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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs HOMER Energy

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Software

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own; HOMER Energy now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and HOMER Energy actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and HOMER Energy differ
AttributeHelioscopeHOMER Energy
PlatformsWeb, ApiWindows, Web
Founded20122009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), free tier (Yes), 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 Helioscope

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

Only in HOMER Energy

  • Microgrid optimization
  • Techno-economic analysis
  • Component library
  • Sensitivity analysis
  • Energy storage sizing
  • Renewable integration
  • Load profile analysis
  • Weather databases

Both cover

  • Financial modeling
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Helioscope

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

HOMER Energy

  • Sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systemsnot Helioscope
  • Modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinationsnot Helioscope
  • Electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and EV chargingnot Helioscope
  • Utility-scale storage investment analysisnot Helioscope
  • Comparing least-cost configurations against load and resource datanot Helioscope

Where each one falls short

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

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

HOMER Energy

  • Now owned by UL Solutions rather than being independent
  • Split into three separate products, HOMER Pro for off-grid and microgrids, HOMER Grid for bill optimisation and HOMER Front for utility-scale, so the right one depends on project type
  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages

Pricing, plan by plan

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

HOMER Energy

Free
  • HOMER GridFree
    • Grid-connected optimization
    • Basic components
    • Limited simulations
  • HOMER Pro$1500/year
    • Advanced optimization
    • All components
    • Unlimited simulations
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Multi-user licenses
    • API access
    • Custom modules

Which should you pick?

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

Choose HOMER Energy if

  • You need microgrid optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Web.
  • You also want techno-economic analysis.
HOMER Energy review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or HOMER Energy better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and HOMER Energy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or HOMER Energy?
Helioscope starts at Free and HOMER Energy at Free.
Does Helioscope or HOMER Energy run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Helioscope best used for?
Helioscope is most often used for simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yield, laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reports. Of those, simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yield and laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reports are not what HOMER Energy is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that HOMER Energy cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. Both handle Financial modeling, Cloud deployment, Web support.
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