€197 once · 3 workstations

Diaz Editor vs PV*SOL
€4,056 over 5 years — or €197 once.

Honest comparison. PV*SOL is the German reference for PV yield simulation — and for 2026 it is sold only as a time-limited named-user licence. Diaz Editor is the drawing side: roof plan, string layout, battery and cabling schematic, permit pack. On top of that: Diaz Editor also handles electrical, HVAC and structural work — PV*SOL only does PV.

Get the licence — €197 → Read comparison ↓

Last updated: 24 October 2026 · By Juan Diaz, founder Diaz Atlas · 6 min read

TL;DR

PV*SOL simulates. Diaz Editor draws. If your client or your grid operator expects a PV*SOL yield report, keep PV*SOL. But the roof plan, the cabling, the battery schematic and the permit pack are drawing work — and for that, an €845-a-year simulation licence is the wrong tool. Diaz Editor is €197 once for three workstations.

When PV*SOL is the right choice

You deliver a bankable yield report, or your client asks for a PV*SOL report by name.
You need detailed near-shading with 3D obstruction modelling (premium tier only).
You work with climate datasets and deep loss budgets.
You want to simulate storage and feed-in behaviour in detail, not just draw it.

For that work PV*SOL has been the German reference for decades. Diaz Editor does not replace it, and does not try to.

When Diaz Editor fits better

You draw as much as you simulate: roof plan, string layout, cabling, battery schematic.
You also do electrical, HVAC or structural work — PV*SOL only does PV.
You exchange DXF with architects and fitters.
You do not want a named-user licence that expires.
You want 3D without paying for the premium tier.

Side-by-side: what actually matters

Feature	Diaz Editor	PV*SOL
Price	€197 once	€585/year · premium €845
Licence type	€197 — one-time purchase, lifetime updates	time-limited named-user licence
3D roof design	✓ included	premium tier only
Detailed shading simulation	— horizon + manual objects	✓ near-shading (premium)
Yield simulation	PVWatts — indication, not a guarantee	✓ German reference
Battery and cabling schematic (drawing)	✓ 2D	simulation-oriented
CAD: DXF in and out	✓ plus CNC export	—
Multi-trade (electrical, HVAC, structural)	✓	PV only
PDF permit pack	✓	✓ simulation report
Works offline	✓	✓

Pricing over 5 years

PV*SOL premium 2026

€845/year

named user, yearly renewal at €802.75

5 years: €4,056

PV*SOL 2026

€585/year

no 3D, renewal at €555.75

5 years: €2,808

Diaz Editor

€197 once

3 workstations, lifetime updates

5 years: €197

All PV*SOL prices come from the Valentin shop, measured on 24 October 2026, net excluding VAT. If you still hold a perpetual licence: PV*SOL 2024 is listed at €895 and maintenance costs €233.10 a year — €1,827.40 over five years. A three-month licence is €195 (premium €285).

Workflow: PV*SOL and Diaz Editor side-by-side

Most installers need both, and that is not a contradiction. Simulate yield where a report is required, and draw everything else in Diaz Editor: roof plan, string layout, cabling, battery schematic, permit pack. The exchange runs over DXF and PDF. That way you pay the yearly licence only for the part that genuinely needs it — not for every workstation that only draws.

Honest verdict

For solo installers and small firms

Diaz Editor at €197 once covers the part of the work that comes up daily. If you need a simulation report once a year, a three-month PV*SOL licence at €195 covers it — together still less than a single year of premium.

For engineering offices and EPC

Keep PV*SOL premium. The near-shading and the reporting depth are built for that work, and Diaz Editor does not offer it. The sensible shape here is a mix: premium on the workstations that simulate, Diaz Editor on the ones that draw.

Frequently asked questions

Is PV*SOL more accurate than Diaz Editor?

For yield simulation and shading, yes. PV*SOL has been the German reference for decades, and premium adds 3D near-shading. Diaz Editor calculates with PVWatts, which is an indication rather than a certified yield figure. If a bank or a grid operator wants a report, keep PV*SOL.

Does PV*SOL still offer a one-time licence?

Not for the 2026 version. The Valentin shop sells PV*SOL 2026 only as a time-limited named-user licence: €585 a year, premium €845, or three months at €195 and €285. The only perpetual product in the shop is the older PV*SOL 2024 at €895, with maintenance at €233.10 a year. Measured 24 October 2026, net excluding VAT.

Can Diaz Editor replace PV*SOL?

Not for certified yield and shading simulation. It replaces the drawing side: roof plan, string layout, battery and cabling schematic, and the PDF permit pack. Most firms need both — and the drawing side does not need an €845-a-year simulation licence.

Can Diaz Editor open PV*SOL project files?

No. There is no direct PV*SOL project import. The exchange path is DXF, which Diaz Editor reads and writes, so geometry moves between Diaz Editor, your CAD and your architect. PV*SOL reports stay PDF and CSV.

Does Diaz Editor do detailed shading analysis?

It supports manual shade objects and horizon shading. There is no LIDAR-based or 3D near-shading obstruction modelling — that is what PV*SOL premium is built for. On roofs without tall nearby obstacles the difference in calculated yield is small, but the figure stays an indication.

Try Diaz Editor — €197 lifetime

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Other comparisons

What you get for €197

One-time. Lifetime. 3 seats. No subscription.

Diaz Editor Pro — lifetime license for your full workday
3 seats — you + your foreman + your work-prep ✓
All trades in one tool — building, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, solar 4 tools saved
DXF export — works with any architect, contractor, or installer Included
1-click PDF export — quote, work-drawing, and BOM in one pack Included
DXF + CNC export for the workshop — cut lists, sheet layouts, mill paths Included
All future updates — v0.4, v0.5, v0.6... Included
Feedback form that reaches the developer directly Included

Built for self-employed tradespeople + small teams (1-10 people). Not for architects or utility-scale engineering — AutoCAD and Aurora are better at those.

Introductory price — goes up at v0.5:

€197 today