Since 2008, RAAFT Systems has been a pioneer in the design and construction of rooftop terraces. It is a niche field, but one that founder Stuart Bowie has successfully carved out.
A focus on continuous innovation has propelled the business from humble beginnings in a small rented office to a global leader in urban landscaping, with offices in London and Chicago. As part of RAAFT’s ongoing commitment to innovation, Stuart explored the installation of solar at the company’s headquarters in Sussex.
Stuart engaged commercial solar specialists Butterfly Eco Limited to assess the site and design a system that would reduce reliance on grid electricity, lower energy costs, and support the business’s sustainability goals.
Project snapshot
Industry: Construction
Channel Partner: Butterfly Eco Ltd
Solar system size: 170kW
Equipment:
- 319 x 530W JA Solar Panels
- 2 x 80kW Solis Inverter
- 3 x 22kW Zappi EV chargers
Payment Plan term: 3 years
Butterfly Eco recommended a 170 kW solar PV system comprising 319 JA Solar panels and two Solis inverters. Once installed, the system was expected to supply 58% of the site’s electricity demand, deliver estimated annual savings of £37,440 on electricity bills and avoid approximately 36 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Stuart gave the project the greenlight, and installation was completed in June 2025.
The project was funded using a Smart Ease Payment Plan, allowing RAAFT to proceed with the installation for £0 upfront and covering multiple equipment types within a single agreement.
By choosing this option, RAAFT avoided drawing down on cash reserves and was also able to include three EV chargers as part of the project. This not only maximises on-site solar consumption, but also provides an additional benefit for employees and site visitors.
The win
Six months later, Stuart has already seen strong results:
“The main benefit from installing the solar panels has been the offset against the direct costs of running our metal fabrication work machinery, particularly our laser cutter and welding machines with extraction equipment. On good days, especially in the summer, we see an almost 100% offset of electricity, despite the high consumption, of running such a facility.”
With this smart and sustainable investment, the rooftop terrace experts have turned their own roof into a clean energy source, making every square metre work harder for them.
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