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Energy · head to head

Aurora Solar vs Petrel E&P Software

Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Energy

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$135/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: Aurora Solar covers 3D solar 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 Aurora Solar and Petrel E&P Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Aurora Solar and Petrel E&P Software differ
AttributeAurora SolarPetrel E&P Software
Starting price$135/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWeb, ApiDesktop, Cloud
Founded20131926

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 Aurora Solar

  • 3D solar design
  • Shade analysis
  • LIDAR integration
  • Performance simulation
  • Sales proposals
  • Financing options
  • Permit packages
  • NEC code compliance

Only in Petrel E&P Software

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

What people use each for

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

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Petrel E&P Software
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Petrel E&P Software

Petrel E&P Software

  • Explorationnot Aurora Solar
  • Reservoir characterizationnot Aurora Solar
  • Field developmentnot Aurora Solar
  • Production optimizationnot Aurora Solar
  • Drilling planningnot Aurora Solar

Where each one falls short

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

Aurora Solar

  • Both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • Projects are capped at 50 a month on both Basic and Premium, so the tiers differ on features rather than volume
  • LIDAR assisted modelling, shade reports and battery storage modelling all require Premium at $259 a month
  • API access and integrations are Enterprise only, which is priced per project rather than per month
  • Paying monthly rather than annually costs $288 more a year on Basic and $468 on Premium

Petrel E&P Software

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Aurora Solar

$135/month
  • Basic$159/month
    • Tablet-friendly sales proposals
    • Industry-leading design accuracy
    • HD imagery
  • Premium$259/month
    • Tablet-friendly sales proposals
    • Industry-leading design accuracy
    • HD imagery
  • Enterprise$null/project
    • All Premium features
    • AI-assisted site models
    • APIs and integrations

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 Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar 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 Aurora Solar or Petrel E&P Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Aurora Solar starts at $135/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, Aurora Solar or Petrel E&P Software?
Aurora Solar starts at $135/month and Petrel E&P Software at On request.
Does Aurora Solar or Petrel E&P Software run on more platforms?
Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api. Petrel E&P Software runs on Desktop, Cloud.
What is Aurora Solar best used for?
Aurora Solar is most often used for designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations, producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects. Of those, designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installations and producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projects are not what Petrel E&P Software is typically brought in for.
What can Aurora Solar do that Petrel E&P Software cannot?
Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Petrel E&P Software covers Seismic interpretation, Structural modeling, Reservoir characterization, Well planning.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aurora Solar: How much does Aurora Solar cost per month?

Aurora Solar Basic costs $159/month billed monthly or $135/month billed annually (save $288/year). Premium costs $259/month monthly or $220/month annually (save $468/year). Enterprise pricing is custom per project. Monthly plans have no minimum commitment and can be cancelled at any billing period end. Annual plans require a one-year commitment.

Source
Aurora Solar: What features does Aurora Solar Premium add over Basic?

Premium adds LIDAR-assisted modeling, bankable shade reports, and battery modeling for backup, self-consumption, and arbitrage scenarios. Both tiers include 50 projects per month and support 1 user.

Source
Aurora Solar: How many users and projects can I have on Aurora Solar?

Basic and Premium plans support 1 user with a 50-project monthly limit. Enterprise plans support unlimited users and custom project limits; Enterprise pricing and terms are custom and determined through sales.

Source
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