Highest Internal Rate Of Return Research Articles

Performance evaluation of a new type of horizontal ground heat ex-changer: Coil-Column System (CCS)

Ground source heat pump system is well-known as an environmentally friendly and high-efficiency technology for heating and cooling the building. The horizontal ground heat exchanger (GHE) has been paid more attention to in recent years as it has a low construction cost and easy installation [1]. However, the drawback of horizontal GHE is the requirement of a large installation area [2]. In this study, the performance of a new GHE type, named Coil-Column System (CCS), is evaluated. CCS is expected to increase the total heat exchange rate of the GHE, which will result in reducing the required installation area.
 Firstly, the numerical analysis was conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics to investigate the heat exchange performance of the CCS, and previous exchanger types (e.g., spiral-coil type and straight-line ground heat exchanger (Figure 1(a)). The numerical model was validated using an in-door thermal response test (TRT) in the mock-up steel box with a dimension of 5m × 1m × 1m (Figure (1(b)) [2]. Afterward, the parametric study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the pitch of the coil and installation depth on the heat transfer efficiency of the CCS. Finally, the feasibility of the CCS was comprehensively accessed through the heat transfer performance and economic parameters (internal rate of return, payback period).
 Strong agreement between the outlet fluid temperature demonstrates that the proposed numerical model is suitable to simulate the heat exchange in the ground heat exchanger (Figure 1(c)). The comparison results of different GHE types indicate that the heat exchange rate of CCS is double that of the spiral-coil and even three times higher than that of the straight-line type (U-type, conventional type) (Figure 1(d)). The parametric study shows that a higher heat exchange rate is observed at a shorter pitch of CCS. However, the heat exchange rate of CCS is almost independent on the pitch after 168 h. This is attributed to the reduction in the temperature gradient of soil temperature and the inlet fluid temperature and thermal interference at the narrow space between pipes. In addition, an increase in installation depth results in an increase in the performance of CCS for both the short term and long term because the deeper CCS has a higher difference between fluid temperature and soil temperature.
 It should be noted that using the shorter pitch (longer pipe length) or increasing the installation depth causes a significant increase in the material cost, and excavation cost, respectively. The economic analysis results of CCS indicate that the installation depth of 4 m and the pitch of 0.15 m has the highest internal rate of return and shortest payback period since they can compromise between the material cost and heat transfer performance. Furthermore, although the investment cost (construction cost) of a CCS is significantly higher than that of the straight-line type and spiral coil type, its high heat exchange performance results in a shorter payback period (5.2 years compared with 12.0 years for straight-line and 7.0 year for spiral-coil) and higher internal rate of return (15.6% compared with 7.3% for straight-line and 13.9% for spiral-coil [2]) (Table 1). Based on the heat exchange efficiency and economic aspects, it is feasible to use the CCS as a new type of horizontal GHE to increase the total heat exchange capacity or reduce the area required for the installation and expect to spread the use of geothermal energy. In further study, the factors that may influence the performance of the CCS (i.e., weather change, rainfall infiltration, soil-atmosphere interaction) will be evaluated.

Comparative assessment of different grades of coal for methanol production: Simulation, optimization, environmental and economic analysis

The present study reports the modeling and simulation of methanol production through the gasification of freshly mined three coal samples having different wt.% of ash, viz., low-ash coal (LAC), medium-ash coal (MAC), and high-ash coal (HAC), collected from three different locations in India. The effect of the input parameters such as steam-to-coal mass ratio and gasification temperature on process performance parameters such as stoichiometric number, syngas yield, green house gas emissions from the process stream or net stream carbon dioxide equivalent, and methanol yield was studied through process sensitivity analysis and input parameters are optimized for the maximum methanol yield and minimum green house gas emission. Primary economic investigation at optimized conditions revealed that an internal rate of return of 5.93% is achieved for HAC at minimum plant scale and setting the methanol selling price of 400 USD/ton whereas IRR obtained as 3.20% and 5.87% for LAC and MAC, respectively, at this condition. The coal sample, HAC, performed better due to a high internal rate of return (i.e., 7.53% at base case) and subsequently low production cost. The present study's findings can be decisive for the countries with substantial low-grade high-ash coal reserves concerning coal diversification for its sustainable consumption in methanol production.

