The search terms here are quote software, proposal software and design software. They overlap, and many products do all three, so we cover them together.
The three jobs
Design. Lay out panels on a roof, model shading, size strings and estimate yield. Established tools include platforms such as OpenSolar, Aurora Solar, HelioScope and PVsyst, plus manufacturer tools for specific inverters and batteries. Check the current features and pricing yourself, because they change often.
Quote. Turn the design and your price list into a number the customer can accept. This is where STC discounts, GST, battery options and add-ons appear.
Proposal. The presentation: savings, payback, finance options and terms. Good proposals carry the contract, the assignment form and an e-signature.
What to look for in Australia
- Australian product databases with panel, inverter and battery models that match the approved lists. See checking the CEC approved battery list.
- STC logic with postcode zones, the five-year deeming period for 2026 installs and the battery factor and tiering. If the tool hard-codes a number, it will go stale.
- Battery modelling, including the first-14-kWh, 14 to 28 and 28 to 50 kWh tiers.
- Network and export limits, which vary by state.
- Contract and signature features, so the quote flows into a signed agreement; see contract templates.
- Integrations with your CRM, accounting package and job management; see CRM and job software.
- Cost model: per-seat, per-project or free with a hardware tie-in. Compare the total, not the headline.
The accreditation point
For STCs, the design must be the responsibility of an accredited designer, and the installer is accountable for the install. Software does not change that. If your tool lets salespeople finalise designs, make sure an accredited person signs off; see designer vs installer.
Keeping the STC discount right
Your quote should show the discount with its assumptions and an expiry date; see how to present the discount. Cross-check software output against the STC calculator or battery STC calculator on a handful of jobs each quarter.
From the desk: install a monthly check: run one live quote through the software and the official calculator and compare. Software updates often miss mid-year changes, and a stale discount becomes a customer dispute.
What this means for installers
Choose software for the process you actually run, and trial it on real jobs. Whatever you pick, the claim still needs complete evidence at the end: photos, serial numbers and signed forms. Our photo requirements guide lists them. When the job is done, start trading, compare the published rate on pricing and see the installers hub.