In the summer of 2024 I interned with Crusoe Energy (Denver, CO), where I worked an an energy engineer on the energy business development team.  During my twelve week tenure with Crusoe, I was tasked to design and manufacture a prototype for an innovative device which aimed to combat the problem of underutilized solar energy around utility & commercial scale solar farms. With nothing more than a concept as a starting point, I facilitated the underlying scientific research, mechanical design, fabrication, and economic modeling of the prototype through an iterative design process. The outcome is the first iteration of a device that has been aptly named the “Solar Irradiation Maximizer”.

The Solar Irradiation Maximizer (SIM) addresses the issue of underutilized solar radiation in solar panel fields by redirecting non-absorbed sunlight back onto surrounding solar panels through a proprietary series of lenses, custom fiber optic cables, and a light dispersion mechanism. This innovative solution increases the capacity factor and generation capabilities of preexisting solar panel fields, whilst being a more cost-effective method of generating electrical energy, compared to adding additional solar panel infrastructure. The SIM is has been awarded a U.S. Preliminary Patent, solidifying intellectual property of the device to Crusoe. 

During experimental data collection, the first iteration of the SIM device (SIM V1) was successfully able to increase the output wattage of a solar cell under controlled experimental conditions. This proof of concept has laid the foundation for a device that has the ability to make a drastic impact in the solar energy generation sector.