Renewable energy boom 2026: which work-at-height technology for wind power, solar 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 condition: safe access at height. But which technology is the right choice for which type of installation?

The figures from the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) are clear: in 2025 alone, 17.7 GW of solar and 5.3 GW of wind power were newly installed in Germany. The share of renewable energy in public net electricity generation there exceeds the 60 percent mark in 2026. The German EEG 2026 continues the expansion incentives – with adjusted support rates and new rules for negative market prices.

What is often overlooked in the political debate: behind every kilowatt hour lies 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 work-at-height technology grows with the expansion of renewable energy – directly and proportionally.

Wind turbines make the most demanding requirements of work-at-height technology. Modern onshore turbines reach hub heights of 160 metres and more, with rotor blades reaching up to 240 metres. Specialised solutions are needed here.

Aerial work platforms for tower work

For maintenance 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 give fast access to defined work areas 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

For the inspection and repair of rotor blades, rope access is the standard. 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 crane, without scaffolding, with minimal time.

Rotor blade platforms as a special solution

For systematic inspections of larger wind farms, operators increasingly rely on special rotor blade platforms. These travel along the blade surface in a mechanically guided way and allow structured documentation. Drones are also used for external inspection – but classic work-at-height technology remains indispensable as soon as repairs are needed.

Solar 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 Belgian rules on work at height apply as for any other roof work: collective protection takes priority. Electric articulating boom lifts and trailer-mounted platforms offer fast access without local emissions – ideal for individual buildings and smaller projects without elaborate scaffolding.

Spider lifts for ground-mounted solar farms

Ground-mounted solar parks pose different challenges: the terrain is often uneven, access routes are limited and the modules sit close to the ground, yet in an area that is hard for ordinary 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 systems, heavy inverters, transformer containers and mounting structures have to be positioned precisely. Telehandlers and crawler cranes handle the large components, while aerial work platforms provide support during installation.

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 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. For silos and digesters, internal inspections are often unavoidable - this calls for specialised equipment that handles both confined spaces and fall risks. 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 pitched roof	5-15 m	Scaffolding, trailer-mounted platform
PV flat roof	5-20 m	Scissor lift, edge protection
PV ground-mounted system	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, all work at height is subject to clear requirements under the Code on Well-being at Work:

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

• Risk analysis under the Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work before work starts

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

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

• The Well-being at Work Inspectorate (FPS Employment) supervises the well-being rules in Belgium for all types of energy installations

For wind turbines, the following also applies: operators are responsible for the safety of everyone who enters or climbs their installations - including contractors 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 application.

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

Is an aerial work platform needed for ground-mounted solar parks?
Not 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 routes.

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 offer a more stable workplace. The risk analysis decides which method is permissible and sensible for the job in question.

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