An integrated financial and environmental evaluation framework to optimize residential photovoltaic solar systems in Australia from recession uncertainties

This study assesses the financial viability and environmental evaluation of Photovoltaic (PV) panels from the perspective of the recent economic recession due to the Russia-Ukraine war. The financial viability of PV installation is calculated based on the estimated price, solar rebates, feed-in tariff, energy supply cost, and other evaluation parameters available at the assessment time. This calculation implicitly assumes variable discount rates (4%, 7%, and 12%) to show how the future will unfold and its correlations with design parameters. Details of economic appraisal integrating current inflation, rebates, and incentives of solar systems have been analyzed for the first time in this study. Financial indicators reveal the advantages of installing a grid-connected solar system (SS) over a solar battery storage system (SSWB). Compared to other installation systems, the lowest payback (PB) and highest internal rate of return (IRR) are observed for a 7 kW grid-connected solar system. Relative uncertainties of solar installation systems represent the necessity of government subsidies (r = -0.602) for solar storage batteries. LCA signifies the energy-intensive process of manufacturing metallurgical-grade (MG) silicon is the primary cause of significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and cumulative energy demand (CED) for PV panels. A potential amount of metal and fossil fuels is depleted for interconnective components of solar installation systems. Amorphous solar panels exhibit lower impacts than polycrystalline, but further upgradation in service life is required to become cost-effective and cope with current inflation.

The profitability of artificial and natural regeneration: A forest investment comparison of Poland and the U.S. South

The historical development of silviculture has been closely related to an increasing need for timber, which resulted in more planted forests and artificial regeneration over time. The idea of natural regeneration through shelterwood cutting was often not accepted by forest owners as a management practice because of inadequate financial returns and less certain outcomes. Despite the evolving dominance of planted forests, questions remain if the lower costs of natural regeneration may still provide sufficient profitability of forest investments. In this paper, the profitability of planted versus natural forest management in Poland and the U.S. South was examined. A discounted cash flow model was developed to evaluate the profitability of artificial and natural regeneration in hypothetical Scots and loblolly pine stands in Poland and the U.S. South, respectively, and hardwood stands (dominated by oak spp.) in both countries. The results have shown that for both countries and species, natural regeneration regimes produce higher internal rates of return (IRR), largely due to less expensive establishment costs. The largest difference in returns is observed for hardwood in the US South (97 basis points, bps, or almost 1 percentage point), followed by pine in the US South (84 bps) and pine and hardwood in Poland (both ca. 70 bps). Southern pines in the U.S. South may have larger net present values (NPV) at moderate discount rates, as well as provide more certain wood production outcomes, which have contributed to their pervasive adoption. We conclude that natural stand forest management, in addition to better rates of return, may bring other non-financial benefits (e.g., genetic diversity, resilience), which may support forest owners and the environment, especially under changing climate conditions. Nevertheless, the regeneration method and its feasibility and profitability should be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis for each forest investment.

Do Digital Technology Firms Earn Excess Profits? Alternative Perspectives

ABSTRACT Despite regulators’ allegations that digital technology giants misuse their market power to earn abnormal profits, there is a dearth of systematic work on (1) whether digital-tech firms in general, and tech giants in particular, earn excess profits or (2) whether their abnormal profitability, if any, is due to market power. We use two alternative measures of economic profitability in addition to accounting rate of return (ARR): internal rate of return (IRR), which equates current investments to their long-term payback, and return on invested capital (ROIC), whose numerator (profits) and denominator (invested capital) are adjusted for capitalized intangibles. Inferences based on IRRs differ from those based on ARRs and ROICs. IRRs show that the digital-tech sector is now the best-performing sector, and its gap between profitability and cost of capital has increased over time. We are unable to separate the contribution of market power and innovation to digital tech’s high IRRs. JEL Classifications: D43; L1; M21; M41.

