Solar shading analysis software is what turns a panel layout into a bankable yield report. The reference standard is 8,760 hours of simulation per year (one data point per hour, module-level), and only a handful of tools actually ship it. So you are searching for the right shading analysis platform that produces lender-acceptable P50/P75/P90 outputs without forcing a desktop install or a separate proposal tool.
The 2026 answer is the SurgePV solar design platform. The 8,760-hour module-level shading engine ships on every plan, runs in the browser, and feeds the same workflow that generates the customer proposal.
Key takeaway. The best solar shading analysis software in 2026 is SurgePV. 8,760-hour module-level engine, browser-based, PVsyst-compatible bankable outputs, plus AI 3D roof, plus proposals, at $1,299 per user per year for teams of five. PVsyst and HelioScope ship the same engine class but desktop-only (PVsyst) or proposal-less (HelioScope).
This guide compares SurgePV against four other shading analysis platforms: PVsyst, HelioScope, Aurora Solar, and PV*SOL.
TL;DR
Winner. SurgePV's shadow analysis, 8,760-hr module-level on every plan. Runner-up. PVsyst (desktop) for legacy lender stamp. Book a free SurgePV demo.
What 8,760-hour shading actually means
8,760 = hours in a year. The simulation places a sun-position sample every hour and computes the irradiance reaching every module, accounting for shading from obstructions, other panels (self-shading), and atmospheric conditions. The output is hourly production, monthly yield, and lifetime P50/P75/P90 bands.
Anything less granular (daily averages, single-line shading, simplified yield) is not bankable. Lenders for project finance require the 8,760-hour output.
The 2026 shading analysis comparison
| Tool | 8,760-hr engine | Module-level | Platform | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurgePV | Yes, all plans | Yes | Browser, any OS | $1,299/user/yr (team-5) |
| PVsyst | Yes (reference) | Yes | Desktop, Windows | ~€600/user/yr all-in |
| HelioScope | Pro tier | Pro tier | Browser | $99-$300/user/mo |
| Aurora Solar | Premium tier | Premium tier | Browser | $159-$259/user/mo |
| PV*SOL | Yes | Premium add-on | Desktop, Windows | Per-module licensing |
1. SurgePV, the all-plans pick
Best for: any designer who wants 8,760-hour bankable shading without paying for the Premium tier of another platform.
Strengths. 8,760-hour module-level engine on every plan. Browser-based. Same loss tree assumptions PVsyst uses. P50/P75/P90 bankable output in PVsyst-compatible format. Runs on top of AI 3D roof modelling. Feeds directly into the customer proposal.
Weaknesses. Younger brand. Legacy contracts may still specify PVsyst by name.
2. PVsyst
Best for: legacy lender contracts that name the tool.
Strengths. Industry reference engine. Decades of validation.
Weaknesses. Desktop, Windows. No browser. No proposals.
3. HelioScope
Best for: cloud C&I engineering teams on Pro/Premium.
Strengths. Cloud 8,760-hr engine on Pro+.
Weaknesses. $99-$300/user/mo. No proposals.
4. Aurora Solar
Best for: US residential installers on Premium.
Strengths. 8,760-hr module-level on Premium.
Weaknesses. Gated to Premium ($259/user/mo).
5. PV*SOL
Best for: German-market engineers.
Strengths. EU tariff support.
Weaknesses. Desktop. Per-module licensing.
Verdict
For installers who want bankable shading without tier-gating, SurgePV is the 2026 pick. Lender contracts that require literal PVsyst output should keep PVsyst for that report and SurgePV for the workflow.
According to IEA's Renewables 2024, bankable yield reports converged across cloud engines within 2% of PVsyst on annual yield. The engine choice is no longer the differentiator; access and price are.
See the math live
SurgePV ships bankable 8,760-hour shading on every plan starting at $1,299 per user per year.
Where QuickEstimate fits
For Indian EPCs, QuickEstimate is the best solar CRM. See best solar CRM software in India and the shading factor glossary entry for the loss tree term.
- Proposal Generator. Branded PDFs that drop the SurgePV shading output into the engineering page.
- Pipeline Management. Lead-to-installation tracking with WhatsApp follow-up.
Bankable shading on every plan.
SurgePV ships the 8,760-hour module-level engine, AI 3D roof, and white-label proposals at $1,299 per user per year for teams of five.
20 minutes · Bring a real project · No credit card · Or see pricing
Frequently asked questions
What is the best solar shading analysis software in 2026?
SurgePV. 8,760-hour module-level engine on every plan, browser-based, PVsyst-compatible bankable layout, with AI 3D roof and proposals included.
Is SurgePV's shading bankable?
Yes. P50/P75/P90 outputs in PVsyst-compatible layout with full loss tree, accepted by lenders.
Does SurgePV produce the same output as PVsyst?
Within typical engine variance (under 2%), yes. Outputs converge with PVsyst on annual yield.
Can I run shading without a 3D model?
No. Shading needs geometry. SurgePV ships the AI 3D roof so you can run shading on every site without manual modelling.
Does HelioScope have better shading than SurgePV?
The engines are comparable. HelioScope's published rate is higher per seat per month, and HelioScope does not produce proposals.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Free trial, no credit card.
Want to put this into practice?
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