RETScreen
RETScreen: RETScreen brings facility benchmarking, project feasibility and portfolio analysis to desktop. Ranked #21 of 25 in Energy Management Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams assessing facility projects and energy savings.
At a glance
- Editor score6.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams assessing facility projects and energy savings
- Free planYes
- Energy monitoringPortfolio
- Facts checked25 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Combines project feasibility with facility and portfolio analysis
- Analyzes emissions, payback and net present value
- Imports data through energy, simulation and database integrations
Where it doesn't
- Desktop software is limited to Windows
- Free Viewer mode does not include saving, printing or exporting
- Project-analysis focus is less suited to continuous operational monitoring
Our verdict on RETScreen
RETScreen Expert is desktop software for analyzing clean energy projects and facility performance. It is aimed at public- and private-sector professionals, as well as universities and colleges, working across commercial, institutional, residential, industrial and power-generation facilities. Its scope spans facility benchmarking, energy-reduction targets, project feasibility, performance measurement and verification, and multi-facility portfolio analysis. For teams comparing facility projects and energy savings, it brings energy, emissions and financial analysis into one project-focused workflow.
The feature set extends from importing energy consumption and managing portfolio data to greenhouse-gas reporting and climate and solar-radiation tools. Financial viability analysis includes payback and net present value. Integrations include ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, EnergyCAP, Urjanet and EnergyPlus, alongside SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL. This breadth can suit organizations drawing on several sources or evaluating projects across facilities; the emphasis is on analysis and measurement rather than continuous operational monitoring.
RETScreen runs on Windows as desktop software. Viewer mode is free, while Professional mode unlocks saving, printing and exporting; one subscription permits installation on up to 10 organization computers. The published plan details describe Professional mode as a renewable annual subscription. This structure gives teams a way to view the software before committing to its full functions, while Professional mode is the relevant option for producing and retaining work. Choose RETScreen for facility benchmarking, project feasibility, portfolio assessment or emissions and financial analysis. Teams whose primary need is continuous operational monitoring should consider a tool centered on that workflow instead.
Your product? Our editors can test RETScreen in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
RETScreen pricing
All 2 RETScreen plans and prices →
RETScreen fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Energy monitoring | Portfolio |
| Energy forecasting | Yes |
| Carbon tracking | Yes |
| Utility data import | Both |
| Data retention | Not verified |
| API access | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, EnergyCAP, Urjanet, EnergyPlus, SQL Server, MySQL … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | natural-resources.canada.ca |
| Facts checked | 25 Sep 2026 |
RETScreen integrations
RETScreen lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- EnergyCAP
- Urjanet
- EnergyPlus
- SQL Server
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
Alternatives to RETScreen
- ABB NsightA portfolio-focused platform for monitoring, reporting, forecasting, and energy optimization.9.2
- Johnson Controls OpenBlue Net ZeroA broad portfolio platform for utility data, emissions tracking, forecasting, and reporting.9.1
- Siemens Industrial Energy ManagementA broad industrial portfolio for monitoring, benchmarking, and optimizing energy across complex sites.9.0
See all RETScreen alternatives →
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used RETScreen for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Featured on iTechGuides
RETScreen is listed in our Energy Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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