HelioRec Launches STEWART Project to Advance Floating Solar Solutions

French offshore solar start-up HelioRec has unveiled its latest initiative, the STEWART project, aimed at propelling environmentally friendly floating solar solutions to the forefront of sustainable energy development. This project is supported by the European Union and Région Pays de la Loire through the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership).

The STEWART project, as outlined by HelioRec, is focused on several key objectives. These include developing a comprehensive protocol for monitoring the environmental impacts of floating photovoltaic (PV) systems, analyzing economic and legal frameworks to facilitate sustainable deployment, and introducing new design guidelines and technical enhancements to minimize ecological footprint.

This ambitious endeavor has brought together a consortium of partners, including INNOSEA, Sapienza Università di Roma, Middle East Technical University, Tonucci & Partners, BayWa r.e. Global, Ege University, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

“At HelioRec, our mission is to spearhead innovation in floating solar technology, where sustainability and efficiency are at the core of our efforts,” stated the company in a recent social media announcement.

Earlier this year, HelioRec joined forces with fellow French company deepmath solutions to tackle the engineering challenges associated with floating solar installations in marine environments. This collaboration leverages deepmath’s expertise in modeling with HelioRec’s advancements in offshore solar technology to create robust and efficient floating solar solutions.

In a significant milestone, HelioRec obtained B Corporation (BCorp) certification from B Lab in August, underscoring its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This certification recognizes the company’s dedication to fostering a more sustainable and equitable future through its business practices.