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PowerFactory DIgSILENT vs SolarWinds

PowerFactory DIgSILENT logo

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

Software

Advanced power system analysis and grid simulation

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where PowerFactory DIgSILENT and SolarWinds differ
AttributePowerFactory DIgSILENTSolarWinds
Starting priceOn request$2/kW/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWindows, Linux, ApiWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded19852015

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 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 SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

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

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Performance optimizationnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • O&M managementnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Portfolio reportingnot PowerFactory DIgSILENT
  • Investor reportingnot 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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

Pricing, plan by plan

PowerFactory DIgSILENT

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the PowerFactory DIgSILENT review.

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

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 SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is PowerFactory DIgSILENT or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PowerFactory DIgSILENT or SolarWinds?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does PowerFactory DIgSILENT or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT runs on Windows, Linux, Api. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
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 SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can PowerFactory DIgSILENT do that SolarWinds cannot?
PowerFactory DIgSILENT covers Load flow calculation, Short-circuit analysis, RMS and EMT simulation, Harmonic analysis. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows. Both handle Cloud deployment.
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