Software · South Africa
OpenSolar
Free solar design, proposal and CRM software for solar installers, from Australia's OpenSolar
Market position
OpenSolar is solar design and sales software from OpenSolar Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, founded in 2017 by Adam Pryor and Andrew Birch. It covers automatic system design, mounting design, single-line diagrams, proposals with e-signature, integrated finance, a hardware shop and project management CRM. OpenSolar says it is free for solar professionals because manufacturers, finance companies and distributors pay to be on the platform, and that more than 28,000 professionals use it.
South Africa-specific note
OpenSolar is a global web platform that says it is used in more than 185 countries, but none of the pages read mention South Africa, and it lists no South African office or local support. It handles solar design and sales only, so a trades business would still need separate job management software.
Pros
- + Free for solar professionals; OpenSolar says partners fund the platform
- + Automatic design, mounting design and single-line diagrams
- + Proposals with e-signature and integrated finance options
- + Project management CRM and hardware shop in the same platform
Cons
- − Solar-specific, not general trades job management
- − Funded by manufacturers, finance companies and distributors that pay to be on the platform
- − No South African office or SA-specific pages found
- − Aerial imagery is paid per image through a prepaid wallet, with no public prices
- − Terms are under the law of New South Wales, Australia
Typical South Africa pricing
Free for solar professionals (OpenSolar says partners pay to be on the platform); additional services such as aerial imagery are paid per image through an OpenSolar Wallet (prices not published)
Why this matters for South Africa trades
Under the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009, electrical contractors must register with the Department of Employment and Labour, and only registered persons may issue the electrical Certificate of Compliance. Regulation 17 of the Pressure Equipment Regulations bars anyone who is not a registered authorised person (registered through SAQCC Gas) from installing or removing gas appliances and systems. Under PIRB’s rules, only PIRB Licensed Plumbers can issue its plumbing CoC, which is needed for most plumbing work above R1,500 and for electric, solar and heat pump water heating at any cost. Contractors must be cidb-registered to carry out public sector contracts awarded by tender or quotation, and each grade sets a maximum contract value; the NHBRC says anyone in the business of building homes must be registered with it; and under the Construction Regulations, 2014, clients and principal contractors must confirm COIDA good standing before work starts.
South African trades vendor selection is shaped by certificates issued on each job (electrical Certificates of Compliance from registered persons under the Department of Employment and Labour, SAQCC Gas certificates of conformity, PIRB plumbing CoCs), cidb registration and grading (1-9) for public sector contracts, NHBRC registration for home builders, SARS payroll and VAT obligations (15% VAT, the monthly EMP201 and EMP501 reconciliations, with mandatory e-invoicing proposed from 2030 in a SARS consultation paper of August 2026), and the COIDA Letter of Good Standing checked before site work.
Frequently asked
Is OpenSolar a good fit for South Africa trades?
OpenSolar is solar design and sales software from OpenSolar Pty Ltd of New South Wales, Australia, founded in 2017 by Adam Pryor and Andrew Birch. It covers automatic system design, mounting design, single-line diagrams, proposals with e-signature, integrated finance, a hardware shop and project management CRM. OpenSolar says it is free for solar professionals because manufacturers, finance companies and distributors pay to be on the platform, and that more than 28,000 professionals use it. OpenSolar is a global web platform that says it is used in more than 185 countries, but none of the pages read mention South Africa, and it lists no South African office or local support. It handles solar design and sales only, so a trades business would still need separate job management software.
What does OpenSolar cost in South Africa?
Free for solar professionals (OpenSolar says partners pay to be on the platform); additional services such as aerial imagery are paid per image through an OpenSolar Wallet (prices not published). Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current South Africa pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Does OpenSolar publish its prices?
Yes. OpenSolar is Tier S in our South Africa directory, which means our check found its prices published on its own website (see the typical pricing above). The tier is not a quality ranking, so compare it against the alternatives for your trade and region.