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Solar Estimating Software

rooftop | ground mount | commercial & residential PV

Trusted by top electrical contractors since 1989 US-based expert support Local PC/Network & CE Cloud installations
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What Is Solar Estimating Software?

Solar estimating software prices photovoltaic (PV) projects as complete energy systems: modules, racking, inverters, DC and AC wiring, balance of system, interconnection, and the labor to install them under real site conditions. It keeps system quantities, material, and labor tied together, so a change to the array carries through the whole bid.

IntelliBid brings that discipline to solar contractors, with PV and alternative energy catalogs, reusable system assemblies, quote management for manufacturer-defined equipment, and labor you can adjust for the roof, the ground, and the weather.

See the IntelliBid Versions Comparison Charts.

Solar Module Graphic
Electrical Estimating Software 1

Price the Entire PV System

Solar margins slip when an estimate prices the modules and inverters carefully but guesses at everything around them. IntelliBid assemblies group related components, so material and labor stay in step when system quantities change.

From the Array to the Point of Interconnection

  • Solar PV installation and alternative energy catalogs, for commercial and residential work
  • Copper and aluminum feeder assemblies for long AC runs, plus cable tray and wireway
  • Safety switches, switchboards, panelboards, transformers, and metering
  • Grounding assemblies and lightning protection
  • EV charging, generators, and other systems that often share the same bid

Balance of System, Captured Every Time

Hardware, wire management, fasteners, connectors, grounding parts, and labels are small line items that add up fast on a large array. Build them into your standard solar assemblies once, and they are included on every job.

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IntelliBid Electrical Estimating Software - Plus Desktop Example

Solar Labor Based on Real Site Conditions

Two PV projects of the same size can take very different crew hours. Roof height, ground versus roof mount, soil, staging, and weather all change the install, so IntelliBid gives you labor controls instead of a flat percentage adder.

  • Labor units at the item and assembly level, with six labor levels for normal through very difficult work
  • Automatic labor factoring for building height and length of run, plus your own custom factor groups
  • A weather calculator that applies productivity loss for temperature and humidity
  • A labor calculator for overtime, shift work, and accelerated schedules
  • Labor escalation for multi-year programs, and direct job costs for equipment rental, travel, and permits

Ground Mount and Site Work

Ground-mount arrays bring civil scope into the electrical bid. Site and duct bank assemblies price PVC and HDPE conduit, duct banks with or without trenching, horizontal boring, handholes, concrete, and medium-voltage cable. Tools and equipment catalogs cover lifts, forklifts, cranes, and truck rentals.

IntelliBid Electrical Estimating Software - Plus Desktop Example
NetPricer Service, EPIC, and TRA-SER logos for electrical estimating software.

Manufacturer Equipment Without the Guesswork

Modules, inverters, and racking systems are manufacturer-defined, and approved products often change late in the bid. IntelliBid separates what the system needs from which brand supplies it.

  • Track module, inverter, and racking packages as supplier quotes, and choose the best quote for each bid
  • Price structural or specialty work on the Equipment and Subcontracts tabs
  • Link matching quotes across related bids, so a revised supplier price updates every scenario
  • Start with generic solar placeholders (available upon request) and switch to specific products later
  • Keep commodity material current with optional NetPricer®, EPIC®, and TRA-SER® pricing

Read more about what contractors need to know about solar estimating.

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Introduction to SureCount Video Thumbnail

Present Clear, Defensible Solar Bids

Owners and developers want to see what they’re paying for. IntelliBid organizes the estimate the way a solar proposal needs to read.

  • Price carports, additional arrays, or EV chargers as alternates, apart from the base bid
  • Give add and deduct unit prices with breakouts
  • Send proposals with pricing by phase, assembly, or item
  • Compare a new bid against past frozen bids before you submit
  • Track scope changes as change orders linked to the original job

Take Off Arrays with SureCount

SureCount counts and measures directly from the drawing set, from equipment symbols to conductor and trench routes, and sends the quantities straight to IntelliBid.

