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Energy & Utilities · head to head

Helioscope vs Pulse Energy Software

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Energy & Utilities

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pulse Energy Software logo

Pulse Energy Software

Energy & Utilities

Grid modernization and smart utility software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Helioscope has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own; Pulse Energy Software limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Pulse Energy Software covers DER management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Pulse Energy Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Pulse Energy Software differ
AttributeHelioscopePulse Energy Software
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile
Founded20122006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Energy & Utilities).

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 Pulse Energy Software

  • DER management
  • Demand response
  • Grid analytics
  • Voltage optimization
  • Reporting tools
  • On-premise deployment
  • English language support

Both cover

  • SSL encryption
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Api 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 Pulse Energy Software
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Pulse Energy Software

Pulse Energy Software

  • Grid modernizationnot Helioscope
  • DER managementnot 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

Pulse Energy Software

  • Limited public information on platform specifications and technical architecture since becoming part of Enel X's broader offerings
  • Focus on commercial and industrial customers means less functionality for residential utility programs
  • Steep cost of implementation and training for utility companies transitioning from legacy systems

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

Pulse Energy Software

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Pulse Energy Software review.

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 Pulse Energy Software if

  • You need der management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want demand response.
Pulse Energy Software review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Pulse Energy Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Pulse Energy Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Pulse Energy Software?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and On request for Pulse Energy Software.
Does Helioscope or Pulse Energy Software run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Pulse Energy Software runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Pulse Energy Software starts at On request.
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 Pulse Energy Software is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Pulse Energy Software cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, Demand response, Grid analytics, Voltage optimization. Both handle SSL encryption, Cloud deployment, Web support, Api support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pulse Energy Software: What is Pulse Energy Software?

Pulse Energy is a customer engagement and energy intelligence platform for utilities' commercial and industrial customers. It helps utilities deliver energy efficiency recommendations, engage occupants in conservation, and measure energy performance.

Source
Pulse Energy Software: Who owns Pulse Energy now?

Pulse Energy was acquired by EnerNOC in 2014, which was then acquired by Enel in 2017. EnerNOC was rebranded as Enel X in 2018. Pulse Energy is now part of the Yardi Smart Energy Suite.

Source
Pulse Energy Software: What utilities use Pulse Energy?

Major utilities using Pulse Energy include British Gas, PG&E, and BC Hydro. The platform combined with EnerNOC serves 54 utilities worldwide with capabilities to manage 14,000 sites.

Source
Pulse Energy Software: What data does Pulse Energy collect?

Pulse Energy collects real-time energy information from commercial buildings, performing fault detection, identifying energy-saving anomalies, and measuring financial and environmental performance for utilities and their commercial customers.

Source
Pulse Energy Software: Does Pulse Energy integrate with other platforms?

Pulse Energy provides APIs and integration capabilities. As part of Yardi's energy suite, it integrates with utility billing, energy procurement, and sustainability solutions.

Source
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