British furniture made with soul — now powered by the sun.
Seed Renewables was appointed by a leading British manufacturer, Rawside Furniture, to design and deliver a commercial rooftop solar PV system at the company’s UK manufacturing facility in Hampshire.
As a forward-thinking British manufacturer and certified B-Corp business, Rawside continues to place sustainability, responsible manufacturing, and long-term operational resilience at the heart of its operations. The new rooftop solar PV system now enables the company to generate clean renewable electricity directly on-site — helping power the production of its commercial furniture collections with renewable energy.
The project demonstrates the growing opportunity for British manufacturers to harness rooftop solar as part of a wider strategy to reduce operational energy costs, lower carbon emissions, and improve long-term energy resilience.
About Rawside Furniture
Rawside Furniture is a British furniture manufacturer creating furniture with a difference for hospitality, workplace, and commercial environments.
Designed and manufactured in the UK, Rawside combines skilled craftsmanship with advanced manufacturing technology to produce furniture that is built to last with functionality, character, and sustainability at its core.
As a certified B-Corp organisation, sustainability is embedded throughout the business — from sourcing and production processes through to operational decision-making and long-term environmental responsibility.
The challenge
Manufacturing facilities typically operate with high daytime electricity demand, making energy efficiency and operational sustainability key priorities for long-term business resilience.
Rawside wanted a renewable energy solution that would:
- Reduce reliance on grid electricity
- Lower operational carbon emissions
- Improve long-term energy efficiency
- Support wider sustainability and B-Corp commitments
- Be installed with minimal disruption to ongoing factory operations
With rising energy costs continuing to impact British industry, the business recognised rooftop solar as an important long-term investment in both sustainability and operational resilience.
The solar solution
Seed Renewables designed and delivered a bespoke rooftop solar PV system tailored specifically to the operational requirements of the Rawside manufacturing facility.
The installation was carefully planned to maximise on-site renewable electricity generation while integrating seamlessly into the day-to-day operations of the factory.
Project Highlights
- 86.91 kWp rooftop solar PV system
- 191 solar panels installed
- Estimated annual generation of 98,447 kWh
- Estimated annual CO₂ savings of 32.5 tonnes
- 73% of renewable energy generated consumed on-site
Following installation, the system has recorded an impressive 80% of the site’s electricity demand being self-generated through on-site renewable energy.
Supporting sustainable British manufacturing
Manufacturing businesses are uniquely positioned to benefit from rooftop solar, particularly where daytime operational energy demand aligns with solar generation throughout working hours.
Large roof areas, high daytime electricity consumption, and increasing energy costs mean commercial solar can provide significant long-term benefits for manufacturers looking to improve both sustainability performance and operational efficiency.
Projects like Rawside demonstrate how rooftop solar can help businesses:
- Reduce operational energy costs
- Improve long-term energy resilience
- Lower carbon emissions
- Support ESG and sustainability objectives
- Increase on-site renewable energy generation
- Future-proof manufacturing operations against energy volatility
As more British manufacturers invest in cleaner energy infrastructure, rooftop solar continues to play an increasingly important role in supporting sustainable UK industry.
Client feedback
“At Rawside, we care deeply about responsible manufacturing and creating products rooted in sustainability and innovative design. Seed Renewables has done a brilliant job integrating renewable energy into our UK operations, allowing us to further strengthen our sustainability commitments while helping power our factory with clean renewable energy.”
— Richard Gann, Co-Founder, Rawside Furniture
“Seeing how much of our electricity can now be self-generated through on-site solar energy has really demonstrated the potential of solar for our manufacturing facility. The project has been a valuable investment in both sustainability and the long-term resilience of our business.”
— Liz Close, Co-Founder, Rawside Furniture
Driving long-term impact
The completed solar PV installation now supports Rawside’s operations by generating clean electricity directly at the point of use.
Key long-term benefits include:
- Reduced operational energy costs
- Lower carbon emissions
- Improved sustainability performance
- Increased operational resilience
- Greater energy independence
The project further strengthens Rawside’s position as a forward-thinking British manufacturer committed to responsible business practices and sustainable growth.
Download the full case study here -> case study
Looking to Power Up Your Roof?
Seed Renewables designs and delivers commercial rooftop solar PV solutions for manufacturers, warehouses, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities across the UK.
If your business has unused roof space, commercial solar could help reduce operational energy costs, improve sustainability performance, and increase long-term energy resilience.
Contact the Seed Renewables team to find out how we can help power up your roof.