Solar Powered and IoT Integrated Sustainable Hydroponic System for B40 Community at Overcrowded Flat

Mutiara Rini, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

IEEE Members from the Malaysia Section who were also experts from the Centre of Electrical Energy Systems (CEES); faculty members from the School of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Science of the University Teknologi Malaysia (UTM); and representatives of Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP), Jabatan Pertanian Daerah Johor Bahru, SunCrox Solar, Mutiara Agro Farm, Pangsapuri Jasa Hydroponic Team, Pangsapuri Jasa Resident Association and Joint Management Body (JMB).

This project implemented an intelligent and renewable energy hydroponic agricultural system in the low-resouce urban community of Pangsapuri Jasa in Johor, Malaysia. The community had already been cultivating crops on a small scale in the open area of the apartment complex, but the existing crops were not doing well since they needed more space and better soil. The project team designed a solar-powered hydroponic system that leverages IoT technology, as well as smart applications to assist the residents in maximizing crop yields. Residents of the community learned about solar power, the internet of things, and smart modern agriculture techniques. They were also able to consume and sell the crops produced via the system.

The Pangsapuri Jasa community was established as a Smart Community Urban Agricultural Training Centre with IoT applications, renewable energy systems, and hydroponic methods that allow residents to maximize crop yields. As a result of the system, agricultural operations have become more efficient and accurate, and operational costs have been reduced. Twenty local residents have benefited from the project through a knowledge transfer program, which has exposed them to the methods and technology of hydroponic cultivation and maintenance.

The project has also implemented low-carbon solutions by utilizing solar panels, which promote sustainability and reduces carbon emissions.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, the harvested vegetables from the project  serve as a supplemental income source for local residents, improving the livelihood of local residents and contributing to the sustainable development of the region.