Having solar panels cleaned by a VCA-certified company

TL;DR

For medium and large solar panel installations, VCA certification is almost standard when selecting partners for cleaning, inspection and maintenance. The system secures structured safety management for work at height and with electrical risks, which directly touches on continuity, liability and ESG reporting.

• Various SCC certificates (Basic SCC, VOL SCC, VIL-VCU, SCC self-employed) determine who bears which safety responsibility.
• Company certification through VCA*, VCA** and BESACC-VCA shows that the entire organisation works according to set standards.
• SCC is not required by law, but is often demanded in contracts for industrial rooftops, solar parks and logistics sites.
• Attestations and certificates are verifiable through official databases and examination institutes and belong in every supplier selection.

Solarco combines VCA with IPAF certification for safe working with aerial work platforms, providing demonstrably controlled solar panel maintenance in high-risk locations.

When you have solar panels cleaned by a professional company, you rightly expect the work to be carried out safely, monitored and according to applicable standards. For larger installations, industrial roofs and solar parks, VCA certification is not an additional logo, but a way of demonstrating that your maintenance partner works according to structured safety standards, thus protecting the efficiency of your installation.

Moreover, for companies managing medium to large solar panel plants, safety is directly linked to continuity, liability and ESG reporting. Facility, maintenance and asset managers are therefore increasingly using SCC certification as a selection criterion when choosing partners to manage the maximise the efficiency of their solar panels, both in Belgium and the Netherlands.

What is SCC certification and why is it important?

SCC certification stands for Safety, Health and Environment Checklist Contractors. It is a quality system originally developed in the Netherlands and now widely used in Belgium, especially in sectors where safety risks are high. SCC focuses on the structural organisation of safety within contracting companies, paying attention to both employees and the working environment. There are two main categories within SCC: person certification, which shows individual employees that they have basic knowledge of safety, and company certification, in which the entire organisation works according to fixed SCC standards.

The aim of SCC certification is to minimise accidents and incidents. Clients in industry, construction, logistics, chemicals and energy regularly ask for SCC certification because it creates a shared safety framework. For maintenance of solar panels on roofs or industrial sites, this is crucial, as work at height involves fall hazards, electrical risks and complex working conditions. A structured safety system such as SCC ensures that risks are identified in advance, toolbox meetings are held and procedures are followed, so that both the performing team and the client are better protected.

Types of SCC certification: attestations and company certificate

SCC certification takes different forms, depending on the role and responsibility of individuals and companies. The distinction between person certification and company certification is important to understand when which variant applies. Both categories play a role in larger B2B projects and complex solar panel installations, where safety and compliance are driving the selection of contractors and maintenance partners.

Basic SCC, VOL SCC and VIL-VCU explained

Basic SCC is the most common personal certificate and is aimed at executive employees who need to be able to work safely in high-risk environments under supervision. VOL SCC is aimed at managers, supervisors and superintendents who are responsible for safety on the shop floor and goes into detail on risk analysis, work preparation and supervision. Finally, VIL-VCU is aimed at temporary employment consultants who second staff to contracting projects. For self-employed workers who carry out solar panel maintenance on industrial roofs, a VCA self-employed certificate is important, so that they too can demonstrate they work to the same safety standards as larger organisations.

The difference in level determines who needs which certificate. A technician at a solar panel cleaning company usually takes Basic SCC, while the project manager coordinating the operation must have VOL SCC. Clients managing large installations often screen whether all team members have the right certificates before they are allowed access to the site. This keeps the division of responsibilities clear and ensures that maintenance work is demonstrably organised safely.

SCC company certification and BESACC SCC in Belgium

In addition to person attestation, there is company certification, in which the entire organisation is audited for safety management. SCC* and SCC** are the common variants, with SCC** having stricter requirements for documentation, risk analysis and audits. In Belgium, BESACC-VCA plays a central role as the Belgian counterpart of the Dutch SCC system. Clients use BESACC-VCA to screen suppliers and contractors for safety standards and to easily verify the validity of an SCC certificate.

For companies that clean, inspect or maintain solar panels on industrial roofs and sites, VCA company certification is an important selection criterion. It means that not only individual employees are trained, but that the entire organisation works structurally according to safety standards, from risk assessment to reporting. Combined with structured services for solar panel maintenance this gives clients assurance that procedures are followed, incidents are recorded and improvements are made continuously.

Is SCC certification mandatory in Belgium and the Netherlands?

SCC certification is not required by law in Belgium or the Netherlands. There is no law forcing companies to obtain SCC certificates or company certification. In practice, however, SCC is often contractually obligatory. Clients in sectors such as industry, construction, logistics, chemicals and solar energy include SCC as a condition in their tenders and contracts to guarantee their own responsibility and control risks in the chain. For facility and operations managers, this means that when selecting maintenance partners, they should check whether these partners are effectively SCC-certified.

The standard is particularly strong in environments where work at height and electrical risks are central. This includes solar parks, large roofs and industrial plants. For maintenance of solar panels in these locations, SCC certification is in practice becoming the standard. Clients also use SCC in the context of ESG objectives, internal audits and external reporting. By working with certified partners, they can demonstrate that safety is taken seriously and that liability is properly invested.

