Here is the breakdown of the current situation regarding HelioScope's pricing and features:
PVSyst is actually more accurate than Helioscope for complex systems (bifacial modules, agrivoltaics). They offer a fully functional 30-day demo for students. After 30 days, the demo still works, but you cannot save new projects (you can only open old ones). For a semester-long project, a 30-day sprint is viable.
DIALux is the most powerful free competitor to Helioscope. Used by millions of lighting designers worldwide, DIALux evo (the latest version) offers: helioscope software free
Is it Helioscope? No. But for 90% of outdoor lighting projects, DIALux replaces Helioscope entirely.
If you need solar analysis without time limits, you must look beyond the Helioscope brand. Several open-source tools offer similar functionality for free—though they come with a steeper learning curve. Here is the breakdown of the current situation
Another professional-grade, free lighting design software. Relux is very popular in Europe and handles complex outdoor scenes, sports lighting, and emergency lighting. Like DIALux, it is completely free and receives regular updates.
A: For pure solar heat gain and shadow studies, both are excellent. DIALux is free and arguably has better integration with BIM software. Helioscope is faster for quick photometric layouts. Type: Professional Desktop Software Cost: Paid (~$1,000) –
No permanent free tier exists. However, a 14-day free trial is available, giving you full access to the professional features.