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

The 2026 solar obligation is being extended to existing buildings – bringing with it a wave of roof installations. Anyone who installs photovoltaic systems professionally and in compliance with the law cannot avoid one decisive question: which height-access technology is the right one – and what does the legislator require?

From 2026, the following applies in North Rhine-Westphalia and other German federal states: anyone who completely re-covers their roof must simultaneously install a photovoltaic system. Minimum size in NRW: 30 percent of the suitable roof area, sufficient from 3 kWp for single- and two-family houses. What previously mainly affected new builds now also extends to existing stock.

The result: solar installers, roofers and trade businesses are recording a sharply rising order volume. This is also increasing demand for professional height-access technology – because every roof installation begins with one 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 is the greatest risk – and at the same time the one most frequently underestimated. The employers' liability insurance associations for wood and metal (BGHM) and for the construction industry (BG BAU) have therefore clearly regulated the requirements:

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

• Leaning ladders are generally prohibited during installation – an exception applies only as an access route up to a max. 5 m height difference and exclusively for short-term activities

• A risk assessment is mandatory before work begins

• Temporary edge-protection systems in accordance with SN EN 13374 (classes A, B, C) are recognised as an approved protective measure

In 2024, BG BAU published its own guideline: „Scaffolding for the installation of PV systems" – a clear signal that the industry can no longer ignore professional access solutions.

Not every construction site is the same. The choice of the right access technology depends on the roof type, ground conditions, project size and time pressure.

Scaffolding – the classic for pitched roofs

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

Advantages: maximum safety, large working area, material storage possible, suitable for all roof sizes.
Disadvantages: erection time 2–8 hours, rental costs approx. 10–20 CHF per m², space required on the property.

Work platforms and lifting platforms – flexible and fast

For flat roofs, low buildings or individual points, the work platform is often the more efficient alternative. Electric articulating boom lifts enable emission-free work directly at the roof, without a time-consuming scaffold build. Especially for maintenance, cleaning or the installation of individual modules, truck-mounted platforms and trailer-mounted platforms are time-saving solutions.

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

Tracked platforms for difficult terrain

When the ground is uneven or the vehicle cannot reach the building directly, tracked platforms come into use. 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 to manoeuvre than wheel-based platforms.

PPE against falls – when it is permitted

Personal protective equipment against falls (safety harness and anchor point) is not a substitute for collective protection but can be used as a supplement in justified exceptional cases – for instance when scaffolding is technically not feasible due to the roof geometry. In such cases, suitable anchor points must already be in place on site or must be retrofitted.

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

Renting makes sense for businesses with changing projects and varying roof sizes. Costs are predictable, and storage and maintenance are eliminated. Rental prices start at around 10 CHF per m² of scaffolding area.

Buying makes sense for businesses with a high order volume and similar projects. A company's own scaffolding system pays for itself after approx. 15–20 uses. In return, costs arise for storage, transport and the regular inspection obligations under VUV.

The most important sets of rules:

• BGHM Arbeitsschutz-Kompakt 069 – installation of solar and photovoltaic systems on roofs

• BG BAU Guideline 2024 – scaffolding for the installation of PV systems

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

• VUV – scaffolding work

Key points: access to the roof must be designed to be safe – preferably through the building (stairwell, roof exit). Where this is not possible, stair towers, hoists or stair access within the scaffolding are required. The risk assessment documents the chosen solution and is decisive in the event of a dispute.

The total costs of access technology usually account for 5–15% of the installation costs of a PV system – a manageable investment in safety and efficiency.

The 2026 solar obligation is no bureaucratic detail – it is noticeably changing the order volume in the trades. Anyone who wants to remain competitive as a solar installer or roofer needs reliable access solutions: safe, efficient and legally compliant.

Whether scaffolding, lifting platform, work platform or tracked platform – the right height-access technology 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 construction site.

Is scaffolding mandatory for photovoltaic installation?
Not legally prescribed as the only solution, but the safest option for pitched roofs. BGHM and BG BAU require a risk assessment and suitable collective protection – in practice, this almost always leads to scaffolding on pitched roofs.

What does scaffolding for a PV system cost?
Rental costs are approx. 10–20 CHF per m² of scaffolding area, plus assembly and dismantling. For an average single-family house, total costs of 500–2,000 CHF are typical, depending on roof size and rental duration.

Can a solar system be installed without scaffolding?
Yes, if suitable alternatives are used: work platform, rope-securing system or tracked platform. A documented risk assessment is always a prerequisite.

What is different for flat roofs?
On flat roofs, the risk of falling is less pronounced, but edge protection at the roof edge remains mandatory. Work platforms and scissor lifts are the preferred access solution here – no scaffolding needed.

Who is responsible for access safety on the construction site?
The executing company is responsible for the risk assessment and the implementation of suitable protective measures. In the case of subcontracting, the coordination obligation lies with the client (client's duty under construction site regulations).

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

What qualifications do height workers need for PV installation?
For PPE use: training in accordance with VUV. For work platforms: operator proof of competence in accordance with VUV. Industrial rope-access technicians require FISAT Level 1 or IRATA Level 1 as a minimum qualification.