Performance evaluation of a novel horizontal ground heat exchanger: Coil-column system

Horizontal ground heat exchangers (GHEs), which are used for heating/cooling buildings, have garnered significant attention in recent years owing to their low construction cost and ease of installation. However, they require a large installation area due to their low efficiency. In this study, a new horizontal GHE type, named a coil-column system (CCS), is proposed, and its feasibility is investigated. CCS is expected to increase the total heat exchange rate of the GHE, thus reducing the required installation area. First, the heat exchange performance of the CCS is investigated and compared with existing exchangers using COMSOL Multiphysics. The numerical model was validated using an in-door thermal response test in a 5 m × 1 m × 1 m mock-up steel box. Afterward, a parametric study was conducted to evaluate the effect of coil pitch, installation depth, and space between the coil-column on the heat transfer efficiency of the CCS. Finally, the feasibility of the CCS was comprehensively evaluated by considering the heat transfer performance and economic parameters. From the results, it was found that the heat exchange rate of CCS was double and triple that of the spiral-coil and the straight-line types. The parametric study reveals that the pitch between the coil and the space between the coil-column affect the short- and long-term heat exchange performance of CCS, whereas the installation depth influences both short- and long-term performances. The economic analysis of the CCS indicates that at an installation depth of 4 m, a space between the coil-column of 0.2 m, and a pitch of 0.15–0.2 m have the highest internal rate of return because they offer a trade-off between the construction cost and heat transfer performance. Furthermore, using a controlled low-strength material as a thermal-enhanced grouting material increased the annual heat exchange rate by 25% and resulted in a notable increase in the internal rate of return (19.5% compared with 15.6% when using soil).

Water Savings, Yield, and Economic Benefits of Using SRI Methods with Deficit Irrigation in Water-Scarce Southern Iraq

This study evaluated what intervals of irrigation in conjunction with the use of SRI methods could achieve the greatest economic, as well as agronomic returns when growing irrigated rice under the water-deficit conditions of southern Iraq. A field study at the Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station in southern Iraq recorded input and output data for three different irrigation regimes: continuous submergence of the rice crop; irrigation at 3-day intervals; and irrigation at 7-day intervals. Benefit–cost analysis showed 3-day intervals with SRI methods, giving the highest net returns and highest internal rate of return, indicating that the continuous irrigation of rice fields is a waste of water, with neither agronomic nor economic benefit. In Iraq, there are large opportunity costs for any unnecessary use of irrigation water. The highest water productivity was achieved with 7-day intervals of irrigation together with SRI methods, but this entails some sacrifice of the yield ha−1, as 13% less grain is produced than with continuous submergence of the crop. With 7-day intervals compared to 3-day intervals, water-saving was 44%, but compared to continuous submergence of the crop, the saving was 72%. This large amount of water could, if redeployed, enable many more farmers to cultivate larger areas of the land, increasing total rice production for Iraq, and some of the water saved could be put to other, high-value uses. It would thus benefit the country and many farmers if, in return for rice farmers’ using irrigation water more productively, those who currently grow rice could be persuaded to accept a grain yield somewhat lower than they could produce with 3-day intervals of irrigation and SRI crop management. The redeployment of water saved by having longer irrigation intervals coupled with SRI methods could raise Iraq’s rice output more than enough to compensate the farmers for forgoing some attainable production by their accepting 7-day irrigation intervals. If no such incentive scheme could be established, there would still be a significant benefit for farmers and for the country by moving to SRI production methods with 3-day intervals rather than continuing the present practice of routinely flooding rice fields and using conventional methods.

