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

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

From 2026 in North Rhine-Westphalia and other German federal states: anyone who completely re-roofs 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 is sufficient. 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 equipment at height – 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. Falling is the biggest risk – and at the same time the most underestimated. The rules for work at height under the Code on Well-being at Work are therefore clear:

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

• Ladders are in principle not a suitable workstation for installation – they are only permitted for short-duration, low-risk work, in line with applicable Belgian safety rules

• A risk analysis is mandatory before work begins

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

Industry guides on scaffolding for PV installations clearly show that the sector can no longer ignore professional access solutions.

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

Scaffolding – the classic for pitched roofs

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

Advantages: maximum safety, large working space, 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 without 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

When 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.

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

PPE against falls – when it is 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 because of the roof geometry. In such cases, suitable anchor points must be present on the building or be retrofitted.

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

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

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

The most important regulations:

• Act of 4 August 1996 on well-being at work – general prevention duty of the employer

• Code on Well-being at Work – work at height

• NBN EN 13374 – temporary edge protection systems, classes A to C

• Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment) – scaffolding and aerial work platforms

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 scaffold are required. The risk analysis 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 h	Pitched roof, large systems
Trailer-mounted platform	€100–250 / day	immediate	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 cost of access equipment is usually 5–15% of the installation cost of a PV system – a manageable investment in safety and efficiency.

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

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

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

Is scaffolding mandatory for photovoltaic installation?
It is not legally prescribed as the only solution, but it is the safest option for pitched roofs. Belgian well-being at work rules require a risk analysis 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 m² of scaffold area, plus erection and dismantling. For an average single-family 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: aerial work platform, lifeline system or spider lift. A documented risk analysis is always required.

What is different on flat roofs?
On flat roofs, the risk of falling is less pronounced, but edge protection at the roof edge remains mandatory. 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 executing company is responsible for the risk analysis and for implementing suitable protective measures. When work is subcontracted, the coordination duty lies with the client, under the Belgian rules for temporary or mobile construction sites.

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

Which qualifications do workers at height need for PV installation?
For PPE use: adequate training in line with applicable Belgian safety rules. For aerial work platforms: the required operator qualification; IPAF remains internationally recognised. Industrial climbers need at least FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1.