Do I need an NREL API key?

Yes, you will need to provide an NREL Developer API Key. You can get one for free at developer.nrel.gov/signup.

Which AI clients can use this MCP?

This MCP works with any compatible client, including Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf.

Can I find specific charging station details?

Yes, you can use the capability to find the nearest stations or pull specific metadata for a station using its unique ID.

Does this provide solar production estimates?

Yes, the agent can run PVWatts estimates to calculate potential energy production based on your system configuration.

Is the data real-time?

The MCP pulls data directly from the NREL API, providing access to their current official datasets and archives.

Is the NREL API Key free?

Yes! You can sign up for a free API key at https://developer.nrel.gov/signup/. Standard limits apply (1,000 requests per hour).

What is PVWatts used for?

PVWatts estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world.

Can I search for EV charging stations?

Yes! EV charging stations are included in the Alternative Fuel Stations dataset. Use the get_nearest_stations capability to find them near a specific location.

An astronaut overseeing a futuristic data hub

Download PDF Markdown Version

Connect Nrel Energy Data to ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini

Set it up once and it works in ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, and any other client you love. It all runs safely in the background, so you can relax and focus on what really matters. Pull real-time renewable energy and fuel data into your AI agent.

Ask AI about this Connector

Developed, maintained, and hosted by Vinkius.

MCP VERIFIED · PRODUCTION READY · VINKIUS GUARANTEED

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Works with modern AI clients that support MCP, including ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, and more.

Your AI does the work. We keep it safe and sound.

No other AI tool gives you this. Your workflow runs in the client you already love, your account stays protected, and you decide what the agent can and cannot do. It is the whole reason to make the switch.

Each Connector lives inside our infrastructure, the same place where your workflow runs. The three things below are already part of it, working quietly in the background so you never have to think about them. Nothing to add, nothing to set up, nothing to worry about.

V8 Isolate01

Each Connector runs inside its own sealed environment.

Each Connector runs inside its own sealed V8 runtime — no access to your files, your system, or other servers. A Connector never sees past its own request.

Kill Switch02

One switch stops every agent. Instantly.

One action deactivates every Connector, revokes every token, and ends every session at once. AI Governance keeps the record.

FinOps per User03

Spending limits that pause instead of surprise.

Every user keeps their own connections and credentials, isolated from everyone else. Anything that would cross your spending limit is held for your approval, not billed.

Three controls, built into the layer your AI connects through.

Curated set · 10 capabilities

We ship only the actions that matter.

Capability set01 / 03

01-04

4 capabilities in this set.

Part of 10 available through NREL.

01
Get utility companies
Identifies the local utility companies serving a specific area.
02
List alt fuel stations
Returns a list of alternative fuel stations found in the NREL database.
03
Get geothermal resource
Checks the potential for geothermal resources at specific coordinates.
04
Get nearest stations
Locates the fuel stations closest to a given address or location.

Capability set02 / 03

05-07

3 capabilities in this set.

Part of 10 available through NREL.

05
Get solar data query
Checks if specific solar datasets are available for your query.
06
Get solar resource
Retrieves solar radiation data like GHI and DNI.
07
Get station details
Fetches full metadata and specific details for a single station using its ID.

Capability set03 / 03

08-10

3 capabilities in this set.

Part of 10 available through NREL.

08
Get utility rates
Gets average electricity rates for residential, commercial, or industrial users.
09
List transportation incentives
Lists available federal and state incentives for alternative fuels and efficient vehicles.
10
Get pvwatts estimates
Calculates estimated solar energy production for specific photovoltaic system configurations.

Real work

What teams actually run

Site Feasibility

An engineer asks the agent to check solar radiation and geothermal potential for a new project site.

Route Planning

A fleet manager identifies the nearest hydrogen or electric stations for a long-haul trip.

Cost Analysis

A consultant compares residential and industrial electricity rates across different zip codes.

Incentive Research

A buyer checks for federal or state laws regarding alternative fuel incentives.

Automate a task

Put NREL to work on one thing.

Step-by-step automations your AI runs through this Connector: the workflow, the prompts to start with, and the exact capabilities behind each move.

