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Energy & Utilities · head to head

Stem Athena vs Aurora Solar

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Stem Athena

Energy & Utilities

AI-driven clean energy optimization

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Aurora Solar logo

Aurora Solar

Energy & Utilities

The leading solar design and sales platform

From
$250/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stem Athena stem's site names the product PowerTrack Optimizer, formerly Athena, so the Athena name is retired; Aurora Solar both published plans are single user, so a second designer means a second licence
  • They diverge on capability: Stem Athena covers AI optimization, Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stem Athena and Aurora Solar actually diverge.

Attributes where Stem Athena and Aurora Solar differ
AttributeStem AthenaAurora Solar
Starting priceOn request$250/month
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20092013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Stem Athena

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

Only in Aurora Solar

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

Both cover

  • SOC2

What people use each for

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

Stem Athena

  • Optimising dispatch and market participation of battery energy storagenot Aurora Solar
  • Monitoring and reporting on solar and storage asset performancenot Aurora Solar
  • Remote diagnostics across renewable generation fleetsnot Aurora Solar

Aurora Solar

  • Designing and simulating residential and commercial solar installationsnot Stem Athena
  • Producing shade analysis and sales proposals for solar projectsnot Stem Athena

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Aurora Solar

$250/month
  • Starter$250/month
    • Basic design tools
    • Sales mode
    • Shade analysis
  • Pro$500/month
    • Advanced LIDAR integration
    • Performance simulation
    • Custom branding
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Advanced analytics
    • Custom integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose Stem Athena if

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

Choose Aurora Solar if

  • You need 3d solar design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want shade analysis.
Aurora Solar review

Questions people ask

Is Stem Athena or Aurora Solar better?
Neither clearly leads. Stem Athena starts at On request and Aurora Solar at $250/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stem Athena or Aurora Solar?
Stem Athena starts at On request and Aurora Solar at $250/month.
Does Stem Athena or Aurora Solar run on more platforms?
Stem Athena runs on Web, Mobile, Api. Aurora Solar runs on Web, Api.
What is Stem Athena best used for?
Stem Athena is most often used for optimising dispatch and market participation of battery energy storage, monitoring and reporting on solar and storage asset performance, remote diagnostics across renewable generation fleets. Of those, optimising dispatch and market participation of battery energy storage and monitoring and reporting on solar and storage asset performance are not what Aurora Solar is typically brought in for.
What can Stem Athena do that Aurora Solar cannot?
Stem Athena covers AI optimization, Energy storage management, Demand charge reduction, Grid services. Aurora Solar covers 3D solar design, Shade analysis, LIDAR integration, Performance simulation. Both handle SOC2.
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