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Software · head to head

PowerFactory DIgSILENT vs Enphase Enlighten

PowerFactory DIgSILENT logo

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Software

Advanced power system analysis and grid simulation

From
On request
Rated
-
E

Enphase Enlighten

Software

Microinverter monitoring and management platform

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PowerFactory DIgSILENT no prices are published; the product pages only offer Request a Quotation and Demo Request; Enphase Enlighten only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
  • They diverge on capability: PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Enphase Enlighten actually diverge.

Attributes where PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Enphase Enlighten differ
AttributePowerFactory DIgSILENTEnphase Enlighten
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, ApiWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19852006

Identical on both: 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 PowerFactory DIgSILENT

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

Only in Enphase Enlighten

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Per-module performance
  • Alert notifications
  • Mobile app
  • API access
  • SunPower
  • Tesla
  • SSL encryption

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

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

Enphase Enlighten

  • System monitoringnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Performance optimizationnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Where each one falls short

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

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

Enphase Enlighten

  • Only works with Enphase microinverter systems, not compatible with other solar equipment
  • Requires 10-year paid subscription after initial free period for core monitoring
  • Cloud-based system requiring internet connection for real-time data access

Pricing, plan by plan

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PowerFactory DIgSILENT review.

Enphase Enlighten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Enphase Enlighten review.

Which should you pick?

Choose PowerFactory DIgSILENT if

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

Choose Enphase Enlighten if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want per-module performance.

Questions people ask

Is PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Enphase Enlighten better?
Neither clearly leads. PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and Enphase Enlighten at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Enphase Enlighten?
Enphase Enlighten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Free for Enphase Enlighten.
Does PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Enphase Enlighten run on more platforms?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT runs on Windows, Linux, Api. Enphase Enlighten runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Enphase Enlighten for free?
Yes. Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request.
What is PowerFactory DIgSILENT best used for?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT is most often used for power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networks, grid code compliance studies and protection coordination, modelling renewables and distributed generation integration. Of those, power system load flow, short circuit and stability analysis for transmission and distribution networks and grid code compliance studies and protection coordination are not what Enphase Enlighten is typically brought in for.
What can PowerFactory DIgSILENT do that Enphase Enlighten cannot?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Short-circuit analysis, RMS and EMT simulation, Harmonic analysis. Enphase Enlighten covers Real-time monitoring, Per-module performance, Alert notifications, Mobile app. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Enphase Enlighten: Is Enphase Enlighten free to use?

The standard Enlighten app comes included with any Enphase microinverter system at no extra charge for the first 10 years from installation, after which it costs $49/year minimum.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: What is the cost for Enlighten Manager premium upgrade?

Enlighten Manager upgrade costs $9.99/month with month-to-month cancellation, or a one-time lifetime subscription is available through the Enphase store.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: What data does Enlighten monitor?

Enlighten pulls data from IQ Microinverters, the IQ Gateway, IQ Batteries, and Enphase EV chargers into a single monitoring view, showing near real-time panel-by-panel performance data.

Source
Enphase Enlighten: Does Enlighten send alerts for system issues?

Yes, Enlighten continuously monitors system performance and highlights deviations, with customers able to choose to receive alerts upon certain conditions.

Source

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