SOLAR-COMPUTER

What SOLAR-COMPUTER does

SOLAR-COMPUTER GmbH is a privately held German software company, headquartered in Göttingen, that has developed specialized calculation software for Technical Building Equipment (TGA) for over 40 years. Its software portfolio addresses the full TGA lifecycle including heating load (DIN EN 12831-1), cooling load (VDI 2078/6007), ventilation, drinking water installations (DIN 1988-300), building drainage, hydraulic balancing, energy certificates (GEG / DIN V 18599), QNG lifecycle assessments, and thermal bridge calculations. The product architecture is modular, organized across an "expert line," "profi line," and "service line," with a central integration platform called GBIS (Gebäudeverbundsystem) that connects Autodesk Revit models with the company's calculation modules through bidirectional data exchange.

The company's core technology stack rests on validated, norm-compliant algorithms (certified by Gütegemeinschaft Gebäudebilanzierung e.V. and ILK Dresden), deep IFC and Revit interoperability, and a growing library of manufacturer product data (VDI 3805 and Datanorm formats) covering dozens of TGA component vendors. Recent product development has emphasized automation and AI, with the 2025 launch of GBIS.BI-REV (an automated Revit plug-in suite) and NEO, an AI assistant embedded in Revit workflows for classifications and assignments. SOLAR-COMPUTER monetizes through one-time software licenses, recurring annual maintenance and update contracts, paid seminars (149–249 EUR per participant), and licensing of standardized product data, distributed via regional sales offices in Germany and Austria, an Austrian partner (pit GmbH), a UK subsidiary, and a CAD/Revit dealer network of 14+ resellers including Mensch und Maschine and auxalia.

Name

SOLAR-COMPUTER

Legal name

SOLAR-COMPUTER GmbH

Website

https://solar-computer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SOLAR-COMPUTER GmbH develops modular calculation software for Technical Building Equipment (heating, cooling, ventilation, sanitation, energy efficiency, BIM) for German-speaking TGA planning offices, energy consultants, architects, manufacturers, and public-sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Services Engineering Software (TGA Calculation Software)

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Building Automation & Controls (BAS/BMS) (HSAPAPAA)

Keywords

• Building services software
• HVAC calculation software
• BIM integration tools
• Energy efficiency software
• Building physics calculations

Headquarters

HQ city

Göttingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: Sale of software licenses for TGA calculation programs with modular building block principle. Software product lines include 'expert line' for large projects, 'profi line' for beginners and price-conscious planners, and 'service line' for TGA product manufacturers.
2. Software Maintenance and Updates: Annual maintenance contracts ensure customers receive software updates, norm updates, and technical support. Maintenance agreements mentioned as standard for ongoing customer relationships.
3. Training and Seminars: Online seminars, user training, and in-person seminars on software applications and normative topics. Fees range from 149-249 EUR per participant plus VAT.
4. BIM Product Data Services: Over 200 BIM product data sets available for download, serving TGA manufacturers and planners with standardized product data.
5. Software for TGA Manufacturers: Specialized services for TGA manufacturers including VDI 3805 and Datanorm services, supplying data to other software vendors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SOLAR-COMPUTER develops and sells specialized calculation software for Technical Building Equipment (TGA), covering heating load, cooling load, ventilation, drinking water, drainage, energy efficiency (GEG/DIN V 18599), lifecycle assessment (QNG), building physics, and economic analysis. Its core offering is the GBIS Revit plug-in, which enables bidirectional BIM data exchange between Autodesk Revit building models and the company's modular calculation programs, supported by a network of add-on modules tailored to specific standards and use cases.

Product overview

SOLAR-COMPUTER develops specialized software for technical building equipment (TGA) planning, offering a modular platform architecture for building physics, energy, heating, sanitary, climate, ventilation, and economic calculations. The core product GBIS (Gebäudeverbundsystem) serves as the central integration hub connecting Autodesk Revit with comprehensive calculation modules. The product portfolio includes dedicated programs for energy efficiency (GEG/DIN V 18599), lifecycle assessment (QNG), heating load (DIN EN 12831-1), cooling load (VDI 2078/6007), residential ventilation (DIN 1946-6), non-residential ventilation concepts (L40), drinking water installations (DIN 1988-300), drinking water heating (DIN EN 12831-3), hydraulic balancing (H61), building drainage (DIN EN 12056), radiator design (VDI 3805-6), U-value calculations, thermal bridge calculations, and individual renovation roadmaps (iSFP). Recent releases include the AI assistant NEO for automated BIM workflows and specialized Revit plug-ins for building and network calculations. The software supports both standalone operation and integral BIM workflows with Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD MEP, and various TGA-specific CAD systems, integrating manufacturer product data via VDI 3805 and Datanorm standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GBIS (Gebäudeverbund-Integrations-System): BIM integration tool connecting building and TGA calculations with Autodesk Revit, providing automated workflows for building energy calculations and MEP planning.
• NEO
• Raumtool 3D
• GBIS.Fabrication
• GBIS.ECO

