Intro: Access and Install

Free Trial

We offer free trials to PVCAD and PVCAD Mega. You can register for a free trial by filling out this form and you will be sent an email containing pre-recorded demo videos and a link to download a free trial. You will see the days remaining on your trial in the top right upon your login to the software. To access your trial, enter your email address and select CONTINUE TRIAL to gain access as shown below. You do not need to enter a License Key to gain access to the free trial. If you would like more time on your Free Trial, simply emails sales@pvcomplete.com and a representative will extend your trial.

Licenses

You can purchase a license on our website here. All purchases are subject to our Terms of Use. We accept bank transfers for annual licenses, and a credit card on file is required for monthly licenses. If you have questions or would like more information, please email us at Sales@pvcomplete.com. Upon purchasing a license to PVCAD, you will receive a 32-digit license key. This is a unique license key that is registered to your computer. This license key gives you unlimited access to the features of PVCAD, to gain access via your purchased license follow the below steps:

Locate an email from pvcad@pvcomplete.com, please check your spam folder. Within this email you will find
- A download link to the latest version of PVCAD
- A license key

Open PVCAD and copy and paste your license key into the designated fields.

Installation

PVCAD is specialized solar design software that integrates with AutoCAD. We offer two kinds of PVCAD subscriptions – the PVCAD Plug-In and the PVCAD w/ AutoCAD OEM “Bundle”. Our PVCAD “Bundle” provides an OEM version of AutoCAD which allows you to utilize the functionality of AutoCAD without having to separately purchase an AutoCAD license. You can read more about the “Bundle” below. Our standard Plug-In options require a full AutoCAD licenses, we have versions available for AutoCAD 2025 and AutoCAD 2024 / earlier.

Before installing PVCAD, ensure your computer meets the following minimum requirements:

Processor: x64-based processor
Operating System: 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows 10 or 11.
- PVCAD requires Windows. You may use a virtualization tool or partition your drive to install Windows. Apple users can use Boot Camp to switch between macOS and Windows.
RAM: 8 GB (16 GB recommended)
Display: 1280 x 800 or higher resolution
Software: Microsoft Excel installed

Once you have confirmed your system can support PVCAD, please follow the below steps to install:

Installing the PVCAD Plug-In – If you already have full version AutoCAD installed, use the plug-in installation. Verify that you are installing the plug-in option that correlates to the AutoCAD version year that you have.
1. Download the PVCAD plug-in (.MSI file).
2. Double-click the .MSI file to launch the installer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup

Installing the PVCAD + AutoCAD Bundle – The PVCAD Bundle includes both AutoCAD and PVCAD in a single installer. This option is ideal if you do not already have AutoCAD installed.
1. Download the Installer – Ensure you have at least 1.4 GB of available storage before downloading.
2. Extract Files -Locate the downloaded ZIP file, right-click it, and select EXTRACT ALL
3. Open the extracted folder and double-click the file named SETUP listed as an Application (not the configuration settings file) to begin installation.

If an error occurs during the PVCAD installation process, the program may not run correctly. If you do not see the PVCAD ribbon in the AutoCAD user interface or you are experiencing immediate errors, we recommend manually uninstalling and reinstalling PVCAD.

1. Close AutoCAD and uninstall PVCAD using the installer.
2. Go to Add or Remove Programs from your Start Menu.
3. Uninstall PVCAD again.
4. Delete any previous PVCAD installers from your computer via file explorer.
5. Go to installation page on our website to download a new installer
6. If using the PVCAD plugin, run the .MSI file
7. If using the PVCAD bundle, unzip/extract the downloaded file, run the setup application in the extracted file

Plug – In vs. Bundle

PVComplete offers two versions of PVCAD – a standalone “Plug-In” to AutoCAD and a “Bundled” version of AutoCAD that comes with an OEM version license. If you do not currently have an AutoCAD license or have AutoCAD LT, use the “Bundle” version as it provides all the functionality needed to work with PVCAD. If you currently have a license to AutoCAD and use other separately sold AutoCAD applications, we recommend simply adding PVCAD Plug-in to compliment your other non-solar workflows.

Plug – In – Users must already have an AutoCAD subscription to install the plug-in, PVCAD and fits within your existing AutoCAD application and allows the addition of other AutoCAD plug-in applications.
Bundle – Cheaper than purchasing AutoCAD and PVCAD separately, limits addition of other AutoCAD plug-in applications. The Bundle allows users to utilize all of AutoCAD’s base features while also using PVCAD without having to purchase a separate AutoCAD license. Similar feature set as AutoCAD LT

PVCAD and MacOS

PVCAD does not natively support macOS since it requires AutoCAD for Windows. However, you can still run PVCAD on a Mac using one of the following methods. We recommend Boot Camp for best performance but you can also gain access through a Virtual Machine or cloud based Windows.

Boot Camp – Boot Camp allows you to install Windows on your Mac and switch between macOS and Windows at startup. Once Windows is installed, you can install AutoCAD for Windows and then PVCAD.
Virtual Machine (VM) – Software like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion allows you to run Windows inside MacOS. You can install AutoCAD for Windows and then PVCAD within the virtual machine without restarting each time.
Cloud-Based Windows (Azure, AWS, or Windows 365) – Some users opt for a cloud-based Windows environment where AutoCAD and PVCAD are installed. You access Windows remotely from your Mac.

Reassigning Your License

If you need to switch computers or reassign the license within your company and still have access to the computer, follow the below instructions:

Navigate to the ABOUT in the PVCAD ribbon as shown below.

A window will pop up and click RELEASE KEY.

If you no longer have access to the computer attached to your PVCAD license, please email support@pvcomplete.com and we can reset the license key for you.

Version Update

PVComplete routinely releases new versions of PVCAD. New versions include feature updates, new workflows, fixes and improvements. To stay up to date, you must download the newest version of PVCAD from our website. We recommend keeping your version updated to ensure you have access to the latest features. We will send an email to all customers every time a new version is released.

To update your version of PVCAD or PVCAD Mega, follow these steps:

Check for updates – Open PVCAD and click the PVCAD Ribbon tab and click the ABOUT button in the ribbon. Confirm that your ‘version is up to date,’ in the dialogue shown below.

Download the latest version – Click the ‘New version available’ link, or if you do not see it visit the version update page and download the latest Plug In or Bundle version to your computer hard drive.
Uninstall prior version using windows Add and Remove Programs – Press the windows key and type ‘add remove programs’ to go to the application management section of windows system settings.
- In the ‘Apps & Features’ section, type PVCAD into ‘search this list’, click the version of PVCAD to remove and click uninstall.
Open – Navigate to the downloaded installer, double click on it, and follow the installer steps. The new version is now installed.
- Note: you do not need to re-enter your license key for your computer when updating versions.

If you encounter any issues refer to our Installation documentation during the update process email support@pvcomplete.com,