Renewable energy growth in 2026: which access technology for wind, solar PV and biomass?

In Germany, more than 60 percent of electricity comes from renewable sources in 2026. Wind and solar PV are growing at record pace – and with them the need for installation, maintenance and inspection. All of this requires one basic condition: safe access to height. But which technology is the right choice for which type of installation?

The figures of the German Bundesnetzagentur are clear: in 2025 alone, 17.7 GW of solar PV and 5.3 GW of wind power were newly installed in Germany. The share of renewable energy in public net electricity generation there exceeds 60 percent in 2026. The German EEG 2026 continues the expansion incentives – with adjusted feed-in rates and new rules for negative exchange prices.

What is often overlooked in the political debate: behind every kilowatt hour is installation work at height. Every wind turbine must be maintained regularly. Every roof with solar panels needs a safe access solution. And every biogas plant must be inspected. Demand for professional height access technology grows with the expansion of renewable energy – directly and proportionally.

Wind turbines place the highest demands on height access technology. Modern onshore turbines reach hub heights of 160 metres and more, with rotor blades reaching up to 240 metres. Specialised solutions are required here.

Aerial work platforms for tower work

For maintenance work on the tower – renewing coatings, repairing damage, checking cable systems – high-performance aerial work platforms with a reach of more than 100 metres are used. Truck-mounted telescopic platforms provide quick access to defined work zones without elaborate climbing equipment. They are particularly efficient when several turbines in a wind farm are worked on one after the other.

Rope access for rotor blades

Rope access is the standard for inspecting and repairing rotor blades. Trained industrial climbers with IRATA or FISAT certification work on ropes along blades up to 80 metres long. They can detect cracks, erosion damage and lightning protection defects and repair them directly on site – without a crane, without scaffolding, with minimal time required.

Rotor blade access platforms as a special solution

For systematic inspections of larger wind farms, operators increasingly use special rotor blade access platforms. These travel along the blade surface under mechanical guidance and enable structured documentation. Drones are also used for external inspection – but classic height access technology remains indispensable as soon as repairs are needed.

PV installation divides into two fundamentally different applications, each with its own requirements for access technology.

Aerial work platforms for roof and facade installation

On pitched roofs and facades, the same rules apply as for any other roof work, under the Working Conditions Decree for work at height: collective protection takes priority, and a ladder is not the appropriate solution as a workplace. Electric articulating boom lifts and trailer-mounted platforms provide quick access with no local emissions – ideal for individual buildings and smaller projects without elaborate scaffolding.

Spider lifts for solar parks

Ground-mounted solar parks present other challenges: the terrain is often uneven, access is limited, and the modules are close to the ground but still in an area that is difficult for regular vehicles to reach. Spider lifts with low ground pressure and good off-road capability are the first choice here – they move safely between the module rows and lift installers safely to working height.

Telehandlers and crawler cranes for heavy components

During the initial installation of larger solar parks, heavy inverters, transformer containers and mounting structures must be positioned precisely. Telehandlers and crawler cranes handle the large components, while aerial work platforms support the installation work.

Biogas plants, wood-fired heating plants and biomass power plants are less visible than wind and solar installations – but their maintenance needs are just as real. Boiler systems, flue ducts, silos and digester tanks must be inspected and maintained regularly.

Depending on the size of the plant, aerial work platforms, mobile scaffolding or rope access techniques are used. Internal inspections of silos and digesters are often unavoidable – specialised equipment is needed here that addresses both confined spaces and fall risks. Industrial climbers with confined space experience are indispensable for such jobs.

Type of installation	Typical height	Recommended access solution
Wind turbine tower	80–160 m	Truck-mounted platform, tower lifts
Wind turbine rotor blade	up to 240 m	Rope access (IRATA/FISAT)
PV pitched roof	5–15 m	Scaffolding, trailer-mounted platform
PV flat roof	5–20 m	Scissor lift, edge protection
Ground-mounted PV park	2–5 m	Spider lift, telehandler
Biomass silo / digester	10–30 m	Aerial work platform, confined space rope access
Biomass chimney / boiler	10–50 m	Scaffolding, rope access

Regardless of the type of installation, clear requirements under the Working Conditions Decree apply to all work at height:

• Collective protection before individual protection – scaffolding, aerial work platforms or edge protection take priority over personal protective equipment

• Risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) is mandatory before work begins

• Qualification: for example IRATA or FISAT, otherwise in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules – depending on the field of application

• NEN-EN 13374 governs temporary edge protection systems (classes A–C)

• The Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie) provides information on work at height under the Working Conditions Decree

For wind turbines, the following also applies: operators are responsible for the safety of all persons who enter or climb their installations – including external companies and maintenance service providers.

The energy transition creates work – on the roof, on the tower, in the solar park and at the biogas plant. Operators or service providers who want to be professionally organised need access to the right height access solutions for every application.

Whether a spider lift for the solar park, a telescopic boom lift for the wind turbine tower or rope access for the rotor blade – choosing the right access technology determines the efficiency, safety and profitability of every project.

Get advice now: our experts will find the right access solution for your installation – whether wind, solar or biomass.

Which access technology is most commonly used on wind turbines?
For tower work up to approx. 100 m, truck-mounted platforms or tower-integrated lifts are standard. For rotor blades, rope access to IRATA or FISAT is the common method – it allows work at heights of 200+ metres without heavy equipment.

Do ground-mounted solar parks require an aerial work platform?
Not necessarily for every task, but for initial installation and regular maintenance, spider lifts are the most efficient solution. They handle rough terrain, exert low ground pressure and do not need paved access roads.

What does it cost to use an aerial work platform for solar installations?
Trailer-mounted platforms from approx. 100 € / day, truck-mounted platforms from 250 € / day, spider lifts from 300 € / day – each excluding transport costs. For a PV maintenance project with 1–2 days of use, costs of 300–1,500 € are realistic.

Which certificates do industrial climbers need for wind turbines?
At least FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1, supplemented by GWO certification (Global Wind Organisation) for offshore work. For specific tasks, SCC Dok17/18, DVS 2220 and OPITO certificates are added.

Is rope access safer than aerial work platforms?
Both methods are safe when used correctly. Rope access is more flexible on hard-to-reach structures, while aerial work platforms provide a more stable workplace. The risk assessment determines which method is permissible and sensible for the job in question.

What impact does Germany's EEG 2026 have on demand for maintenance services?
Due to the sharp rise in installed systems in Germany (2025 alone: 17.7 GW PV, 5.3 GW wind), the maintenance backlog is growing. Systems from the boom years 2020–2025 are now entering the maintenance cycle – meaning sharply rising demand for maintenance and inspection services through 2030.