Sustainability, investment strategy, and governance: evaluation of wind energy sector in North-West Spain

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges humanity faces globally. For this reason, governmental efforts to reduce emissions of polluting gases have multiplied in the last decade. Against this panorama, petroleum companies have adopted a strategic policy focused on energy diversification, intending to contribute to sustainable development. In the case of Spain, wind energy has been one of the renewable energies that have attracted the most investment from petroleum companies. In particular, this trend is especially acute in Galicia (a region located in the northwest of Spain), since its biophysical conditions and, above all, its institutional framework for the promotion of photovoltaic energy has aroused the interest of petroleum companies. The objective of this article is to perform a feasibility analysis of an average wind project in Galicia. through the calculation of the initial investment, the necessary financing, and the preparation of balance sheets and profit and loss accounts. For this purpose, the methodology used is based on the preparation of a feasibility plan, through which the necessary investment is analyzed and the flows of receipts and payments generated by the company are considered. In this way, this analysis is intended to be useful for companies that are considering the appropriateness/inappropriateness to carry out this type of investment. The results show a high internal rate of return, which indicates the high profitability of the project.

Freeze desalination via thermoacoustic cooling: System analysis and cost overview

Clean, drinkable water is essential for human health and well-being. However, access to clean water is becoming a global problem due to climate change and over exploitation of natural water resources. Desalination is widely accepted as a solution to meet water demands in areas with access to seawater. However, remote areas such as small islands far from the mainland pose a special challenge as they lack the infrastructure to meet electricity and water demands. This paper investigates the deployment of freeze desalination (FD) coupled with thermoacoustic engine and refrigerator (TAE/R) to provide freshwater to small settlements in remote locations like small islands. It presents an economic feasibility assessment of deployment of waste energy to satisfy the freshwater requirements, as an alternative to using conventional techniques such as reverse osmosis (RO) and thermal distillation (TD) that are energy intensive. Different scenarios are presented comparing the economic feasibility of FD vs. RO. The analysis is done based on the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), selling price, and payback period using cashflow diagrams. Compared with the RO, FD powered by TAE/R turns out to be the most favorable option to produce freshwater from seawater for a small community on an isolated island due to high NPV and IRR, and low selling price and payback period.

A value-added and carbon-reduction approach to upcycle mixed plastic waste into methane and carbon microspheres

The mass production, consumption, and disposal of plastics pose a considerable threat to the environment and human life; however, the recycling of plastic waste remains challenging. This study converted mixed plastic waste into gas and solid without generating a liquid product. The pyrolysis gas had a high CH4 content and a high heat value. The solid product comprised 2–8 μm carbon spheres with a semicrystalline graphitic structure. The techno-economic and carbon footprint analyses revealed that the upcycling of mixed plastic waste into carbon black and natural gas substitutes produced a high internal rate of return (56.9%), a short payout period (3.46 years), and negative carbon emissions (−449 kg CO2-eq per t plastic waste). The product price and plant capacity are the main factors influencing the profitability of the project. Compared with autogenic pressure pyrolysis for the production of liquid fuels, this method showed considerably higher economic and environmental benefits.

Benchmarking Private Equity Fund Performance in the Mid-Market GP Universe with Insights on Social Stratification

This work examines the impact of social stratification issues, particularly the diversity of the management team, on fund performance within the middle-market GP universe. It aims to harmonize traditional financial metrics with sociological aspects to provide a comprehensive explanation of what drives fund performance. Using a quantitative analysis approach, this research investigates the Burgiss dataset, which includes well-documented financial statements for over 3,000 private equity funds from 1990 to 2020. The study focuses on common performance metrics: Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC), and Cash-on-Cash return. It measures the effects of fund size, vintage year, management fees, and management team diversity on these performance metrics. The findings indicate that larger funds are generally associated with higher IRR, MOIC, and Cash-on-Cash returns. Notably, diversity indices of the management team within these funds are positively related to IRR (β = 0.50, p < 0.001) and MOIC (β = 0.45, p < 0.001), two of the most important performance metrics. While some funds initially had low I returns, many showed recovery in the longer term. The results underscore the significant role social factors play in the performance of private equity funds. This study sheds light on the broader discussion of the relationship between social science, economic performance, and social structures. It illustrates the positive effect of management diversity on fund performance, which could motivate a reconsideration of investment strategies from a sociological standpoint, making them more sustainable and inclusive.

