Nottingham Estate: Building Long-Term Energy Security Through Solar Power

Nottingham Estate, a large-scale citrus operation on the banks of the Limpopo River at Beit Bridge, on the Zimbabwe side of the South Africa border, installed a 4.5 MWp grid-tied solar PV system with Bigfisch Projects and Scales Associates. An October 2025 review showed a net export of 144.3M. Wh, saving the estate more than USD 30,000 a month, with battery storage under evaluation as the next stage to cut diesel reliance further.

Table of Contents:

• A legacy built on adaptation.
• Water infrastructure to support growth.
• Responding to energy challenges.
• Solar PV system overview.
• Design, monitoring, and scalability.
• Measurable financial impact.
• What's next: Battery storage.
• The value of solar energy for citrus farming.
• A future-focused estate.
• Frequently asked questions.

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 Knott manage 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.

Solar makes that water infrastructure worth more, not less: reliable power helps keep irrigation pumps and packhouses operating on the schedule the estate has built its production around.

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 stabilize power supply and reduce operating costs.

The project was developed as core energy infrastructure rather than a one-off sustainability initiative, with the aim of reducing exposure to grid instability, diesel costs, and future energy price increases.

Solar PV System Overview

The solar installation consists of a 4.5 MWp 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:

• 4.5 MWp total system size.
• 8,370 Jinko Solar 575W panels (JKM575N-72HL4).
• 41 SMA STP 110-60 CORE2 grid-tied inverters.
• Custom aluminum 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 maximize energy generation throughout the day and improve overall system yield.

The structure was designed specifically to extend generation across more of the day and improve overall system yield rather than simply provide panel support.

Design, Monitoring, and Scalability

Prior to implementation, a comprehensive energy audit was conducted to analyze seasonal electricity usage and inform system design. The system includes remote monitoring, allowing both the consulting engineer and estate management to track performance and optimize 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.

A full audit of seasonal usage came before the design work, so the system was sized around how the estate actually draws power across the year rather than a generic consumption assumption.

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.

An October 2025 electricity bill review showed a net export of 144.3MWh, translating to monthly savings of more than USD 30,000 alongside a growing reserve of exported energy.

The surplus can offset consumption elsewhere on the estate, including lodges and hospitality facilities that share the property with the citrus operation. This means the value of the solar installation extends beyond the primary citrus load.

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.

Nottingham Estate is evaluating battery storage as the next phase, aimed at reducing diesel generator reliance further and tightening 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

Water security, energy resilience, and scalable technology together give Nottingham Estate room to keep growing without absorbing every cost increase or supply disruption the region throws at it. It is a genuinely large, complex agricultural project that demonstrates the engineering required for a major farming operation.

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

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Frequently asked questions

Is Nottingham Estate a South African project?

Nottingham Estate is in Beit Bridge, Zimbabwe, on the Zimbabwean side of the Limpopo River, and the solar system is grid-tied to ZESA rather than Eskom. Bigfisch's agricultural experience spans the wider region, not South Africa alone.

What size solar system suits a large citrus or agricultural operation?

Nottingham Estate's 4.5 MWp system was sized against a full seasonal energy audit rather than a generic estimate. The appropriate system size for another farm depends on its irrigation, cold storage, processing, and other electricity loads, together with its operating profile and grid conditions.

How does exporting excess solar power work?

Where the utility and system configuration allow it, surplus generation can be exported and credited or otherwise used to offset consumption, subject to applicable utility rules. At Nottingham Estate, surplus generation has been used to offset consumption elsewhere on the estate, including its lodges and hospitality facilities.

Can a system like this include battery storage?

Yes, in fact, Nottingham Estate is evaluating battery storage as a further phase to reduce diesel generator use and add another layer of energy security alongside the existing grid-tied solar system. 

Does BigFisch design systems for South African farms too?

Bigfisch also works with agricultural operations in South Africa. Our Agriculture Solar page provides information on LCOE, payback, and Section 12B considerations for South African tariffs and incentives, which do not apply to this Zimbabwe-based project.

Contact us to discover how we can help you save energy and money.

About Bigfisch Projects

Bigfisch Projects is a Southern African solar energy specialist providing practical guidance on solar power, battery storage, and renewable energy solutions for agricultural businesses.