Branch vs PVcase
Different markets, different tools.
PVcase is built for utility-scale ground mount engineering. Branch is built for commercial and industrial rooftop drafting. Both are good at what they do — for different projects.
Where Each Tool Shines
PVcase
Utility-scale ground mount
- •Terrain-adapted layouts with grading analysis and pile depth calculations
- •Bankable energy simulations where 1% accuracy means hundreds of thousands of dollars
- •Tracker layout optimization for multi-megawatt solar farms
- •Complex topography handling that utility-scale projects demand
If you are designing multi-megawatt ground mount projects with complex terrain, PVcase is the right tool. It was built for that problem.
Branch
Commercial/industrial rooftop and small ground mount
- •Panel stringing with voltage window compliance — about 3 minutes per project
- •Homerun routing with K-means optimization for efficient cable paths
- •Circuit and cable length export to CSV for downstream engineering
- •SolarEdge Designer PDF import — no other tool does this
If you need to get construction documents built quickly for commercial rooftop projects and move on to the next one, Branch was built for that.
Right Tool for the Job
PVcase is a sledgehammer built for utility-scale projects. It has the power, the complexity, and the price tag to match. For the projects that need it, nothing else comes close.
Branch is purpose-built for commercial rooftop drafting. It does stringing, homerun routing, circuit lengths, and tags — and nothing else. That focus is intentional. Engineers doing commercial rooftop work do not need terrain simulation or bankable energy models. They need to get strings placed, homeruns routed, and cable lengths calculated so they can move on.
Using PVcase for a commercial rooftop project is like using a surveying-grade GPS to find a restaurant. It will get you there, but you are paying for capabilities you will never use.
PVcase and the Rooftop Market
PVcase has been expanding into rooftop design, which makes sense — the commercial rooftop market is large and growing. However, their tool carries its utility-scale DNA: the complexity, the interface assumptions, and the pricing model were all built for a different scale of project and a different type of user.
Engineers in the commercial rooftop space consistently describe PVcase as overkill for their projects. When you just need to string panels, route homeruns, and export cable lengths, a tool designed for terrain-adapted tracker layouts introduces complexity without adding value.
Branch was built from the ground up for the commercial rooftop workflow. No feature bloat, no utility-scale baggage. Install the plugin, open AutoCAD, and start producing construction documents.
Pricing
Branch
$299/user/month
or $3,299/user/year
- Published, transparent pricing
- 14-day free trial, no credit card
- No sales call required
- Cancel anytime
PVcase
Enterprise pricing
Contact sales
- Custom quotes per organization
- Sales process required
- Pricing not published
- Built for enterprise procurement budgets
For smaller teams or individual engineers doing commercial rooftop work, Branch provides professional-grade drafting automation at a price that does not require executive approval. For organizations doing utility-scale work at a scale that justifies enterprise software costs, PVcase's pricing reflects the value it delivers on those projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Branch a PVcase alternative for commercial rooftop solar?
Yes. PVcase was designed for utility-scale ground mount projects and carries that DNA into its rooftop features — complex interface, enterprise pricing ($6,000-15,000+/year), and features most commercial rooftop engineers never use. Branch is purpose-built for commercial rooftop drafting at $299/user/month, with a learning curve measured in days rather than weeks.
Does PVcase work for commercial rooftop projects?
PVcase has expanded into rooftop design, but its core strengths remain in utility-scale ground mount: terrain analysis, grading, pile depth calculations, and tracker layout optimization. Engineers in the commercial rooftop space consistently describe PVcase as overkill for their projects. For stringing, homerun routing, and construction document production on commercial rooftops, Branch is a more focused tool.
How does PVcase pricing compare to Branch?
Branch is $299/user/month or $3,299/user/year with transparent pricing and a 14-day free trial. PVcase uses enterprise pricing (estimated $6,000-15,000+/year) with sales-gated procurement. Branch does not require a sales call or executive approval to evaluate.
Can I use Branch and PVcase together?
Yes. Some engineering firms use PVcase for utility-scale ground mount projects and Branch for commercial rooftop projects. They serve different market segments and run independently inside AutoCAD.
Built for Commercial Rooftop
14-day free trial. No credit card required. See if Branch fits your workflow.