OpenSolar is one of the most widely used solar design and proposal platforms in the world, and it is genuinely free, which makes it the default starting point for many Australian installers. This is an OpenSolar review that looks at what they do well, where it falls short for the Australian market specifically, and who should consider an alternative.
What is OpenSolar?
OpenSolar is a cloud-based solar design, proposal and CRM platform used by tens of thousands of installers across more than 160 countries. Its core tools, 3D design, proposal generation, pipeline management and e-signing, are free to use. Rather than charging a subscription, OpenSolar funds the product through hardware and finance partner integrations.
What OpenSolar does well
- It is genuinely free. There are no per-seat fees or design caps on the core platform, which is rare and a real advantage for smaller and growing installers.
- Fast 3D design and proposals. Designs load quickly and proposals can be generated in minutes, which suits high-volume residential sales.
- All-in-one workflow. Since version 3.0 (released late 2025) it combines design, CRM, proposals, e-signatures and payments in one place.
- Huge global community. With well over 25,000 users worldwide, it is a proven, well-supported platform.
Where OpenSolar falls short for Australian installers
OpenSolar is a global product, not an Australian one, and a few gaps matter here:
- Single-line diagrams. OpenSolar does not generate compliant SLDs the way a dedicated Australian tool does; in many markets installers still reach for separate CAD software to produce them. For AS/NZS 5033 documentation this is a real workflow gap.
- The partner-funded model. Because the platform is funded by hardware and finance partners, project data flows to those partners by design, and the product roadmap is partly shaped by partner needs rather than purely installer needs.
- API access is no longer free. From April 2026, OpenSolar began charging for external API connections, so integration-heavy businesses should factor that in.
- Not Australia-specific. STC handling, the Federal Battery Rebate and AS/NZS-aligned documentation are not the core focus they are in a purpose-built Australian tool.
Who should use OpenSolar?
If you are a residential installer doing relatively straightforward jobs, want a capable tool at no cost, and are comfortable with the partner-funded model, OpenSolar is an excellent choice and hard to beat on value. Plenty of Australian installers run their whole sales process on it.
Who should consider an alternative?
If single-line diagrams, STC and battery-rebate accuracy, or Australian compliance documentation are central to your work, a purpose-built Australian platform may serve you better. Solar Proof includes a browser-based SLD editor built around AS/NZS 5033, applies STCs and the Federal Battery Rebate inside quotes, and is designed specifically for the Australian market. It is not free like OpenSolar, but for compliance-heavy or battery-focused installers the time saved can justify the cost. For a side-by-side look, see our Solar Proof vs OpenSolar comparison.
The bottom line
OpenSolar is a genuinely strong, genuinely free platform, and for many Australian residential installers it is all they need. Its weak spots are Australia-specific compliance, single-line diagrams and the implications of the partner-funded model. Choose OpenSolar for cost and simplicity; consider an Australian-built alternative if compliance and SLDs are core to how you work.
