nrel_pvwatts
Estimate solar PV system production using NREL's PVWatts v8 model. Returns annual and monthly AC energy output (kWh), solar resource (kWh/m²/day), and capacity factor. Used by solar developers, homeowners, and ESG analysts to size and estimate solar arrays.
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-blackboxfoundry-livedatalink/nrel-pvwatts.md
What nrel_pvwatts does on Livedatalink
AI agents call nrel_pvwatts to retrieve information from Livedatalink without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
lat | number | — | Latitude in decimal degrees. Use with lon as alternative to address. |
lon | number | — | Longitude in decimal degrees. Use with lat as alternative to address. |
tilt | number | — | Array tilt angle in degrees (default 20). |
losses | number | — | Total system losses percent (default 14). |
address | string | — | Street address, city/state, or place name. Either address OR lat+lon required. |
azimuth | number | — | Array azimuth in degrees (default 180 = south for northern hemisphere). |
array_type | number | — | 0=fixed open rack, 1=fixed roof (default), 2=1-axis tracking, 3=1-axis backtracking, 4=2-axis tracking. |
module_type | number | — | 0=standard (default), 1=premium, 2=thin film. |
system_capacity | number | Yes | System size in kilowatts DC (e.g. 5 for a 5 kW residential system). |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why nrel_pvwatts is rated Low
Even though nrel_pvwatts only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs nrel_pvwatts safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Livedatalink, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For nrel_pvwatts, this is the rule to start with:
nrel_pvwatts is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Livedatalink, apply this rule, and every nrel_pvwatts call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about nrel_pvwatts
Estimate solar PV system production using NREL's PVWatts v8 model. Returns annual and monthly AC energy output (kWh), solar resource (kWh/m²/day), and capacity factor. Used by solar developers, homeowners, and ESG analysts to size and estimate solar arrays. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Livedatalink MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
nrel_pvwatts accepts 9 parameters: lat, lon, tilt, losses, address, azimuth, array_type, module_type, system_capacity. Required: system_capacity. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Livedatalink MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for nrel_pvwatts: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Livedatalink. Nothing to install.
nrel_pvwatts is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the nrel_pvwatts rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for nrel_pvwatts. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
nrel_pvwatts is provided by the Livedatalink MCP server (https://livedatalink.ai/mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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