- Category
- Campus infrastructure
- Where
- Binga campus
- Planned dates
- 3 Jan 2027 to 3 Jan 2028
- People who benefit
- 400
- Funding sought
- USD 123,000
- Raised so far
- USD 0 (0%)
- Project owner
- Takura Trust
Overview
A solar power plant, borehole and reticulation that supply the whole campus with affordable energy and clean water, and teach renewable energy skills.
Every BICA service needs power and water. This project installs a solar plant with batteries, a borehole and water reticulation, and trains learners in renewable-energy trades on the real system.
Proposal
1. Executive summary
The project installs a 60 kW solar plant with battery storage, a solar-powered borehole and a campus water network, with a metering and monitoring system. It supplies Haven, Anchor, Golden Years, Nest, New Dawn, the Academy and the farm with reliable, low-cost power and clean water, and becomes a training ground for solar and plumbing learners.
2. Background and need
Power cuts and unreliable water disrupt clinics, kitchens, cold rooms and classes across Zimbabwe. Diesel generators are costly and pollute. Binga receives some of the highest sunshine in the country.
3. Problem statement
Without reliable power and water, BICA cannot run its cold rooms, clinic, computer lab and workshops, or care for people safely. Each outage costs money and puts people at risk.
4. Goal and objectives
Goal: all BICA services run on reliable, clean and affordable energy and water.
Objectives: (1) a 60 kW solar plant and batteries; (2) a borehole and water network serving the campus; (3) cut fuel costs by 80 per cent; (4) train 40 learners a year in solar and water trades.
5. Who will benefit
Everyone who lives, learns or works on campus, about 400 people, and 40 Academy learners a year in renewable-energy and plumbing trades.
6. Approach and activities
A qualified installer designs and installs the plant, borehole and network under supervision, with Academy learners working as assistants. The system is metered by building, and monthly readings are published. A maintenance contract covers the first two years while BICA technicians are trained to take over.
7. Monitoring, evaluation and learning
Progress is measured against the indicators in the results framework. The project manager keeps a monthly record of activities, spending and results, and reviews it with the Director. Baseline figures are taken in the first month, and the same measures are repeated at the mid-point and at completion. Beneficiaries are asked for their views at least twice a year, and what they say changes the plan.
A short evaluation by someone independent of BICA is carried out at the end, and its findings, including what did not work, are shared with the funder and published on this website.
8. Sustainability and exit
Savings on fuel and grid power repay the investment within a few years, and a maintenance fund is set aside from the savings. The plant is insured, and trained technicians keep it running.
9. BICA capacity and governance
BICA, the Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture, is an institution of Takura Trust, which owns the project and holds it to account. The Trust's board provides oversight, approves budgets and receives quarterly progress and financial reports. On site, the Director leads heads of care, agriculture, the Academy, enterprise, finance and partnerships, with a safeguarding and monitoring officer. A Clinical and Recovery Advisory Panel reviews care protocols and outcomes.
Funds given for this project are restricted: they are recorded in a separate project ledger, spent only against the approved budget, supported by quotations and receipts, and open to independent audit. Funders receive a narrative and financial report each quarter and a final report at completion.
10. Safeguarding and risk management
Everyone who works or volunteers on this project is vetted and signs the BICA safeguarding policy before starting. There is a named safeguarding officer, a confidential way to raise concerns, and a duty to report to the police and the Department of Social Development where required. Children, young mothers and elders are never left alone with an unvetted adult.
The main project risks are listed in the risk register with the action we will take and the person responsible. Risks are reviewed monthly by the project manager and quarterly by the Trust board.
Work plan
Phases
| Phase | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Design and procurement | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Mar 2027 |
| Installation | 3 Apr 2027 | 2 Sep 2027 |
| Commissioning and training | 3 Sep 2027 | 2 Jan 2028 |
Tasks
| Task | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and water survey; design | 3 Jan 2027 | 2 Mar 2027 |
| Borehole drilled and tested | 3 Mar 2027 | 2 May 2027 |
| Solar plant and batteries installed | 3 May 2027 | 2 Sep 2027 |
| Water network completed | 3 Jun 2027 | 2 Sep 2027 |
| Technicians and learners trained | 3 Oct 2027 | 2 Jan 2028 |
Milestones
| Milestone | Due | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Borehole commissioned | 3 May 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| Solar plant switched on | 3 Sep 2027 | Signed report with photographs |
| Final report and review | 3 Jan 2028 | Signed report with photographs |
Budget
| Item | Unit | Qty | Unit cost | Total | Requested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management | 6,000.00 | ||||
| Project coordination and reporting | month | 12 | 500.00 | 6,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| Monitoring | 3,000.00 | ||||
| Monitoring, evaluation and audit | lot | 1 | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 |
| Solar plant | 86,300.00 | ||||
| Solar panels, inverters and mounting (60 kW) | kW | 60 | 620.00 | 37,200.00 | 37,200.00 |
| Battery storage (120 kWh) | kWh | 120 | 330.00 | 39,600.00 | 39,600.00 |
| Wiring, protection and metering | lot | 1 | 9,500.00 | 9,500.00 | 9,500.00 |
| Training | 5,200.00 | ||||
| Training for 40 learners and 6 technicians | lot | 1 | 5,200.00 | 5,200.00 | 5,200.00 |
| Water | 25,500.00 | ||||
| Borehole drilling, casing and test pumping | m | 100 | 70.00 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 |
| Solar pump, tank and reticulation | lot | 1 | 18,500.00 | 18,500.00 | 18,500.00 |
| Total budget (USD) | 126,000.00 | 123,000.00 | |||
Requested from the funder: USD 123,000 (98%). BICA and partners contribute USD 3,000.
When the funds are needed
| Quarter of the project | Requested (USD) |
|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 10,000.00 |
| Quarter 2 | 104,800.00 |
| Quarter 3 | 5,200.00 |
| Quarter 4 | 3,000.00 |
Results and risks
Results framework
| Level | Result | Indicator | Now | Target | How we check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Services run on reliable clean power and water | Hours of outage per month | Not measured | Under 4 | Meter logs |
| Outcome | Fuel and grid costs fall | Reduction in energy cost | 0% | 80% | Accounts |
| Output | Solar plant, borehole and network working | Commissioned | No | Yes | Commissioning certificate |
| Output | Learners trained | Learners certified | 0 | 40 | Certificates |
Risks and what we will do
| Risk | Score | What we will do |
|---|---|---|
| Borehole yield is lower than expected | 12 | Siting survey, test pumping and a second site as a backup. |
| Equipment price rises | 9 | Fix prices early and hold a contingency. |
| Theft of panels or batteries | 8 | Fencing, lighting, guard, insurance and tracking. |
Funding and owner
Project owner
- Owner
- Takura Trust
- Implemented by
- Binga Institute of Conservation Agriculture (BICA)
- info@bica.org.zw
- Telephone
- +263774114107
- Address
- Binga District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
Every funder receives a progress and financial report each quarter. Funds are restricted to this project and tracked in a separate ledger.
Support this project
Write to us to receive the full proposal, ask a question, visit the campus, or tell us how you would like to help. A reply comes from Takura Trust and BICA within two working days.
Prefer to speak? Call +263774114107 or email info@bica.org.zw.