HELIOS 3D
Terrain-based PV plant layout inside AutoCAD Civil 3D, from German engineering software house Stohr+Sauer
Quick Overview
| Company | STOHR+SAUER CAD- und Computersystem GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Solar Design and Proposal Software |
| Headquarters | Wuerselen, Germany |
| Founded | 2010 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Local installation |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Desktop plug-in on Civil 3D |
| Main Features | TIN terrain analysis, racking and tracker layout, local grading under racks with cut and fill tolerances, electrical layout, cable lengths and losses, yield estimate with Meteotest data |
| Pricing | On request (presentation on request) |
| Best For | Engineering firms and EPCs planning large ground-mounted PV on uneven terrain |
| Replaces | Aurora Solar, HelioScope (large ground-mount projects) |
Detailed Review
HELIOS 3D has been developed since 2010 for large-scale PV plants, according to the vendor, and runs inside Autodesk Civil 3D. The contact address on the site is STOHR+SAUER CAD- und Computersystem GmbH in Wuerselen, Germany.
The product is aimed at project developers, EPCs and engineering firms handling utility-scale PV from preliminary planning to detailed design.
Terrain and Grading
Racks are placed on a detailed digital terrain model (TIN surface) without interpolation. Local grading under each rack is calculated with user-defined cut and fill tolerances to limit earthwork.
This is the capability that separates it from roof-focused tools.
Electrical and Yield
The electrical layout covers components from modules to grid connection, with voltage drop and power loss calculation, and cable lengths and device losses.
An integrated yield estimation tool uses Meteotest weather data.
Documentation
A help centre documents the workflow online. The software generates executable project data from the Civil 3D model.
Presentations are offered on request rather than through self-serve sign-up.
Limitations to Consider
It needs Autodesk Civil 3D, which is a separate and substantial licence. It does not do residential roof design, quoting or CRM. We read no prices and no trial terms, and the legal notice page of the site did not load, so the entity comes from the contact page.
Who Should Use HELIOS 3D
Civil and electrical engineers at developers and EPCs who plan ground-mounted PV parks and already use Civil 3D.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real terrain handling with TIN surfaces
- Local grading under racks
- Electrical layout and loss calculation
- German vendor with direct contact
- In development since 2010
Cons
- Requires Autodesk Civil 3D
- Not for rooftop or residential work
- No published pricing
- Presentation-led sales process
Alternatives to HELIOS 3D
Other European solar design and proposal software worth comparing before you decide:
Eturnity
Switzerland · 3D roof design, quotes and project workflow for installers
Reonic
Germany · CRM, solar design and quoting in one installer platform
Sollit
Netherlands · Inspection, PV design and quoting for Dutch installers
PV*SOL
Germany · 3D PV design and simulation with detailed shading analysis
See all European solar design and proposal software or compare them directly against Aurora Solar on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Autodesk Civil 3D, since HELIOS 3D works inside that environment.
No, it targets large-scale ground-mounted PV on real terrain.
Through the vendor contact form, which offers a demonstration, a quotation or a demo version.