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Software · head to head

Aurora Solar vs HOMER Energy

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Software

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and HOMER Energy actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeAurora SolarHOMER Energy
Starting price$250/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, ApiWindows, Web
Founded20132009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Financial modeling

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 HOMER Energy
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot HOMER Energy

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Aurora Solar
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Aurora Solar
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Aurora Solar
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Aurora Solar
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot 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

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

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

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

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 HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Questions people ask

Is Aurora Solar or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or HOMER Energy?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $250/month for Aurora Solar and Free for HOMER Energy.
Does Aurora Solar or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month.
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 HOMER Energy is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that HOMER Energy cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis.
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