Skyfire vs Solo (2026)
Solo is a straightforward solar design tool that keeps things simple — a good choice for basic residential projects. Skyfire goes deeper on permitting with a compliance engine, PE stamps, an AHJ database, and fast plan set generation. If you want the simplest possible design experience, Solo works. If you need production-grade permitting at speed, Skyfire is built for that.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Skyfire | Solo |
|---|---|---|
| Site Survey AppSite Survey | Basic | |
| 3D DesignDesign | Basic 3D | Basic 3D |
| Plan Set GenerationPermitting | Basic | |
| PE StampsPermitting | ||
| AHJ DatabasePermitting | ||
| Compliance EnginePermitting | ||
| Storage DesignDesign | Limited | |
| SolarAPP+ IntegrationPermitting | ||
| Multi-State SupportCoverage | ||
| API AccessIntegration | Limited | |
| Pricing ModelPricing | Per-plan | Subscription |
Where Skyfire Wins
Deep permitting features
Skyfire generates complete, permit-ready plan sets with line diagrams, structural details, and electrical specifications. Solo produces basic design layouts that still require significant work to become a submittable permit package.
Compliance engine and AHJ database
Skyfire automatically validates designs against local building codes and AHJ-specific requirements. Solo does not have automated compliance checking, meaning the designer must verify code requirements manually.
PE stamps included
Every Skyfire plan set includes PE stamps. Solo users need to source PE stamps separately, adding both cost and turnaround time.
Faster plan generation
Skyfire produces a complete permit package in about 5 minutes. Solo can help with initial design, but the full path to a submittable permit package is manual and time-consuming.
Where Solo Might Be Better
Simpler user interface
Solo prioritizes simplicity. For teams doing basic residential projects that do not need advanced permitting automation, Solo's streamlined interface has a shorter learning curve.
Easier onboarding for basic projects
Solo gets new users productive quickly on straightforward residential designs. There is less to learn because there are fewer features — which is fine if those features are ones you do not need.
Lower-commitment entry point
Solo's simpler pricing and feature set can be appealing for very small teams that are not yet ready to invest in dedicated permitting infrastructure.
Pricing Comparison
Solo uses subscription-based pricing that is generally affordable for its feature set. Skyfire charges per plan set. For teams doing fewer than a handful of permits per month and handling the permitting process manually, Solo may be cheaper in direct software costs. However, the total cost of permitting — including labor hours for manual compliance checking, PE stamp fees, and resubmission costs from rejected permits — often makes Skyfire more cost-effective even at moderate volumes. The break-even point typically comes quickly once you factor in the full cost of manual permitting workflows.
Choose Skyfire if you...
- You need production-grade permitting, not just basic system design
- Permit rejections are costing you real time and money
- You want PE stamps included rather than sourcing them separately
- You need automatic compliance checking against local AHJ rules
- You are scaling past basic residential work and need professional-grade plan sets
Choose Solo if you...
- You want the simplest possible tool with the shortest learning curve
- You do very few installs and handle permitting manually without issues
- Your projects are basic residential designs that rarely face compliance challenges
- You are just starting out and want a low-commitment design tool
- Advanced permitting features are not yet a priority for your business
Switching Scenario
A two-person installation team in Arizona started with Solo for its simplicity. It worked for their first year doing 5–8 installs per month. As they grew to 15+ installs, the manual permitting work became unsustainable — their office admin was spending entire days assembling permit packages, and one in five was getting rejected for missing AHJ-specific details. They switched to Skyfire and cut their permitting time by over 80%. The team owner said it felt like hiring a full-time permit specialist without the salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solo easier to learn than Skyfire?
Solo has a simpler interface with fewer features, so the initial learning curve is shorter. However, Skyfire's permitting workflow is also streamlined — most users are productive within a day. The time saved on permitting typically outweighs any extra onboarding time.
Does Solo generate permit-ready plan sets?
Solo produces basic design documents, but they are not complete permit packages. You will still need to add line diagrams, verify compliance details, arrange PE stamps, and format everything to meet your AHJ's specific requirements.
Can Solo handle commercial projects?
Solo is primarily designed for basic residential projects. Skyfire supports more complex residential and commercial designs with full compliance checking across different project types.
Is Solo good enough for a small installer?
If you do fewer than 5 installs per month in a single jurisdiction and permitting is not a pain point, Solo may be sufficient. Once permitting complexity or volume increases, most installers benefit from a dedicated permitting platform like Skyfire.
What is the biggest difference between Solo and Skyfire?
Solo is a design tool. Skyfire is a permitting platform. Solo helps you lay out panels on a roof. Skyfire takes that design and produces a complete, PE-stamped, AHJ-compliant permit package in minutes.