Solar Monkey
Pros
- Creates preliminary photovoltaic designs in approximately three to five minutes.
- Uses shading and location data to improve energy yield estimates.
- Provides lead generation and engagement tools through Connect+.
- Offers a user-friendly interface that requires relatively little training for sales teams.
- Supports batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers within customer proposals.
- Provides localized data and workflows for European solar markets.
- Generates professional branded proposals with financial calculations.
Cons
- The platform focuses on Europe and does not provide equivalent coverage for the United States or Asia-Pacific markets.
- It lacks advanced electrical engineering tools such as single-line diagram generation.
- A practical project capacity limit of approximately 500 kW makes it less suitable for utility-scale solar farms.
- There is no dedicated mobile application, so users must access the platform through a web browser.
- Pricing for higher-volume plans is not publicly available.
- API access and lead generation features involve additional fees.
The solar installation industry is highly competitive, requiring teams to balance technical precision with rapid sales cycles. Solar Monkey addresses these challenges by providing a cloud-based platform that automates photovoltaic (PV) system design and streamlines the creation of customer proposals. By reducing the time spent on manual roof measurements and yield calculations, the software allows installers to focus on closing deals and managing their project pipelines.
Solar installers and sales teams often face bottlenecks when generating accurate quotes for potential customers. Solar Monkey combines detailed site imagery with automated design tools to produce energy yield estimates and professional proposals within minutes. This approach is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized solar businesses seeking to scale without significantly increasing their administrative workload.
What Is Solar Monkey?
Solar Monkey is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform developed specifically for the solar energy industry. Based in the Netherlands and used by more than 800 solar businesses across Europe, it belongs to the Solar Design and Sales Software category.
The platform supports the pre-installation workflow, including lead acquisition, remote site assessment, photovoltaic system design, energy yield calculations, proposal generation, and contract management.
Solar Monkey uses remote sensing data, site imagery, and automated algorithms to estimate the solar potential of individual rooftops. Users enter an address and use the available imagery to define the roof, position modules, account for shading, and calculate expected energy production.
The software focuses primarily on European residential and commercial solar markets, with localized data and workflows for installers operating in supported countries.
Solar Monkey Features
Automated PV Design
Allows users to create residential and commercial roof layouts in approximately three to five minutes using high-resolution aerial, satellite, and available drone imagery.
Shading Analysis
Calculates the effects of nearby obstacles, including trees, chimneys, dormers, and surrounding buildings, to provide more realistic energy production estimates.
Professional Proposal Generator
Creates customized and branded customer proposals containing system specifications, energy yield estimates, financial projections, and environmental benefits.
Connect+ Lead Generation
Connect+ helps solar installers acquire and nurture prospective customers. The tool also provides engagement information that sales teams can use to prioritize follow-up activities.
Remote Roof Pitch Detection
Uses available geographic and building data to estimate roof pitch without requiring an initial physical site visit.
Multi-Product Support
Allows sales teams to include batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers alongside photovoltaic systems in a single customer proposal.
Dashboard Analytics
Provides managers with information about sales performance, proposal activity, conversion rates, team productivity, and project statuses.
Hardware Database
Allows businesses to configure their preferred solar modules, inverters, battery systems, and other energy products for use in designs and proposals.
Screenshots
Solar Monkey Pricing
Solar Monkey uses a subscription model based on project volume, required functionality, and company size. Exact pricing may vary by region and commercial agreement.
14-Day Free Trial
A 14-day free trial is available for new users who want to evaluate the design and proposal features. A credit card is not required to begin the trial.
Base Plan
Public pricing information indicates a starting price of approximately €525 per month for a plan that includes up to 50 projects.
Annual Billing
Annual billing for the base plan has been estimated at approximately €5,670 per year, providing a discount compared with monthly payments.
Connect+ Pricing
Connect+ may require a one-time activation fee of approximately €195. Monthly pricing starts at around €149.50 for a database containing up to 199 contacts.
API Access
API and webhook access may be added for approximately €95 per month, allowing companies to connect Solar Monkey with external business applications.
Enterprise Pricing
Larger companies with high project volumes, multiple sales teams, or custom integration requirements can request a personalized Enterprise quote.
