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Head-to-head · Solar Software

Aurora Solar vs System Advisor Model (SAM)

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Aurora Solar #2 in Solar Software 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Aurora Solar
System Advisor Model (SAM) #8 in Solar Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit SAM

Aurora Solar leads on 0 checks, System Advisor Model (SAM) on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAurora Solar · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly System Advisor Model (SAM)
  • Most featuresSystem Advisor Model (SAM) · 2 of 5

Aurora Solar scores higher on our rubric for solar software: 9.0 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

System Advisor Model (SAM) offers free plan; Aurora Solar doesn't.

Aurora Solar is the better fit for sales teams needing detailed designs and proposals. System Advisor Model (SAM) is the better fit for analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling.

  • Aurora Solar fits best

    Sales teams needing detailed designs and proposals

  • System Advisor Model (SAM) fits best

    Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Aurora Solar 9.0/10 Visit ↗ System Advisor Model (SAM) 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.1
Ranking #2 in Solar Software #8 in Solar Software
Best for Sales teams needing detailed designs and proposals Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $1,620/user/yr Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Live chat, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Aurora Solar 0/5 · System Advisor Model (SAM) 2/5
PV design & simulation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Financial modeling Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Proposal builder Not checked yet —
System monitoring Not checked yet —
Permit documentation Not checked yet —
Specs
Deployment platform Not checked yet Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Combines 3D design, automated panel placement, and on-demand site models
  • Premium adds LIDAR-assisted modeling, shade reports, and battery storage modeling
  • Proposal, financing, and e-signature tools connect sales with project documentation
  • Detailed PV modeling includes module, inverter, shading, and loss calculations.
  • Models cash flows across residential, PPA, community solar, and other project types.
  • Parametric and stochastic simulations, P50/P90 analysis, and an SDK/API are available.
Cons
  • Basic starts at $159 per user monthly
  • Enterprise pricing is customized
  • Site surveys rely on a SiteCapture partner app and are marked beta
  • Desktop software rather than a web-based platform.
  • Does not include proposal-building features.
  • Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
Our verdict

Aurora Solar is a cloud-based platform for solar professionals and installation companies that need to connect sales proposals with system design and project documentation. Sales teams can create customizable proposals for web or PDF,…

Read the review →

System Advisor Model (SAM) is free, open-source desktop software from the National Laboratory of the Rockies for analyzing the technical and financial feasibility of power-generation projects. It is aimed at project managers, engineers,…

Read the review →
  1. Aurora SolarSolar Software 9.0Paid
  2. System Advisor Model (SAM)Solar Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Aurora Solar — where it wins

    • Combines 3D design, automated panel placement, and on-demand site models
    • Premium adds LIDAR-assisted modeling, shade reports, and battery storage modeling
    • Proposal, financing, and e-signature tools connect sales with project documentation

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic starts at $159 per user monthly
    • Enterprise pricing is customized
    • Site surveys rely on a SiteCapture partner app and are marked beta

  • System Advisor Model (SAM) — where it wins

    • Detailed PV modeling includes module, inverter, shading, and loss calculations.
    • Models cash flows across residential, PPA, community solar, and other project types.
    • Parametric and stochastic simulations, P50/P90 analysis, and an SDK/API are available.

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop software rather than a web-based platform.
    • Does not include proposal-building features.
    • Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
  • Aurora Solar9.0/10 · Paid

    A detailed solar sales and design workspace, with a $159-per-user monthly entry price.

    Visit Aurora SolarFull verdict →
  • System Advisor Model (SAM)8.1/10 · Free plan

    Open-source PV and project-finance modeling for analysts who want desktop tools and scripting.

    Visit SAMFull verdict →

More comparisons

All solar software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update