100 founding spots open · €99 lifetime

Diaz Editor vs PVsyst
€3,720 over 5 years — or €99 once.

Honest comparison. PVsyst is the academic gold standard for PV yield simulation. Diaz Editor wins on design speed + visual output + lifetime price. Bonus: Diaz Editor also handles electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and structural work — PVsyst only does PV simulation.

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Last updated: 9 May 2026 · By Juan Diaz, founder Diaz Atlas · 6 min read

TL;DR

PVsyst is the academic gold standard for PV-yield simulation — great for utility-scale, bank-finance, and R&D. Diaz Editor is a design tool for installers who want to quote and execute fast. For permit work on residential + small commercial scale, Diaz Editor is enough. For utility-scale yield finance, PVsyst (or both).

When PVsyst is the right choice

You submit yield reports to a bank for utility-scale financing.
You work on a PhD thesis, R&D, or EPC tender with deep loss-budget requirements.
You want to model tracker systems with diffuse + spectral + mismatch losses.
You have 20-40 hours to learn the tool.

For those use-cases, PVsyst has been industry-standard since 1992. Nothing comes close.

When Diaz Editor fits better

You sell and install — you don't have 40 hours for tool onboarding.
Your work is residential or small commercial (0-100 kW).
You want visual 3D output for client presentations (PVsyst is functional but not sales-ready).
You want to design battery systems (PVsyst is primarily PV).
You work in NL/ES and want local UI + EU permit formats.

Side-by-side: features that matter

Feature	Diaz Editor	PVsyst
3D roof design (visual)	✓ (sales-ready)	— (basic 3D scene)
PV yield simulation	✓ (PVWatts)	✓ (industry-standard)
Loss-budget reporting (IAM/spectral/mismatch)	—	✓ (deep)
Battery system design	✓ (full)	— (basic)
Tracker shading model	—	✓
PDF permit pack export	✓	✓ (technical report)
Panel + inverter library	3,200+	10,000+
Learning curve	~2 hours	~20-40 hours
Local language UI (NL/ES)	✓	✓ (NL ja, ES ja)
No subscription	✓	— (yearly)

Source: PVsyst public documentation + Diaz Editor v0.3 changelog. Updated May 2026.

Pricing over 5 years

PVsyst Premium

€744/jaar

single-user, yearly renewal

5-year total: €3,720

Diaz Editor — Founding Beta€99
one-time · 100 spots · was €997
5-year total: €99

Many installers use both: Diaz Editor for design + PVsyst for occasional utility-scale yield reports. €99 lifetime + PVsyst yearly only when you actually need it.

Workflow: PVsyst + Diaz Editor side-by-side

Initial design + sale: Diaz Editor for 3D visualisation, client pitch, permit pack.
Yield validation (only utility-scale or bank-finance): export BOM from Diaz Editor, import into PVsyst, run yield report.
Execution: permit pack and BOM from Diaz Editor to your install team.

Honest verdict

For solo + SMB installers (residential + small commercial)

Diaz Editor is the right primary tool. Speed + visual output + lifetime pricing. PVsyst is overkill for an 8 kWp roof install.

For utility-scale, bank-finance, R&D

PVsyst remains essential. Loss-budget depth and tracker modelling can't be replaced. Diaz Editor doesn't try to.

Frequently asked questions

Is PVsyst more accurate than Diaz Editor?

For deep yield-loss modelling (IAM, spectral, mismatch, tracker shading), yes — PVsyst is the academic standard. For typical residential design where ±3% accuracy is acceptable, Diaz Editor's PVWatts-based simulation is sufficient and 10x faster to set up.

Can I use Diaz Editor for permit applications instead of PVsyst?

For residential and small commercial permit applications in NL/ES/EU, yes. Diaz Editor's PDF permit pack includes all standard items. PVsyst is required for some bank-financed utility-scale projects where deep simulation reports are part of the financing package.

Does Diaz Editor have shading analysis?

Diaz Editor v0.3 supports manual shade objects and horizon shading. PVsyst's near-shading and 3D obstruction modelling is more advanced. For residential roofs without nearby high obstacles, the difference in calculated yield is typically under 2%.

What's the learning curve difference?

PVsyst takes 20-40 hours to learn properly. Diaz Editor is designed for 2-hour onboarding. For solo installers, time-to-quote matters as much as simulation rigour.

Can I export from PVsyst into Diaz Editor?

PVsyst exports project reports as PDF and CSV (BOM, hourly results). Diaz Editor accepts these as reference, but the system geometry must be re-traced. A direct PVsyst project import is on the v0.6 roadmap.

Try Diaz Editor — €99 lifetime

100 founding spots. No subscription. 3 device seats.

Claim founding spot — €99

Other comparisons

What you get for €99

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

Diaz Editor Pro — lifetime license for your full workday ~~€997~~
3 seats — you + your foreman + your work-prep ~~+€600~~
All trades in one tool — building, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, solar 4 tools saved
DXF + IFC import — 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
Founding-member feedback board — your voice on the roadmap Exclusive

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

Regular price (after founding):

~~€997~~ €99 today

Become a founding member — €99 →

100 spots total. Stripe checkout. Instant download after payment.