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Software · head to head

Pulse Energy Software vs SolarWinds

Pulse Energy Software logo

Pulse Energy Software

Software

Grid modernization and smart utility software

From
On request
Rated
-
S

SolarWinds

Software

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pulse Energy Software and SolarWinds differ
AttributePulse Energy SoftwareSolarWinds
Starting priceOn request$2/kW/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20062015

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Pulse Energy Software

  • DER management
  • Demand response
  • Grid analytics
  • Voltage optimization
  • Reporting tools
  • SSL encryption
  • On-premise deployment
  • Web support

Only in SolarWinds

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

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Pulse Energy Software

  • Grid modernizationnot SolarWinds
  • DER managementnot SolarWinds

SolarWinds

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

SolarWinds

Nothing recorded yet. See the SolarWinds review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Pulse Energy Software

On request

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

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 Pulse Energy Software if

  • You need der management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want demand response.

Choose SolarWinds if

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

Questions people ask

Is Pulse Energy Software or SolarWinds better?
Neither clearly leads. Pulse Energy Software starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pulse Energy Software or SolarWinds?
Pulse Energy Software starts at On request and SolarWinds at $2/kW/month.
Does Pulse Energy Software or SolarWinds run on more platforms?
Pulse Energy Software runs on Web, Mobile. SolarWinds runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
What is Pulse Energy Software best used for?
Pulse Energy Software is most often used for grid modernization, der management. Of those, grid modernization and der management are not what SolarWinds is typically brought in for.
What can Pulse Energy Software do that SolarWinds cannot?
Pulse Energy Software covers DER management, Demand response, Grid analytics, Voltage optimization. SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Performance analytics, Alarm management, O&M workflows. Both handle Cloud deployment.

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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