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Head-to-head · Solar Software

Solargraf vs System Advisor Model (SAM)

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Solargraf #3 in Solar Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Solargraf
System Advisor Model (SAM) #8 in Solar Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit SAM

Solargraf leads on 2 checks, System Advisor Model (SAM) on 1, and 3 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 scoreSolargraf · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly System Advisor Model (SAM)
  • Most featuresSolargraf · 4 of 5

Solargraf scores higher on our rubric for solar software: 8.8 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

System Advisor Model (SAM) offers free plan; Solargraf doesn't. Solargraf offers proposal builder; System Advisor Model (SAM) doesn't. Solargraf offers permit documentation; System Advisor Model (SAM) doesn't. On deployment platform, System Advisor Model (SAM) gives you Desktop where Solargraf offers Web.

Solargraf is the better fit for installers needing proposals and automated permit plans. System Advisor Model (SAM) is the better fit for analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling.

  • Solargraf fits best

    Installers needing proposals and automated permit plans

  • 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 Solargraf 8.8/10 Visit ↗ System Advisor Model (SAM) 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.1
Ranking #3 in Solar Software #8 in Solar Software
Best for Installers needing proposals and automated permit plans Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Live chat Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Solargraf 4/5 · System Advisor Model (SAM) 2/5
PV design & simulation ✓ ✓
Financial modeling ✓ ✓
Proposal builder ✓ (best) —
System monitoring — —
Permit documentation ✓ (best) —
Specs
Deployment platform Web Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Combines PV and battery design with production estimates and reports
  • Creates interactive proposals with savings, payment, and cash-flow views
  • Generates self-service permit plan sets with system and electrical documents
  • 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
  • No free plan; plans are paid
  • Project and user quotas vary by plan, with extras priced separately
  • Financing integrations are limited to GoodLeap, LightReach, and Concert
  • Desktop software rather than a web-based platform.
  • Does not include proposal-building features.
  • Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
Our verdict

Solargraf brings solar and battery system design, customer proposals, financing workflows, and permitting into a cloud-based web platform. Its tools are aimed at solar businesses, including residential and commercial workflows, that need…

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. SolargrafSolar Software 8.8Paid
  2. System Advisor Model (SAM)Solar Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Solargraf — where it wins

    • Combines PV and battery design with production estimates and reports
    • Creates interactive proposals with savings, payment, and cash-flow views
    • Generates self-service permit plan sets with system and electrical documents

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; plans are paid
    • Project and user quotas vary by plan, with extras priced separately
    • Financing integrations are limited to GoodLeap, LightReach, and Concert

  • 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.
  • Solargraf8.8/10 · Paid

    A web-based solar design and sales tool with proposal, financing, and permit workflows.

    Visit SolargrafFull 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