Category: BESS

Nottingham Estate, located along the banks of the Limpopo River in Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe, is a citrus operation with a deep-rooted family legacy and a clear focus on long-term resilience. Established in 1953, the estate has evolved through decades of change, adapting to environmental challenges, water scarcity, and shifting energy realities.

What began as a cash cropping and cattle operation has grown into a large-scale citrus estate powered by one of the most significant privately owned solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the region.

A Legacy Built on Adaptation

When Bennie Knott arrived at Nottingham Estate in 1953, the Beit Bridge district was described by the Chronicle Newspaper as a desert area “fit for baboons, and baboons only.” Despite harsh conditions and frequent droughts, Bennie began farming with cash crops and cattle. Over time, cattle farming was phased out as drought conditions persisted, and the focus shifted toward citrus production.

In the early years, irrigation relied entirely on diesel pumps due to the absence of electricity. Grid electricity only reached the estate in the early 1970s. Cotton farming was later phased out as the estate adopted biological control methods for citrus production.

Following Bennie’s passing in 1975, his sons Keith and Harley continued the citrus operation. Today, the third generation Andrew and Byron Knottmanage the estate, building on decades of experience while preparing the farm for future challenges.

Water Infrastructure to Support Growth

Water has always been a limiting factor in the region. To secure reliable irrigation, Nottingham Estate constructed Mushiloshokwe Dam in 1995, followed by the Mpande Dam in 2017. These investments ensured sufficient water storage to support expanding citrus operations and reduce reliance on unpredictable rainfall.

Responding to Energy Challenges

As electricity supply in Zimbabwe became increasingly unreliable and energy costs continued to rise, Nottingham Estate embarked on a multi-phase energy security strategy.

In January 2016, construction began on the Nottingham Estate Solar Power Station. Phase 3 of this strategy involved the deployment of a large-scale grid-tied solar PV system designed to stabilise power supply and reduce operating costs.

Solar PV System Overview

The solar installation consists of a 4.5MWp solar photovoltaic system integrated with the national utility (ZESA) and existing diesel generators. The system was designed to provide redundancy, flexibility, and long-term scalability.

System components include:

• 4.5MWp total system size
• 8,370 Jinko Solar 575W panels (JKM575N-72HL4)
• 41 SMA STP 110-60 CORE2 grid-tied inverters
• Custom aluminium ground-mount structure with a 60-degree East–West orientation

The unique ground-mount structure was designed by Julian Scales, lead engineer on the project, to maximise energy generation throughout the day and improve overall system yield.

Design, Monitoring, and Scalability

Prior to implementation, a comprehensive energy audit was conducted to analyse seasonal electricity usage and inform system design. The system includes remote monitoring, allowing both the consulting engineer and estate management to track performance and optimise consumption in real time.

The installation was developed and implemented by Scales Associates in partnership with Bigfisch Projects and was designed with future expansion in mind as energy requirements evolve.

Measurable Financial Impact

A review of the electricity bill in October 2025 showed a net export of 144.3MWh. This translates into monthly savings exceeding USD 30,000, while also building a reserve of exported energy.

This surplus power is strategically used to offset electricity consumption across other parts of the estate. In addition to citrus operations, lodges and hospitality facilities on the farm now benefit from the solar installation, with excess generation from the citrus section offsetting energy usage in these areas.

What’s Next: Battery Storage

As the next phase of the energy strategy, Nottingham Estate is considering the introduction of battery storage. This would further improve site resilience, reduce diesel generator usage, and strengthen long-term energy cost control.

The Value of Solar Energy for Citrus Farming

Solar energy offers practical advantages for citrus farming, particularly in regions with high energy costs and unreliable grid supply.

Economic Benefits

• Reduced reliance on expensive diesel and grid electricity
• Predictable and stable energy costs
• Ability to export excess power and offset usage elsewhere
• Improved long-term financial resilience

Operational Benefits

• Reliable power for irrigation, cold storage, and packhouses
• Improved water management through consistent energy supply
• Support for essential infrastructure and future electrification
• Suitability for remote farming locations

Environmental and Sustainability Benefits

• Reduced carbon footprint through renewable energy
• Improved sustainability credentials for export markets
• More efficient and responsible water use

A Future-Focused Estate

By investing in solar energy and integrated infrastructure, Nottingham Estate has positioned itself for long-term operational stability. The combination of water security, energy resilience, and scalable technology ensures the estate can continue to grow while managing costs and reducing exposure to external supply disruptions.

