Software · head to head
Aurora Solar vs Pulse Energy Software
Aurora Solar
Software
The leading solar design and sales platform
- From
- $250/month
- Rated
- -
Pulse Energy Software
Software
Grid modernization and smart utility software
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence; Pulse Energy Software limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings
- They diverge on capability: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Pulse Energy Software covers DER management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Aurora Solar and Pulse Energy Software actually diverge.
| Attribute | Aurora Solar | Pulse Energy Software |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $250/month | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | quote |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2013 | 2006 |
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 Pulse Energy Software
- DER management
- Demand response
- Grid analytics
- Voltage optimization
- Reporting tools
- On-premise deployment
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
Both cover
- SSL encryption
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 Pulse Energy Software
- Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Pulse Energy Software
Pulse Energy Software
- Grid modernizationnot Aurora Solar
- DER managementnot 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
Pulse Energy Software
- Limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings
- Focus on commercial and industrial customers means less functionality for residential utility programs
- Steep cost of implementation and training for utility companies transitioning from legacy systems
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
Pulse Energy Software
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Pulse Energy Software review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Aurora Solar if
- You need 3d solar design.
- You work on Web, Api.
- You also want shade analysis.
Choose Pulse Energy Software if
- You need der management.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want demand response.
Questions people ask
- Is Aurora Solar or Pulse Energy Software better?
- Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Pulse Energy Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Aurora Solar or Pulse Energy Software?
- Aurora Solar starts at $250/month and Pulse Energy Software at On request.
- Does Aurora Solar or Pulse Energy Software run on more platforms?
- Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Pulse Energy Software runs on Web, Mobile.
- 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 Pulse Energy Software is typically brought in for.
- What can Aurora Solar do that Pulse Energy Software cannot?
- Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, Demand response, Grid analytics, Voltage optimization. Both handle SSL encryption.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Pulse Energy Software: What is Pulse Energy Software?
Pulse Energy is a customer engagement and energy intelligence platform for utilities' commercial and industrial customers. It helps utilities deliver energy efficiency recommendations, engage occupants in conservation, and measure energy performance.
SourcePulse Energy Software: Who owns Pulse Energy now?
Pulse Energy was acquired by EnerNOC in 2014, which was then acquired by Enel in 2017. EnerNOC was rebranded as Enel X in 2018. Pulse Energy is now part of the Yardi Smart Energy Suite.
SourcePulse Energy Software: What utilities use Pulse Energy?
Major utilities using Pulse Energy include British Gas, PG&E, and BC Hydro. The platform combined with EnerNOC serves 54 utilities worldwide with capabilities to manage 14,000 sites.
SourcePulse Energy Software: What data does Pulse Energy collect?
Pulse Energy collects real-time energy information from commercial buildings, performing fault detection, identifying energy-saving anomalies, and measuring financial and environmental performance for utilities and their commercial customers.
SourcePulse Energy Software: Does Pulse Energy integrate with other platforms?
Pulse Energy provides APIs and integration capabilities. As part of Yardi's energy suite, it integrates with utility billing, energy procurement, and sustainability solutions.
Source