SolarDraft — sometimes typed as Solar Draft — and Arka360 both help solar companies design rooftop systems in 3D and send proposals. The difference is mostly in who they're built for: SolarDraft is built around Indian EPCs and the PM Surya Ghar subsidy, while Arka360's published feature set leans toward the US and global commercial solar market, with AI-driven layout optimization and financing tools built around loans, PPAs and leases.
For an Indian EPC that difference shows up in everyday details: how the subsidy appears on a proposal, whether GST is handled the way your customers expect, whether lead follow-up lives in the same tool, and whether you can see the price before talking to sales. This comparison covers design and shading, proposals, engineering outputs, CRM, pricing and how to run a fair trial of both.
Key points
- SolarDraft is built for Indian EPCs: PM Surya Ghar subsidy lines, GST-inclusive INR pricing and a built-in CRM.
- Arka360's published feature set emphasises AI layout optimization, dual satellite mapping and financing tools such as loans, PPAs and leases.
- SolarDraft publishes fixed yearly prices; Arka360's pricing is not publicly listed and is quoted by sales.
- The fairest test is to design the same real roof in both and compare the shading result, the proposal and the total yearly cost.
At a glance
| SolarDraft | Arka360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary market | India, PM Surya Ghar–ready | Primarily US & global commercial solar |
| 3D design | Rooftop 3D design + shading analysis | 3D design with AI layout optimization, dual satellite mapping |
| Proposal | Subsidy-ready, INR pricing with GST | Financing-led (loans, PPAs, leases) |
| CRM | Built-in Solar CRM | Not the core focus — primarily a design/sales tool |
| Pricing | Published, fixed INR plans (see Price List) | Not publicly listed; sales-assisted quote |
Key features — SolarDraft
- India-specific subsidy calculation built into every proposal.
- Fixed, transparent INR pricing with GST included, across Basic, Pro, Premium and Custom 3D plans.
- 3D Design, Proposal and CRM from one team, each with Basic, Pro and Premium plans.
- LiDAR credits, advanced shadow analysis, Structure BOM, string route drawings and a Single Line Diagram from the same design.
- Roof types common in India: RCC and tin-shed roofs, petrol pump and parking canopies, plus ground-mount and agrivoltaic layouts on Pro and above.
Key features — Arka360 (per public information)
- AI-assisted layout optimization for energy yield.
- Dual satellite mapping for site exploration.
- Financing tools built around loans, PPAs and leases — common in the US market.
“Choose based on your market: Indian subsidy-driven residential sales favour SolarDraft; US-style financed commercial deals favour Arka360's toolset.”
Design and shading
Both tools design in 3D on satellite imagery. What matters for an Indian rooftop is how well the model handles the things that actually cause shade here: overhead water tanks, staircase rooms, parapets, neighbouring buildings and trees. SolarDraft's Solar 3D Design runs a year-round shadow analysis on the modelled roof and colours every panel by sun exposure, so you can move panels out of shade before quoting. Read why rooftop shading matters so much for the reasoning.
When you test either tool, use a roof with real obstacles and check that the shadows look right for winter, when the sun is low in the southern sky. That is where design tools differ most.
Proposals for Indian customers
A residential customer in India asks three questions before signing: what will it cost me after the subsidy, how many units will it generate, and when will it pay back? SolarDraft's Solar Proposal answers those directly: it shows the gross price with GST, the PM Surya Ghar subsidy as a separate line, the net cost, and the payback period, generated from the same 3D design.
Financing-led proposals built around PPAs and leases are a better fit for markets where those structures dominate. In India, most homeowners pay upfront or through a bank loan, which is covered in our guide to solar financing options.
Engineering outputs
For an EPC, the design also has to brief the installation team. In SolarDraft, the same model produces a Structure BOM, PV array and string route drawings and a Single Line Diagram, so procurement and installation match what was sold. If you are evaluating Arka360, ask which drawings and documents it produces for Indian DISCOM applications and installation teams.
Lead follow-up
Per public information, CRM isn't Arka360's core focus. SolarDraft includes a Solar CRM, so the lead, the design, the proposal and the follow-up date live on one record. For a growing EPC that can be the difference between a sent proposal and a signed one — see why EPCs need a CRM.
Pricing
SolarDraft publishes its prices, with GST included. Solar 3D Design plans are priced mainly by the largest project size and the number of designs a year, so an EPC can match a plan to its work:
| SolarDraft 3D plan | Price a year (incl. GST) | Largest project | 3D designs a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | ₹40,000 | 500 kW | 365 |
| Pro | ₹60,000 | 1 MW | 500 |
| Premium | ₹2,00,000 | 10 MW | 2,000 |
| Custom | Quote | Above 10 MW | Unlimited |
Arka360's pricing is not publicly listed, so you'll need a quote to compare. When you get one, compare like for like: the yearly cost for your team, whether GST is included, any limits on projects or users, and what is included in each plan. SolarDraft's full plan details are on the pricing page.
Which should you choose?
| If your business… | Likely better fit |
|---|---|
| Sells residential rooftop solar under PM Surya Ghar | SolarDraft |
| Quotes in INR with GST and wants published prices | SolarDraft |
| Wants design, proposal and CRM in one place | SolarDraft |
| Sells mainly in markets where PPAs and leases drive the pitch | Arka360's published feature set |
How to run a fair trial
- Pick a real roof with tanks, a staircase room and a nearby building.
- Design it in both tools and compare the panel count and shading result.
- Generate a proposal in both and check the subsidy, GST, generation and payback.
- Ask your install team which set of drawings they would rather build from.
- Compare the total yearly cost for your team, including GST.
If you're an Indian EPC that needs subsidy-ready proposals, a built-in CRM and transparent INR pricing, SolarDraft is built for exactly that. If you're selling in a market where financing structures like PPAs and leases are central to the pitch, Arka360's published feature set may be a closer fit. For a broader checklist, see our solar proposal software buyer's guide.
FAQ
Is SolarDraft an Arka360 alternative in India?
Yes, especially for residential and C&I rooftop EPCs who need PM Surya Ghar subsidy figures, GST-inclusive INR pricing and lead tracking in one place.
How do I compare them fairly?
Design the same real roof in both, generate a proposal, and compare the shading result, the clarity of the numbers and the total yearly cost. You can start on SolarDraft's free plan, or book a demo.
Does SolarDraft include GST in its prices?
Yes. All SolarDraft plan prices include GST, and you receive a GST invoice.
Can SolarDraft handle commercial projects?
Yes. Solar 3D Design plans cover projects up to 500 kW (Basic), 1 MW (Pro) and 10 MW (Premium), with larger projects on a Custom plan.
