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Head-to-head · Solar Software

Energy Toolbase vs System Advisor Model (SAM)

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Energy Toolbase #4 in Solar Software 8.6/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features See Energy Toolbase
System Advisor Model (SAM) #8 in Solar Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit SAM

Energy Toolbase leads on 2 checks, System Advisor Model (SAM) on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEnergy Toolbase · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly System Advisor Model (SAM)
  • Free trialonly Energy Toolbase
  • Most featuresEnergy Toolbase · 4 of 5

Energy Toolbase scores higher on our rubric for solar software: 8.6 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

System Advisor Model (SAM) offers free plan; Energy Toolbase doesn't. Energy Toolbase offers proposal builder; System Advisor Model (SAM) doesn't. Energy Toolbase offers system monitoring; System Advisor Model (SAM) doesn't. On deployment platform, System Advisor Model (SAM) gives you Desktop where Energy Toolbase offers Web.

Energy Toolbase is the better fit for teams modeling storage projects through monitoring. System Advisor Model (SAM) is the better fit for analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling.

  • Energy Toolbase fits best

    Teams modeling storage projects through monitoring

  • System Advisor Model (SAM) fits best

    Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Energy Toolbase 8.6/10 Visit ↗ System Advisor Model (SAM) 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.1
Ranking #4 in Solar Software #8 in Solar Software
Best for Teams modeling storage projects through monitoring Analysts seeking free, scriptable PV and financial modeling
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $299/user/mo Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud Desktop
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Phone, Email Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Energy Toolbase 4/5 · System Advisor Model (SAM) 2/5
PV design & simulation ✓ ✓
Financial modeling ✓ ✓
Proposal builder ✓ (best) —
System monitoring ✓ (best) —
Permit documentation Not checked yet —
Specs
Deployment platform Web Desktop
Our review
Pros
  • Covers utility costs, scenarios, project economics, and cash flow analysis
  • Combines proposals, dispatch management, monitoring, and savings verification
  • Integrates with Tesla, Socomec, Sungrow, and BYD systems
  • Detailed PV modeling includes module, inverter, shading, and loss calculations.
  • Models cash flows across residential, PPA, community solar, and other project types.
  • Parametric and stochastic simulations, P50/P90 analysis, and an SDK/API are available.
Cons
  • Annual billing starts at $299 per user per month
  • Business pricing rises to $333 per user per month
  • Not suited to teams requiring a free tier
  • Desktop software rather than a web-based platform.
  • Does not include proposal-building features.
  • Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
Our verdict

Energy Toolbase is a cloud-based, web suite for solar and energy storage project development and operations. Its ETB Developer tools address utility costs, system scenarios, project economics, financing, incentives, and customer proposals.…

Read the review →

System Advisor Model (SAM) is free, open-source desktop software from the National Laboratory of the Rockies for analyzing the technical and financial feasibility of power-generation projects. It is aimed at project managers, engineers,…

Read the review →
  1. Energy ToolbaseSolar Software 8.614-day trial
  2. System Advisor Model (SAM)Solar Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Energy Toolbase — where it wins

    • Covers utility costs, scenarios, project economics, and cash flow analysis
    • Combines proposals, dispatch management, monitoring, and savings verification
    • Integrates with Tesla, Socomec, Sungrow, and BYD systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Annual billing starts at $299 per user per month
    • Business pricing rises to $333 per user per month
    • Not suited to teams requiring a free tier

  • System Advisor Model (SAM) — where it wins

    • Detailed PV modeling includes module, inverter, shading, and loss calculations.
    • Models cash flows across residential, PPA, community solar, and other project types.
    • Parametric and stochastic simulations, P50/P90 analysis, and an SDK/API are available.

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop software rather than a web-based platform.
    • Does not include proposal-building features.
    • Does not include monitoring portals or permit sets.
  • Energy Toolbase8.6/10 · 14-day trial

    A web suite spanning storage modeling, economics, proposals, dispatch, and monitoring.

    See Energy ToolbaseFull verdict →
  • System Advisor Model (SAM)8.1/10 · Free plan

    Open-source PV and project-finance modeling for analysts who want desktop tools and scripting.

    Visit SAMFull verdict →

More comparisons

All solar software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update