13.01.2023 | PV/flat roofs

Successful solar system installers are those who offer PV fall protection at the same time

Solar system installers who, in addition to the optimally appropriate PV systems, can also provide the best possible fall protection, not only have a better image than their competitors – they can also use this to create increased turnover.

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Specialist series: Absturzsicherung auf PV-Anlagen

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Guide for PV systems on the roof

Guide: Fall Protection Photovoltaic (PV)-System

This ultimate fall protection guide will help you to achieve a safe PV system on the roof. In the following, we summarise the danger areas on the roof, the liability issue and the safety solutions in a compact way. In addition, you will learn how you can generate more turnover as a solar installer.

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Elektro Scherer puts its trust in the TAURUS rail system from INNOTECH

In its practical implementation, the roof installation of PV systems together with their associated fall protection repeatedly creates specific challenges. In the case of Elektro Scherer, a TAURUS rail system from INNOTECH was attached directly to the K2 substructure of the solar power plant.

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How roof surfaces can be optimally used for the planned PV installation

With regard to PV installations on roofs, the question of competition for area often arises. This refers to competition between various types of use for the available area. The reason is that in principle all PV system operators want to free up the maximum possible amount of space for their solar power plant.

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Why should you, as PV installers, also offer the fall protection system?

We invited experts to a discussion on the subject of fall protection for PV systems on flat and pitched roofs. In this blog post we go into the most frequently asked questions related to this topic.

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Individual or collective protection? Which system is used when for PV installations on a roof?

While dangers like break-throughs or an increased fall risk close to the roof edge lurk on a flat roof, on a pitched roof the inclination itself is the greatest challenge. Discover in the following article how you can professionally protect your maintenance and cleaning staff.

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A professional safety concept for PV installations protects the wallet and the nerves

As a solar system installer, you naturally know every detail of the legal safety provisions relating to PV systems on a roof. In contrast, your clients may well be entering completely new territory which probably raises a number of additional questions. It is therefore all the more important from the outset to integrate the subject of safety into the planning of the PV system, and to create a substantiated and professional safety concept.

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Successful solar system installers are those who offer PV fall protection at the same time

Solar system installers who, in addition to the optimally appropriate PV systems, can also provide the best possible fall protection, not only have a better image than their competitors – they can also use this to create increased turnover.

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Safety increases business for solar system installers as full service providers

PV systems on the roof have been booming for quite some time. No wonder, because having your own solar power plant on the roof not only gives you much more independence in terms of energy supply, but also makes a significant contribution to the energy transition as a whole. If you also focus on the issue of safety on the roof, then as a solar installer you can leave the competition behind. In this article, you will discover how you can achieve this.

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Supporting multiple PV customers simultaneously can often become a huge challenge

Not only private households, but also businesses and companies, are relying increasingly on generating their own solar energy. The presently escalating energy prices will hasten this trend even further. For solar system installers, this creates enormous potential for winning new orders. It can then very easily happen that multiple projects or construction sites have to be managed simultaneously. And that creates a number of challenges.

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Work on a PV system on a roof

Installing one’s own PV system on a roof makes sense for a number of reasons. So that it always provides the best possible performance, workers regularly have to access the solar power plant in order to perform servicing and cleaning tasks. Who is responsible or liable for the consequences of accidents?

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PV systems on a roof – consider all danger areas, in order to protect against falls effectively

The circumstances and conditions of every single order for a PV system on a roof must always be analysed very closely, in order to implement the correct safety precautions. Solar system installers who recognise all risks and can at the same time also propose the appropriate professional and certified solution to their customers have the opportunity to position themselves as a responsible absolute expert in their area. In the medium and long term, this also has a positive effect on the sales performance of solar system installers.

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6 tips which help solar system installers to gain increased turnover from their PV installations on roofs

Even if the connection isn’t obvious at first glance, solar system installers and PV installation companies can acquire significantly more new customers with a partner who is a certified and professional manufacturer of fall protection systems for PV installations on roofs. The reason why is very simple: They are able to cover the subject of safety in the very first meeting with the customer, thereby relieving their potential clients of a large amount of research work.

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Subsequent installation of a fall protection system for PV installations on the roof

It is never too late to make the right decisions and implement them! This means that even operators of PV installations on the roof should consider whether the subsequent upgrade of their solar power plant with a professional and certified fall protection system is feasible and sensible.

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360° solutions as a guarantee for success

Solar system installers capable of including a safety solution with their PV systems hold a clear edge over the competition. You can find out why this is the case in the following article.

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4 steps are necessary for professional fall protection on the PV system on the roof

Discover all the necessary information here. In this article, we explain in summary the four steps that will lead you to your fall protection for PV systems. This much in advance, everything starts with a plan...

