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Software · head to head

Enphase Enlighten vs SolarWinds

E

Enphase Enlighten

Software

Microinverter monitoring and management platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • Only Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Enphase Enlighten covers Per-module performance, SolarWinds covers Performance analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Enphase Enlighten and SolarWinds actually diverge.

Attributes where Enphase Enlighten and SolarWinds differ
AttributeEnphase EnlightenSolarWinds
Starting priceFree$2/kW/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20062015

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 Enphase Enlighten

  • Per-module performance
  • Alert notifications
  • Mobile app
  • API access
  • SunPower
  • Tesla
  • SSL encryption
  • Web support

Only in SolarWinds

  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking
  • SMA

Both cover

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Enphase Enlighten

  • System monitoringnot SolarWinds
  • Performance optimization

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot Enphase Enlighten
  • Performance optimization
  • O&M managementnot Enphase Enlighten
  • Portfolio reportingnot Enphase Enlighten
  • Investor reportingnot Enphase Enlighten

Both are used for performance optimization, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Enphase Enlighten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Enphase Enlighten 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 Enphase Enlighten if

  • You need per-module performance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want alert notifications.
Enphase Enlighten review

Choose SolarWinds if

  • You need performance analytics.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want alarm management.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is Enphase Enlighten or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. Enphase Enlighten starts at Free and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Enphase Enlighten or SolarWinds?
Enphase Enlighten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Enphase Enlighten and $2/kW/month for SolarWinds.
Does Enphase Enlighten or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
Enphase Enlighten runs on Web, iOS, Android. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Enphase Enlighten for free?
Yes. Enphase Enlighten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SolarWinds starts at $2/kW/month.
What is Enphase Enlighten best used for?
Enphase Enlighten is most often used for system monitoring, performance optimization. Of those, system monitoring is not what SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can Enphase Enlighten do that SolarWinds cannot?
Enphase Enlighten covers Per-module performance, Alert notifications, Mobile app, API access. SolarWinds covers Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows, Reporting. Both handle Real-time monitoring, 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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