sunbase solar design software

Solar Design Software for Accurate PV System Planning

Create rooftop, canopy and ground-mount PV layouts, model site conditions, assess shading, configure equipment and estimate energy production using customer and property information already connected to the project.


Sunbase Solar Design Software keeps site data, system design, equipment, shading and production information connected to the same project record from initial design through approval and proposal.


  • Model roof planes, usable areas, setbacks and site obstructions.
  • Create PV layouts and calculate system capacity.
  • Configure modules, inverters and batteries.
  • Evaluate shading, azimuth and tilt.
  • Estimate expected solar energy production.
  • Carry the approved design into the solar proposal workflow.

*Contact us for a quote based on your team size

Solar Design Software for Accurate PV System Planning

The Platform

WHAT IS SOLAR DESIGN SOFTWARE?

Solar design software is a digital tool that helps solar teams model a site, create PV system layouts, assess shading, configure equipment and estimate expected energy production before installation.

Sunbase Solar Design Software keeps this design information connected to the customer and project record from site modelling through design approval and proposal.

WHERE SUNBASE solar software FITS

Why Solar Design Requires More Than a Panel Layout

A solar design has to account for where panels can be installed, how the site affects performance and whether the proposed system matches the project's energy requirements.

Why Solar Design Requires More Than a Panel Layout

Sunbase Solar Design Software brings these design inputs together, including:


  • Roof geometry and usable installation area.
  • Ground-mount or canopy boundaries where applicable.
  • Setbacks, pathways and restricted zones.
  • Trees, HVAC units, parapets, vents and other obstructions.
  • Module dimensions, orientation and system capacity.
  • Azimuth and tilt.
  • Shading and solar access.
  • Selected modules, inverters and batteries.
  • Estimated energy production.



This helps designers create a system based on the actual site, equipment and energy requirements, rather than placing panels on a basic roof image.

Solar design workflow

Manage the Complete Solar Design Workflow

Project Data → Site Model → Module Layout → Equipment → Shading and Production → Approved Design

Solar Design Workflow
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Sunbase Solar Design Software Capabilities

Plan the PV System Around the Site and Energy Requirement

Sunbase Solar Design helps teams evaluate the customer’s energy requirement, available installation area and site constraints before finalising the PV system layout.

Property and Energy Requirements

Start with the property address, electricity usage, utility information and target system capacity.

Roof Top or Ground Area

Identify suitable roof planes or ground areas based on dimensions, site boundaries and available installation space.

Roof Geometry

Model each roof plane using its size, pitch and orientation to understand usable area and module capacity.

Obstructions and Restricted Areas

Account for trees, HVAC units, headrooms, chimneys, vents, skylights, parapets, setbacks and access pathways.

Azimuth and Tilt

Automatically calculate azimuth and tilt from the roof geometry, or manually adjust each value to match verified site conditions and array orientation.

Solar Panel Placement

Position modules around usable areas and obstructions while reviewing panel count, layout and total system capacity.

Shading Conditions

Evaluate shading from trees, buildings and rooftop objects to identify module positions with better solar access.

System Capacity and Production

Compare the customer’s energy requirement with the capacity the property can support, then estimate production using the layout, azimuth, tilt, shading and selected equipment.

Design Approval

Review the final layout, equipment, system size and production estimate before using the approved design for proposals and project delivery.

Roof and Site Modelling

Model the Property Before Placing Panels

Sunbase Solar Design Software helps designers define the physical installation area before creating the PV layout.


  • Model individual roof planes or ground-mount boundaries.
  • Set roof dimensions, pitch and orientation.
  • Automatically calculate azimuth and tilt or adjust them manually.
  • Mark trees, HVAC units, headrooms, skylights, vents and parapets.
  • Apply setbacks, access pathways and restricted zones.
  • Identify the usable area available for module placement.
Sunbase Solar Design Software Roof and Site Modelling
Sunbase Solar Design Software Panel Layout and Equipment Selection

Panel Layout and Equipment Selection

Build the PV Layout and Configure the System

Sunbase Solar Design Software helps designers create a practical module layout using the selected equipment and available installation area.


