A SOLID PVSYST ALTERNATIVE
Why go with pvDesign vs PVsyst?
First, we’d just like to give a nod to the team at PVsyst. They’ve built a top product which has helped solar professionals for almost three decades. And there is no doubt PVsyst is a great tool for calculating photovoltaic energy production.
But if you’re here because you’re evaluating pvDesign vs. PVsyst, or looking for some fresh PVsyst alternatives, then you’re already doing the right thing by finding a product that will help you on the whole scope for a plant project stage and a comparable energy yield estimate result.
What’s the difference between pvDesign and PVsyst?
Sure there are features and product things that are different between the two companies. We’ll dive deeper into them down this page. But the biggest difference is our DNA.
The founding team at PVsyst built software for architects, engineers and academia researchers, while the founding team at RatedPower’s pvDesign has been in the field —designing, developing and building utility-scale solar PV plants— for the last ten years.
And pvDesign breathes this first-hand experience, offering an end-to-end software solution for photovoltaic design and engineering.
So, TL;DR: if you’re a PV plant developer, EPC-ist or solar engineering firm looking for a platform built to help you expedite time-to-layout, reduce LCOE and make your team work better then you’re in the right place. We created pvDesign for you.
Do more than the energy yield
We asked our best sales and customer success teammates this same question: “What are the most relevant differences between pvDesign and PVsyst?“. They gave us a handful of clear answers that should help you.
Always up-to-date software
Our engineering team ships product releases every day. The best part is you don’t need to manually update pvDesign. Just login and start working with the latest software version available.
On the cloud
Since PVsyst runs locally in your machine, rapidly performing complex calculations require powerful work stations. pvDesign lives in the cloud, leveraging the calculation power of a distributed computing cluster for your designs. The hard work is on us — not on your CPU.
Faster estimates
Easily create or tweak existing PV projects in pvDesign. Use the powerful compare feature to analyze differences in energy yield outcome for each project. Effortlessly get dozens of engineering documents per project.
Easy LCOE Calculation
Get the LCOE calculation easily done with a just few inputs. Start with the location.
Rep-o-o-orts
While PVSyst generates a single report of the yield data simulation, pvDesign's built-in energy production module allows you to additionally obtain the documents for feasibility analysis, conceptual design or requesting for proposals.
Head-to-toe
PVsyst is a great tool for yielding. But if you’re looking for an alternative which helps you reduce LCOE and optimize your PV asset, then RatedPower’s pvDesign may be a fit. It covers every step in your PV project —from site planning or topography analysis to layout documentation or substation engineering—.
COMPARES PVDESIGN VS PVSYST
An energy yield +0.24% different to PVsyst
Energy yield modeling is a mix of hard data and thorough scientific-led methodology. Specific yield or annual degradation are common results in any energy yielding software, such as PVsyst or their alternatives.
We turned to Black & Veatch to compare pvDesign’s energy yield module to PVsyst output in four real-life cases. Deltas range between +0.24% and +1.08%. Related detailed yielding documentation is available in both tools.
Built for solar players
Explore how companies like yours are smoothing their PV plant design and engineering workflows. Identify how solar software benefits your team and your business.
Software for solar developers
Software for solar EPCists
Software for solar engineering firms
Run your design's shading scene in PVsyst
Effortlessly export your pvDesign project to PVsyst
Get a much faster —and accurate— energy yield estimates within PVsyst from your pvDesign projects.
- Quickly generate an accurate 3D shading scene in PVsyst. The scene considers the shape of the perimeter, the terrain features, and the presence of adverse slopes from your project in pvDesign.
- Get accurate energy simulation results. Including the 3D features of the terrain and positioning of the structures.
- Evaluate the effects of topography restrictions. Detecting areas which require changes to the design, such as north-facing slopes which could require increasing the pitch.
What our customers are saying?
RatedPower’s pvDesign received G2’s high performer and the easiest to use CAD software in Spring 2022.
Comprehensive, user-friendly and ever-evolving solar PV design software.
User in Renewables & Environment
Mid-market (51-1,000 emp.)
The most powerful PV design software. It’s an all-in-one platform: from layout to yield and bill of material!
User in Oil & Energy
Enterprise (>1,000 emp.)
Excellent user interface, easy of use and full of features. I love the ability to perform several simulations quickly with different equipments to optimize the design.
User in Renewables & Environment
Mid-market (51-1,000 emp.)
Powerful and fast tool for simulations and optimization of PV plants.
Head of engineering
Small Business (<50 employees)
I like the simplicity of being able to update components or design parameters like pitch or DC:AC ratio and have a new layout in a manner of minutes
User in Utilities
Enterprise (>1,000 emp.)
meets requirements
ease of use
ease of setup
quality of support
product direction
An A-Team who has your back
Unlock the full power of your PV engineering and design teams. From site planning to permiting documentation. We've got you covered.
Shipping features
Our product and development team ships new features each day. UX and UI folks try to translate your needs and requirements into beautiful screens you can easily use.
Customer success team
We sell more than software. The people in the customer success team are solar experts ready to help you make the most of the software. Guaranteeing your team 24 working hours response time.
Rep-o-o-orts
While PVSyst generates a single report of the yield data simulation, pvDesign's built-in energy production module allows you to additionally obtain the documents for feasibility analysis, conceptual design or requesting for proposals.
pvDesign is trusted by over 1,300 users in more than 150 countries
Stories from businesses like yours
Discover how folks at development, EPC, solar engineering firms and funds are streamlining PV plants process with the pvDesign, the top PVsyst alternative.
When it comes to PVsyst alternatives, pvDesign is #1
Explore how pvDesign can take the pain out of your solar design and engineering project.