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PowerFactory DIgSILENT vs Helioscope

PowerFactory DIgSILENT logo

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Software

Advanced power system analysis and grid simulation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Helioscope 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; Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • They diverge on capability: PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Helioscope covers PV system design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Helioscope actually diverge.

Attributes where PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Helioscope differ
AttributePowerFactory DIgSILENTHelioscope
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, ApiWeb, Api
Founded19852012

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 Helioscope

  • PV system design
  • 3D shade modeling
  • Performance simulation
  • Single-line diagrams
  • BOM generation
  • Proposal templates
  • Component database
  • Financial modeling

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 Helioscope
  • Grid code compliance studies and protection coordinationnot Helioscope
  • Modelling renewables and distributed generation integrationnot Helioscope

Helioscope

  • Simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yieldnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot 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

Helioscope

  • Licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • Projects are capped at 10 a month on both Basic and Pro
  • System size is capped by plan, at 1.25 MW DC on Basic and 5 MW on Pro, so a larger array forces an upgrade regardless of project count
  • Trackers, LIDAR modelling and API access sit on the higher tiers
  • Enterprise is priced per project with no published figure

Pricing, plan by plan

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PowerFactory DIgSILENT review.

Helioscope

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 3 projects
    • Basic design tools
    • Shade analysis
  • Professional$95/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Advanced shading
    • Custom reports
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • API access
    • Custom integrations

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.
PowerFactory DIgSILENT review

Choose Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope review

Questions people ask

Is PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope better?
Neither clearly leads. PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and Helioscope at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for PowerFactory DIgSILENT and Free for Helioscope.
Does PowerFactory DIgSILENT or Helioscope run on more platforms?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT runs on Windows, Linux, Api. Helioscope runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope 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 Helioscope is typically brought in for.
What can PowerFactory DIgSILENT do that Helioscope cannot?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Short-circuit analysis, RMS and EMT simulation, Harmonic analysis. Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Both handle Cloud deployment.
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