OpenSolar

What OpenSolar is

OpenSolar offers 3D solar design, production modelling, proposals, and a basic CRM at no subscription cost, funded instead through hardware and finance partnerships in its marketplace. For small and mid-size installers, getting professional design tooling without a per-seat bill is a material advantage.

What it does well

• No subscription fee for full design tooling
• 3D design with shading and production modelling
• Integrated proposals and basic CRM
• Hardware and financing marketplace

Integrates with

Financing providers · Hardware distributors · Zapier

Integration lists change often and "integrates" can mean anything from a real two-way sync to a one-way push through Zapier. Ask the vendor which fields move, in which direction, and how often.

Before you commit

• Decide whether you need speed (same-day quotes from the truck) or depth (line-item takeoff from plans). Tools that do both well are rare.
• Make sure the sell price is driven by your overhead number, not a vendor default markup.
• If it includes a cost database, ask how often it is updated and whether it covers your region.
• Check that options and change orders survive a customer saying "what about the other finish?"
• Confirm the quote pushes into your job management system rather than needing re-entry.

How to judge it in a trial

Run one real job through it end to end — not the demo data. Quote it, schedule it, do it, invoice it, take the payment. Then ask the only question that matters on day 400: did the people who have to use this every day find it faster than what they do now? Friction you notice in week one compounds forever, and tool-hopping costs more than any feature gap.