 30-day free trial; billing begins at the start of the closest month after the trial.

Security and availability

OpenSolar says it encrypts stored data at rest and data in transit using TLS/SSL, and uses role-based access controls. It states a 99.95% service availability target and 24/7 system monitoring. The platform is hosted on AWS, with production systems in the Asia-Pacific Sydney region and a global content delivery network. Free accounts include dedicated 24/7 support, with live support, ticket help, training, webinars, and a Help Center.

Pricing

OpenSolar Pro: 0.00 USD per free, billed free of charge. It includes solar design, sales, and project management, making it a strong starting point for teams seeking those core workflows without a subscription. The core plan's free price does not include API Access.

OpenSolar API Access: custom pricing, billed as a geo-specific per-project fee when a project is created. It is a paid add-on with a 30-day free trial, after which billing starts at the beginning of the closest month. Teams should account for project volume and local pricing before making API connectivity central to their cost model.

Platforms

OpenSolar supports Android, iOS, macOS, and web, as well as API access. That combination can suit mobile field work alongside browser-based planning and system integrations.

Who it's for

OpenSolar is a fit for solar installers and sales teams that want design, branded proposals, customer payments, and project workflows together, particularly when a free core plan matters. It is also relevant to energy professionals who need to connect project and design data to CRM, accounting, operations, or incentive tools. Teams whose integration costs must remain fixed regardless of project volume should weigh the API's per-project fee carefully.

Pros and cons

Pros: The free Pro plan combines design, sales, and project management, lowering the cost barrier for teams needing those core functions.
Pros: Design, customer proposals, payments, hardware ordering, and project workflows span a solar job from planning toward service.
Pros: The API covers project, design, pricing, hardware, and contact data across several operational integration categories.
Cons: API Access is a paid add-on with a project-based, geo-specific fee, so integration costs depend on project creation.
Cons: The free core plan does not remove that API cost, so teams that rely on integrations need to evaluate both parts of the pricing model.

Alternatives

Compare solar installation software if you want to assess a broader set of tools before settling on a platform.

SunrAI Project Management is worth considering for teams focused on lifecycle management, dispatch, and permit tracking; its Starter plan is priced at 29.00 USD per month, billed $29/user/month, with planned launch pricing and free use during beta.
MightyFields Solar may suit teams evaluating a per-user SaaS subscription, with a minimum of 15 users.
SolarIonix is an option for teams wanting a 14-day free trial with one user, unlimited leads and projects, and all features unlocked; it has no free plan.
SolarProjeX is an alternative with paid plans starting at 149.00 USD per month for up to five users and 100 GB of storage.
FieldExecutives offers a free plan for up to two users and may suit a small team comparing a free entry point.
InstalTrack is another freemium option for teams comparing solar installation software.
Solar ERP is a freemium alternative available on the web.
Scoop Solar uses custom pricing based on modules, workflows, and installation or service volume, with unlimited users, storage, and devices.

Verdict

Choose OpenSolar if your solar team wants design, proposals, payment workflows, and project management under a free core plan, with broad API data coverage when needed. Look elsewhere if a project-based, geo-specific API fee makes integration costs difficult to budget.

	OpenSolar	Solar1
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, macOS, Web	api, Web
Free plan	Yes	No
Site survey forms	Yes	Yes
Design handoff	Yes	Yes
Crew scheduling	Yes	Yes
Service visit tracking	Yes	Yes
Inspection checklists	—	Yes
Customer portal	—	Yes

OpenSolar vs Solar1

OpenSolar

Solar1