Optimising a Biogas and Photovoltaic Hybrid System for Sustainable Power Supply in Rural Areas

This paper proposes a method for evaluating the optimal configuration of a hybrid system (biomass power plant and photovoltaic plant), which is connected to the electrical grid, to achieve minimum energy costs. The study is applied to a small rural municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain, as an energy community. The approach takes into account the daily energy demand variation and price curves for energy that are either imported or exported to the grid. The optimal configuration is determined by the highest internal rate of return (IRR) over a 12-year period while providing a 20% discount in electricity prices for the energy community. The approach is extrapolated to an annual period using the statistical data of sunny and cloudy days, considering 23.8% of the year as cloudy. The methodology provides a general procedure for hybridising both plants and the grid to meet the energy needs of a small rural population. In the analysed case, an optimal combination of 140 kW of rated power from the biogas generator was found, which is lower than the maximum demand of 366 kW and 80 kW installed power in the photovoltaic plant, resulting in an IRR of 6.13% over 12 years. Sensitivity studies for data variations are also provided.

Bioeconomic Analysis of In-Pond Raceway System Production of Foodsize and Stocker Hybrid Catfish (Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus ♀ × Blue Catfish, I. furcatus ♂)

The U.S. catfish industry is seeking production systems that are efficient, intensive, and profitable. Growing foodsize and stocker-sized fish in the same pond is attractive as it is often difficult to obtain larger-sized stockers early each year. This case study evaluated the performance and economics of producing foodsize hybrid catfish and stocker-sized fingerlings in in-pond raceway systems (IPRS) placed into four 0.4 ha ponds. Growout raceways (RW1/RW2) in ponds 1 and 2 were 63 m3, and 45 m3 in ponds 3 and 4 (RW3/RW4). Each pond had one (14 m3) stocker unit raceway and a 5 HP of aeration that maintained adequate dissolved oxygen levels. Average growout production was 12,050 kg/ha in 63 m3 raceways and 12,078 kg/ha in 45 m3 raceways (228 days of production) and achieved harvest weights ranging from 564 to 661 g. The raceway stocker unit had production yields ranging from 3537 to 4388 kg/ha (143 days of production) and achieved harvest weights ranging from 123 to 234 g. Stocker units in ponds 1 and 2 generated 8540 stocker–fingerlings (21,102 fingerlings/ha) and units in ponds 3 and 4 generated 7954 fingerlings (19,654 fingerlings/ha). An investment of USD 39,996 was needed for ponds 1 and 2 and USD 21,196 for ponds 3 and 4. When scenarios were analyzed financially, positive financial net returns occurred when farm level investment decreased, leading to reduced payback periods, increased net present values, and higher internal rates of return. IPRS used stocker units to culture fingerlings for future stocking of foodsize fish. IPRS provided good inventory control, and high production yields compared to traditional pond culture of catfish.

Sustainability assessment of economic, environmental and social impacts, feed-food competition and economic robustness of dairy and beef farming systems in South Western Europe

