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Energy & Utilities · head to head

HOMER Energy vs SolarWinds

HOMER Energy logo

HOMER Energy

Energy & Utilities

Microgrid and distributed energy optimization software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

SolarWinds

Energy & Utilities

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review

The short version

  • Only HOMER Energy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where HOMER Energy and SolarWinds differ
AttributeHOMER EnergySolarWinds
Starting priceFree$2/kW/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, WebWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20092015

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 HOMER Energy

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

Only in SolarWinds

  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance analytics
  • Alarm management
  • O&M workflows
  • Reporting
  • Benchmarking
  • Weather integration
  • Financial tracking

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

HOMER Energy

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

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot HOMER Energy
  • Performance optimizationnot HOMER Energy
  • O&M managementnot HOMER Energy
  • Portfolio reportingnot HOMER Energy
  • Investor reportingnot HOMER Energy

Where each one falls short

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

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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

SolarWinds

$2/kW/month
  • Monitor$2/kW/month
    • Real-time monitoring
    • Performance tracking
    • Alerts
  • Optimize$4/kW/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • Degradation analysis
    • Benchmarking
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Portfolio management
    • Custom integrations
    • Financial modeling

Which should you pick?

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

Choose SolarWinds if

  • You need real-time monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want performance analytics.
SolarWinds review

Questions people ask

Is HOMER Energy or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. HOMER Energy starts at Free and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HOMER Energy or SolarWinds?
HOMER Energy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HOMER Energy and $2/kW/month for SolarWinds.
Does HOMER Energy or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
HOMER Energy runs on Windows, Web. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
Can I use HOMER Energy for free?
Yes. HOMER Energy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SolarWinds starts at $2/kW/month.
What is HOMER Energy best used for?
HOMER Energy is most often used for sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems, modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations, electric bill optimisation for grid-connected sites and ev charging, utility-scale storage investment analysis. Of those, sizing and optimising off-grid and microgrid systems and modelling the economics of solar, wind and battery combinations are not what SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can HOMER Energy do that SolarWinds cannot?
HOMER Energy covers Microgrid optimization, Techno-economic analysis, Component library, Sensitivity analysis. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows. Both handle Data encryption, Cloud deployment.
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