Principal Investigator
PhD Students
Benjamin Udina
(Bio)
Adnan Masruf
I work on large utility-scale solar farms, with a focus on understanding how they interact with the atmospheric boundary layer. My research uses large eddy simulations (LES) to investigate how solar farms influence the transport of momentum and heat in the atmosphere. By resolving the complex flow structures around elevated and tilted photovoltaic arrays, I aim to quantify both aerodynamic loading and thermally driven efficiency losses. The broader goal of my work is to develop a physics-based framework for designing large solar farms that minimize wind loads, reduce overheating, and ultimately improve both structural resilience and power generation efficiency.
Zane Frey
My research focuses on the simulation, modeling, and performance of wind energy and agrivoltaic systems, as well as their interactions within the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). I use large eddy simulations and reduced order models to investigate the interplay between turbulence in the ABL and wind farm performance. I am also interested in the simulation and development of agrivoltaic systems with novel ray tracing approaches.
Apart from my research, I have an innate love for the outdoors and conservation. Outside of the lab, I'm often skiing, running, mountain biking, or participating in any other outdoor sport that an SLC local would enjoy.
MS Students
Jason Montagna
(Bio)
Alumni
Giulia Salmaso, PhD
Thomas Wright, MS