Published: May 2026 | Last updated: May 23, 2026 | Read time: 8 min
TL;DR
- OpenSolar is the leading free solar CRM with integrated 3D design tools and unlimited projects, used by installers worldwide
- Aurora Solar’s Premium plan at $259/user/month includes LIDAR-assisted modeling and bankable shade reports for complex projects
- Sunbase delivers solar-specific CRM at $100-300/user/month with lead-to-install pipeline management
- SalesRabbit specializes in door-to-door field sales at $49/user/month (annual billing) with territory mapping and AI buyer scoring
- Solar companies using generic CRMs lose 23% more leads than those with industry-specific tools
What to Look for in a Solar CRM
Before comparing platforms, here are the criteria that separate solar-ready tools from generic ones.
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Solar-specific pipeline stages | Generic CRMs don’t understand site surveys, permitting, utility applications, or financing approvals — they cost you lost leads |
| Lead-to-proposal speed | Most solar leads cool within 24-48 hours; tools that slow the proposal process kill conversion rates |
| Design integration | A CRM that connects to solar design software saves hours of data entry and reduces proposal errors |
| Mobile field access | Field reps need offline access to estimates, contracts, and project status — not just desktop software |
| Compliance tracking | 2026 federal rules on equipment manufacturing origins require supply chain visibility and documentation |
The difference is real. Solar companies using Salesforce lose an average of 18 qualified leads per month because a generic CRM does not know what a site survey is, cannot track permitting status, and has no idea that a lead sitting in “proposal sent” for 14 days needs a financing follow-up call, not a generic nurture email.
1. OpenSolar — Best for Free, All-in-One Solar Workflows
OpenSolar is a comprehensive, cloud-based platform tailored for solar professionals, providing end-to-end tools for design, sales, and customer relationship management. It enables users to create detailed 3D solar system designs, generate professional proposals, and manage leads through an integrated CRM.
This is the only professional-grade solar CRM that’s genuinely free forever. OpenSolar 3.0 (released late 2025) has transformed from a design tool into a full solar CRM with integrated design, and it remains the only professional-grade solar design software that stays free forever.
Key features:
- 3D design with shading analysis and financial modeling
- Integrated lead management and proposal generation
- SolarAPP+ permit integration
- Unlimited projects, unlimited users
- No upfront setup fees or usage limits
Pricing: Completely free
Best for: Solo installers, small teams, and anyone unwilling to pay subscription fees without testing first. Also ideal for startups scaling too fast to commit to per-user licensing.
Trade-off: OpenSolar works well for standard residential grid-tie systems. For commercial work or hybrid designs (carports, canopies), you may hit limitations.
2. Aurora Solar — Best for Accurate System Design with LIDAR Data
Aurora’s cloud-based software transforms solar design, sales, and delivery. With just an address and electric bill, Aurora empowers you to generate a full, accurate, and customizable design for every customer — and close the deal on the spot.
The accuracy advantage is real. Shade reports and production estimates are very impressive. The software provides 3D models with LIDAR options to show the height of surrounding trees or obstructions, and uses up-to-date imagery which makes designing very effective.
Key features:
- 3D design with LiDAR-assisted shading analysis
- Automatic system design and module placement
- Bankable production estimates (Premium)
- Electrical line diagram generation
- Integrated CRM for proposal tracking
Pricing: Basic Plan $259/user/month (billed monthly) or $220/user/month (billed annually, save $468 per year). Premium Plan includes LIDAR-assisted modeling, bankable shade reports, and advanced battery storage modeling
Best for: Sales teams handling 50+ proposals per month where accuracy and customer credibility matter. The design speed and visual appeal close deals faster.
Trade-off: Higher cost than OpenSolar or Sunbase. Requires stronger internet for 3D rendering. Limited CRM features compared to dedicated platforms.
3. Sunbase — Best for Solar-Specific CRM & Automation
Sunbase is a dedicated solar CRM and project management platform built specifically for residential and commercial solar installers. For solar sales teams handling 100-500 leads monthly, it offers the most complete solar-specific feature set on the market.
Sunbase truly understands the needs of solar companies, whether it’s tracking installation milestones, managing leads, or streamlining project workflows. The platform handles the full lifecycle: Lead → Qualification → Site Survey → Proposal → Follow-up → Financing → Install → PTO.
Key features:
- Lead qualification and automated follow-ups
- Proposal generation with solar design integration
- Project tracking from survey to PTO
- Workflow automation and task assignment
- Mobile app with offline access
- Real-time analytics and reporting
Pricing: $100-300/user/month depending on feature tier and team size
Best for: Growing solar installers (5-20 team members) who want everything in one platform. You save time by eliminating tool switches between proposal software, CRM, and project management.
