PVcase vs System Advisor Model (SAM)

PVcase8.5Visit SASystem Advisor Model (SAM)8.1Visit

Higher score PVcase #5 in Solar Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit PVcase

vs

SA System Advisor Model (SAM) #8 in Solar Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit SAM

• PVcase fits best

  Mid-market and enterprise solar project teams

• System Advisor Model (SAM) fits best

  Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling

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Side by side

Feature	PVcase 8.5/10 Visit ↗	SASystem Advisor Model (SAM) 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.5	8.1
Ranking	#5 in Solar Software	#8 in Solar Software
Best for	Mid-market and enterprise solar project teams	Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	Pricing on request	Free plan
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PVcase 4/5 · System Advisor Model (SAM) 2/5
PV design & simulation	✓	✓
Financial modeling	✓	✓
Proposal builder	✓ (best)	—
System monitoring	Not checked yet	—
Permit documentation	✓ (best)	—
Specs
Deployment platform	Web	Desktop
Our review
Pros	Creates terrain-adaptive 2D and 3D layouts with shading and yield simulation Connects design and energy workflows with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and PVsyst Produces electrical designs, financial models, and construction 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	Pricing is customized and requires a request for pricing The broad feature set may exceed the needs of teams seeking a narrow design tool Ground Mount and Roof Mount are AutoCAD-based design products	Desktop software rather than a web-based platform. Does not include proposal-building features. Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
Our verdict	PVcase brings site selection, solar design, energy modeling, and project outputs into one development platform. It is aimed at developers, engineers, EPCs, and energy-yield teams handling utility-scale or commercial rooftop work. The… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• PVcase — where it wins

  • Creates terrain-adaptive 2D and 3D layouts with shading and yield simulation
  • Connects design and energy workflows with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and PVsyst
  • Produces electrical designs, financial models, and construction documentation

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is customized and requires a request for pricing
  • The broad feature set may exceed the needs of teams seeking a narrow design tool
  • Ground Mount and Roof Mount are AutoCAD-based design products

• 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.

• PVcase8.5/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad solar design and development suite for terrain-aware, large-scale projects.

  Visit PVcaseFull verdict →
• SASystem 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 →