Editor Solarfree online solar energy editor

A visual tool for creating diagrams of on-grid, off-grid and hybrid solar energy systems. Start with a template or draw from scratch.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Runs in your browser
  • Export PNG, SVG and PDF

Open the editorTutorials

Animation: a hybrid solar system being assembled in Editor Solar, with panels, inverter, batteries, grid and loads connected

Learn with the tutorials

How to connect batteries in series and in parallelLearn what happens to voltage, current and capacity when you connect batteries in series, in parallel or both, with examples and practical precautions.5 min read On-grid, off-grid or hybrid: which solar system to chooseCompare the three types of photovoltaic system: how they work, what happens during a power outage, relative costs and when each one makes the most sense.5 min read Solar panels in series and in parallel: understanding stringsHow series and parallel connections change module voltage and current, what a string is, how it relates to the MPPT and why cold weather matters.6 min read PV system protection: SPDs, breakers, fuses and combiner boxesThe devices that protect people and equipment in a solar installation, from string fuses to the RCD in the board, and where each one goes in the diagram.6 min read Battery bank backup time: how to estimate it in kWh and hoursLearn to calculate the stored energy, the energy you can actually use and how many hours a battery bank can run your home loads, with a step-by-step example.5 min read How to read a solar panel label (datasheet)Pmax, Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp, STC, NOCT and temperature coefficients: understand every number on a PV module label and what it is used for in the design.5 min read How to estimate home energy use from your electricity billLearn to read the kWh on your bill, work out daily use and average power, and check it by adding up your appliances before sizing a solar system.6 min read How many solar panels do I need? The calculation step by stepWork out the number of panels from monthly consumption, peak sun hours and system efficiency, with a complete example and an interactive calculator.5 min read How to choose the right solar inverter sizeUnderstand the DC/AC ratio, why the inverter can be smaller than the panels and how to reach the right standard size, with an interactive calculator.5 min read W, kW, Wh, kWh and Ah: solar energy units explainedTell power from energy, understand each unit and learn the calculations that link panels, inverter and battery, with everyday examples.5 min read Solar system losses and the performance ratio (PR)Understand what reduces a system’s energy output: temperature, soiling, cables, shading and inverter. See the performance ratio and adjust the losses.5 min read How many panels per string? Voc, Vmp and temperature in practiceSee how to work out the minimum and maximum panels per string from Voc, Vmp and temperature in four example scenarios, and test your own data in the calculator.6 min read Roof orientation and tilt: how much does output change?Find out how much roof direction and tilt change solar output, with numbers for each case and a calculator to test your own roof.5 min read Shading: effect on strings, optimizers and microinvertersUnderstand why the shade on a single panel can reduce the string’s output, what bypass diodes do, and when optimizers and microinverters are worth it.5 min read Lithium (LiFePO4) or lead-acid: which battery to chooseCompare LiFePO4 lithium and lead-acid in usable capacity, lifetime, cost per kWh delivered and care needs, and see which one suits each use best.5 min read Depth of discharge (DoD) and battery lifetimeUnderstand what DoD is, why shallower discharges give more cycles and how much energy a battery delivers over its life, and try the values in the calculator.5 min read 12 V, 24 V or 48 V battery: which voltage for the bankSee why the bank voltage changes the current, the cable size and the loss, and choose 12 V, 24 V or 48 V by system power. A calculator is included.5 min read What a BMS does and why communication with the inverter mattersLearn what a lithium battery BMS does, how it talks to the inverter and what changes with or without communication. Simulate its limits in the calculator.5 min read String inverter, microinverter or optimizer: a practical comparisonCompare the three conversion architectures: how each handles shade, multi-slope roofs, monitoring, cost and expansion. See the difference in the calculator.5 min read How a hybrid inverter works, step by stepUnderstand the ports of a hybrid inverter, the order in which it decides where each kW goes and its operating modes. Follow the energy flow in a calculator.5 min read Home backup: which loads to put on the essential circuitSee how to choose the loads for the essential circuit of a battery system, respect the inverter limit and estimate the hours of backup, in a calculator.5 min read A generator as backup in an off-grid system: how the ATS worksUnderstand what a generator is for in an off-grid system, what the ATS prevents, the start-up sequence and how to size it in the calculator.6 min read Grounding in PV systems: what each connection is forWhat each earth connection does in a solar system: structure, inverter, SPDs and busbar. A guide to concepts; exact rules come from the local standard.6 min read Voltage drop and cable size: how to choose and why it mattersLearn to calculate a cable’s voltage drop and the minimum cross-section for it, why current capacity is another criterion and how to check the standard.6 min read The string box: what is inside and when you need oneSee what a string box contains, when each string needs a fuse and how to check it with the module current, in a calculator with a complete example.5 min read How to read a solar single-line diagram: symbols and energy pathLearn to read a solar single-line diagram: what each block means, how to follow the energy from the panels to the grid and what to check in each section.6 min read

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Solar system diagram templates

On-grid (grid-tied) solar system diagramFree, editable on-grid diagram template: panels, protection devices, inverter, bidirectional meter and grid. Understand each part and adapt it online. Solar system with battery diagram (no grid)Editable template of a solar system with a hybrid inverter and battery bank, with no grid connection. See how the parts connect and adapt it online. Hybrid inverter with battery and grid diagramEditable hybrid system diagram: panels, utility grid and battery connected to the hybrid inverter, with backup during outages. Adapt it online. Off-grid (stand-alone) solar system diagramEditable off-grid template: panels, MPPT charge controller, battery bank, inverter and loads, with no utility grid. Adapt it online. Home battery backup diagramEditable home backup template: grid, hybrid inverter and battery keeping the home running during an outage, even without panels. Adapt it online. On-grid diagram with microinvertersEditable on-grid template with microinverters: one per panel, AC trunk cable, bidirectional meter and Wi-Fi monitoring. Adapt it online. Off-grid system with generator and ATS diagramEditable off-grid template with a backup generator: panels, charge controller, batteries, off-grid inverter and transfer switch (ATS). Adapt it online. Hybrid solar and wind system diagramEditable template of a hybrid system with solar panels and a wind turbine charging the same battery bank, with a hybrid inverter. Adapt it online.

Templates →

Free PV diagram software

Editor Solar is free software for drawing photovoltaic (PV) diagrams right in your browser, with nothing to install and no sign-up. Drag panels, inverters, batteries and protection devices onto the canvas, connect the equipment and export the drawing to PNG, SVG or PDF.

Solar single-line diagram maker

Build a simplified solar single-line diagram: panel strings, combiner box, inverter, distribution board and metering in a linear layout, with voltage and circuit-type labels. Great for learning, quoting and presenting an idea; the official single-line diagram of the project remains the job of a qualified professional.

Ready-made on-grid, off-grid and hybrid templates

Start from a template and adapt it to your case: on-grid system, off-grid system, hybrid inverter with battery and home backup. Each template has a page that explains how the system works. See all templates.