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
This tool queries the NREL PVWatts model to retrieve solar production estimates. It is purely informational—reading from a calculation service and returning results to the user. No side effects, state changes, or irreversible actions occur. Appropriate for Read category with low severity since misuse would merely produce incorrect solar estimates, not compromise systems or finances.
From the tool's definition Tool 'returns' energy production estimates and solar resource data without modifying any external systems or data. Verbs indicate retrieval: 'Estimate' and 'Returns' output data.
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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