• DATA
  • LOCATION
  • ANALYSIS
  • HUMAN

How to retrieve solar irradiance metrics with your AI

Connect the NREL Solar Resource MCP to your AI client. Once connected, you can pull specific irradiance data for any location just by asking.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I get solar irradiance data using my AI?

Your AI uses the NREL Solar Resource MCP to fetch DNI, GHI, and Tilt at Latitude metrics for specific coordinates. You provide the location, and your agent pulls the raw data directly from NREL. You'll get the specific metrics needed for your site analysis.

Data outcomes

Where the data lands

What you get after your AI runs the request.

DATA

Direct irradiance metrics

The AI pulls DNI, GHI, and Tilt at Latitude values. You get the exact numbers needed for solar math.

LOCATION

Coordinate-based results

The agent maps your requested coordinates to NREL's database. Every data point is tied to the specific latitude and longitude you provide.

ANALYSIS

Ready for modeling

Your AI receives the raw solar resource data. You can then ask it to calculate potential yields or compare different sites.

HUMAN

Manual verification

You review the retrieved metrics to ensure they meet your project requirements. The AI provides the data, but you make the final engineering decisions.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI handles the API communication and data parsing so you don't have to.

  1. Identify coordinates

    Your agent parses your natural language request to find the specific latitude and longitude you're asking about.

    get_solar_resource

  2. Fetch NREL data

    The AI calls the NREL service to grab the specific irradiance metrics for those coordinates.

    get_solar_resource

  3. Format the metrics

    The agent organizes the DNI, GHI, and Tilt at Latitude values into a readable format.

    get_solar_resource

  4. Deliver the answer

    The AI presents the solar resource data in your chat window, ready for your next question.

    get_solar_resource

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the NREL data pull.

Starting points

Swap out the bracketed locations for the specific sites you are studying.

NREL Solar Resource Connector

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

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_vozoJPfyvOpeLBHn6HylTeaw9PYPiArrhRiAuFug/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — NREL Solar Resource capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nrel-solar-resource-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_vozoJPfyvOpeLBHn6HylTeaw9PYPiArrhRiAuFug/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Get the DNI and GHI for coordinates 34.05, -118.24.

  • What is the Tilt at Latitude for a site in Phoenix, Arizona?

  • Pull the solar resource metrics for these coordinates: 40.71, -74.00.

  • Compare the GHI at 37.77, -122.41 with the GHI at 34.05, -118.24.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect NREL Solar Resource once, then ask.

Click the link to connect the MCP to your client. Your credentials stay encrypted, and you can start querying NREL data immediately.

Connect NREL Solar Resource to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI change the NREL database settings?

    No. The AI can only read data from NREL using the provided tools.

  • 02

    Do I need to provide latitude and longitude?

    Yes. The AI needs specific coordinates to pull the correct irradiance metrics.

  • 03

    Can the AI perform solar panel installation?

    No. The AI retrieves the data, but it cannot physically interact with hardware or perform onsite work.

  • 04

    Will the AI save these metrics to a local file?

    No. The AI provides the data in your chat, but it cannot write files directly to your hard drive.

  • 05

    Can I get data for a whole region at once?

    No. The tool fetches data for specific coordinates. You must ask for multiple points individually.

  • More questions about NREL Solar Resource? See everything the NREL Solar Resource Connector can do

Connect NREL Solar Resource to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more