SunProjeX vs OpenSolar
OpenSolar gives away PV design software, and it is good at that. But it is photovoltaic only. Solar pool heating and hot water are a different trade, and SunProjeX is built for it.
OpenSolar is a genuinely free, capable photovoltaic design and proposal platform used by installers worldwide, monetized through hardware and lender partnerships rather than seat fees. Confirmed on its site as of July 2026, it designs PV. It does not size or design solar pool heating or solar hot water.
SunProjeX serves the thermal trade: swim season pool heating sizing, hot water design using traceable FSEC and SRCC rated product data, collector layout, and proposals that can carry both systems at once.
| SunProjeX | OpenSolar | |
|---|---|---|
| Solar pool heating design | Yes — swim-season sizing and collector layout | PV only, no thermal |
| Solar hot water (DHW) design | Yes — demand, solar contribution, and rated product data | PV only, no thermal |
| Traceable thermal product data | Yes — FSEC and SRCC rated data where applicable | no thermal sizing |
| PV (electric) array design | SunProjeX is solar thermal, not PV | Yes — free PV design and proposals |
| Customer proposals and e-sign | Yes — branded proposals, e-signature, deposit CTAs | Yes — PV proposals |
| Combo pool + hot water proposal | Yes — pool heating and hot water in one proposal | No |
| Built for the solar thermal trade | Yes — built for the solar thermal trade | built for PV installers |
| Pricing model | Yes — free trial, founding program available | Free PV software, monetized via hardware/lender partnerships plus API and connector fees |
Comparison reflects publicly available information about OpenSolar and our own product as of July 2026; product features change, so verify current details on their site. OpenSolar is a trademark of its respective owner.
OpenSolar describes its core PV design software as free. Its product is focused on photovoltaic design and sales rather than solar pool heating or solar hot water.
No. It designs PV. Solar pool heating and hot water are handled by SunProjeX.
Browser based contractor software for solar pool heating and hot water design, proposals, financing, and sales workflow.
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