France’s HelioRec teams up with compatriot firm to develop offshore floating solar solutions

French offshore solar start-up HelioRec has teamed up with compatriot company deepmath solutions to address the engineering demands of floating solar in marine environments.

The partnership is said to combine deepmath’s expertise in modeling with HelioRec’s advancements in offshore solar to create resilient and efficient floating solar solutions.

According to deepmath, deployment in marine environments brings its own engineering complexities, such as ensuring structural stability against wind, wave, and current forces. Addressing these requires precise modeling and an understanding of marine conditions.

Deepmath, based in France, specializes in mathematical modeling, using computational techniques to simulate and predict complex physical phenomena. 

The company is developing customized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for HelioRec’s projects. Recent simulations include small-scale floating solar plants, helping refine system resilience.

As part of this collaboration, deepmath is set to support HelioRec’s wave tank testing at the ECN facility in France, focusing on strengthening structural models to meet the demands of long-term ocean use. This partnership reflects the growing interest in marine-based renewables, particularly as companies look to offshore solutions to support global clean energy targets, deepmath noted.

In August, HelioRec earned B Corporation (BCorp) certification from B Lab, a nonprofit organization that certifies companies for their social and environmental impact, marking its commitment to a more sustainable and equitable future.

In June, HelioRec finished the inspection of its 25 kW floating solar power plant located at Brest Port, France. According to HelioRec, the inspection was thorough, covering all aspects of the floating solar power plant.

The 25 kW floating solar plant was installed back in October 2023. HelioRec said that the installation was conducted in challenging conditions, as the Port of Brest experiences extreme tidal changes, with tides reaching up to seven meters.