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Software · head to head

Helioscope vs Siemens Spectrum Power

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Software

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Siemens Spectrum Power logo

Siemens Spectrum Power

Software

Advanced grid management and control system

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Helioscope has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Siemens Spectrum Power covers SCADA.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helioscope and Siemens Spectrum Power actually diverge.

Attributes where Helioscope and Siemens Spectrum Power differ
AttributeHelioscopeSiemens Spectrum Power
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, ApiDesktop, Web, Api
Founded20121847

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 Helioscope

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

Only in Siemens Spectrum Power

  • SCADA
  • Energy management
  • Distribution management
  • Load flow analysis
  • State estimation
  • Contingency analysis
  • Outage management
  • Generation dispatch

What people use each for

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

Helioscope

  • Simulating photovoltaic system performance and energy yieldnot Siemens Spectrum Power
  • Laying out commercial solar arrays and producing design reportsnot Siemens Spectrum Power

Siemens Spectrum Power

  • Grid controlnot Helioscope
  • System operationsnot Helioscope
  • Renewable integrationnot Helioscope
  • Market participationnot Helioscope
  • Reliability 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

Siemens Spectrum Power

Nothing recorded yet. See the Siemens Spectrum Power review.

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

Siemens Spectrum Power

On request
  • SCADA/EMS$undefined/custom
    • SCADA functionality
    • Energy management
    • Generation dispatch
  • DMS/ADMS$undefined/custom
    • Distribution management
    • FLISR
    • Volt/VAR optimization
  • Complete Suite$undefined/custom
    • Integrated T&D
    • Market integration
    • Cybersecurity

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 Siemens Spectrum Power if

  • You need scada.
  • You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
  • You also want energy management.
Siemens Spectrum Power review

Questions people ask

Is Helioscope or Siemens Spectrum Power better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at Free and Siemens Spectrum Power at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helioscope or Siemens Spectrum Power?
Helioscope has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Helioscope and On request for Siemens Spectrum Power.
Does Helioscope or Siemens Spectrum Power run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Siemens Spectrum Power runs on Desktop, Web, Api.
Can I use Helioscope for free?
Yes. Helioscope has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Siemens Spectrum Power 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 Siemens Spectrum Power is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Siemens Spectrum Power cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Siemens Spectrum Power covers SCADA, Energy management, Distribution management, Load flow analysis.
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