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The right fall protection creates more space for the PV system

Here is an example from practice. ADREX relies on its proven one-stop-shop principle, in order to largely relieve its customers of all tasks related to their own roof-mounted solar power plants. This obviously also includes the selection and installation of a professional fall protection system for the PV installation.

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Correct servicing and inspection of your PV fall protection system protects you from many problems

The fall protection for your PV system on a roof is 100% safe only if it is also inspected regularly for signs of potential wear and tear, damage, or corrosion, and for loose mounts. Discover what matters.

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The professional way to install a fall protection system for your PV system on the roof

The detailed planning of the fall protection system for your PV system on the roof is followed by what is probably the most tantalising moment of the endeavour to make your solar power plant as safe and efficient as possible: the installation; the project is finally taking concrete shape. Discover what matters in the process.

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The installation of a fall protection system for your PV system on the roof requires a certain amount of expertise!

The same rules that apply in all other areas of life and work also hold true in the area of fall protection systems for PV systems installed on a roof: Solid initial and further training are of pivotal importance, especially when it comes to the correct installation and proper servicing / cleaning of the system and its individual solar panels.

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The aspects to focus on when planning a fall protection system for the PV system on your roof

The goal to harvest as much power as possible from your own solar power plant therefore hinges on the ability to maximise the utilisation of the roof surface, while securing the trouble-free operation of the solar power plant for the long term. This requires a comprehensive plan which factors in all details and also includes a professional system that protects against falls from a height.

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Fall protection systems for your PV system installed on the roof

There are questions that come up again and again when it comes to the safety of PV systems on the roof. We have summarised the 6 most frequently asked questions by installers and solar technicians and also show the challenges of PV systems on flat and pitched roofs. The focus is always on possible safety solutions to mitigate these.

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PV systems on a flat roof can be efficient and safe at the same time

In the examination of current practice below, we show you two individual solutions for flat roofs, together with the respective challenges which may be created by one’s own solar power plant. Discover the TAURUS rail system and the AIO lifeline system using Autohaus Nägele & Sohn GmbH and Autowelt Reibersdorfer as examples.

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5 tips relating to your PV system on the roof

How to save time and money. Installing a photovoltaic system on your own roof is always a good idea, because in this way a previously completely unused surface is availed of for the sustainable production of electricity for your household or company. But so that this success story really comes into being, as early as the planning phase of your PV system you should also create a professional safety concept, or get one created.

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Professional fall protection for your PV system on pitched roofs

Installation tasks on the photovoltaic system, as well as its servicing and cleaning, represent a particular challenge. An selection of possible security solutions including advantages can be discovered in the following article. In addition, the topic of access to the PV system on the pitched roof is also covered.

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Fall protection photovoltaics

Not all roofs are the same. In the same way that roof forms differ greatly, the dangers concealed during installation and servicing and cleaning tasks on PV systems are just as variable. For this reason, we present solutions for all cases here.

Installers and solar technicians who, in addition to the individual PV system, also address the subject of safety in their customer meetings are at a distinct advantage.

Curdin Erne

And not only does a PV system have to be installed, it also needs regular cleaning and servicing. Because the roof is amongst the particular danger areas having increased fall risk, a professional, certified fall protection system is essential for these tasks, and is even legally prescribed. Basically, the operators of the PV system are responsible for the safety of their employees on the roof. However, in the course of their consultancy, solar system installers are also obliged to inform their customers about the topic of safety and about the responsibility which the customers take on when installing a PV system on their roof. However, this information alone does not help the future PV system operator any further.

Quite the contrary. In this way, from their customers’ perspective, solar system installers may open a completely new chapter containing many additional questions which often remain mostly unanswered, unfortunately. As a solar system installer, you can eliminate this unfortunate state of affairs! You do this by simultaneously offering the appropriate fall protection for the respective PV system – this is how you practically become a one stop shop for your customers. And they will appreciate this, because they then no longer need to perform further research into potential liability for work on the roof.

Instead, after the meeting with their solar system installer, they know that they have received very good advice and that they have absolute legal certainty in terms of fall protection. In addition, this allows them to be sure that their PV installation on the roof is always able to provide optimum performance, because important servicing and cleaning tasks can be performed in safety at any time. 

 

As full service providers, solar system installers enjoy many benefits

Installers and solar technicians who, in addition to the individual PV system, also address the subject of safety in their customer meetings are at a distinct advantage. This makes you, as an installer or solar technician, even more of an expert. But for this a reliable, professional partner and/or manufacturer of certified fall protection systems is required who can offer the optimum solution for the respective use case. Only in this way can you offer your customers an absolutely efficient solar system which is as safe as possible. This also provides you with a significant advantage in expertise over your competitors. 

