HelioRec, a French floating solar company, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving Approval in Principle (AiP) Level II from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore. This certification validates the company’s design and system architecture for floating solar power installations, confirming compliance with international marine classification standards. HelioRec’s floating platforms are built to endure extreme weather conditions, and the company aims to optimize underutilized water surfaces near urban areas for renewable energy generation.
Founded in 2019, HelioRec specializes in developing solar power systems that float on water. The company aims to use underutilized water surfaces near urban areas and industrial sites to generate renewable electricity. HelioRec recently completed maintenance on a 250-kilowatt installation at the Domaine de Cicé-Blossac in western France. HelioRec signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK’s Shoreham Port to develop a floating solar array in April. The agreement supports the port’s decarbonization strategy and aligns with HelioRec’s model of converting idle water space into clean energy hubs.
HelioRec’s floating platforms are engineered to withstand extreme nearshore weather, including wind speeds exceeding 99 mph (160 km/h) and wave heights up to 6.5 feet (2 meters). One of its pilot projects, located in the Port of Oostende in Belgium, was built to handle even higher wind loads, up to 99 mph (160 km/h). During recent storms, the system endured gusts reaching 71 mph (115 km/h) without sustaining damage, according to the company. Central to HelioRec’s durability is its patented “hydro-lock” design, which allows the floating solar units to retain water inside their hollow structures. The added mass provides enhanced stability without heavy metal or concrete ballast, making the system more cost-effective and resilient. The platforms also feature UV- and saltwater-resistant flexible connectors that help distribute mechanical stress across the floating array during turbulent weather.
HelioRec said advanced engineering simulations support the design, including finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics modeling. According to the company, testing has shown its system is 3.5 times more stable under extreme wind conditions than conventional blow-molded plastic floating solar structures. HelioRec’s floating solar installation in the Port of Brest, France, further validated its wind and wave resilience. That site, known for high tidal variation and wind speeds exceeding 93 mph (150 km/h), continues to operate reliably under real-world maritime conditions. With increasing demand for renewable energy in space-constrained coastal regions, HelioRec’s approach offers a new option for cities and ports aiming to reduce emissions while maximizing water surface utility.
Bureau Veritas has not publicly commented on the certification. However, the AiP Level II status signals a key milestone as HelioRec prepares to expand into more challenging offshore environments and scale up its technology globally.