The completed initial design has the diode chain sealed over the bottom of the pot using insulating JB Weld. The wires of the diodes are kept in close contact with the pot's surface to ensure heat exchange.
The green and red wires were soldered into shapes that fit into our solar panel input and output cords.
After cleaning the panel, soldering the wires and fitting them into their correspondents on the back of the panel, our diode chain immediately began feeling warm to the touch.
These initial results are promising for future tests: we should be able to heat the pot enough to boil water and cook food!