This project reflects a practical, forward-looking approach to farming one rooted in experience, innovation, and long-term planning.

South Africa’s unique energy challenges—from load shedding to rising electricity tariffs—have made renewable energy a necessity rather than a luxury for businesses. However, the energy requirements of a manufacturing plant differ vastly from those of a game lodge. A one-size-fits-all solar solution simply doesn’t work. Businesses require tailored solar solutions that align with their operational needs, industry demands, and growth plans. At Bigfisch Projects, we specialize in creating customized solar systems that empower businesses to thrive in an unpredictable energy landscape.

Why Tailored Solar Solutions Matter

Every industry has unique energy demands that must be met to ensure efficiency and sustainability. A customized solar solution considers factors like operational hours, energy-intensive equipment, and even geographical location. By designing systems tailored to individual businesses, we can maximize efficiency, ensure reliability, and deliver a faster return on investment.

Industry-Specific Solar Solutions

1. Hospitality: Delivering Seamless Guest Experiences

Hotels, lodges, and resorts require uninterrupted power to maintain guest satisfaction. Load shedding can lead to cancelled bookings and damaged reputations. Solar solutions for the hospitality sector must:

• Provide uninterrupted power: Integrating solar panels with hybrid inverters and battery storage ensures that critical systems like lighting, air conditioning, and kitchen appliances remain operational.
• Reduce operational costs: Energy-efficient systems lower utility bills, freeing up budget for other guest services.
• Enhance sustainability credentials: Eco-conscious guests increasingly prefer establishments committed to renewable energy.

Example: A private game lodge in the Limpopo region required a system capable of supporting its 24/7 operations. Bigfisch Projects installed a hybrid solar solution with advanced battery storage, allowing the lodge to operate independently of the grid while appealing to eco-conscious tourists.

2. Agriculture: Supporting Productivity and Growth

South African farmers face unique challenges, from water scarcity to high energy costs for irrigation and refrigeration. Solar solutions for agriculture need to:

• Power energy-intensive operations: Systems must handle equipment like pumps, cold storage units, and processing machinery.
• Support remote operations: Off-grid solutions are essential for farms in areas with limited access to electricity.
• Optimize water management: Solar-powered water filtration and pumping systems address both energy and water challenges.

Example: A Western Cape vineyard needed a solution to power its irrigation system and cold storage facilities. Bigfisch Projects designed a solar system that reduced electricity costs by 40% while ensuring reliable energy during harvesting season.

3. Manufacturing: Sustaining High-Energy Operations

Manufacturing facilities consume significant amounts of electricity to power heavy machinery and assembly lines. Downtime due to load shedding can result in massive losses. Tailored solutions must:

• Ensure consistent energy supply: Hybrid systems with large-scale battery storage minimize downtime.
• Handle high loads: Customized inverters and solar arrays accommodate the facility’s energy-intensive needs.
• Scale with growth: Systems should be designed to expand alongside the business.

Example: A Gauteng-based packaging factory adopted a Bigfisch Projects solar solution featuring high-capacity inverters and a scalable battery storage system. This reduced reliance on the grid while safeguarding production schedules.

The Design Process: From Concept to Completion

At Bigfisch Projects, our approach begins with understanding your business. Through detailed load profiling, feasibility studies, and energy audits, we identify your specific energy needs. Our engineering and design teams then craft a system that aligns with your operational goals. From procurement and installation to ongoing maintenance, we provide end-to-end support to ensure your system performs optimally.

The Bigfisch Advantage

Choosing Bigfisch Projects means partnering with a team that prioritizes your business’s unique needs. We provide:

• Industry expertise: Proven solutions for hospitality, agriculture, manufacturing, and more.
• Scalable systems: Future-ready designs that grow with your business.
• Reliable support: Comprehensive maintenance and remote monitoring to maximize uptime.

Conclusion South Africa’s diverse industries demand diverse energy solutions. At Bigfisch Projects, we recognize that no two businesses are the same. By delivering tailored solar systems, we empower South African businesses to overcome energy challenges, cut costs, and achieve sustainability goals. When it comes to solar energy, one size does not fit all—but there’s a perfect fit for your business.