OpenEMS vs RETScreen
OpenEMS
openems.ioRETScreen
natural-resources.canada.caSide by side
| Figure | OpenEMS | RETScreen |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | C$72.42/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 2 |
| Spec score · Energy Management Software | 7.1 (#15) | 8.4 (#3) |
| Deployment | The getting-started guide describes production deployment of Edge and Backend on Debian/Ubuntu or Docker. | Independent directory data describes RETScreen as an on-premise Windows desktop application. |
| Extensibility | The software uses a modular architecture and modern programming languages to support extension. | The independent review reports no official in-app marketplace and limited support for live IoT or real-time integrations. |
Plans
In their own words
OpenEMS
OpenEMS is a free, modular open-source platform for monitoring, controlling, and integrating energy storage, renewable sources, and related devices and services. Its stack combines OpenEMS Edge for on-site device communication and control, OpenEMS UI for browser and smartphone access, and OpenEMS Backend for connecting Edge systems over the internet for aggregation, monitoring, and control. The architecture supports fast PLC-like control and reusable device-independent algorithms. Integrations cover batteries, solar and battery inverters, EV chargers, meters, tariffs, and data services, using interfaces such as MQTT, Modbus/TCP, Modbus/RTU, InfluxDB, M-Bus, 1-Wire, JSON/REST, and JSON/Websocket. Edge and Backend use Eclipse Public License 2.0; UI uses GNU Affero General Public License 3. Production deployment guidance covers Debian, Ubuntu, or Docker, and Java 21 is required. Source is available online and on GitHub, with monthly releases described. The getting-started setup is intended for testing, not production.
RETScreen
RETScreen has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.