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Software · head to head

Aurora Solar vs PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PowerFactory DIgSILENT logo

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Software

Advanced power system analysis and grid simulation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; PowerFactory DIgSILENT no prices are published; the product pages only offer Request a Quotation and Demo Request
  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and PowerFactory DIgSILENT actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and PowerFactory DIgSILENT differ
AttributeAurora SolarPowerFactory DIgSILENT
Starting price$250/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsWeb, ApiWindows, Linux, Api
Founded20131985

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

Only in PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • Load flow calculation
  • Short-circuit analysis
  • RMS and EMT simulation
  • Harmonic analysis
  • Stability analysis
  • Protection coordination
  • Renewable energy integration
  • Scripting and automation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • Power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networksnot Aurora Solar
  • Grid code compliance studies and protection coordinationnot Aurora Solar
  • Modelling renewables and distributed generation integrationnot Aurora Solar

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aurora Solar

  • Both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • Projects are capped at 50 a month on both Basic and Premium, so the tiers differ on features rather than volume
  • LIDAR assisted modelling, shade reports and battery storage modelling all require Premium at $259 a month
  • API access and integrations are Enterprise only, which is priced per project rather than per month
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs $288 more a year on Basic and $468 on Premium

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

  • No prices are published; the product pages only offer Request a Quotation and Demo Request
  • The commercial licence is sold by node count, in tiers of 100, 250, 500 or unlimited nodes
  • Functions are sold as a configurable package rather than included, so advanced modules are priced separately
  • Support, maintenance and upgrades are included only for the first 12 months of a perpetual licence and then require an annual maintenance contract
  • The number of concurrent users on the Multi-User Edition is limited to the number of licences purchased
  • A floating licence used on a local machine is time limited to a maximum of 30 days
  • Centralised project data on Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL requires the Team Edition; Single-User and Multi-User editions use a local SQLite database
  • Education licences are capped at 50 nodes and forbid commercial use
  • Student licences are capped at 50 nodes, are cloud softkey only and expire 12 months from issue

Pricing, plan by plan

Aurora Solar

$250/month
  • Starter$250/month
    • Basic design tools
    • Sales mode
    • Shade analysis
  • Pro$500/month
    • Advanced LIDAR integration
    • Performance simulation
    • Custom branding
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PowerFactory DIgSILENT review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Choose PowerFactory DIgSILENT if

  • You need load flow calculation.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Api.
  • You also want short-circuit analysis.
PowerFactory DIgSILENT review

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or PowerFactory DIgSILENT better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and PowerFactory DIgSILENT at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or PowerFactory DIgSILENT?
Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and PowerFactory DIgSILENT at On request.
Does Aurora Solar or PowerFactory DIgSILENT run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. PowerFactory DIgSILENT runs on Windows, Linux, Api.
What is Aurora Solar best used for?
Aurora Solar is most often used for designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations, producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects. Of those, designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations and producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects are not what PowerFactory DIgSILENT is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that PowerFactory DIgSILENT cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Short-circuit analysis, RMS and EMT simulation, Harmonic analysis.
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