PV*SOL
Berlin-built desktop program for 3D PV design, shading analysis and yield simulation, with project reports in 24 languages
Quick Overview
| Company | Valentin Software GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Solar Design and Proposal Software |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Local installation, online product databases |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | Desktop software, installed locally |
| Main Features | 3D visualisation and shading, module and string layout, circuit diagrams, battery, EV and heat pump modelling, 20-year financial analysis, product databases, reports in 24 languages |
| Pricing | See website (rental and perpetual licence models, shop prices not read) |
| Best For | Planners and installers who need detailed shading and simulation rather than a sales CRM |
| Replaces | Aurora Solar, HelioScope |
Detailed Review
Valentin Software GmbH, registered in Berlin (HRB 84016), has made PV*SOL for more than 25 years by its own account. The premium edition draws roofs and open-field sites in 3D and calculates shading from surrounding objects.
It is sold through the vendor shop and through distributors in several countries, including Switch2Solar for the Netherlands and Belgium and The Solar Design Company for the UK and Ireland.
3D Design and Shading
Systems with up to 7,500 mounted modules or 10,000 roof-parallel modules can be shown in 3D, and shading is computed from 3D objects. Buildings can be extruded from floor plans, cadastral maps and map screenshots, and the Google Solar API supplies orthophotos and elevation data.
Module placement can be automatic or traced by hand, and interfaces to K2 Base and the Renusol PV-Configurator avoid planning the mounting system twice.
Simulation and Databases
Climate data comes from a German procedure based on DWD data, Meteonorm 9, PVGIS, Solcast and SolarAnywhere. The product database lists more than 30,000 PV modules and data for inverters, batteries, electric vehicles and optimizers, updated by manufacturers.
Self-consumption, storage sizing and EV integration are modelled, and a 20-year financial analysis uses feed-in tariffs held in the database.
Reports and Language Support
Project reports can be created in 24 languages and exported to PDF or Word with the company logo. The program interface itself is offered in nine languages.
Support runs through technical support, an online forum and help pages.
Limitations to Consider
It is a design and simulation program, not a sales platform: the pages we read mention no CRM or customer portal. It installs locally, so teams working remotely share files rather than a cloud workspace. Licence prices sit in the shop and were not read, and two licence models (rental and perpetual) exist, so compare the terms before buying.
Who Should Use PV*SOL
Planners, engineers and installers in Germany and neighbouring markets who need reliable shading and yield calculations and printed reports in the customer language.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Detailed 3D shading analysis
- Large manufacturer-maintained product databases
- Reports in 24 languages
- Storage, EV and heat pump scenarios
- Free trial version
Cons
- Desktop program, no CRM or quoting pipeline
- Prices not shown on product page
- Two licence models to compare
- Learning curve for full feature set
Alternatives to PV*SOL
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
PVsyst
Switzerland · Hourly PV simulation with a published yearly price
See all European solar design and proposal software or compare them directly against Aurora Solar on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The premium edition is offered as a downloadable program with an online product database; the pages we read do not describe a hosted workspace.
Its own German procedure based on DWD data, Meteonorm 9, PVGIS, Solcast and SolarAnywhere.
The vendor lists terms for a rental model and for a perpetual model; current shop prices were not read for this review.