• DATA
  • GEO
  • FORMAT
  • HUMAN

How to search NSRDB datasets with your AI

Connect the NREL Solar Resource MCP to your AI client. Once connected, you can pull solar data using locations or geometry.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How do I find solar radiation data using my AI?

Tell your AI to find solar data for a specific address, GPS coordinate, or a custom shape. It uses the NREL NSRDB to fetch the exact radiation values you need. You'll get the raw data points ready for your analysis.

Data outcomes

What you get from a search

The specific information your AI retrieves from NREL.

DATA

Solar radiation values

The AI pulls specific irradiance measurements from the NSRDB based on your location. You get the numbers needed for solar modeling.

GEO

Spatial lookups

Your agent translates addresses or map boundaries into the precise coordinates required by NREL. It handles the math so you don't have to.

FORMAT

Clean datasets

The AI organizes the retrieved solar resource data into a readable format. You can then move this data into your spreadsheets or code.

HUMAN

Manual verification

You must review the final solar data to ensure the coordinates match your project site. The AI provides the data, but you confirm the accuracy.

The workflow

What your AI does when the request arrives.

The AI acts as the bridge between your natural language request and the NREL database.

  1. Parse location

    Your AI takes your text, whether it's a street address or a set of coordinates, and prepares it for the query.

    query_nsrdb_data

  2. Execute query

    The agent sends the processed location data to the NREL NSRDB to find matching solar resource records.

    query_nsrdb_data

  3. Format results

    The AI receives the raw solar radiation numbers and structures them for your specific use case.

    query_nsrdb_data

  4. Present data

    The agent shows you the final solar radiation values or summarizes the findings in your chat window.

    query_nsrdb_data

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the NREL data search.

Starting points

Replace the bracketed text with your actual site details like an address or a specific latitude and longitude.

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

  • Find the solar radiation data for 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA.

  • Get NSRDB solar data for the coordinates 34.0522, -118.2437.

  • Search for solar resource datasets within this bounding box: [min_lon, min_lat, max_lon, max_lat].

  • What is the solar irradiance at this specific location: 40.7128, -74.0060?

  • 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 secure on our side.

Connect NREL Solar Resource to your AI

FAQ

How the task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI change the data in the NSRDB?

    No. The AI can only read and query existing datasets from NREL.

  • 02

    Can I upload my own solar data to the NREL database through the AI?

    No. This tool is for retrieving data from the NSRDB, not for uploading or modifying NREL records.

  • 03

    Does the AI handle coordinate conversions?

    Yes. If you provide an address, the AI handles the conversion to the coordinates needed for the query.

  • 04

    Can the AI create custom maps?

    No. The AI retrieves the data points; you will need to use your own mapping software to visualize them.

  • 05

    Can I search using a polygon shape?

    Yes. You can provide geospatial geometry to the AI to fetch data for a specific area.

  • More questions about NREL Solar Resource? The Connector page answers them. See everything the NREL Solar Resource Connector can do

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