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Install for Claude Desktop

Connect to SolarSENS AI through Claude Desktop's built-in connector interface.

Requirements
  • Claude Desktop (Pro, Team, or Enterprise plan)
  • SolarSENS MCP server URL (provided by your administrator)

Installation Steps​

Step 1: Open Connectors Settings​

  1. Launch Claude Desktop
  2. Click the Settings icon (gear icon in the bottom-left)
  3. Navigate to Connectors
  4. Click Manage Connectors
Visual Guide

Look for the settings icon (⚙️) in the bottom-left corner of Claude Desktop.

Step 2: Add Custom Connector​

Claude Desktop Settings

In the Manage Connectors dialog:

  1. Click Add custom connector
  2. Fill in the following information:
    • Name: SolarSENS (or any name you prefer)
    • URL: Your SolarSENS server URL (e.g., https://mcp.solarsens.co/mcp)
  3. Click Add
https://mcp.solarsens.co/mcp
note

Your administrator will provide you with the exact server URL. Make sure to copy it exactly as provided.

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop​

  1. Quit Claude Desktop completely
    • macOS: Cmd+Q or Claude Desktop → Quit
    • Windows: File → Exit or Alt+F4
  2. Restart Claude Desktop

Step 4: Authenticate​

When you first use SolarSENS tools:

  1. Claude will prompt you to authenticate
  2. A browser window will open
  3. Sign in with the credentials provided by your administrator
  4. Authorize the connection
  5. Return to Claude Desktop

You're all set! 🎉

Verify Installation​

Check that SolarSENS MCP is connected:

Claude Desktop with MCP Connected

Tools available

  1. Try asking Claude:
"List all plants I have access to"

First time users will be prompted to grant permission to use the tools.

If you see your solar plants listed, the connection is working!

Troubleshooting​

Can't Find "Add Custom Connector"​

Issue: The option doesn't appear in Connectors settings

Solution:

  • Ensure you have a Claude Pro, Team, or Enterprise plan
  • Free Claude accounts don't support custom connectors
  • Upgrade at claude.ai

Server Not Connecting​

Issue: Added connector but can't use tools

Solutions:

  1. Verify server URL - Ensure you copied it correctly from your administrator
  2. Restart Claude Desktop - Fully quit and reopen the app
  3. Check internet connection - Make sure you can access the server URL
  4. Contact your administrator - Verify the server is running

Authentication Fails​

Issue: Browser opens but login doesn't work

Solutions:

  1. Check credentials - Use the exact username/password from your administrator
  2. Clear browser cache - Try in an incognito/private window
  3. Try different browser - Some authentication flows work better in Chrome/Firefox
  4. Contact your administrator - They may need to grant you access

Tools Not Showing Up​

Issue: Connected but Claude says tools aren't available

Solutions:

  1. Look for hammer icon - If you don't see 🔨 in bottom-right, connector isn't active
  2. Restart Claude Desktop - Quit completely and reopen
  3. Re-add connector - Remove and add the custom connector again
  4. Check plan status - Ensure your Claude plan hasn't expired

Advanced: Manual Configuration​

For Advanced Users Only

Most users should use the UI-based approach above. Manual configuration is only for specific setups.

Show manual configuration instructions

If your administrator requires manual JSON configuration:

  1. Open Claude Desktop Settings
  2. Go to Developer tab
  3. Click Edit Config
  4. Add this configuration:
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "solarsens": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.solarsens.co/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Save and restart Claude Desktop.

Next Steps​