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sustainability of cattle systems in South Western Europe by combining life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) with assessment of feed-food competition and economic robustness. We studied three cattle systems using different proportions of semi-natural pasture, and producing either only beef or milk and beef, i.e. a dairy system with Holstein breed in the lowlands of France with <5% of the total land used being semi-natural pastures (HolSy), a dairy system with Montbeliarde breed in the highlands of France with approximately 25% of the total land used being semi-natural pastures (MonSy), and a pure beef system with Parda de Montana breed in the highlands of Spain with >85% of the total land used being semi-natural pastures (ParSy). The functional unit for LCSA was 1000 kg protein of animal origin and the system boundary was from cradle to farmgate. The cattle production systems were assessed using 27 indicators (LCSA, feed-food competition and robustness). The results indicated that MonSy performed less well for 10 and ParSy for 14 out of the 27 indicators researched when compared to HolSy, the reference case. HolSy was less sensitive to a support payment decrease and had lower social impacts on farmers than the other two systems. MonSy had lower impacts on some environmental indicators, lower life cycle costs, lower social impacts on society, lower human edible feed conversion ratio (i.e. less feed-food competition) for fat and less sensitivity to a meat price decrease than the other two systems. ParSy had lower terrestrial and freshwater ecotoxicity, lower human edible feed conversion ratio and land use ratio for protein, lower social impact for the local community, and a higher internal rate of return than the other systems. ParSy had less sensitivity to feed and energy price increases, and increased rented land and loan interest costs than the other systems. Producing both meat and milk at the same farm increased vulnerability to economic changes. Semi-natural pasture based dairy in highland Europe needs support payments to keep the farm economically afloat in times of economic changes e.g. due to shocks.

Techno-economic analysis of plastic wastes-based polygeneration processes

To address the plastic waste reduction and reutilization, three designs of mixed plastic wastes-based polygeneration processes are named Designs 1–3. Designs 1 and 2 produce MeOH and electricity simultaneously by using the cryogenic air separation unit (CASU) and the vacuum pressure swing adsorption unit (VPSA), respectively. To increase the capacity of capturing CO2, the calcium looping process (CaLP) is involved in Design 3 to produce the products of H2 and CO2 and recover waste heat for power generation. The complicated CaLP dramatically increases the total costs of Design 3, although the carbon capture ratio of Design 3 is superior to other designs. If the cumulative carbon revenue is counted into the total annual income according to the emission trading scheme, the economic evaluation shows that Design 3 has a higher net present value (NPV), or a higher internal rate of return (IRR), or a shorter dynamic payback period (DPP) than other designs.

Mission-oriented R&D and growth of Japan 1988–2016: a comparison with private and public R&D

ABSTRACT We analyze the dynamic interaction of Japan’s total factor productivity (TFP), GDP, stocks of domestic and foreign private and public as well as mission-oriented R&D, called GBARD in OECD statistics, in a vector-error-correction model (VECM) for Japan with stock data for the period 1987–2016. Permanent policy changes show the following main results: (i) GBARD as well as private and public R&D each encourage growth rates of the other R&D stocks and of TFP and GDP, and (ii) all have high internal rates of return; (iii) Japan’s R&D policies affect and are affected by foreign R&D; in particular, Japan’s public R&D has a positive impact on European private R&D, whereas other OECD countries’ R&D has a negative one. Japan’s R&D policies should be supported by education policies enhancing especially the number of PhDs and IT personnel.

Technoeconomic evaluation of insulated building integrated photovoltaic system as a building envelope

Buildings integrated PV envelopes plays a substantial role in making the building energy efficient in nature. The envelopes have a multi-disciplinary benefits ranging from power generation to building aesthetics. In this paper an economics evaluation of the BIPV envelopes (Roof and Wall) was calculated by replacing the conventional building materials. For the analysis a Lower Income Group (LIG) single unit house with a BIPV roof and wall area of 48.5 m2 and 18 m2 respectively was proposed.The purpose of this evaluation is to compare the cost-economics of different BIPV envelopes (facade and wall) with the base case of RCC roof and wall. The economic attributes depicts that with the Pay Back Period (PBP) of 6.1–6.21 years and higher Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 29.4–29.8%, the insulated BIPV roof + wall and BIPV roof seems feasible compared to the RCC roof. Also, the insulated BIPV envelopes seems to be economically feasible to replace the conventional envelopes.