Products and services

• GBIS (Gebäudeverbundsystem) Revit Plug-in Intelligent Revit plug-in (GBIS.BI-REV) that links Autodesk Revit building and TGA network models with SOLAR-COMPUTER calculation programs, enabling bidirectional data synchronization and automated MEP workflows for BIM-based building services planning.
• Energieeffizienz GEG / DIN V 18599 (B56/B65)

Quantifiable outcome

• Automated MEP room creation reduces manual work from hours/days to minutes for BIM projects
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

AI capability6 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 18599 Gütegemeinschaft e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2009Founded with leading DIN V 18599 software manufacturers under IAIB leadership. Association aims to improve software programs for DIN V 18599 calculations, the standard itself, and related norms. Working committee develops quality assurance system for '18599 Gütesiegel' validation mark.
• AutodeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationAEC industry partnership for building and TGA planning. Cooperation ranges from software development coordination to joint marketing activities. Planners benefit from optimal BIM software solutions based on Autodesk products Revit/AutoCAD and SOLAR-COMPUTER calculations for building physics, energy, heating, sanitation, climate and ventilation.
• ILK DresdencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partnership for climate software where algorithms for SOLAR-COMPUTER climate programs are developed at the Institute for Air and Refrigeration Technology. Ensures software competence at highest level.
• auxalia GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCAD/Revit partner with branches throughout Germany, distributing and supporting SOLAR-COMPUTER software.
• Mensch und Maschine Deutschland GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor CAD/Revit distributor with branches throughout Germany, reselling SOLAR-COMPUTER software.
• pit-cup GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationCAD solution for building technology with branches in Heidelberg, Berlin, Schwerin, Dresden. TGA planners work with consistent data flows from CAD to building services using interfaces to heating, ventilation, and AVA trades.
• Ing. Günter Grüner GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive partner for Austrian Telfs region, distributing SOLAR-COMPUTER software with local support and training.
• Wunderloop GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKI-based CAD service partner specializing in CAD digitization, 3D modeling, and data preparation in construction.
• DEN e.V. (German Energy Advisor Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation agreement bringing advantages to DEN members and SOLAR-COMPUTER software users.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Valentin Software (GeoT*SOL): German specialist in heat pump, solar thermal, and renewable energy system planning software. Has a direct technical partnership with SOLAR-COMPUTER for data exchange, but also competes for the same energy consultant and TGA planner customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Vectorworks Architect (Nemetschek): Multi-disciplinary BIM/CAD platform with MEP-relevant capabilities, owned by Nemetschek Group. Overlaps with SOLAR-COMPUTER's architect and planner customer segments, though it does not focus on norm-validated TGA calculations.
• MagiCAD (Glodon): MEP design and calculation software with deep Revit and AutoCAD integration, owned by Chinese construction tech group Glodon. Competes in the same BIM-for-MEP space with broader international footprint and significantly more capital.
• Autodesk Revit MEP: Industry-standard BIM authoring platform with progressively expanding MEP analysis features. SOLAR-COMPUTER's GBIS integration relies on Revit's APIs; Autodesk is both a partner and a potential competitive threat as it adds native MEP calculation capabilities.
• Plancal Nova (Trimble): Trimble-owned MEP design software covering HVAC, electrical, and plumbing with BIM integration. Broader international scope and significantly more resources, but comparable core functionality in TGA planning and calculation.
• ArchiCAD MEP (Graphisoft/Nemetschek): BIM authoring tool with MEP design capabilities, owned by Nemetschek Group. Competes for the same architects and TGA planners in DACH, with broader international reach and the resources of a publicly-listed construction software group.

Direct peers

• ETU Software: German TGA planning software (Planungssoftware für TGA) covering heating, ventilation, sanitation, and energy calculations. Direct head-to-head competitor in the German TGA calculation software market.
• LINEAR Software (Roth): German TGA planning software covering heating, cooling, ventilation, and sanitation. Direct competitor in the same German planning office segment with comparable norm-focused product positioning.
• Hottgenroth Software: Leading German vendor of TGA planning and energy efficiency software with comparable product breadth across heating, cooling, ventilation, and energy certificate calculations. Direct competitor in the same German Mittelstand planning office segment.
• DDS-CAD (Data Design System): Norwegian-headquartered provider of CAD-based MEP design software (DDS-CAD MEP) widely used in DACH markets for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing design. Comparable BIM-integrated MEP design focus and customer overlap in the German planning market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubesolar-computer.de/vids
• Xx.com/solarcomputer

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SOLAR-COMPUTER