How to Use the OpenEI MCP in Cursor

Q: Is the OpenEI data accurate for commercial solar projects?

It provides standardized industry data, but always use getratedetail to check for specific demand charge riders. This ensures your code reflects the reality of the utility's tariff.

Inject real-time electricity rate data into your codebase using the OpenEI MCP Server in Cursor.

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Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers — Included with Plan

Connect OpenEI MCP to Cursor

Create your Vinkius account to connect OpenEI to Cursor — we handle the hosting, security, and runtime updates so you don't have to. No server setup required.

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Setup OpenEI with Cursor

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity Vinkius runs on Gemini

Gemini

Grok

Automate tariff discovery in Cursor

Give your agent the ability to query `get_rates_by_address` while you write your energy modeling code. It pulls the exact utility rates for your project site. No more manual API calls or hardcoded price stubs. The AI gets the data it needs to write working, accurate code.

Parse rate details for logic implementation

Use `get_rate_detail` to bring complex tariff structures into your application logic. Your agent can now account for time-of-use windows and demand charges in real-time. You define the logic, and the agent fills in the specific tariff parameters fetched from the database.

Query industrial rates for facility analysis

Call `get_industrial_rates` to fetch low-cost, high-complexity data for manufacturing site energy planning. The agent integrates these results directly into your project files. This eliminates the gap between your simulation code and actual utility billing structures.

Setup guide

Set up OpenEI MCP in Cursor

Prerequisites

Cursor installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP Settings

Go to Cursor Settings → MCP or open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for "MCP: Add Server".
2

Add the OpenEI MCP

Cursor will create or open .cursor/mcp.json in your project root. Paste the JSON snippet on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Enable Agent mode

Open Composer (Cmd+I / Ctrl+I) and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown at the top. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode.
4

Verify the connection

Ask Cursor something like "List my recent OpenEI transactions." If the MCP tools are loaded correctly, Cursor will call the OpenEI tools automatically. You can also check Settings → MCP for a green status indicator.

.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openei-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

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Common questions about OpenEI MCP in Cursor

Cursor acts as the client, calling the tools you register in your `.cursor/mcp.json` file. When you trigger the agent, it executes the relevant OpenEI functions to fetch the data you requested.

Yes, by connecting the OpenEI tools to your code, the AI can compute savings based on live rates. It pulls the data, calculates the differential, and writes the code for your UI.

It provides standardized industry data, but always use `get_rate_detail` to check for specific demand charge riders. This ensures your code reflects the reality of the utility's tariff.

Your agent will report an error during the tool execution. You should build basic error handling in your code to manage instances where the network call fails.

The server accesses public utility information available in the OpenEI database. It does not touch your private customer data or internal company billing records.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

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