OpenSolar is one of the most popular solar platforms in the world, and for good reason, but no tool is perfect for every installer. This is an honest look at the pros and cons of OpenSolar for Australian installers in 2026, so you can decide whether it fits how you work.
OpenSolar pros
- It is genuinely free. The core design, proposal and CRM tools cost nothing, with no per-seat fees or design caps. For smaller and growing installers, that removes a real barrier.
- Fast, capable 3D design. Designs load quickly, shading and production estimates are solid, and proposals can be generated in minutes.
- All-in-one workflow. Since version 3.0, design, CRM, proposals, e-signatures and payments live in one platform, so you are not stitching tools together.
- Huge, proven community. With well over 25,000 users across 160-plus countries, it is well supported and continually developed.
- No lock-in. No long contracts, so trying it carries little risk.
OpenSolar cons
- No built-in compliant SLDs. OpenSolar does not generate AS/NZS 5033 single-line diagrams the way a dedicated Australian tool does, so many installers still need separate CAD software for compliance documents.
- Not Australia-specific. STC handling, the Federal Battery Rebate and AS/NZS-aligned documentation are not the central focus they are in a purpose-built Australian platform.
- Partner-funded model. Because hardware and finance partners fund the product, project data flows to them by design, and the roadmap is partly shaped by partner needs rather than purely installer needs.
- API access is now paid. From April 2026, external API connections became a paid feature, which matters for integration-heavy businesses.
Who OpenSolar suits
OpenSolar is an excellent fit for residential installers doing relatively straightforward jobs who want a capable, no-cost platform and are comfortable with the partner-funded model. Many Australian installers run their entire sales process on it happily.
Who should look elsewhere
If compliant single-line diagrams, precise STC and battery-rebate handling, or Australian compliance documentation are central to your work, a purpose-built Australian tool may serve you better. Solar Proof's browser-based SLD editor and built-in STC and Federal Battery Rebate handling are designed for exactly that. It is not free, but for compliance-heavy or battery-focused installers the time saved can outweigh the cost.
The bottom line
OpenSolar's biggest pro is that it is free and capable; its biggest con for Australian installers is the gap around SLDs and AU-specific compliance. Weigh those against each other for your own mix of work. For a detailed side-by-side, see our Solar Proof vs OpenSolar comparison, or read our full OpenSolar review for Australian installers.