Trade-off: Doesn’t include solar design software — you’ll pair it with Aurora or Solargraf. Learning curve is steeper than simpler field sales tools.
4. SalesRabbit — Best for Door-to-Door Sales & Territory Management
SalesRabbit is a comprehensive field sales management platform specifically engineered for door-to-door and outside sales teams across various industries, including roofing, home improvement, solar, pest control, and security.
If your team knocks doors, SalesRabbit owns this niche. The platform’s primary moat is its specialized D2D (Door-to-Door) ecosystem — a territory management platform that allows field sales reps to track leads with 98% accuracy.
Key features:
- Territory mapping with GPS tracking
- DataGrid AI for buyer scoring (identifies high-potential homes)
- Digital contracts with e-signatures
- Canvassing analytics and team leaderboards
- Mobile-first design for field reps
- Weather data overlays (identifies storm-damaged areas)
Pricing: SalesRabbit pricing starts at $49/user/month (SalesRabbit Pro billed annually) up to $120/user/month (RoofLink Pro). A free limited plan (SalesRabbit Lite) is available
Best for: Field sales teams doing door-to-door canvassing. The buyer-scoring AI cuts down on cold knock-offs and saves hundreds of hours per rep per year.
Trade-off: Not designed for office-based inside sales or design-heavy workflows. CRM functions are basic — it’s a sales rep tool, not a back-office platform.
5. JobNimbus — Best for Solar + Roofing Contractors
JobNimbus is built around the roofing and solar workflow — a natural fit given that many solar companies also do roof work or partner with roofers.
JobNimbus is the #1 all-in-one roofing software built to help contractors work smarter, move faster, and look more professional. Since 2013, thousands of roofers have relied on JobNimbus to run every part of their business from lead to final payment.
Key features:
- Lead capture and proposal generation
- Job scheduling and workflow customization
- Photo and document management (CompanyCam integration)
- Invoicing and payment tracking
- Team collaboration and task assignment
- Mobile app for field crews
- QuickBooks integration
Pricing: Custom pricing based on team size and features (typically $30-60/user/month for solar teams)
Best for: Contractors who do both roofing and solar installations. The cross-trade workflow templates save setup time, and you don’t have to learn two different systems.
Trade-off: Built for roofing first, solar second. Design tools are minimal — you’ll use it for CRM and project management, not design generation.
6. Sighten — Best for Multi-Team Channel Management
Sighten is a lightning-fast solar proposal software with CRM features, now powered by Enphase.
Sighten exists to support the people selling, financing, and installing solar every day. With Sighten’s integrated design tool, proposal generator, and financing options, solar companies can quickly and accurately close deals with customers.
Key features:
- Proposal generation in 2-5 minutes
- Channel manager portal for multi-team visibility
- Deal pipeline and partner communication
- Financing integration
- Interactive web and PDF proposals with e-signature
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing (contact sales)
Best for: Larger solar companies with multiple sales teams or channel partners. The channel dashboard gives leadership visibility across all deal pipelines.
Trade-off: Pricing is not transparent — requires a sales conversation. Less suitable for solo installers or single-location businesses.
7. Solargraf — Best for Enphase Ecosystem Integration
Solargraf is now deeply integrated into the Enphase ecosystem, making it the best solar sales software for those selling Enphase IQ batteries and microinverters. 2026 Update: Direct integration with Enphase commissioning tools allows a design to be pushed directly to the installer’s field app.
If your inventory is Enphase-heavy, this eliminates hand-off friction between design and installation.
Key features:
- Enphase equipment library and direct commissioning integration
- 3D system design with battery modeling
- Proposal generation
- Lead management and follow-up
- Installation handoff to Enphase field tools
Pricing: Starter: $2,799/year (includes 2 users and 240 projects). Small Business: $4,799/year (4 users, 480 projects). Additional projects typically cost $9–$11 each
Best for: Installers committed to the Enphase ecosystem who want seamless design-to-commissioning workflows. The direct handoff to field apps saves installation teams time.
Trade-off: Lock-in to Enphase. Less flexible for mixed-equipment designs.
