Softwr

Energy · head to head

Helioscope vs Petrel E&P Software

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Energy

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
$159/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Petrel E&P Software logo

Petrel E&P Software

Energy

Integrated exploration and production platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Petrel E&P Software covers Seismic interpretation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Petrel E&P Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Petrel E&P Software differ
AttributeHelioscopePetrel E&P Software
Starting price$159/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, ApiDesktop, Cloud
Founded20121926

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Energy).

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
  • Financial modeling

Only in Petrel E&P Software

  • Seismic interpretation
  • Structural modeling
  • Reservoir characterization
  • Well planning
  • Production analysis
  • 3D visualization
  • Data integration
  • Collaboration

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Helioscope

  • Solar project design and modelingnot Petrel E&P Software
  • Rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planningnot Petrel E&P Software
  • Financial analysis and sales proposal generation for solar installationsnot Petrel E&P Software

Petrel E&P Software

  • Explorationnot Helioscope
  • Reservoir characterizationnot Helioscope
  • Field developmentnot Helioscope
  • Production optimizationnot Helioscope
  • Drilling planningnot 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

Petrel E&P Software

Nothing recorded yet. See the Petrel E&P Software review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Helioscope

$159/month
  • Basic$159/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($1,620/year)
  • Pro$259/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($2,640/year)
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom pricing

Petrel E&P Software

On request
  • Seismic$undefined/license
    • Seismic interpretation
    • 3D visualization
    • Fault modeling
  • Reservoir$undefined/license
    • Reservoir modeling
    • Geostatistics
    • Property modeling
  • Platform$undefined/license
    • Full E&P workflow
    • Well planning
    • Production optimization

Which should you pick?

Choose Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope review

Choose Petrel E&P Software if

  • You need seismic interpretation.
  • You work on Desktop, Cloud.
  • You also want structural modeling.
Petrel E&P Software review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Petrel E&P Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at $159/month and Petrel E&P Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Petrel E&P Software?
Helioscope starts at $159/month and Petrel E&P Software at On request.
Does Helioscope or Petrel E&P Software run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Petrel E&P Software runs on Desktop, Cloud.
What is Helioscope best used for?
Helioscope is most often used for solar project design and modeling, rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planning, financial analysis and sales proposal generation for solar installations. Of those, solar project design and modeling and rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planning are not what Petrel E&P Software is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Petrel E&P Software cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Petrel E&P Software covers Seismic interpretation, Structural modeling, Reservoir characterization, Well planning. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Helioscope: What is the starting price for HelioScope?

HelioScope Basic plan costs $159 per month per license with annual billing at $1,620/year (15% discount). The Pro plan is $259/month or $2,640/year. Each license covers 1 user. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
Helioscope: How many projects can I design monthly with HelioScope Basic and Pro?

Both Basic and Pro plans include 10 projects per month, equaling 120 projects per year. The project allocation is the same across both tiers; the difference is in design capability (1.25 MW for Basic vs. 5 MW for Pro). Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
Helioscope: What is the maximum solar design capacity by HelioScope tier?

HelioScope Basic supports designs up to 1.25 MW DC, Pro supports up to 5 MW DC, and Enterprise supports unlimited designs up to 30 MW DC. Accuracy within 1% of PVsyst modeling is maintained across tiers. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Helioscope

More on Petrel E&P Software

Keep looking

Other head to heads