PVsyst
Solar design software
CAD software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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CHF 25.- per year
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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Medium
Large
- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
- Energy and utilities
- Manufacturing
What is PVsyst
PVsyst is a desktop software application used to model, simulate, and report the expected energy yield of photovoltaic (PV) systems. It is commonly used by PV engineers, developers, and technical consultants for feasibility studies, detailed design validation, and bankability-style performance documentation. The product focuses on physics-based performance modeling, loss analysis, and detailed reporting rather than end-to-end sales workflows or lightweight web-based design.
Detailed yield and loss modeling
PVsyst provides granular energy simulation with explicit loss breakdowns (e.g., irradiance transposition, thermal behavior, mismatch, soiling, shading, and system losses). It supports both grid-connected and off-grid PV system configurations, enabling scenario comparisons. This depth is useful for technical due diligence and performance documentation where assumptions must be traceable.
Bankability-oriented reporting outputs
The software produces structured reports that document inputs, modeling choices, and results in a format commonly used in engineering reviews. It supports sensitivity analysis and variant comparisons to show how key assumptions affect yield. These outputs help standardize communication between EPCs, owners, lenders, and independent engineers.
Broad component and meteo support
PVsyst supports importing and managing PV module and inverter data and can work with multiple meteorological data sources and formats. It includes tools to evaluate and compare meteo datasets and to apply horizon and near-shading effects. This flexibility helps teams align simulations with available site data and equipment selections.
Desktop workflow and learning curve
PVsyst is a Windows desktop application and is less aligned with browser-based collaboration and rapid iteration workflows. New users often require training to correctly set assumptions, interpret loss diagrams, and avoid modeling pitfalls. Teams that prioritize quick proposal generation may find it slower than more guided design tools.
Limited CAD-native design capabilities
While PVsyst includes shading scene tools and 3D near-shading modeling, it is not a full CAD environment for detailed layout drafting. Users typically rely on separate CAD/GIS tools for precise site grading, civil constraints, and construction drawings. This can introduce handoffs and data translation steps between design and simulation.
Integration and automation constraints
Compared with platforms built around APIs and cloud integrations, PVsyst workflows can be more file-based and manual. Automating large portfolio runs or integrating with enterprise data pipelines may require custom scripting and disciplined file management. This can be a constraint for organizations standardizing simulations at scale.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| PVsyst 8 Professional | CHF 700.- per year | 30-day free trial (evaluation mode) with full features (generic components & watermark); updates included; grants access to PVsyst 7; volume discounts: 2–4 licences: -5%, 5–9: -15%, 10+: -20%. |
| PVsystCLI | CHF 3'000.- per year | Command-line interface; free trial of 250 executions over 60 days; server-side installation; bundled in PVsyst 8 installer; updates included. |
| Education (Academic) | CHF 420.- per year | Full features with “Education” watermark on reports; granted upon supply of an educational program (teacher devices only). |
| Training / Research | CHF 560.- per year | Full features with “Training” / “Research” watermark; granted upon supply of a training or research program. |
| Classroom | CHF 25.- per year | Full features with “Classroom” watermark; granted upon supply of an educational program; manufacturers mentioned as generic in reports. |
| Student | CHF 25.- per year | Full features with “Student” watermark; granted upon supply of a student card; manufacturers mentioned as generic in reports. |
