Solar obligation 2026: why safe access equipment is crucial for PV installation

The 2026 solar obligation in Germany is being extended to existing buildings - bringing a wave of rooftop installations. Anyone who installs photovoltaic systems professionally and in compliance with regulations cannot avoid one crucial question: which access equipment is the right one - and what do the regulations require?

From 2026, the following applies in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and other federal 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, for single- and two-family houses 3 kWp or more is sufficient. What previously mainly affected new buildings now also applies to existing ones.

The result: PV installers, roofers and trade businesses are seeing a sharply rising number of orders. This also increases the need for professional access equipment - because every rooftop installation starts with a key safety question: how do I get onto the roof safely?

Installing solar systems on pitched roofs is one of the trade activities with the highest accident rates. Falls from height are the greatest risk - and at the same time the most frequently underestimated. Czech safety rules, in particular Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll. (work at height), therefore set clear requirements:

• Collective protection takes priority over individual protection (personal fall protection equipment)

• Leaning ladders are not suitable for the installation work itself - at most they are acceptable as an access route and only for short-term tasks

• A risk assessment is essential before work begins

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

In 2024, the German statutory accident insurer for the construction industry (BG BAU) published its own guide "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 roof type, ground conditions, project size and time pressure.

Scaffolding - the classic for pitched roofs

For pitched roofs from a slope of approx. 20 degrees, scaffolding is the safest and most frequently 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 today also allow quick assembly on complex roof geometries.

Advantages: maximum safety, large working space, material can be set down, suitable for all roof sizes.
Disadvantages: assembly time 2-8 hours, rental costs approx. 10-20 € per sq m, space required on the property.

Aerial work platforms and lifts - 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 without local emissions directly at the roof, without time-consuming scaffold assembly. Especially for maintenance, cleaning or installing individual modules, truck-mounted platforms and trailer-mounted platforms save time.

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

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 combined with low ground pressure - ideal for existing properties with restricted access routes.

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

Personal fall protection - when it is permitted

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

For installers who regularly fit PV systems, the question arises: rent or buy scaffolding?

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

Buying pays off for businesses with a high order volume and similar projects. Your own scaffolding system pays for itself after approx. 15-20 jobs. However, there are costs for storage, transport and periodic inspections in line with applicable Czech safety rules.

The most important regulations:

• Government Regulation No. 362/2005 Coll. - work at height, including rooftop installation

• Act No. 309/2006 Coll. - occupational safety rules, including safety on construction sites

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

• Czech safety rules and CSN EN standards for scaffolding - 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 used. The risk assessment documents the chosen solution and is decisive in the event of a dispute.

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

The total costs of access equipment usually amount to 5-15% of the installation costs 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. PV installers or roofers who want to stay competitive need reliable access solutions: safe, efficient and compliant.

Whether scaffolding, lift, aerial work platform or spider lift - the right access 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 required by law as the only solution, but it is the safest option for pitched roofs. Czech safety rules require a risk assessment and suitable collective protection - in practice, on pitched roofs this almost always leads to scaffolding.

What does scaffolding for a PV system cost?
Rental costs are approx. 10-20 € per sq m of scaffold area, plus assembly and dismantling. For an average single-family house, total costs amount 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 safety 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 essential. Aerial work platforms and scissor lifts are the preferred access solution here - no scaffolding needed.

Who is responsible for safe access on the site?
The contractor carrying out the work is responsible for the risk assessment and implementing suitable protective measures. If work is subcontracted, the client has the coordination duty (under Act No. 309/2006 Coll.).

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

Which certificates do workers at height need for PV installation?
For using personal fall protection: training for work at height in line with applicable Czech safety rules. For aerial work platforms: the required operator qualification. Industrial climbers need FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1 as a minimum qualification.