Solar obligation 2026: why safe access-at-height equipment for PV installation is now decisive

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

From 2026, the following applies in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and other federal states: anyone completely re-roofing 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 detached and semi-detached houses, 3 kWp or more is sufficient. What previously mainly affected new buildings now also extends to existing ones.

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 rooftop 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 the trades. Falling from height is the greatest risk - and at the same time the most frequently underestimated. The requirements for work at height under Government Regulation No. 147/2013 Coll. and occupational safety rules are therefore clearly defined:

• Collective protection takes priority over individual protection (fall protection PPE)

• Portable ladders are not suitable as a workplace for installation - at most they may be used as an access route and only for short-term tasks, in line with applicable Slovak safety rules

• Risks must be assessed before work begins

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

In 2024, the German construction industry accident insurer 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. Choosing the right access equipment depends on roof type, ground conditions, project size and time pressure.

Scaffolding - the classic choice for pitched roofs

For pitched roofs with a slope of approx. 20 degrees or more, scaffolding is the safest and most frequently prescribed 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 geometries.

Advantages: maximum safety, large working area, space for materials, 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, an aerial work platform is often the more efficient alternative. Electric articulating boom lifts allow work with no local emissions right at the roof, without time-consuming scaffold erection. For maintenance, cleaning or installing individual modules in particular, 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, higher rental costs than scaffolding, load-bearing ground required.

Spider lifts for difficult terrain

Where 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 required.
Disadvantages: higher rental costs, slower travel than wheeled platforms.

Fall protection PPE - when it is permitted

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

Solar installers who regularly install PV systems face the question: rent or buy scaffolding?

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

Buying pays off for businesses with a high order volume and similar projects. An own scaffolding system pays for itself after approx. 15-20 jobs. However, this incurs costs for storage, transport and regular inspections in line with applicable Slovak safety rules.

The most important regulations:

• Act No. 124/2006 Coll. - occupational safety and health

• Government Regulation No. 147/2013 Coll. - work at height

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

• Scaffolding work - in line with applicable Slovak safety rules and STN EN standards

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 scaffold stair access are used. The risk assessment documents the chosen solution and is decisive in the event of a dispute.

Solution	Rental costs (approx.)	Erection time	Suitable for
Facade scaffolding	10-20 € / m²	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

Access equipment typically accounts for 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. Solar installers and roofers who want to stay competitive need reliable access solutions: safe, efficient and compliant.

Whether scaffolding, a lifting platform, an aerial work platform or a 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?
The law does not prescribe it as the only solution, but it is the safest option for pitched roofs. Occupational safety rules require a risk assessment and suitable collective protection - in practice, this almost always leads to scaffolding on pitched roofs.

How much 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 detached house, 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: an aerial work platform, a rope fall-arrest system or a spider lift. A documented risk assessment is always a prerequisite.

What is different on flat roofs?
The risk of falling is less pronounced on flat roofs, but edge protection at the roof edge is still required in line with applicable Slovak safety rules. Aerial work platforms and scissor lifts are the preferred access solution here - no scaffolding needed.

Who is responsible for access safety on site?
The contractor carrying out the work is responsible for the risk assessment and for implementing suitable protective measures. Where several companies are involved, the client has the duty of coordination in line with applicable Slovak safety rules.

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

Which certificates do workers at height need for PV installation?
For PPE use: the required competence in line with applicable Slovak safety rules. For aerial work platforms: a written confirmation of verified expertise issued by a certified inspection technician (Section 17(3) Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.). Industrial climbers need FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1 as a minimum qualification.