• YIELD
  • BACKUP
  • FIT
  • HUMAN

How to calculate solar thermal efficiency with your AI

Connect your system data to your AI client. It handles the thermal modeling and tells you exactly how much backup heating you need.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I use my AI to find solar thermal efficiency?

Your AI uses the Water Heater Comparator to model your system's performance based on your specific hardware and local solar data. You'll get a breakdown of hot water yield and the necessary backup energy requirements.

The results you get

What the analysis delivers

The AI processes your inputs into these specific outcomes.

YIELD

Solar water production

The AI calculates the total hot water your collectors can provide. You get a clear estimate of your solar contribution.

BACKUP

Required backup energy

The AI finds the gap between solar output and your demand. This tells you exactly how much supplemental heating to install.

FIT

System sizing check

The AI compares your tank volume and collector area. It shows if your current setup is sized correctly for your needs.

HUMAN

Physical inspections

The AI cannot check for leaks or pipe insulation quality. You'll need to verify the physical state of your installation yourself.

The workflow

What your AI does when the data arrives.

The AI runs your parameters through a thermal model to find the efficiency.

  1. Input processing

    Your AI reads your collector area, fluid type, and tank specs from your files.

    evaluate_solar_thermal_system

  2. Thermal modeling

    The AI calculates the heat captured by your collectors using solar irradiance data.

    evaluate_solar_thermal_system

  3. Loss calculation

    The AI determines heat lost through the tank and pipes to find the net energy.

    evaluate_solar_thermal_system

  4. Demand matching

    The AI compares net solar gain against your hot water usage to find the backup load.

    evaluate_solar_thermal_system

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to kick off the calculation.

Starting points

Replace the bracketed text with your actual collector area, tank size, or local weather data.

Water Heater Comparator Connector

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

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_JneWollFwqtkzxmIwdI5FdtaYSnmr6nnDcjMDlpK/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 — Water Heater Comparator capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "water-heater-comparator-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_JneWollFwqtkzxmIwdI5FdtaYSnmr6nnDcjMDlpK/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Calculate my solar thermal efficiency using the specs in this spreadsheet.

  • How much backup heating do I need for a 300L tank with 4m2 of collectors?

  • Run a solar yield report based on the weather data in this CSV.

  • Compare my solar output against the hot water demand listed in this document.

  • Claude
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  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
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Start here

Connect Water Heater Comparator once, then ask.

Connect the MCP to your AI client. Once connected, you can immediately start asking questions about your solar system.

Connect Water Heater Comparator to your AI

FAQ

How this task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI fix my solar system?

    No. The AI only performs calculations and data analysis.

  • 02

    Does the AI need my specific location?

    It helps if you provide local solar data, but it can work with general averages if you don't.

  • 03

    Can the AI control my water heater?

    No. This MCP has no connection to your physical hardware or smart home devices.

  • 04

    What if I don't have a spreadsheet?

    You can just type your system specs directly into the chat.

  • 05

    Can the AI predict future solar yield?

    It can model expected yield based on the weather data you provide, but it cannot predict the weather.

  • More questions about Water Heater Comparator? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Water Heater Comparator Connector can do

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