RETScreen review
RETScreen brings facility benchmarking, project feasibility and portfolio analysis to desktop.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
RETScreen pros and cons
- 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
RETScreen fact sheet, pricing and score →
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.
Last updated · How we research and update