  • Select the module model, dimensions and wattage.
  • Place panels in portrait or landscape orientation.
  • Add, remove or reposition modules across different roof planes.
  • Maintain spacing around setbacks, pathways and obstructions.
  • Review module count and total DC system capacity.
  • Configure inverters, batteries and other system components.
  • Compare layout options before approving the system design.

Shading and Production Analysis

Evaluate Solar Access and Expected Energy Production

Sunbase Solar Design Software helps designers assess how the proposed system is expected to perform before the design is approved.


  • Review shading from trees, buildings, HVAC units, parapets and roof structures.
  • Compare solar access across different roof planes and array sections.
  • Use azimuth, tilt, module layout and system capacity in the production estimate.
  • Evaluate how equipment and site conditions affect expected generation.
  • Compare alternative layouts to improve system performance.
  • Use approved production results for proposals and customer discussions. 
Sunbase Solar Design Software Shading and Production Analysis
Sunbase Solar Design Software Panel Layout and Equipment Selection

Technical Design Inputs & Outputs

See What Goes Into a Sunbase Solar Design

Sunbase Solar Design Software brings site conditions, system requirements, equipment and performance information together to create a structured PV system design.


Site & Project Inputs

Customer & Property Data | Electricity Consumption | Site Information | Available Installation Area

Roof & Site Modelling

Roof Planes | Dimensions | Pitch | Azimuth | Tilt | Setbacks | Pathways | Obstructions | Canopy / Ground Boundaries

PV System Configuration

Module Layout | Module Count | System Capacity | Modules | Inverters | Batteries | Equipment Configuration

Shading & Production

Solar Access | Shading Conditions | Array Orientation | System Capacity | Estimated Energy Production

Design Outputs

Approved PV Layout | System Size | Equipment | BOM | Production Estimate | Design Visuals | Proposal Data | Permitting / Engineering Handoff

Design Outputs for Permitting and Engineering Handoff

Use the Approved Solar Design in Permit and Project Workflows

Sunbase Solar Design Software keeps the approved PV design connected to the outputs required for permitting, technical review and downstream project execution.



  • Carry forward the approved layout, module count and system size.
  • Keep equipment selections and system configuration connected.
  • Use approved design data in permit-related project documentation.
  • Support electrical and technical design outputs from the same project record.
  • Update downstream outputs when the approved design changes.
  • Maintain one approved version across design, sales and project teams. 
Sunbase Solar Design Software Permit-Ready Design Outputs
Sunbase Solar Design Software Design-to-Proposal Workflow

Design-to-Proposal Workflow

Turn the Approved Design Into a Customer Proposal

Sunbase Solar Design Software keeps the approved design connected to the proposal workflow, reducing repeated data entry between design and sales teams.


  • Carry forward the module count, system size and equipment selection.
  • Use approved production estimates in the customer proposal.
  • Keep layout images, shading results and system details connected.
  • Update proposal information when the design is revised.
  • Maintain one approved version for sales and project teams.
  • Move accepted designs into project delivery with the required system information.

Designed for Different Solar Projects

One Design Platform for Residential, Commercial and EPC Workflows

Sunbase Solar Design Software adapts the design process to the scale, site conditions and approval requirements of each project.

Residential Solar Design

Create accurate rooftop layouts across multiple roof planes while accounting for chimneys, vents, setbacks, shading and household energy usage.

commercial solar design

Plan larger rooftop systems around HVAC units, parapets, headrooms, access pathways and multiple array sections.

complex solar designs with ground areas

Manage larger or more complex designs with ground areas, multiple equipment configurations, design revisions and structured approvals.

