Planning Solar systems – from drone photography to yield simulation
Plan and sell solar systems with a single piece of software. autarc covers the entire planning process: from roof measurement via photogrammetry to automatic module layout and shading analysis, all the way to financial feasibility calculations.
What is the autarc
Solar planning module?
The autarc Solar planning module is a software platform for the end-to-end design of rooftop solar systems. It integrates photogrammetry, module layout, string planning, shading analysis, and financial analysis into a single application. This allows solar installers and electrical contractors to digitize their entire planning process, from the initial drone photo to the final quote.
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What features does the solar planning module include?
Why is roof surveying the bottleneck in solar planning?
Roof surveying is the bottleneck because most companies perform it manually on-site – an employee drives to the customer, measures the roof with a tape measure or laser, and then transfers the dimensions into planning software. For complex roof shapes (dormers, chimneys, skylights), this takes several hours per building. Every inaccurate measurement propagates throughout the entire planning process: incorrect module areas, unrealistic yield forecasts, rework on the construction site.
The alternative – a professional drone flight with external evaluation – only partially solves the problem. With most providers, the evaluation takes 24 hours, costs separately per model, and delivers a result that must be manually imported into the planning software. Thus, surveying remains the bottleneck: a time-consuming choke point between customer contact and quote generation.
Why do many solar installers rely on gut feeling instead of precise calculations for string planning?
Many solar installers manually plan strings because their design software doesn't automate this step or because it's handled in a separate tool. However, string planning – which involves how modules are electrically connected and distributed among inverters – is crucial for the actual annual yield of a solar system. Incorrect configurations lead to mismatch losses that accumulate over 20 years. The consequence: a higher error rate, increased planning time, and less reliable proposals.
How does solar planning with autarc work?
Measure roof
Simply survey the roof using a standard commercial drone. All relevant roof areas and obstacles are digitally captured, providing the foundation for further PV planning.
Create 3D roof model
Photogrammetry converts 25 to 75 drone photos into a centimeter-accurate 3D model, complete with roof surfaces, pitch angles, obstacles, and precise measurements. The finished model is ready in the software within 15 minutes. Solar installers can capture the drone photos directly on-site with the customer and begin planning during the appointment itself.
Automatically place modules
The module placement calculates the optimal positioning of all modules on the 3D roof model – automatically or via drag-and-drop, even for complex roof shapes with dormers and offsets.
Calculate strings and shading
The string planning automatically distributes the modules to strings and MPP trackers. The shading analysis calculates the shading losses of each individual module throughout the entire year – based on the real 3D model, not on estimated values.
Simulate profitability and create a quote
The system simulation calculates the annual yield, self-consumption rate, payback period, and return on investment – including storage and wallbox if required. The results are directly integrated into the quote generation of the autarc Office module.
Which businesses is the autarc solar planning module suitable for?
Solar installers and electrical contractors
...who plan rooftop systems for residential and commercial properties and want to significantly reduce planning effort per project.
HVAC companies offering Solar
...who want to plan heat pumps and photovoltaics in a single step and offer them as a combined project.
Companies without their own surveying equipment
...who receive precise roof models via a photogrammetry service – without investing in equipment.
Start-ups and growing businesses
...who want to plan digitally from the start and work without CAD software or separate planning tools.
What do solar installers achieve with the solar planning module?
No more on-site appointment needed for roof measurement
Drone photos provide a centimeter-accurate 3D roof model – without manual measurement or an extra appointment with the customer.
Over 70,000 modules, inverters, and storage units in the database
Profitability calculations at the touch of a button – including amortization, self-sufficiency, and savings. This allows you to convince customers with solid figures instead of gut feeling.
Module-level shading instead of estimates
Use drone images or blueprints for precise 3D measurement – without on-site measurement. This saves effort and reduces queries during construction.
Over 2000 companies trust our software.
Less planning effort. More deals.
Additional modules: Everything in one software
Office
Heating design
Thanks to LiDAR scanning and AI-supported data collection, autarc saves you up to 12 hours when planning and installing a heat pump. Buildings, rooms, and heating surfaces are captured digitally and made directly available for heat load calculations, hydraulic balancing, and heat pump design.
Construction site
With the Field App, your technicians have all project information right on their smartphone or tablet. Document construction progress and create acceptance reports easily and conveniently. Offline work is supported. Data synchronizes automatically as soon as an internet connection is available again.
Services
autarc supports you with grant applications, the creation of energy performance certificates, grid connection, and oil tank disposal. This allows you to handle all essential administrative steps directly from the software, significantly reducing your office workload.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does autarc cost for solar planning?
Do I need my own drone for solar planning with autarc?
How accurate is the 3D roof model from photogrammetry?
Can autarc perform string planning automatically?
How does the shading analysis work in autarc?
Can autarc simulate solar systems with wallboxes and storage together?
Which roof shapes can autarc process for solar planning?
