Can you recommend PV layout and stringing tools for preparing permit-ready engineering packages?

Yes — if your goal is permit-ready PV engineering packages, the best tools are usually the ones that can produce:

• a dimensioned site plan
• an equipment layout
• a stringing plan / electrical one-line inputs
• code-compliant structural + electrical documentation
• exportable plan sets for AHJ submission

Here are solid options, grouped by use case:

1) Best all-around PV design + permit package tools

Aurora Solar

• Strong for rooftop and commercial PV design
• Good layout, stringing, shade analysis, production modeling
• Can generate permit-ready plan sets
• Often used by EPCs and installers for AHJ submissions
• Strengths: fast workflows, decent documentation, wide adoption
• Watchouts: some advanced engineering workflows may still need external CAD / structural review

HelioScope

• Excellent for commercial and utility-scale layout/stringing
• Very strong DC/AC string design, performance modeling, and design iteration
• Good for engineering-oriented project development
• Watchouts: typically paired with separate tools for final stamped permit drawings

OpenSolar

• Good for sales + design + proposal workflows
• Useful for smaller residential and light commercial jobs
• Can help with layout and proposal generation
• Watchouts: less robust than Aurora/HelioScope for deeper engineering deliverables

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2) Best for permit drawing production / drafting

AutoCAD / AutoCAD LT

• Still the industry standard for permit drawings
• Best for producing:
  • site plans
  • roof plans
  • electrical details
  • conduit runs
  • equipment elevations
• Often used alongside PV design software for final drafting

BricsCAD / DraftSight

• Lower-cost AutoCAD alternatives
• Useful if your team already works in DWG workflows

Revit / BIM tools

• Better for larger commercial projects or integrated building workflows
• Less common for straightforward PV permitting unless part of a larger BIM process

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3) Best for stringing / electrical design calculations

HelioScope

• Strongest mainstream option for string sizing and configuration workflow
• Great for iterating module/inverter combos and MPPT mappings

Aurora Solar

• Good stringing support for standard project types
• Easier to use for residential and commercial jobs than many traditional engineering tools

PVsyst

• Very strong for performance modeling and system analysis
• Common in engineering-heavy and utility-scale work
• Less focused on permit drawing output, but excellent for design validation

SketchUp + PV plugins

• Useful for geometry/layout exploration
• Usually not enough by itself for permit-ready stringing documentation

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4) Best for engineering-grade validation and analysis

PVsyst

• The go-to for bankable energy modeling and technical validation
• Useful when you need to support design assumptions in permit or financing packages

ETAP / MATLAB / custom engineering tools

• Used in more advanced or utility-scale projects
• Overkill for most standard permit packages

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5) Practical tool stacks by project type

Residential

• Aurora Solar + AutoCAD / drafting workflow
• Good if you want fast layouts and permit sets

Commercial rooftop

• HelioScope for system design/stringing
• AutoCAD for final drawings
• PVsyst if you need stronger modeling support

Utility-scale

• HelioScope or PVsyst
• plus Civil 3D / AutoCAD
• plus dedicated electrical engineering review tools

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6) What to look for in a permit-ready tool

Make sure the software can handle:

• roof and site measurements
• setbacks and code constraints
• module/inverter library management
• string sizing and MPPT mapping
• one-line diagram support
• equipment schedules
• exportable CAD/PDF plan sets
• compliance documentation for NEC/local AHJ requirements

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My short recommendation

If you want the most practical setup:

• Aurora Solar for residential + light commercial permit packages
• HelioScope for more engineering-heavy commercial designs and stringing
• AutoCAD for final permit drawing polish
• PVsyst when energy modeling and technical validation matter

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a comparison table of these tools,
2. a recommended stack by project size, or
3. a workflow for going from layout to permit-ready drawings.