Frequently Asked Questions

HOMER Energy, LLC is a leading developer of software for modeling and optimizing hybrid renewable energy systems. Our flagship products, HOMER Pro and HOMER Grid, help engineers, researchers, and energy planners design and analyze the performance and cost-efficiency of solar, wind, battery, and backup power systems. We serve customers in over 190 countries worldwide.

Our software is used by a diverse range of professionals including energy engineers, project developers, researchers, consultants, utilities, government agencies, and academic institutions. Typical applications include microgrid design, rural electrification projects, military installations, mining operations, and utility-scale renewable energy planning.

We serve multiple industries including renewable energy development, utilities, oil and gas, mining, military and defense, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, telecommunications, agriculture, and government agencies. Our software is versatile enough to handle projects ranging from small remote installations to large utility-scale systems.

HOMER Energy has over 25 years of experience in renewable energy software development. The HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewables) software was originally developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and has since become the industry standard for hybrid renewable energy system design and optimization.

HOMER Pro is designed for designing and analyzing off-grid and grid-connected hybrid renewable energy systems, including microgrids. It excels at modeling remote power systems with multiple generation sources. HOMER Grid is specifically designed for analyzing behind-the-meter distributed generation systems, focusing on grid-connected applications with demand charge reduction, time-of-use rate analysis, and utility bill optimization.

HOMER can model a wide variety of energy components including solar PV arrays, wind turbines, battery storage systems, diesel generators, fuel cells, microturbines, hydropower, biomass generators, hydrogen systems, and grid connections. The software supports both AC and DC coupled systems and can model complex dispatch strategies.

HOMER Pro and HOMER Grid run on Windows 10 or later (64-bit). Recommended specifications include an Intel Core i5 or better processor, 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended), 5GB free disk space, and a display resolution of 1920x1080 or higher. The software can also run on Mac using virtualization software like Parallels or VMware Fusion.

Yes, HOMER allows you to import custom solar irradiance data, wind speed data, load profiles, and stream flow data. The software supports various file formats including CSV and TMY files. You can also access built-in resource data from NASA, NOAA, and other sources through the integrated HOMER Energy resource library.

HOMER's optimization results are highly accurate when proper input data is provided. The software uses proven algorithms to simulate thousands of system configurations and find the optimal solution. The accuracy of results depends on the quality of resource data, load profiles, and component specifications. Our software is trusted by over 50,000 users worldwide and has been validated against real-world installations.

Yes, HOMER Pro offers an API that allows for batch processing, custom optimization routines, and integration with other software tools. This feature is available with certain license types and enables advanced users to automate repetitive tasks, run parametric studies, and incorporate HOMER into larger analysis workflows.

We offer flexible licensing options including perpetual licenses and annual subscriptions. Options include individual licenses for single users, team licenses for small groups, and enterprise licenses for larger organizations. Each license type includes access to technical support and software updates for the duration of the license period.

Yes, we offer significant discounts for accredited academic institutions, including universities and research organizations. Academic licenses are available for both teaching and research purposes. Please contact our sales team with your academic credentials to learn more about our educational pricing programs.

Yes, we offer a free demonstration version of HOMER Pro that allows you to explore the software's capabilities with sample projects. For a full-featured trial with your own projects, please contact our sales team to discuss trial licensing options. We also provide live demonstrations and webinars to help you evaluate the software.

All licenses include access to the full software functionality, technical support via email and web portal, software updates and bug fixes, access to our online documentation, and the HOMER resource library. Premium support packages with dedicated support engineers and custom training are available for additional fees.

Yes, HOMER Pro is available in different modules that can be licensed individually or as a bundle. Modules include HOMER Pro for microgrid design, HOMER Grid for behind-the-meter systems, and specialized modules for specific technologies or analysis types. Contact sales for detailed information on module pricing and bundling options.

HOMER uses a proprietary optimization algorithm that evaluates thousands or even millions of system configurations to find the most cost-effective solution. The software considers factors such as component sizes, dispatch strategies, operating schedules, and financial parameters. It performs hourly simulations over the project lifetime to calculate key metrics like Net Present Cost, Levelized Cost of Energy, and payback period.

Yes, HOMER performs hourly simulations over an entire year (8,760 hours), automatically capturing seasonal and daily variations in solar irradiance, wind speed, and electrical load. You can import site-specific resource data or use built-in synthetic data that reflects typical seasonal patterns for your location.

HOMER calculates comprehensive financial metrics including Net Present Cost (NPC), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), Operating Cost, Initial Capital Cost, Return on Investment (ROI), Simple Payback Period, Discounted Payback Period, Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and Net Present Value (NPV). The software also handles complex financial inputs like grants, subsidies, carbon pricing, and degradation rates.

HOMER includes powerful sensitivity analysis capabilities that allow you to vary key inputs like fuel prices, technology costs, and resource availability across a range of values. The software generates sensitivity plots and tornado charts that show how results change with different assumptions, helping you understand project risks and identify critical variables.

Yes, HOMER can model grid reliability by simulating grid outages with configurable duration and frequency. The software calculates metrics like capacity shortage, unmet load, and reliability (hours of autonomy). This is particularly useful for designing resilient systems for critical facilities like hospitals, data centers, and military installations.

HOMER includes several battery models including the Kinetic Battery Model (KiBaM) which accounts for rate-dependent capacity effects, a simplified idealized model, and a modified Kinetic model. The software supports various battery chemistries including lead-acid, lithium-ion, flow batteries, and others. You can also create custom battery definitions with specific performance characteristics.

All licenses include standard technical support via our online portal and email. Premium support packages are available that include priority response times, dedicated support engineers, phone support, and extended support hours. We also offer consulting services for complex projects requiring expert guidance.

Yes, we offer comprehensive training programs including online self-paced courses, live webinars, virtual instructor-led training, and in-person workshops. Training covers topics from basic software operation to advanced modeling techniques. We can also develop custom training programs tailored to your organization's specific needs and applications.

You can report bugs and request features through our online support portal or by emailing support directly. When reporting bugs, please include your software version, operating system, steps to reproduce the issue, and any relevant project files. Our development team reviews all feature requests and prioritizes them for future releases.

Comprehensive documentation is available on our Resources page including user guides, API documentation, release notes, and component libraries. The built-in help system within HOMER provides context-sensitive assistance, and our knowledge base contains answers to common questions.

Yes, we have an active online community where users can ask questions, share tips, and connect with other HOMER users worldwide. The community forum is moderated by HOMER staff and experienced users. We also host regular webinars and virtual user group meetings where you can learn from experts and network with peers.

To transfer your license, first deactivate the license on your current computer through the software's license management interface. Then install HOMER on your new computer and activate it using your license key. If you encounter any issues, contact our support team for assistance. Note that license transfer policies vary by license type.