Renewable energy boom 2026: which work-at-height access technology for wind power, PV and biomass?

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

The figures of the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) speak for themselves: in 2025 alone, 17.7 GW of photovoltaics and 5.3 GW of wind power were newly installed in Germany. The share of renewables in public net electricity generation there will exceed the 60 percent mark in 2026. The German EEG 2026 act continues to strengthen expansion incentives - with adjusted feed-in tariffs and new rules for negative exchange prices.

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

Wind turbines place the most demanding requirements on work-at-height access technology. Modern onshore turbines reach hub heights of 160 metres and more, and rotor blades reach 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 over 100 metres are used. Truck-mounted telescopic platforms provide quick access to defined work areas without complex climbing equipment. They are particularly efficient when several turbines in a wind farm are serviced one after another.

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 systems as a special solution

For systematic inspections of larger wind farms, operators are increasingly relying on special rotor blade access systems. These travel along the blade surface on mechanical guides and enable structured documentation. Drones are used in addition for external inspection - but classic work-at-height access technology remains indispensable as soon as repairs are needed.

PV installation divides into two fundamentally different deployment scenarios, 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 Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll. (work at height), collective protection takes priority and leaning ladders are not suitable as a workplace. Electric articulating boom lifts and trailer-mounted platforms offer quick access without local emissions - ideal for individual buildings and smaller projects without complex scaffolding.

Spider lifts for ground-mounted solar plants

Ground-mounted solar parks pose different challenges: the terrain is often uneven, access routes are 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 high 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 ground-mounted plants, heavy inverters, transformer stations and mounting structures must be positioned precisely. Telehandlers and crawler cranes handle the large components, while aerial work platforms provide installation support.

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. Boilers, flues, silos and digesters must be inspected and maintained regularly.

Depending on the size of the installation, aerial work platforms, mobile scaffolding or rope access are used. For silos and digesters, internal inspections are often unavoidable - specialised equipment is needed here that copes with confined spaces and fall risks alike. Industrial climbers with confined space experience are indispensable for such jobs.

Installation type	Typical height	Recommended access solution
Wind turbine tower	80-160 m	Truck-mounted platform, lifts inside the tower
Wind turbine rotor blade	up to 240 m	Rope access (IRATA/FISAT)
PV on pitched roof	5-15 m	Scaffolding, trailer-mounted platform
PV on flat roof	5-20 m	Scissor lift, edge protection
Ground-mounted PV plant	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 installation type, clear legal requirements under Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll. (work at height) apply to all work at height:

• Collective protection before individual protection - scaffolding, aerial work platforms or edge protection take priority over PPE

• Risk assessment is mandatory before work begins

• Qualification: FISAT Level 1-3, IRATA, SCC Dok17/18, DVS 2220 - depending on the field of work

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

• The State Labour Inspection Office (SUIP) and regional labour inspectorates supervise compliance with occupational safety rules for all types of energy installations

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 and service providers who want to be professionally equipped need access to the right work-at-height solutions for every job.

Whether a spider lift for the ground-mounted solar park, a telescopic boom lift for the wind tower or rope access for the rotor blade - choosing the right access technology determines the efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of every project.

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

Which work-at-height 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 most common method - it enables work at heights of 200+ metres without heavy equipment.

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

What does using an aerial work platform for solar installations cost?
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 offer a more stable workplace. The risk assessment decides which method is permissible and appropriate for the specific job.

What impact does the German EEG 2026 act have on demand for maintenance services?
Due to the sharply increased number of installed plants (in Germany in 2025 alone: 17.7 GW PV, 5.3 GW wind), the maintenance backlog is growing. Plants from the boom years 2020-2025 are now entering the maintenance cycle - which means significantly rising demand for maintenance and inspection services until 2030.