Ozzy Shirley, an engineering student at Fort Lewis College, connects a pipe to a garden bed he’s built under a photovoltaic panel outside FLC’s Engineering Department.
Pretty soon, he’s taking measurements, noting how much shade the panels provide and investigating new techniques to see what the best system might be for when, he hopes, he can bring the technology to Dilkon, Arizona.
“The idea is that too much sun can actually harm plants,” said Shirley, who is Diné and grew up with deep ties to that community. “It’s called photo inhibition. If we can space the panels just right, they can provide shade that helps crops retain moisture and grow stronger.”
Shirley is blending traditional knowledge and advanced engineering to explore how solar panel design can support both electricity generation and food production. He’s spending his summer exploring agrivoltaics—the integration of solar energy and agriculture—with a clear goal: delivering sustainable, community-centered solutions to families on the Navajo Nation.
As an AES-funded research intern, Shirley is contributing to the VAP Solar Initiative, that brings clean energy to remote households.
Shirley’s research is backed by Advanced Energy Systems (AES), which invested $45,000 this year to support solar internships and the VAP Solar Initiative.
Shirley split his time between research and on-the-ground work in Shonto, where the FLC team completed three install trips this year, up from just one two years ago thanks to an increase in philanthropic funding for the projects.
“This pushed me out of my comfort zone—from just running calculations to learning about soil, crop types, and how families will actually use these systems,” he said.
Shirley is is already building relationships in Dilkon in preparation to take on a leadership role within the VAP Solar Initiative following in the footsteps of Camille Keith—the inaugural Marathon Petroleum Solar Fellow. Keith, who along with faculty lead Laurie Williams, has led the Shonto project since it’s beginning.
“I’ve started attending chapter planning meetings and introducing myself to leaders in the area,” he said. “I want to be ready when the time comes. I want us to hit the ground running.”
Shirley’s goal is not just to install systems, but to create holistic solutions that include composting, drip irrigation, and long-term community engagement. He’s also experimenting with quantum duo films, materials that shift sunlight wavelengths to enhance photosynthesis—a possible breakthrough in solar-powered farming.
“There’s a lot of trial and error,” Shirley said. “But I’m learning so much. It’s not just about clean energy—it’s about food sovereignty, self-reliance, and building systems that fit the land and people.”
For Laurie Williams, the work reflects Fort Lewis College’s mission in action.
“Ozzy is not just thinking about kilowatts—he’s thinking about how to help his community thrive.”