DGUV 201-056 and PV Systems: What Has Changed for Solar Installers and Building Operators
The boom in photovoltaics is not only changing Germany's energy supply – it is also changing the demands on occupational safety on building roofs. PV systems must be maintained regularly. This means that flat roofs, which were previously rarely accessed, are now walked on several times a year by service technicians. The revised version of DGUV Information 201-056 from September 2025 responds to this with specific requirements.
Who is affected?
Affected are all those who work on PV systems on flat roofs: PV installation companies for initial installation and expansion, service technicians for annual maintenance and cleaning, electricians for inverter replacement or cable work, and building operators who commission third parties for maintenance.
What DGUV 201-056 requires for PV roofs
Flat roofs with PV systems are generally classified as equipment class AK-B – regular use by specialist personnel. In practice, this means: suitable protection systems must be present or brought along, the access must be part of a documented protection concept, and all persons involved must be instructed.
Crucially: The responsibility does not lie solely with the executing company. The building operator – i.e., the owner or operator of the building with the PV system – has a planning responsibility. If a building receives a PV system that requires maintenance, fall protection must be considered during planning.
What this means for initial installation
For the initial installation of a PV system, the general regulations for roof work apply. Collective side protection takes precedence: A temporary roof edge protection secures the entire team simultaneously and allows free work on the surface without the need for personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) for each individual.
For module transport to the roof, using a solar lift is worthwhile: It significantly reduces physical effort and minimizes the risk of module damage due to manual carrying.
What this means for annual maintenance
For regular maintenance inspections by one or two technicians, the use of mobile anchor points is often the pragmatic solution: quickly positioned, no elaborate setup, compliant with EN 795. Important here: The connecting device must be configured as a restraint system so that technicians cannot reach the roof edge.
For larger maintenance work – module cleaning of the entire system, cabling work, inverter replacement – a complete roof edge protection is more sensible.
Planning recommendation for building operators
Anyone installing a PV system today should simultaneously plan for maintenance safety: Are there suitable access routes to the roof? Are permanent anchor points sensible? Is the roof area equipped for recurring access? Clarifying these questions in advance saves costs in the long term and ensures that maintenance work is possible without elaborate preparations.
Complete equipment for PV companies at Gerüstexpress
At Gerüstexpress, PV installation companies and service technicians will find everything they need for safe roof work:
- Roof edge protection for initial installation
- Mobile anchor points for maintenance inspections
- Solar lifts for efficient module transport
- Rolling scaffolds for access and facade work
Get advice now – we will put together the right combination for your application profile.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to set up roof edge protection for every PV maintenance?
Not necessarily – but suitable fall protection must be in place. For short inspections by instructed specialist personnel, mobile anchor points may suffice. For longer or multi-day work, collective protection is the better solution.
Who is liable if someone falls from the roof during PV maintenance?
The executing company bears primary responsibility. If the building operator has not provided suitable infrastructure and the executing company was not aware of this, the building operator can also be held liable.
What does fall protection cost for a typical PV maintenance round?
A mobile anchor point is the cheapest solution. The total investment for PFPE plus anchor point is significantly lower than the cost of a complete railing – and pays for itself after just a few uses.
