Branch vs Helioscope
Helioscope is a browser-based energy modeling tool for solar proposals. Branch is an AutoCAD plugin that automates construction document drafting. They serve different stages of the project with different deliverables.
Different Tools, Different Jobs
Helioscope
- Browser-based energy modeling platform
- Strong commercial project support (energy production estimates, shading)
- Quick layouts and proposal generation
- Used by project managers, estimators, and sales teams
- Output: energy models, proposals, preliminary layouts
Industry note: Helioscope was widely respected for its affordability and straightforward interface. Aurora Solar's acquisition drove prices up significantly, creating frustration among longtime users. The product remains strong for energy modeling despite the ownership change.
Branch
- AutoCAD plugin for drafting automation
- Stringing, homerun routing, circuit lengths, tags
- Construction document production
- Used by CAD-savvy engineers
- Output: construction-document-ready AutoCAD drawings
Pricing: $299/user/month or $3,299/user/year. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
Helioscope models energy production. Branch produces construction drawings. Engineers who use Helioscope for modeling still need to produce construction documents separately. These tools complement each other.
The Helioscope + Branch Workflow
Use Helioscope for energy modeling and proposals. Use Branch for construction document drafting. This is the most common workflow we see from commercial EPCs.
Model and propose with Helioscope
Use Helioscope for energy production estimates, shading analysis, and preliminary commercial layouts. Generate proposals for stakeholders and customers.
Export to AutoCAD
Export your Helioscope layout to DWG format. Or bring a panel layout from any source into AutoCAD.
Automate drafting with Branch
Branch places strings with voltage window compliance, routes homeruns with K-means optimization, exports circuit lengths to CSV, and generates tags. About 3 minutes per project.
Deliver construction documents
Your engineers add their engineering judgment, finalize the construction documents, review, and stamp. Branch handled the repetitive drafting work so they can focus on the engineering.
What Branch Adds to Your Workflow
Helioscope gets you from site data to energy model. Branch gets you from panel layout to construction-document-ready drawings. Both are essential for commercial solar projects.
Panel Stringing
Automated string placement with voltage window compliance across your panel layout
Homerun Routing
K-means optimized path routing from string endpoints to electrical equipment
Circuit Length Export
Cable and circuit lengths calculated from drawn paths and exported to CSV
Tag Generation
Automated labels and tags placed directly on your construction drawings
SolarEdge PDF Import
Import SolarEdge Designer PDFs directly into AutoCAD-ready format
We do the drafting. You do the engineering. Branch accepts your engineered inputs and produces construction-document-ready output in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Branch an alternative to Helioscope?
Branch and Helioscope serve different stages of solar project delivery. Helioscope is a browser-based energy modeling platform for proposals and preliminary layouts. Branch is an AutoCAD plugin that automates construction document drafting — stringing, homerun routing, circuit lengths, and tags. They are complementary tools, not competitors.
Can I export from Helioscope to Branch?
Yes. Export your Helioscope layout to DWG format, open it in AutoCAD, and run Branch for stringing and homerun routing. This is the most common workflow we see from commercial EPCs — Helioscope for energy modeling, Branch for construction document production.
What happened to Helioscope pricing after the Aurora acquisition?
Aurora Solar acquired Helioscope, and longtime users report significant price increases. Despite the ownership change, Helioscope remains strong for energy modeling on commercial projects. Branch is independently priced at $299/user/month with transparent, published pricing.
Ready to Automate Your Construction Document Drafting?
14-day free trial. No credit card required. $299/user/month after trial.