One connector, every AI

NREL works with the most popular AI clients.

These are the most popular clients, each with a step-by-step guide: one link, set up once, with governance and visibility built in. And because everything runs on the MCP standard, the same connection also works in any other compatible client — nothing to rebuild.

Building your own app? The connector is yours to use.

You don't need a client to put NREL to work: the same hosted connection plugs into your own applications and agent code, with the same governance on every request. Build with it, chat with it — one connection for both.

Observed, not estimated

924ms average. Fast in production.

NREL is checked daily against the live service.

Daily averagePeak 1110ms

Oct 3Today

Fastest day: 795ms
Slowest day: 1110ms
14-day trend: Stable-2%

Connect your client

One URL. Every client.

Activate the Connector, copy your link, and paste it into the client you already use. 10 capabilities arrive ready to run.

Preview access · not provider authentication

The vk_preview_* token belongs to Vinkius preview infrastructure. It lets Claude discover and display the capabilities of NREL, so you can see the experience inside your AI.

It does not authenticate your account with NREL. Actions requiring credentials or live account data may not run until you activate the Connector and authorize the service.

NREL Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_Na9bgA4nwhnalZcInCroU3LuW93H99ceWQeFcc60/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
3Click Add and start a new chat — NREL capabilities are ready to use.

Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nrel-energy-data-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_Na9bgA4nwhnalZcInCroU3LuW93H99ceWQeFcc60/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Claude
ChatGPT
Cursor
VS Code
Windsurf
Claude Code
JetBrains
Cline

Step-by-step instructions for each client are in the guide. How to connect

Guided setup for Claude? Set up NREL in Claude and other AIs

See all the AI clients this connector works with ↑

Who it's for

Built for the work NREL owners hand off.

Professionals in the energy and sustainability sectors use this MCP to automate data retrieval from NREL.

01
Sustainability Researchers
They use the agent to pull solar and geothermal data for environmental modeling.
02
EV and Fleet Managers
They task the agent with locating charging infrastructure along specific routes.
03
Energy Consultants
They use the agent to gather utility rates and solar production estimates for client reports.

FAQ

Questions NREL owners ask.

01
Do I need an NREL API key?
Yes, you will need to provide an NREL Developer API Key. You can get one for free at developer.nrel.gov/signup.
02
Which AI clients can use this MCP?
This MCP works with any compatible client, including Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf.
03
Can I find specific charging station details?
Yes, you can use the capability to find the nearest stations or pull specific metadata for a station using its unique ID.
04
Does this provide solar production estimates?
Yes, the agent can run PVWatts estimates to calculate potential energy production based on your system configuration.
05
Is the data real-time?
The MCP pulls data directly from the NREL API, providing access to their current official datasets and archives.
06
Is the NREL API Key free?
Yes! You can sign up for a free API key at https://developer.nrel.gov/signup/. Standard limits apply (1,000 requests per hour).
07
What is PVWatts used for?
PVWatts estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world.
08
Can I search for EV charging stations?
Yes! EV charging stations are included in the Alternative Fuel Stations dataset. Use the get_nearest_stations capability to find them near a specific location.

Explore

More in The Unthinkable

Connect NREL to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more

Your AI does the work. We keep it safe and sound.

Each Connector runs inside its own sealed environment.

One switch stops every agent. Instantly.

Spending limits that pause instead of surprise.

We ship only the actions that matter.

01-04

Get utility companies

List alt fuel stations

Get geothermal resource

Get nearest stations

05-07

Get solar data query

Get solar resource

Get station details

08-10

Get utility rates

List transportation incentives

Get pvwatts estimates

What teams actually run

Site Feasibility

Route Planning

Cost Analysis

Incentive Research

Building your own app? The connector is yours to use.

NREL Connector

Claude Desktop

Sustainability Researchers

EV and Fleet Managers

Energy Consultants

Do I need an NREL API key?

Which AI clients can use this MCP?

Can I find specific charging station details?

Does this provide solar production estimates?

Is the data real-time?

Is the NREL API Key free?

What is PVWatts used for?

Can I search for EV charging stations?

NREL Solar Resource AI Connector

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