Introduction

The sponsor for this project, Solar Dynamics, is a joint venture between the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and ASE Americas Inc. ASE Americas manufactures photovoltaic panels for use in large-scale solar power systems. The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund is a capital-investment fund managed by Connecticut Innovations. The goal of this new company, Solar Dynamics, is to provide consumers with clean, quiet and portable solar-power systems. The company’s flagship product is the Solar Power Companion (SPC), a portable, 600 Watt, solar-powered generator (fig 1.). So far, the success of the SPC has been limited. Our client, Solar Dynamics, has asked us to re-engineer the SPC.

In addition, Solar Dynamics is looking to expand their line of solar-powered products. The second part of this project involves the conceptual design of a new application involving renewable energy.