Sunbase Solar Design software vs Standalone solar Design Tools

More Than a PV Layout Tool

Many solar design tools focus primarily on creating PV layouts and estimating production. Sunbase Solar Design Software connects the design with customer information, proposals and project delivery.
Sunbase Solar Software makes solar design part of one connected project workflow rather than a separate design task.

Primarily focused on PV layout and production modelling.


  • Project and site information may require manual entry.
  • Capabilities vary for rooftop, canopy and ground-mount designs.
  • Equipment and design revisions may remain in separate files.
  • Approved system details may need to be transferred into proposal or project tools.
  • Sales, design and operations may work from different project records.
  • Creates residential and commercial rooftop PV layouts.
  • Supports solar canopy designs with pillars and structural placement.
  • Plans ground-mount arrays within defined site boundaries.
  • Models roof geometry, azimuth, tilt, setbacks and obstructions.
  • Configures modules, inverters, batteries and system capacity.
  • Evaluates shading and expected energy production.
  • Uses customer, utility and property information already stored in Sunbase.
  • Carries approved layouts, equipment and production data into proposals and project delivery.

Business Owners

Run everything from one screen.

Full visibility across your pipeline, projects, and team — without switching between apps or waiting on reports.

  • See every lead, deal, and project status in real time
  • Replace multiple subscriptions with one platform
  • Scale without adding complexity or headcount
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Technical Design & Engineering

Configure Solar Design Around Your Engineering Requirements

Sunbase Solar Design Software supports a configurable technical design workflow, allowing solar teams to define the site inputs, system parameters, engineering assumptions and outputs required for their projects.

Site & Imagery Inputs

Work with the property, imagery, drawings, measurements and site information available for the project.

Roof & Site Geometry

Create and adjust roof planes, dimensions, pitch, azimuth, tilt, boundaries, setbacks and usable installation areas.

Shading & Solar Access

Configure shading analysis around the site model, array orientation and surrounding conditions to evaluate solar access and expected performance.

Obstructions & Site Conditions

Model project-specific objects and restricted areas that influence module placement and system performance. Examples: Trees, vents, skylights, HVAC units, parapets, headrooms, pathways and other site obstructions.

Equipment Configuration

Configure the system around the equipment and electrical requirements of the project. Examples: Modules, inverters, batteries, equipment combinations, system capacity and other project-specific electrical parameters.

Engineering & Design Outputs

Generate and maintain the technical information required for downstream workflows. Outputs can include: PV layout, system size, equipment information, BOM, shading results, production estimates, energy analysis and approved design data.

Production Modelling

Use project location, system configuration, equipment and configurable performance assumptions to estimate expected energy production.

Structural & Canopy Modelling

Model non-rooftop installation structures and configure the physical parameters that influence PV placement and orientation.

Permitting & Project Handoff

Keep the approved design information connected as the project moves into proposal, permitting, engineering review and project delivery.

Implementation

Set Up Sunbase Solar Design Software Around Your Design Workflow

Sunbase Solar Design Software plans start from $59 per user per month, with final pricing based on team size, selected modules and workflow requirements. 

01

Flexible Configuration

Choose the Sunbase solar software capabilities required for solar design, proposals and project delivery instead of following a fixed software package.

02

Workflow Review

Map how project information moves from site assessment and design assignment through review, approval and proposal preparation.

03

Platform Setup

Configure users, roles, design stages, approval steps, notifications and reporting around your process.

04

Train and Launch

Prepare existing project information, train the relevant teams and launch the agreed design workflow.

Implementation time depends on your team size, existing data, selected modules, workflow complexity and integration requirements.

Discuss Your Implementation Requirements

Solar design software faqs

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Design Software

Sunbase Solar Design Software plans start from $59 per user per month, with final pricing based on team size, selected modules and workflow requirements. 

  • What is solar design software?

    Solar design software converts property, site and electricity information into a buildable PV system plan..


    The Solar design software should help teams model the installation area, account for obstructions, place modules, configure equipment, analyse shading and estimate production while keeping the approved design connected to the customer, proposal and project record.