The numerous benefits in terms of safety of collaborating with a partner also include that solar system engineers can obtain increased turnover – for every order, as well as from potential follow-on business and long-term maintenance contracts. This is because the law mandates that a fall protection system for PV installations be subjected to an annual inspection. The solar system installer thus returns to the systems that he installed, and can generate further orders with next to no effort. As an added benefit, the solar system installer constantly stays in touch with his customers and remains available as their contact partner.

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The benefits for solar system installers at a glance

 

  • Legal certainty in terms of fall protection for you as a solar system installer, and for your customers

 

  • Always the best safety solution for the respective PV system, built-in to the proposal

 

  •  Safety on a flat or pitched roof while installing the PV system, thanks to the fall protection system

 

 

  • Very positive image as a responsible solar system installer

 

  • Increased turnover per order, plus the opportunity of follow-on orders

 

  • Comprehensive support from INNOTECH

 

Tip:

For roof-based PV systems, recommend a fall protection system which can be attached directly to the PV substructure, as long as this is possible under the respective circumstances. This does not create shade on the panels. Roof penetrations are also completely avoided when this installation variant is used. In this way, the fall protection system requires no additional space on the roof, where it is anyway in short supply. And: This combined structure optimally secures all danger zones and access routes on the roof and in the access and exit area, and so it can also be used for all other tasks on the roof, such as when the air-conditioning system or the satellite dish require repairs, or other activities arise.

 

Customer benefits are also your benefits

In addition to legal certainty in terms of fall protection, the customer has no overheads whatsoever from research and obtaining proposals for the optimum fall protection. Neither does he have to engage additional tradesmen, but instead has only a single contact partner. Furthermore, no additional travel or management costs arise to him for the possible retrospective installation of the fall protection system. And the PV system performs optimally in the long term.

And one thing goes without saying: The more the client perceives the collaboration with the solar system installer to be effortless, and the better and safer he feels from the get-go, the greater is the likelihood that he will recommend your services. Word of mouth ranks among the most effective ways to advertise – and to boot, it does not cost you a cent.

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Cooperation with a safety partner in practice

During the practical implementation of the cooperation, a detailed analysis of the onsite circumstances is created in the course of a site visit by the fall protection system provider, together with the installers or solar technicians. As a result, the respective fall protection system is defined for the planned or already existing PV system. A service contract is then concluded, so that safety when working on the PV system is also ensured in the long term. As a solar system installer or installer of PV systems, you can concentrate on your specialist area, and advise and service all customers optimally in this respect. In addition, the safe installation of the PV system itself is also ensured. 

 

The benefits of collaboration at a glance

 

  • Planning certainty: when professionals plan, safety and energy efficiency are combined.

 

  • Appropriate, individualised overall concept: optimum safety for your PV system in each individual case.

 

  • Products always at the state of the art: Top quality and latest technology, for increased safety.

 

  • Standards and legal know-how: all systems are thoroughly tested - in combination with the substructure of the PV system.

 

  • Diversity of products and systems: the right solution for every substructure, every roof form and PV system.

 

  • Complete product control: from Goods Inwards to manufacturing, our entire product control takes place in-house. This means that special solutions and customer-specific adaptations can be implemented quickly.

 

  • Seamless support: For every question or problem which arises.

 

  • Short delivery times: protecting humans and the environment.

 

  • Professional training (see below): extensive training sessions with certification.

 

  • Digital documentation/INNO|doc (see below): Documentation of the installation and of servicing and cleaning tasks, at the press of a button.

 

Furthermore, all tasks performed on the roof and/or the PV system are also documented, and therefore you, as an installer or solar technician, and your customer always maintain an overview. This documentation can be performed electronically or digitally. Professional providers of fall protection systems also offer solid training sessions in the use of the respective fall protection systems. Especially in this area, comprehensive and detailed training measures with corresponding certification of the participants are of the greatest importance, so that the safety solutions are also used correctly. This is the only way to prevent serious injuries in an emergency.

 

Summary

Solar system installers who, in addition to the optimally appropriate PV systems, can also provide the best possible fall protection, not only have a better image than their competitors – they can also use this to create increased turnover. This not only applies to every single order, but also to potential follow-on business which can result from it, because this is how you give the PV system operators a feeling of safety, and remain in regular contact with the clients in the long term. And they also benefit, because they are provided with everything from a one stop shop, and have no need to research tediously or to engage other tradesmen. 

 

If you too wish to enjoy the benefits of collaborating with a professional partner for fall protection systems, then you should download this guide immediately here.

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