A Design of a Solar-Powered Vertical Farm in Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Rising population, growing urbanization, diminishing fresh water supply, and climate change have been contributing to the planet’s deteriorating stocks of arable land. Intensive crop production in urban areas through vertical farming is considered a promising solution to help meet the increased demand for food in cities using non-arable land and in a more local and environmentally sustainable manner. In this study, we examined vertical farming as a potential solution to addressing the significant food insecurity in Sudan, Africa. Three types of vertical farms, each equipped with solar photovoltaics, were considered, namely: (1) warehouse vertical farm; (2) modular (shipping-container) vertical farm; and (3) greenhouse vertical farm. The specific objectives of the study were: (1) To design an appropriate embodiment for each of the three types of vertical farm as powered by solar photovoltaics to meet the annual demand for 66,000 kg of Yellow Potato and 79,200 heads of Rocket Arugula by the local grocery store Al-Anfal Supermarket in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum; and (2) To assess the economic viability of each designed vertical farm embodiment as a business enterprise in Khartoum, Sudan. The conclusions of the study were as follows: (1) The greenhouse vertical farm was the most profitable case with a break-even period of 1.1 years and an estimated annual profit of $179,447; (2) The warehouse vertical farm was the second most profitable case with a break-even period of 1.3 years and an estimated annual profit of $166,924; (3) The modular shipping-container vertical farm was the last place with an estimated annual profit of $164,691 and breakeven point of 1.3 years; and, (4) Although requiring significant capital and operational investments, the foregoing three embodiments of vertical farming, powered by solar photovoltaics, to meet the annual demands for 66,000 kg of Yellow Potato and 79,200 heads of Rocket Arugula by the local grocery store Al-Anfal Supermarket in Sudan’s capital city of Khartoum, demonstrated reasonable promise for economic profitability.