Photovoltaics

Fall protection systems for photovoltaic installations

The effort to satisfy our society's increasing demand for energy will require an enormous expansion of the surface area dedicated to house photovoltaic modules. To prevent this worst-case scenario, INNOTECH® offers simple and practical solutions, which ensure safety as equipment that is mounted directly to or next to photovoltaic installations.

Thanks to the extensive range of fall protection solutions made by INNOTECH®, every solar power plant is turned into a safe place of work, protecting the life and limb of the individuals tasked to perform installations or servicing in these areas.

Green Energy - Orange Safety. Besides the construction of solar parks, the installation of PV systems on the rooftops and façades of new and existing buildings is one of the solutions that help accomplish this gargantuan energy policy effort. These installations complement the primary function of these surfaces, i.e. protecting against wind and weather, with additional benefit, turning them into future power plants.

Depending on the height, the shape of the roof and the installation structure of the PV modules, the construction may create immense level differences between roof and ground. Risks arise in particular during installation work and servicing on the roofs as the individuals performing the work move in areas where careless movements, tripping or slipping may, at worst, lead to a fall from a height.

Fall protection systems are grouped into two general categories - individual and collective protection:

• The goal of collective protection is to safeguard multiple individuals located in the fall-risk area - for instance, by blocking access to the edge by means of a guardrail system. There is no need for any personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Individual protection refers to a type of fall protection system that protects individual users – for instance, by single anchor points or lifeline systems. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is strictly mandatory for this type of protection.

The effort to satisfy our society's increasing demand for energy will require an enormous expansion of the surface area dedicated to house photovoltaic modules. To prevent this worst-case scenario, INNOTECH® offers simple and practical solutions, which ensure safety as equipment that is mounted directly to or next to photovoltaic installations.

The effort to satisfy our society's increasing demand for energy will require an enormous expansion of the surface area dedicated to house photovoltaic modules. To prevent this worst-case scenario, INNOTECH® offers simple and practical solutions, which ensure safety as equipment that is mounted directly to or next to photovoltaic installations.

Challenges: Photovoltaic installation on a flat roof

• Edges: The modules of the PV installation often stretch all the way to the edge of the roof. This is an area that carries a risk of falls.
• Slip hazard: Wet, cold and snowy conditions on the roof lead to an increased risk of falls.
• Skylights: Posing a particular source of danger on the roof, these must be equipped with fall-through protection.
• Retrofitting: Any upgrades or retroactive installations of a photovoltaic system require a solution that will not have a negative impact on the existing roof structure.

Challenges: Photovoltaic installation on a pitched roof

• Edges: The modules of PV installation fitted on pitched roofs also frequently stretch all the way to the edge of the roof – there is a risk of falls when stepping onto the narrow edges.
• Slip hazard: Aside from the effects of the weather, the slip hazard is compounded by the steeper pitch angle of the pitched roof.
• Retrofitting: Any upgrades or retroactive installations of a photovoltaic system require a solution that will not have a negative impact on the existing roof structure.
• Access and inspection points: Access to the pitched roof must be secured and can be gained, for instance, through a roof hatch or via a ladder. It is furthermore necessary to ensure that the roof surface is safe to be walked on in its entirety – from the eaves to the crest.