Introduction to SureCount Video Thumbnail

Conest Software for Solar Contractors

Estimating, takeoff, and reporting for PV work, alongside the rest of your electrical estimating software.

Conest Intellibid electrical estimating software product image.

IntelliBid Estimating Software

Electrical estimating with the largest industry-smart database, labor factoring, and bid management.

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SureCount Takeoff Software

Count & measure from electronic drawing files; direct takeoff to IntelliBid.

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Connect Reporting Software

A powerful reporting add-on for IntelliBid. Generate reports and turn IntelliBid data into actionable insights.

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Solar Estimating Software: Common Questions

Solar estimating software is a tool contractors use to price photovoltaic (PV) installations. It combines material for the modules, racking, inverters, wiring, and balance of system with labor that reflects site conditions, then adds quotes, overhead, and profit to produce a complete bid for a rooftop, ground-mount, commercial, or residential solar project.

Yes. Rooftop work uses the solar PV catalogs with labor adjusted for building height and difficulty. Ground-mount work adds site assemblies for duct banks with or without trenching, HDPE and PVC conduit, horizontal boring, handholes, concrete, and medium-voltage cable, along with equipment rental for lifts, forklifts, and cranes.

Labor units are assigned to each item and assembly and can be set from six labor levels. Automatic labor factors adjust for height and run length, and you can add factor groups of your own. In Bid Recap, the weather calculator adds productivity loss for temperature and humidity, and the labor calculator accounts for overtime, shift work, and accelerated schedules.

Manufacturer-defined equipment is usually priced as supplier quotes, which IntelliBid tracks by vendor so you can select the best quote for each bid. Supporting material and labor stay in your assemblies. Generic solar placeholders are available upon request, so scope and labor can be priced before the final products are chosen.

Yes. Take off optional work, such as a carport array or EV chargers, in its own phases and price it as an alternate bid. Breakouts provide add and deduct unit prices, and proposals can include both alternates and breakouts.

No. IntelliBid is estimating software: it prices the system shown in the project documents. System design, conductor sizing, and compliance with the adopted electrical code remain the responsibility of the designer and the contractor, so verify those requirements before finalizing the bid.

Yes. SureCount counts equipment symbols and measures conductor and trench routes on screen, then sends the quantities to IntelliBid for pricing.

See IntelliBid Price Your Next Solar Project

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Top Five Features in IntelliBid Estimating Software

IntelliBid Estimating Software – Learn how using the right estimating software makes it possible for you to consistently produce estimates that are labor and material efficient, keeping overhead in check and maximizing profit.

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Why Choose Conest Solar Estimating Software?

Conest Local and Cloud Solutions

Local and Cloud Solutions

Conest Software provides both on-premises and cloud-based software solutions. This versatility allows electrical, low voltage, datacom, and solar contractors to choose the deployment method that best suits their requirements, ensuring seamless integration with their existing infrastructure.

Conest Electrical Industry Leaders

Electrical Industry Leaders

Working with the electrical industry for over 30 years, Conest has established itself as the leading provider of solar estimating software. A commitment to innovation and staying ahead of industry trends makes Conest the most trusted choice for electrical estimating and takeoff solutions.

Conest Robust Database

Largest Industry Database

Conest provides the largest industry-smart database, designed specifically for electrical, low voltage, datacom, and solar projects. Our customers have access to the most accurate items and customizable assemblies, enabling users to create accurate estimates for any job.

Conest Exceptional Support

High Quality Support

We prioritize customer satisfaction by providing exceptional technical support services. Our dedicated US-based team of experts ensures prompt and reliable assistance, resolving issues efficiently and effectively, resulting in a seamless user experience.

Conest Integrative Software Ecosystem

Integrative Software Ecosystem

Conest offers a comprehensive suite of electrical estimating, takeoff, and reporting software solutions that seamlessly integrate, creating an ecosystem that streamlines workflows and enhances productivity.

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Trusted by Top Companies

Conest Software has earned the trust of the electrical industry’s leading contractors. Our proven track record of delivering reliable and effective estimating and takeoff solutions helps contractors grow their business with confidence.

We Work With Top Electrical Contractors

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