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Energy · head to head

Helioscope vs Stem Athena

Helioscope logo

Helioscope

Energy

Accurate solar design for commercial projects

From
$159/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
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: Helioscope licences are single user, so each designer needs their own; Stem Athena stem's site names the product PowerTrack Optimizer, formerly Athena, so the Athena name is retired
  • They diverge on capability: Helioscope covers PV system design, Stem Athena covers AI optimization.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Helioscope and Stem Athena differ
AttributeHelioscopeStem Athena
Starting price$159/monthOn request
PlatformsWeb, ApiWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20122009

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Helioscope

  • PV system design
  • 3D shade modeling
  • Performance simulation
  • Single-line diagrams
  • BOM generation
  • Proposal templates
  • Component database
  • Financial modeling

Only in Stem Athena

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

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Helioscope

  • Solar project design and modelingnot Stem Athena
  • Rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planningnot Stem Athena
  • Financial analysis and sales proposal generation for solar installationsnot Stem Athena

Stem Athena

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

Where each one falls short

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

Helioscope

  • Licences are single user, so each designer needs their own
  • Projects are capped at 10 a month on both Basic and Pro
  • System size is capped by plan, at 1.25 MW DC on Basic and 5 MW on Pro, so a larger array forces an upgrade regardless of project count
  • Trackers, LIDAR modelling and API access sit on the higher tiers
  • Enterprise is priced per project with no published figure

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

Helioscope

$159/month
  • Basic$159/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($1,620/year)
  • Pro$259/month
    • 1 user per license
    • 10 projects per month (120 per year)
    • 15% discount for annual billing ($2,640/year)
  • Enterprise$null/month
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom pricing

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 Helioscope if

  • You need pv system design.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want 3d shade modeling.
Helioscope 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 Helioscope or Stem Athena better?
Neither clearly leads. Helioscope starts at $159/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, Helioscope or Stem Athena?
Helioscope starts at $159/month and Stem Athena at On request.
Does Helioscope or Stem Athena run on more platforms?
Helioscope runs on Web, Api. Stem Athena runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
What is Helioscope best used for?
Helioscope is most often used for solar project design and modeling, rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planning, financial analysis and sales proposal generation for solar installations. Of those, solar project design and modeling and rooftop, carport, and ground-mount solar system planning are not what Stem Athena is typically brought in for.
What can Helioscope do that Stem Athena cannot?
Helioscope covers PV system design, 3D shade modeling, Performance simulation, Single-line diagrams. Stem Athena covers AI optimization, Energy storage management, Demand charge reduction, Grid services. Both handle SOC2, Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Helioscope: What is the starting price for HelioScope?

HelioScope Basic plan costs $159 per month per license with annual billing at $1,620/year (15% discount). The Pro plan is $259/month or $2,640/year. Each license covers 1 user. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

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
Helioscope: How many projects can I design monthly with HelioScope Basic and Pro?

Both Basic and Pro plans include 10 projects per month, equaling 120 projects per year. The project allocation is the same across both tiers; the difference is in design capability (1.25 MW for Basic vs. 5 MW for Pro). Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

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
Helioscope: What is the maximum solar design capacity by HelioScope tier?

HelioScope Basic supports designs up to 1.25 MW DC, Pro supports up to 5 MW DC, and Enterprise supports unlimited designs up to 30 MW DC. Accuracy within 1% of PVsyst modeling is maintained across tiers. Source: https://helioscope.aurorasolar.com/pricing

Source
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