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Embracing new agriculture commodity through integration of Java Tea as high Value Herbal crops in solar PV farms

Othman, N.F.; Ya'acob, M.E.; Abdul-Rahim, A.S.; Shahwahid Othman, Mohd; Radzi, M.A.M.; Hizam, H.; Wang, Y.D.; Ya'acob, A.M.; Jaafar, H.Z.E.

Authors

N.F. Othman

M.E. Ya'acob

A.S. Abdul-Rahim

Mohd Shahwahid Othman

M.A.M. Radzi

H. Hizam

A.M. Ya'acob

H.Z.E. Jaafar



Abstract

Integration of agriculture and renewable energy resources (RER) is currently a hot topic discussed worldwide based on the need for green energy and sustainable economy. The decreasing trend of global market value for the traditional agricultural commodity such as Rubber and Palm Oil really affected the Gross National Income (GNI) and thus, the government of Malaysia outlined a number of strategic thrusts to boost economic growth. Herbal products have been given sufficient rooms for extension as the first approved Entry Point Projects (EPP1) driver of sustainability. Orthosiphon Stamineus also known as Java Tea is among the five commercialize High-Value Herbal crops (HVHc) and chosen to be deployed under PV arrays based on its sustainability and potential market value. The financial analysis is based on 3-months harvesting cycle with reference to the harvesting coefficience pc and realistic cash flow. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is valued at 15.74% that benchmarks positive net return for herbal producers. The cash functions based on Return-on-Investment (ROI) can be achieved after 10 months cycle of production with Net Present Value (NPV) of RM8,863.59. This initiative flows in line with the Cleaner Production (CP) concept of efficient usage of natural resources to minimize waste and pollution. The concept of agro-technology integration is presented with strong financial return for the unused space under PV arrays configured for large scale PV farms.

Highlights
> Java Tea herb as High Value Herbal Crops are highlighted for PV integration.
> The work proves the sustainability of herbal plantation under Solar PV array.
> Herbal products becomes driver of sustainable and cleaner production.
> The work initiates the concept of agro-technology integration with strong financial return.

Citation

Othman, N., Ya'acob, M., Abdul-Rahim, A., Shahwahid Othman, M., Radzi, M., Hizam, H., …Jaafar, H. (2015). Embracing new agriculture commodity through integration of Java Tea as high Value Herbal crops in solar PV farms. Journal of Cleaner Production, 91, 71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.12.044

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 11, 2014
Online Publication Date Dec 19, 2014
Publication Date Mar 15, 2015
Deposit Date Nov 5, 2019
Journal Journal of Cleaner Production
Print ISSN 0959-6526
Publisher Elsevier
Volume 91
Pages 71-77
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.12.044
Keywords High value herbal crops; Java Tea; Solar PV; Sustainable integration; Cleaner production;
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1284369