GreenSketch: free & battery-led
Genuinely free, with AI roof detection, a 3D shading view, battery wall templates and a battery-only mode. A strong, modern tool, especially for storage-led design, if the OSW model fits you.
GreenSketch is free because it's owned by solar distributor OSW Group and funded through hardware procurement, not software fees. Solar Proof is the independent, subscription-funded alternative, not tied to any one supplier, with STCs, the Federal Battery Rebate and AS/NZS 5033 SLDs built in.
This decision isn't really about features, both tools design solar and batteries well. It's about the business model behind the software, and whether you want your design tool tied to a hardware supplier or kept independent of one.
A free tool is the priority, you like its AI 3D and battery design, and you're happy procuring hardware through the OSW ecosystem that funds it.
You want a tool that isn't tied to any supplier, with flexible branded proposals and STCs, the Federal Battery Rebate and AS/NZS 5033 SLDs built in.
GreenSketch is free because OSW Group, an Australian solar distributor, funds it through the hardware installers buy, not through software fees. That's a legitimate model, the same broad approach OpenSolar uses, but it has two practical implications worth understanding before you build your workflow on it.
Genuinely free, with AI roof detection, a 3D shading view, battery wall templates and a battery-only mode. A strong, modern tool, especially for storage-led design, if the OSW model fits you.
Funded by subscriptions, not hardware, so it's tied to no supplier. Founded in 2017 and used by over 1,000 solar professionals, with flexible NETCC-compliant proposals and AU rebates built in.
Every row is a verifiable fact rather than a rating, so you can judge fit at a glance.
| Solar Proof | GreenSketch | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From ~A$4/project; Pro from ~A$99/mo | Free |
| Funding model | Software subscriptions | OSW hardware procurement |
| Independence | Not tied to a supplier | Tied to the OSW ecosystem |
| Owner | Solar Proof Solutions | OSW Group (distributor) |
| Australian focus | Built for AU (since 2017) | Built for AU (launched 2025) |
| Battery / AI design | Battery rebate in-quote | AI 3D, battery wall templates |
| Track record | 1,000+ solar professionals | Newer to market |
Full write-up: Solar Proof vs GreenSketch comparison.
GreenSketch is a genuinely good, modern tool, and free, so for plenty of installers it's the right call. Choose it if:
Why is GreenSketch free?
GreenSketch is free because it's owned by solar distributor OSW Group and funded through hardware procurement rather than software subscriptions. The company states it doesn't earn revenue from software fees, so the platform is effectively paid for by the products installers buy through the OSW ecosystem.
What is the catch with free solar software like GreenSketch?
The catch is alignment, not a hidden fee. Because it's funded by a distributor's hardware sales, the platform is most seamless when you procure through OSW, and its roadmap serves that ecosystem. That's a fair trade if you're happy buying within it, and a reason to consider an independent tool if you're not.
What is an independent alternative to GreenSketch?
Solar Proof is an independent Australian alternative funded by subscriptions rather than hardware sales, so it isn't tied to any one supplier. It includes STCs, the Federal Battery Rebate and AS/NZS 5033 SLDs, with per-project pricing. GreenSketch remains a strong free choice for installers comfortable in the OSW ecosystem.
Is GreenSketch or Solar Proof better for batteries?
Both are strong on batteries. GreenSketch has battery wall templates, a battery-only mode and AI 3D design. Solar Proof applies the tiered Federal Battery Rebate inside the quote and produces compliant proposals. The deciding factor is usually independence and proposals rather than battery design itself.
Solar Proof is independent of any hardware supplier, with AU rebates and compliant proposals built in. Try it free.
Start your free trial