A Preliminary Review of Poly(lactic acid)-based Biodegradable Foam and its Techno-economic Model

Biodegradable polymers using renewable resources with properties that are comparable to bio-based and fossil-based polymer materials at a comparable cost have been studied and developed in an effort to solve environmental issues, especially expanded polystyrene. One potential raw main material to replace EPS is poly(lactic acid), a synthetic polymer made from lactic acid, which is made by fermenting organic materials like sweetcorn, rice, soya, potatoes, or whey. It is used in food and non-food packaging, drug-controlled release, agriculture, automotive, and electronic accessories. Foaming is vital in developing lighter, more cost-effective materials that may be utilized for a range of purposes due to their general features, such as lightweight, good heat, more ductile (elastic), and excellent energy absorption (impact resistance). In this review, different types of foaming processes and their process parameters are focused at. It was written following the procedures outlined in the PRISMA2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines for conducting a review to reports and evaluating a wide variety of interventions. Furthermore, a sustainable material should focus on the efficacy of its resource consumption and the economic feasibility of the product it creates. An economic feasibility study is also provided in this article aims to evaluate how much profit a production plant can make. The techno-economic model developed in this study yielded a profit on sales of 69.69% and an internal rate of return of 44.0%. Techno-economic modeling favored the commercial use of poly(lactic acid)-based biodegradable foam based on its positive net present value, short payback period, and high internal rate of return.

Techno-economic feasibility analyses of grid- connected solar photovoltaic power plants for small scale industries of Punjab, Pakistan

The globally soaring energy prices and electricity shortfall are major hurdles in the economic development of Pakistan. To cope with periodic power outages, small and medium enterprise (SME) business owners have to fall back on alternate power sources such as backup generators and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which further increase the per kWh cost of electricity, power quality issues, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. On the contrary, grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are not only economical and sustainable but support the national power grid to mitigate environmental emissions. This study aims to investigate and compare the techno-economic viability of grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants for the manufacturing SME sector in four different districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Based on the technical, financial, and environmental indicators, a detailed techno-economic, sensitivity, and GHG emission analysis is conducted using RETScreen Expert software. The research findings clearly show that the proposed solar PV projects for all four locations are technically, financially, and environmentally viable, however, Sargodha as compared to other sites is the most feasible location with the highest capacity factor of 17.8 %, highest internal rate of return 14.9 %, lowest payback period 7.7 years, and least levelized cost of electricity 8.5 ¢/kWh. For validation, the simulation results are compared with performance metrics from PV plants erected in various parts of the world. Applying the same research approach to the whole industrial sector of Punjab recommends adding 13,469 MW of PV capacity to satisfy the industry’s 20446.21 GWh annual energy consumption and to cut emissions by 90,17,581 t CO2 per year. This research work presents guidelines for researchers to evaluate the feasibility of suitable PV technologies for the SME sector thereby helping investors to have a holistic view of potential investment zones.

Analisis Finansial Sistem Agroforestri Di Desa Puundirangga Kecamatan Laonti Kabupaten Konawe Selatan

Using a plot of land in community forests with a combination of various plants is expected to increase production and profits in a sustainable manner. Therefore, this study aims to determine agroforestry patterns and their financial feasibility in the community forest. This study used direct observation methods and interviews with the purposive sampling method considering ownership and types of plants in community forests using agroforestry systems. The results showed that the financial analysis of the three types of agroforestry was declared feasible for development. Financial analysis within 40 (forty) years using an interest rate of 6% obtained an A1 type agroforestry system obtaining an NPV of Rp. 583,969,740.21 and for a 9% interest rate of Rp. 177,426,885.94. Meanwhile, the results of the BCR (Net Benefit Cost Ratio) analysis obtained an A1 type agroforestry system at an interest rate of 6% of 15.20 and an interest rate of 9% of 12.23. Finally, the highest IRR (Internal Rate Of Return) results in type A1 were 8.30%, and types A2 and A3 were 7.95% and 8.11%, respectively.