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Software · head to head

ETAP vs Aurora Solar

ETAP logo

ETAP

Software

Electrical power system design and analysis software

From
$5000/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Software

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ETAP no pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form; Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • They diverge on capability: ETAP covers Load flow analysis, Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ETAP and Aurora Solar actually diverge.

Attributes where ETAP and Aurora Solar differ
AttributeETAPAurora Solar
Starting price$5000/year$250/month
PlatformsWindows, ApiWeb, Api
Founded19862013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 ETAP

  • Load flow analysis
  • Short circuit analysis
  • Arc flash analysis
  • Protective device coordination
  • Harmonics analysis
  • Transient stability
  • Cable sizing
  • Panel schedule design

Only in Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

What people use each for

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

ETAP

  • Electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysisnot Aurora Solar
  • Arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studiesnot Aurora Solar

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot ETAP
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot ETAP

Where each one falls short

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

ETAP

  • No pricing is published, and reaching a figure requires completing a multi step quote form
  • Subscription durations offered are 3 years and 5 years, so there is no short commitment option
  • Licences are banded by user count rather than sold individually, in brackets of 1, 5 to 15, 15 to 25, 25 to 50 and over 50
  • National and international network licences are priced separately

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

Pricing, plan by plan

ETAP

$5000/year
  • Standard$5000/year
    • Load flow analysis
    • Short circuit analysis
    • Arc flash analysis
  • Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced analysis
    • Protective device coordination
    • Harmonics analysis
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Real-time monitoring
    • SCADA integration
    • Custom modules

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

Which should you pick?

Choose ETAP if

  • You need load flow analysis.
  • You work on Windows, Api.
  • You also want short circuit analysis.
ETAP review

Choose Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Questions people ask

Is ETAP or Aurora Solar better?
Neither clearly leads. ETAP starts at $5000/year and Aurora Solar at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ETAP or Aurora Solar?
ETAP starts at $5000/year and Aurora Solar at $250/month.
Does ETAP or Aurora Solar run on more platforms?
ETAP runs on Windows, Api. Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api.
What is ETAP best used for?
ETAP is most often used for electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysis, arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studies. Of those, electrical power system modelling, simulation and analysis and arc flash, load flow and protection coordination studies are not what Aurora Solar is typically brought in for.
What can ETAP do that Aurora Solar cannot?
ETAP covers Load flow analysis, Short circuit analysis, Arc flash analysis, Protective device coordination. Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation.
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