OpenSolar's headline is zero. The platform is free for the core design and proposal. The full cost lives in the per-deal payments, paid integrations, and premium support tier you climb to once you scale. So you are searching for OpenSolar pricing clarity plus a sense of whether a flat-rate SaaS alternative is cheaper at your deal volume.
The short answer: OpenSolar is genuinely free for under 5 sub-10 kW residential projects a month. Past that, the all-in cost climbs through per-deal fees. The SurgePV solar design platform is the predictable-rate alternative at $1,299 per user per year for teams of five with the full stack included. Compare SurgePV pricing at your real deal volume.
Key takeaway. OpenSolar pricing in 2026 starts free but the real cost lives in per-deal fees, finance integration fees, hardware connector fees, and premium support. At 20+ deals/month the all-in OpenSolar cost typically exceeds SurgePV's flat $1,299 per user per year (team-5).
TL;DR
OpenSolar pricing. Free core + paid add-ons for finance, hardware, premium support, e-signature. Cheaper alternative at scale. The SurgePV solar design platform at $1,299/user/yr (team-5), flat, with white-label solar proposals included. Book a free SurgePV demo.
OpenSolar plans in 2026
| Plan | Headline cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free core | $0 | Basic design, simplified shading, basic proposal |
| Premium / Pro add-ons | ~$30-$100/user/mo | Better shading, support, hardware integrations |
| Per-deal finance fees | Varies | Charged per closed deal using finance partners |
| E-signature | Add-on | Paid integration |
The headline "free" applies to the core design + basic proposal. The features most growing installers eventually need (better shading, e-sign, finance, premium support) are paid.
The all-in OpenSolar cost at scale
For an installer closing 20 deals/month with finance + e-sign + premium support:
- Premium subscription: ~$30-$100/user/mo = $360-$1,200/user/yr
- Per-deal finance fees: ~$30/deal × 20 × 12 = $7,200/yr per closing rep
- E-signature add-on: ~$30/user/mo = $360/user/yr
- Hardware connector add-ons: ~$200-$500/yr total
For a 5-person team, the all-in OpenSolar cost lands between $8,000 and $15,000/year depending on add-on mix. SurgePV team-5 at $6,495 flat per year is cheaper at scale.
Watch out. The free tier scales beautifully until deal #50. Audit the all-in OpenSolar cost at your current volume before assuming "free" is cheaper.
OpenSolar pricing vs the field
$1,299/yr
SurgePV team-5
Flat. No per-deal fees.
$0-$2,500/yr
OpenSolar effective
Free + per-deal fees + add-ons.
$1,908/yr
Aurora Essentials
Flat. Limited features.
See the math live
SurgePV team-5 at $1,299 per user, per year flat. No per-deal fees, no paid finance integrations.
According to IEA's Renewables 2024, the global installer base has consolidated into larger teams with more sophisticated software needs. IRENA's 2024 capacity statistics and NREL's PV cost benchmarks point at the same shift. In India, MNRE and the PM Surya Ghar program are pushing deal volumes that quickly outgrow free tiers. Predictable per-seat pricing matters more as teams grow past 5 designers.
Where QuickEstimate fits
For Indian EPCs, QuickEstimate is the best solar CRM. See best solar CRM software in India and the proposal, SLD, and BOQ glossary entries.
Predictable per-seat pricing. No per-deal fees.
SurgePV at $1,299 per user per year for teams of five. Full design + simulation + proposal stack, no surprises.
20 minutes · Bring a real project · No credit card · Or see pricing
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenSolar really free?
The core design and basic proposal are free. E-signature, premium support, hardware connectors, and per-deal finance fees are paid.
What does OpenSolar cost at 20 deals a month?
Depending on the add-on mix, $8,000-$15,000/year all-in for a 5-person team.
Is SurgePV cheaper than OpenSolar?
At very low volume (<5 deals/month), OpenSolar's free tier wins on headline. At 20+ deals/month, SurgePV's flat $6,495/yr (team-5) typically wins on all-in cost.
Does OpenSolar have a free e-signature?
E-signature is a paid integration in most regions.
Is OpenSolar's shading bankable?
The free tier shading is simplified. The bankable 8,760-hour analysis requires the paid tier.
Why is SurgePV not free?
Because the full stack (8,760-hour shading, AI 3D roof, bankable yield, branded proposals) requires sustained engineering investment. Flat per-seat pricing keeps the cost predictable.
Want to put this into practice?
QuickEstimate gives you everything in this article, proposal automation, lead capture, WhatsApp follow-up, built for Indian solar EPCs.
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