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Energy · head to head

SolarWinds vs Stem Athena

S

SolarWinds

Energy

Solar asset performance monitoring and management

From
$2/kW/month
Rated
-
Full review
Stem Athena logo

Stem Athena

Energy

AI-driven clean energy optimization

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SolarWinds website uses outdated NetObjects Fusion 2015 tools, suggesting legacy technical infrastructure; Stem Athena stem's site names the product PowerTrack Optimizer, formerly Athena, so the Athena name is retired
  • They diverge on capability: SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Stem Athena covers AI optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SolarWinds and Stem Athena actually diverge.

Attributes where SolarWinds and Stem Athena differ
AttributeSolarWindsStem Athena
Starting price$2/kW/monthOn request
Founded20152009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, Mobile, Api), 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 SolarWinds

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

Only in Stem Athena

  • AI optimization
  • Energy storage management
  • Demand charge reduction
  • Grid services
  • Solar integration
  • Weather forecasting
  • Remote monitoring
  • Tesla

Both cover

  • Performance analytics
  • SolarEdge
  • Enphase
  • SOC2
  • Data encryption
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

SolarWinds

  • Solar monitoringnot Stem Athena
  • Performance optimizationnot Stem Athena
  • O&M managementnot Stem Athena
  • Portfolio reportingnot Stem Athena
  • Investor reportingnot Stem Athena

Stem Athena

  • Energy asset optimization and managementnot SolarWinds
  • Renewable energy integrationnot SolarWinds
  • Energy storage managementnot SolarWinds
  • Grid operations optimizationnot SolarWinds

Where each one falls short

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

SolarWinds

  • Website uses outdated NetObjects Fusion 2015 tools, suggesting legacy technical infrastructure
  • No specific product models, brands, or technical specifications listed for offered solutions
  • Geographic service area boundaries unclear; only mentions San Francisco Bay Area and Central California
  • Minimal customer engagement features; lacks testimonials, project galleries, financing calculators, or online quote forms
  • Email contact discrepancy between display text ([email protected]) and actual mailto link ([email protected])

Stem Athena

  • Stem's site names the product PowerTrack Optimizer, formerly Athena, so the Athena name is retired
  • No price, subscription fee or contract term is published anywhere on the site
  • The optimizer is one component of the wider PowerTrack suite alongside separate EMS, SCADA, Power Plant Controller and Logger products rather than a standalone licence
  • Design, procurement, commissioning and operation are sold as managed services separate from the software

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Stem Athena

On request
  • Commercial$undefined/custom
    • Energy storage optimization
    • Demand charge management
    • Rate optimization
  • Utility$undefined/custom
    • Grid services
    • VPP management
    • Frequency regulation
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Fleet management
    • Portfolio optimization
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose SolarWinds if

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

Choose Stem Athena if

  • You need ai optimization.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want energy storage management.
Stem Athena review

Questions people ask

Is SolarWinds or Stem Athena better?
Neither clearly leads. SolarWinds starts at $2/kW/month and Stem Athena at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SolarWinds or Stem Athena?
SolarWinds starts at $2/kW/month and Stem Athena at On request.
Does SolarWinds or Stem Athena run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Mobile, Api, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is SolarWinds best used for?
SolarWinds is most often used for solar monitoring, performance optimization, o&m management, portfolio reporting. Of those, solar monitoring and performance optimization are not what Stem Athena is typically brought in for.
What can SolarWinds do that Stem Athena cannot?
SolarWinds covers Real-time monitoring, Alarm management, O&M workflows, Reporting. Stem Athena covers AI optimization, Energy storage management, Demand charge reduction, Grid services. Both handle Performance analytics, SolarEdge, Enphase, SOC2.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

SolarWinds: What geographic areas does SolarWinds Energy serve?

SolarWinds Energy serves the San Francisco Bay Area and Central California regions, but the exact service area boundaries are not clearly defined on their website.

Source
Stem Athena: How much does Stem Athena cost?

Stem does not publish pricing for Athena on its website. The company appears to use a custom enterprise pricing model. Interested customers must contact Stem directly through their website to inquire about pricing and availability.

Source
SolarWinds: What solar and renewable products does SolarWinds Energy offer?

SolarWinds Energy specializes in energy efficiency and renewable technologies including solar energy systems and attic ventilation solutions, but specific product models and technical specifications are not published online.

Source
Stem Athena: Does Stem offer a free trial?

The Stem website does not mention a free trial or demo option for Athena. Customers are directed to contact Stem's sales team for information about trial access or pricing.

Source
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