Solar obligation 2026: why safe access at height is now crucial for PV installation

The German solar obligation 2026 is being extended to existing buildings and is bringing a wave of roof installations. Anyone installing photovoltaic systems professionally and in compliance with the rules cannot avoid one crucial question: which access-at-height equipment is the right one, and what does the law require?

From 2026, the following applies in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and other German states: anyone who completely re-roofs a building must install a photovoltaic system at the same time. Minimum size in North Rhine-Westphalia: 30 percent of the suitable roof area, with 3 kWp sufficient for single- and two-family homes. What previously mainly affected new buildings now also applies to existing buildings.

The result: solar installers, roofers and trade businesses are seeing a sharp rise in orders. This also increases the need for professional access-at-height equipment, because every roof installation starts with a central safety question: how do I get onto the roof safely?

Installing solar systems on pitched roofs is one of the most accident-prone activities in construction and the trades. Falling is the greatest risk and at the same time the most frequently underestimated. Clear requirements therefore apply to work at height under the Working Conditions Decree:

• Collective protection takes priority over individual protection (PPE against falls)

• Ladders are only permitted to a limited extent during installation, in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules, for example as a means of access and only for short-term tasks

• A risk assessment comes first, before work begins

• Temporary edge protection systems to NEN-EN 13374 (classes A, B, C) are a recognised protective measure

In 2024, the German BG BAU published its own guideline on scaffolding for the installation of PV systems: a clear signal that the industry can no longer ignore professional access solutions.

No two sites are the same. The choice of the right access equipment depends on the roof type, ground conditions, project size and time pressure.

Scaffolding: the classic for pitched roofs

For pitched roofs from approx. 20° pitch, scaffolding is the safest and most commonly required solution. It provides a stable workplace along the entire length of the roof, allows modules and tools to be set down safely and at the same time protects the area below. Flexibly adaptable systems now also allow fast erection on complex roof shapes.

Advantages: maximum safety, large working area, material storage possible, suitable for all roof sizes.
Disadvantages: erection time 2–8 hours, rental costs approx. €10–20 per m², space required on the property.

Aerial work platforms: flexible and fast

For flat roofs, low buildings or individual spots, the aerial work platform is often the more efficient alternative. Electric articulating boom lifts allow work with zero local emissions directly at the roof, without time-consuming scaffold erection. Especially for maintenance, cleaning or installing individual modules, truck-mounted platforms and trailer-mounted platforms are time-saving solutions.

Advantages: no erection, ready for use immediately, flexible positioning, ideal for individual spots.
Disadvantages: limited reach depending on the model, rental costs higher than scaffolding, load-bearing ground required.

Spider lifts for difficult terrain

If the ground is uneven or the vehicle cannot reach the building directly, spider lifts are used. They offer maximum off-road capability with low ground pressure, ideal for existing properties with restricted access routes.

Advantages: off-road capable, low ground pressure, no paved surface required.
Disadvantages: higher rental costs, slower to move than wheeled platforms.

PPE against falls: when is it permitted?

Personal protective equipment against falls (harness and anchor point) is no substitute for collective protection, but can be used additionally in justified exceptional cases, for example if scaffolding is technically not feasible due to the roof shape. In such cases, suitable anchor points must be present on the building or retrofitted.

For installers who regularly install PV systems, the question is: rent or buy scaffolding?

Renting pays off for companies with changing projects and different roof sizes. Costs are predictable, and storage and maintenance are eliminated. Rental prices start from approx. €10 per m² of scaffold area.

Buying pays off for companies with a high order volume and similar projects. An own scaffolding system pays for itself after approx. 15–20 jobs. On the other hand, there are costs for storage, transport and regular inspections in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules.

The most important regulations:

• Working Conditions Decree, work at height: also when installing solar and PV systems on roofs

• Working Conditions Decree, Chapter 7 (work equipment): scaffolding and aerial work platforms as work equipment when installing PV systems

• NEN-EN 13374: temporary edge protection systems, classes A to C

• Working Conditions Act (Arbowet): the employer's duty of care, including for scaffolding work

Key points: access to the roof must be safe, preferably through the building (stairwell, roof hatch). Where this is not possible, stair towers, hoists or stair access in the scaffolding are the appropriate solution. The risk assessment documents the chosen solution and is decisive in the event of a dispute.

Solution	Rental costs (approx.)	Set-up time	Suitable for
Facade scaffolding	€10–20 / m²	2–8 hrs	Pitched roof, large systems
Trailer-mounted platform	€100–250 / day	immediate	Flat roof, individual spots
Truck-mounted platform	€250–600 / day	15 min	Quick one-off jobs
Spider lift	€300–700 / day	15 min	Difficult terrain

The total cost of access equipment is usually 5–15% of the installation cost of a PV system: a manageable investment in safety and efficiency.

The 2026 solar obligation is not a bureaucratic detail: it noticeably changes the order volume in the trades. Installers or roofers who want to remain competitive need reliable access solutions: safe, efficient and compliant.

Whether scaffolding, aerial work platform or spider lift: the right access-at-height equipment is not a cost factor but a competitive advantage.

Get advice now: our experts will help you find the right access solution for your next PV site.

Is scaffolding mandatory for photovoltaic installation?
It is not legally required as the only solution, but it is the safest option for pitched roofs. The Working Conditions Decree calls for a risk assessment and suitable collective protection; in practice, on pitched roofs this almost always means scaffolding.

What does scaffolding for a PV system cost?
Rental costs are approx. €10–20 per m² of scaffold area, plus erection and dismantling. For an average single-family home, total costs come to €500–2,000, depending on roof size and rental period.

Can a solar system be installed without scaffolding?
Yes, if suitable alternatives are used: aerial work platform, rope protection system or spider lift. A documented risk assessment is always a prerequisite.

What is different with flat roofs?
On flat roofs the risk of falling is less pronounced, but edge protection at the roof edge remains necessary. Aerial work platforms and scissor lifts are the preferred access solution here; no scaffolding is needed.

Who is responsible for safe access on site?
The executing company is responsible for the risk assessment and for implementing suitable protective measures. When work is contracted out, coordination lies with the client, in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules.

What applies from 2026 under the German solar obligation?
In North Rhine-Westphalia and other German states, from 2026 existing buildings undergoing a complete roof renewal must be fitted with a PV system covering at least 30% of the suitable roof area. Exceptions apply where this is technically or economically unreasonable.

What qualifications do workers at height need for PV installation?
For using PPE: training in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules. For aerial work platforms: the operator's required competence. Industrial climbers need FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1 as a minimum qualification.