Comparison

AE Solar vs Balcony Solar optimizer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AE Solar

Verify the authenticity of solar modules by scanning their serial numbers. Access detailed product information, communicate directly with professionals, and receive feedback. Requires NFC and internet access.

Highlights
  • Scan solar module serial numbers
  • Verify module authenticity
  • Access detailed product information
  • Direct communication with professionals
  • Receive feedback from support
  • Auto-detect scanning
Features
Read full description

AE Solar Authorized Application AE Solar APP allows customers to scan a solar module’s serial number and checks its authenticity. The application provides detailed information about the modules. Users will be able to have a direct communication with AE Solar professionals, ask them questions and get the feedback. The application requires NFC support and an internet connection. The app needs access to the camera. Free registration is available via e-Mail or Facebook and Google account. Application features: · Accurately scans serial number; · Provides information about the company and its projects; · Has an Auto-detect scanning; · Customers can contact AE Solar Service Team, write messages, send reports and get feedback in the same App; · Provides Customer Service help; · Users can send a message to the support; · Accumulated bonuses for the active users will bring real benefits · Serial number APP gives you information about the serial number, model, production date, shipping destination, product type and grade. Terms of use: You have to open your AE Solar APP and point it to the PV module’s serial number. After the search, you need to open the NFC in your phone and put the phone touching the Logo label under the glass with close distance. The application will show the results immediately provided by the customer service team of AE Solar. Download AE Solar unique serial number APP for free to get the trustful information about your photovoltaic modules. An application gives you the possibility to find out that your module is not fake. If you have trouble with the app, please feel free to call us at info@ae-solar.com. Your feedback will help us to improve our services. Thanking you in advance.

About

Balcony Solar optimizer

Features
Read full description

Balcony Solar helps you get the most out of your balcony or plug-in solar panels: measure how your panels are placed, find out how to place them better, and know what they will produce. MEASURE YOUR PANELS WITH YOUR IPHONE • Lay your iPhone on the panel – the app reads tilt, direction and GPS in one stable reading • A step-by-step guide shows exactly where and how to place the phone • Your measurement is saved and used for every forecast OPTIMIZE THE PLACEMENT • The Optimizer compares your setup with better tilts and directions for the coming days • Clear advice like "Lower the tilt by about 30°" – together with the extra kWh it gives • Get a placement certificate as a PDF when your panel is placed close to optimal FORECAST FOR YOUR PANELS • Daily kWh estimate based on live Apple Weather data and the sun's real path for your date and location • Accounts for your panel's exact tilt and direction – and for how clouds turn direct sun into diffuse light • Four-day outlook so you can plan the sunny days ahead BEST TIME TO USE POWER • See the strongest hours of the day for your exact panel direction • Run the dishwasher, washing machine or charging when the sun is on your side • Optional evening alert when tomorrow looks sunny SEE WHAT YOU SAVE • Enter your electricity price and see today's savings, the next four days and a yearly estimate FORECAST VS. REALITY • Compare the forecast with what your panels really produced, day by day • Enter the day total from your inverter app, or read it automatically from a Shelly plug or meter or an OpenDTU (Hoymiles) on your Wi-Fi • Readings stay on your home network WIDGETS • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets with today's production and the best time to use power FREE TO TRY Today's forecast, the best hours and the panel measurement are free. Balcony Solar Pro unlocks the Optimizer, the 4-day outlook, savings, forecast vs. reality, widgets, sunny-day alerts and the placement certificate – a one-time purchase, no subscription. Your location is only used to fetch local weather and the sun's angle. Weather data provided by Weather.

Screenshots

AE Solar3 screens
Balcony Solar optimizer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Balcony Solar optimizer at every 3 weeks against AE Solar's every 2 months. AE Solar's advantage is iOS requirement (16 vs 26.4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AE Solar ships an update every 2 months, Balcony Solar optimizer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
AE Solar versus Balcony Solar optimizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAE SolarBalcony Solar optimizer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16 — better26.4
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlternative Energy AE Solar Co., Ltd.Patrick Christensen

In-app purchases

None

AE Solar

No in-app purchases

None

Balcony Solar optimizer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AE Solar free?
AE Solar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Balcony Solar optimizer free?
Balcony Solar optimizer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AE Solar or Balcony Solar optimizer have ads?
Neither AE Solar nor Balcony Solar optimizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AE Solar or Balcony Solar optimizer?
AE Solar ships an update every 2 months, and Balcony Solar optimizer every 3 weeks. Most recently, AE Solar was updated on November 3, 2026 and Balcony Solar optimizer on October 24, 2026.

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