Comparison Table: Solar CRM Features at a Glance
| Platform | Free | Starting Price | Best For | Design Tools | Mobile Field Access | Lead Pipeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSolar | ✓ | Free | Startups & solos | Integrated 3D | Yes | Integrated |
| Aurora Solar | No | $220/user/yr | Sales accuracy focus | Professional 3D + LIDAR | Basic | Integrated |
| Sunbase | No | $1,200-3,600/yr | Growing teams 5-20 | Design integration | Full offline | Full solar pipeline |
| SalesRabbit | Lite only | $588/user/yr | Door-to-door teams | None (proposal-only) | Excellent | Basic canvassing |
| JobNimbus | No | $360-720/user/yr | Roofing + solar | Minimal | Excellent | Full with jobs |
| Sighten | No | Custom | Multi-team channels | Fast proposals | Yes | Full with financing |
| Solargraf | No | $2,799/yr | Enphase loyalists | Integrated + commissioning | Yes | Integrated |
How Solar Companies Choose (And Why Many Pick Wrong)
Most solar companies start with the wrong question: “What’s the cheapest option?”
The right question is: “What’s the cost of losing a lead?”
One lost lead at an average solar job value of $15,000–$30,000 costs more than a year of CRM software. Yet solar companies using generic CRMs lose 23% more leads than those with industry-specific tools.
The software choice breaks down into three types of teams:
Solo or micro (1-3 people): OpenSolar. Free. You get 3D design and CRM in one place. No payment friction when you’re deciding if you’re staying in solar.
Small team (3-15 people): Sunbase or SalesRabbit. Sunbase if you’re handling proposals and permitting. SalesRabbit if you’re door-to-door knocking. Both cost under $4,000/month for a small team.
Growing or specialized (15+ people): Aurora Solar if accuracy and design impress matter. Sighten if you’re managing dealers or partners. JobNimbus if you also do roofing.
The worst choice: Salesforce. Solar companies using Salesforce lose an average of 18 qualified leads per month. Not because Salesforce is bad. But because a generic CRM does not know what a site survey is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar CRM Software
What is a solar CRM and why do I need one?
A solar CRM is customer relationship management software designed specifically for solar sales workflows. You need one because a generic CRM like Salesforce can’t track solar-specific stages: site surveys, permitting delays, utility interconnection, financing approval, and installation scheduling. These details determine whether leads convert or go cold. A solar CRM automates the follow-ups that generic systems miss.
Can I use a generic CRM like Salesforce or HubSpot for solar?
Technically yes, but you’ll lose 18+ qualified leads per month on average. Generic CRMs don’t have solar pipeline logic. A proposal sitting idle for 7 days triggers a generic nurture email instead of a “financing follow-up call.” HubSpot is cheaper, but the cost of lost leads outweighs the license savings.
What’s the difference between a solar CRM and solar design software?
A solar CRM manages your pipeline: leads, proposals, scheduling, and installation tracking. Solar design software generates the technical drawings. Some tools like Aurora and OpenSolar include both. Others like Sunbase and SalesRabbit are pure CRM and work with design tools you already own.
Do I need to pay for design software separately?
Only if your CRM doesn’t include it. OpenSolar and Aurora include design. Sunbase, SalesRabbit, and JobNimbus don’t — you’ll use a separate tool (Solargraf, SurgePV, etc.) for designs and import them into the CRM. This adds a tool but gives you flexibility.
Which solar CRM is easiest to set up?
OpenSolar has the fastest onboarding — there’s nothing to configure, and it’s free. SalesRabbit is next (field reps are productive in days). Sunbase and JobNimbus require more setup because they’re customizable for your team’s specific workflow.
How much time will a solar CRM actually save my team?
Real numbers from users: SalesRabbit cuts canvassing time by avoiding knocked territories (saves 10-15 hours/week per rep). Sunbase cuts proposal-to-install time by 48% by automating follow-ups. Aurora saves design time with automatic placement. The ROI is usually 3-6 months for growing teams.
What if I’m a solo installer on a tight budget?
Use OpenSolar. It’s free, includes design and CRM, and there’s zero financial risk.
Final Verdict
For most solar teams, Sunbase is the safest choice. It’s purpose-built for solar, handles the full pipeline, and costs $100-300/user/month — less than the revenue loss from one blown lead.
For field-heavy door-to-door teams, SalesRabbit is unmatched. The territory mapping and buyer scoring cut waste fast.
If you need design to close deals in the field, go Aurora. The LIDAR accuracy and visual impact justify the cost for high-volume sales teams.
And if your budget is zero, OpenSolar is genuinely professional-grade software. It’s not a toy.
The worst choice remains a generic CRM. You’ll pay less upfront and lose more deals — a false economy that costs you thousands per month in leads that could have closed.