  • What does Sunbase Solar Design do?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software helps solar teams turn site and energy information into an approved PV system design.


    The solar design tool supports roof and site modelling, module placement, equipment configuration, shading analysis, production estimates, design revisions and the transfer of approved system information into proposals and project delivery.

  • What types of solar systems can Sunbase Solar Design Software create?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software supports residential and commercial rooftop layouts, solar canopy designs with pillars and ground-mount PV systems.


    Each design can account for the available installation area, site geometry, obstructions, module arrangement, equipment selection, system capacity and expected production.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software model roofs and project sites?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software models individual roof planes or ground areas using their dimensions, shape, pitch, orientation and usable installation space.


    Designers can define site boundaries, setbacks, access pathways and restricted zones before placing modules, helping the layout reflect the physical conditions of the property.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software account for site obstructions?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software allows designers to include trees, nearby buildings, HVAC units, headrooms, chimneys, vents, skylights, parapets and other objects that may restrict panel placement or affect solar access.


    These objects can be considered alongside setbacks and access pathways when determining the usable installation area.

  • How are azimuth and tilt managed in Sunbase Solar Design Software?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software can automatically calculate azimuth and tilt from the modelled roof geometry.


    Designers can also enter or adjust these values manually when verified site measurements or the planned array orientation must be used.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software create a PV layout?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software places modules within the usable roof, canopy or ground area using the selected panel dimensions, wattage and orientation.


    Designers can add, remove or reposition modules, switch between portrait and landscape placement and distribute panels across multiple array sections while reviewing module count and total DC system capacity.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software evaluate shading?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software evaluates shading from trees, nearby buildings, parapets, rooftop equipment and other surrounding objects across the proposed array.


    The shading results help designers compare roof planes, module positions and alternative layouts before approving the PV design.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software estimate energy production?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software estimates expected generation using the project location, module layout, DC system capacity, azimuth, tilt, shading conditions and selected equipment.


    The production estimate remains connected to the approved design and can be used during proposal preparation and customer review.

  • Can Sunbase Solar Design Software configure modules, inverters and batteries?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software allows teams to select modules, configure inverters and include battery storage where required.


    The approved design can retain the equipment models, module quantity, DC capacity, inverter configuration, storage capacity and expected production within the same project record.

  • How does Sunbase Solar Design Software connect with customer proposals?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software carries the approved module layout, system capacity, equipment selection, production estimate and design visuals into the proposal workflow.


    This reduces repeated data entry and helps sales and design teams present the customer with information taken from the approved PV design.

  • How is Sunbase Solar Design Software different from standalone solar design tools?

    Standalone solar design tools often focus primarily on PV layouts and production modelling.


    Sunbase Solar Design Software supports rooftop, canopy and ground-mount design while also connecting customer data, equipment selection, design approvals, proposals and project delivery within one platform.


    This keeps sales, design and operations teams working from the latest approved system information.

  • Can Sunbase Solar Design Software support residential, commercial and EPC projects?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software can support residential rooftops, commercial properties, solar canopies, ground-mount systems and larger EPC design workflows.


    Design stages, assignments, review steps, approvals and system configurations can be adapted to the scale and technical requirements of each project.

  • How much does Sunbase Solar Design Software cost?

    Sunbase Solar Design Software is available through Sunbase plans starting from $59 per user per month.


    Final pricing depends on the number of users, selected modules, design requirements, workflow configuration, integrations and implementation support.

  • How long does Sunbase Solar Design Software implementation take?

    Implementation time depends on the team size, existing project data, selected modules, design complexity and required integrations.


    The process can include reviewing the current design workflow, configuring users and approval stages, preparing project information, training the team and launching the agreed workflow.

Ready to Improve Your Solar Design Workflow?

Model the site, create the PV layout, evaluate shading and production, and keep the approved design connected with the project using Sunbase Solar Design Software.

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Plans start at $59/user/month · No long-term contracts required · Cancel any time