Best for engineering-led PV simulation
Try HelioScope (Folsom Labs / Aurora)HelioScope (Folsom Labs / Aurora-owned post-2018 acquisition) Standard at custom $159 per user monthly covers solar engineering + simulation + CAD + permit-ready PV designs + APIs + standard support. Plus at $259 per user adds multi-user + advanced reporting + integrations + custom branding + dedicated CSM + standard support. Where Aurora Solar focuses on residential sales + LiDAR + financial proposals (sales-led), HelioScope is engineering-first: 3D PV simulation, shading analysis, energy production modelling, permit-ready CAD output, and engineering-grade documentation. For solar engineering firms + commercial solar developers + utility-scale solar projects, HelioScope beats Aurora Solar on engineering workflow fit. The trade vs Aurora Solar: weaker residential sales workflow vs Aurora Sales Mode, smaller installed base in residential, less mature financial proposals + LiDAR.
Strengths
- +Engineering-led PV simulation + 3D + CAD
- +Permit-ready engineering documentation
- +$159 + $259 per user mid-tier sweet spot
- +Strong fit for engineering firms + commercial + utility-scale
Trade-offs
- −Weaker residential sales workflow vs Aurora Sales Mode
- −Smaller installed base in residential
- −Less mature financial proposals + LiDAR
- Standard
- Custom ~$159/user/mo engineering-led
- Plus
- Custom ~$259/user/mo with multi-user + APIs
- Heritage
- Folsom Labs / Aurora-owned
- Strength
- Engineering-led PV simulation
- Pricing verified
- 2026-04-30
Migration steps
- Schedule demo at helioscope.com (typically a 14-day trial of paid tiers).
- Migrate Aurora Solar project + design + simulation history via HelioScope onboarding.
- Configure HelioScope PV simulation + shading + energy modelling + CAD workflow.
- Train engineers + designers on HelioScope UI vs Aurora Solar.
- Cancel Aurora Solar once HelioScope covers full PV simulation + CAD + engineering documentation cycle for one quarter.
Not for: Pass on HelioScope if your value driver is Aurora Solar's residential sales workflow + Aurora Sales Mode; Aurora Solar Grow + Premium fit those shapes better.
Paid plans from $159.00/mo