Solar Monkey Integrations
Solar Monkey supports CRM connections, API access, and webhooks to help installers transfer customer and project information across their business systems.
CRM Integrations
- Pipedrive: Supports the synchronization of leads and sales opportunities.
- HERO: Connects customer and project information with field service workflows.
- Splandid: Supports data exchange between solar sales and business processes.
- Odoo: Connects Solar Monkey projects with CRM and ERP workflows.
API and Webhooks
The Solar Monkey API allows businesses to build custom connections with internal databases, CRM platforms, project management software, and other third-party applications.
Accounting and Project Management
Public information about native accounting and project management integrations is limited. Companies should confirm the availability of specific connections directly with Solar Monkey.
How to Set Up Solar Monkey
- Register for the 14-day free trial or book a demonstration through the official website.
- Complete the onboarding process and learn how to use the design and shading tools.
- Configure your company profile and upload your logo and branding assets.
- Customize proposal templates to reflect your sales process and brand identity.
- Add your preferred modules, inverters, batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers.
- Create user accounts and permissions for your sales and design teams.
- Connect a supported CRM or configure the API and webhooks if required.
- Enter a customer address to generate your first photovoltaic design.
How to Use Solar Monkey
1. Enter the Customer Address
Begin by entering a prospective customer’s address. Solar Monkey loads the available aerial or satellite imagery for the selected property.
2. Define the Roof
Draw the roof perimeter and configure its orientation and pitch. Mark any restricted areas or obstructions such as chimneys, dormers, vents, and skylights.
3. Position the Solar Panels
Select the required photovoltaic module and arrange the panels on the available roof area. Adjust the layout to account for setbacks, obstructions, and shaded zones.
4. Calculate the Energy Yield
Run the yield calculation to estimate annual electricity generation based on system capacity, orientation, local weather conditions, and shading losses.
5. Add Additional Energy Products
Include compatible batteries, heat pumps, or EV chargers when preparing a broader home energy proposal.
6. Configure the Financial Analysis
Add electricity prices, installation costs, incentives, subsidies, financing assumptions, and other variables required for the customer’s financial calculation.
7. Generate the Proposal
Create a branded PDF or web-based proposal containing the system layout, expected production, environmental benefits, costs, and projected savings.
8. Track Customer Engagement
Monitor whether customers have opened proposals or emails and use the available engagement data to prioritize follow-up calls.
What You Can Manage with Solar Monkey
- PV System Designs: Create detailed module layouts for residential and commercial rooftops.
- Customer Proposals: Generate branded documents containing system specifications, financial calculations, and production estimates.
- Sales Pipelines: Track projects from the initial lead stage through proposal acceptance and contract signature.
- Lead Generation: Acquire and nurture potential solar customers through the Connect+ platform.
- Yield Reports: Produce energy generation forecasts based on weather data and shading analysis.
- Hardware Libraries: Manage solar modules, inverters, batteries, heat pumps, and EV charging equipment.
- Sales Analytics: Monitor team productivity, proposal activity, and conversion performance.
Solar Monkey FAQs
What does Solar Monkey do?
Solar Monkey helps solar installers create photovoltaic system designs and professional sales proposals. It uses aerial and satellite data to support remote roof measurements, module placement, shading analysis, and energy yield calculations.
Who is Solar Monkey best for?
Solar Monkey is primarily designed for residential and commercial solar installation companies operating in Europe. It is especially suitable for sales teams that need to produce large volumes of preliminary designs and customer quotes.
Is Solar Monkey free?
No. Solar Monkey is paid professional software, but new users can register for a 14-day free trial. A paid subscription is required after the trial period.
How much does Solar Monkey cost?
Public pricing information indicates that the base plan starts at approximately €525 per month for up to 50 projects. Additional costs may apply for Connect+, API access, higher project volumes, and custom Enterprise functionality.
What are the main limitations of Solar Monkey?
The main limitations are its focus on European markets, lack of advanced electrical engineering features, and absence of a dedicated mobile application. Its project capacity also makes it less appropriate for utility-scale solar farms.
What are the best alternatives to Solar Monkey?
Common Solar Monkey alternatives include Aurora Solar for residential design and sales, HelioScope for commercial photovoltaic engineering, and OpenSolar for a free design-to-proposal workflow.