When do clients require SCC certification?

Clients require SCC certification when safety risks are substantial and they want to limit their liability. In practice, this means that tenders and procurement procedures include SCC as a selection criterion, especially when servicing solar panels on industrial roofs and more complex sites. These sites are often not freely accessible, require working at height and have strict safety procedures, so improvisation is not an option.

At larger facilities, such as solar parks and logistics sites, VCA is required as standard so that only parties with demonstrably structured safety policies are granted access. This helps facility managers and maintenance managers to be accountable to management, shareholders and external regulators. Safety policy thus becomes not only an internal agreement, but also a verifiable part of supplier management.

SCC in sectors such as industry, logistics and solar energy

In industry, logistics and solar energy, SCC certification has become the norm because these sectors have environments where risks are high and incidents cause direct financial and reputational damage. For solar energy, installations are often located at height, contain electrical components and require access to sites with strict safety regulations. Companies that carry out maintenance on solar panels are therefore tested for VCA certification as standard, both for cleaning and for inspection and technical maintenance.

Logistics sites and industrial sites also often have additional requirements, such as access control, recording of work and use of personal protective equipment. SCC certification helps contractors meet these requirements, as the system also addresses communication, supervision and incident recording. For owners who want to understand the impact of pollution, a tool such as the efficiency loss calculator for dirty solar panels be linked to a maintenance schedule with SCC-certified partners.

How to obtain and look up an SCC attestation or SCC certificate?

Obtaining an SCC attestation or SCC certificate requires a structured approach. For individuals wishing to obtain an SCC certificate, they can take a training course or prepare via self-study and then take an exam at a recognised examination institute. An SCC certificate is usually valid for five years, after which renewal is required. The cost of a Basic SCC course is usually between about EUR 150 and EUR 300, depending on provider and language, while VOL SCC is more expensive due to its more extensive content.

For companies seeking SCC certification, the procedure is more extensive. They have to have their safety management audited by a certified body, which includes examination of working procedures, risk assessment, documentation and compliance with standards. The turnaround time is usually several months, and once approved, periodic reassessment via surveillance audits follows. Facility and asset managers would do well to ask not only about certification when selecting partners, but also about how it is implemented in practice on the shop floor.

Steps to obtain an SCC certificate (training, exam, cost)

For employees wishing to obtain an SCC certificate, the process starts with attending an SCC training course or studying recognised study materials independently. Many employers offer the training in-house or work with specialised training centres. After preparation, candidates sign up for the exam at a recognised examination institute, which consists of multiple-choice questions on safety risks, procedures and responsibilities. On passing, candidates receive an SCC certificate valid for five years.

After five years, the attestation must be renewed via a new examination or a shortened refresher module. Essentially the same procedure applies to self-employed workers wishing to obtain an SCC self-employed certificate, so that they too can demonstrate compliance with the SCC rules for contractors. This makes it easier for clients to assess whether both staff and subcontractors have up-to-date and appropriate SCC qualifications.

Request, download SCC certificate or certificate and check validity

It is essential for clients and facility managers to be able to check the validity of SCC attestations and certificates. In Belgium, the validity of BESACC SCC certificates can be checked via the official online database, which shows which companies are certified, since when and until what date. For person certificates, these can be requested from the examination institute where the exam was taken, which often also offers a digital download or online validity check.

It makes sense to include these checks as standard in the selection process of partners for cleaning, inspection and maintenance. Verifying in advance that attestations and certificates are up to date ensures that safety is guaranteed and that the partner meets contractual requirements. Those seeking substantive substantiation in addition can use the expert tips from Solarco and of reports from periodic solar panel inspections, so that policy and practice are well aligned.

Solarco is VCA & IPAF Certified: working safely at heights

Solarco combines SCC certification with IPAF certification to carry out solar panel maintenance safely and in a controlled manner. SCC ensures that Solarco's safety management is set up according to set standards, focusing on risk assessment, work instructions, toolbox meetings and supervision. IPAF, the International Powered Access Federation, focuses specifically on working safely with aerial work platforms and platforms. Solarco employees are trained according to IPAF guidelines and have the appropriate certificates to safely operate aerial work platforms on industrial roofs and in solar parks.

The combination of VCA and IPAF means that Solarco is not only theoretically trained, but also practically trained in safe working at height. Fall protection and barriers are consistently applied, work areas are inspected in advance and risks are explicitly discussed with all involved. For clients in industry, logistics and solar energy, this provides assurance that cleaning through specialised services such as industrial solar panel cleaning and commercial cleaning can be carried out safely within their own HSE frameworks, with transparent reporting afterwards.

VCA-certified partner for your solar panel installation

SCC certification makes a concrete difference when performance and safety are equally important. For facility managers, operations managers and owners of large solar panel plants, working with a VCA-certified partner means that maintenance, inspection and cleaning follow controlled processes, with clear documentation for audits, management and ESG reporting. Combined with data-driven insights from yield analyses and inspection reports, among others, this helps to structurally secure efficiency, continuity and compliance.

Solarco couples VCA certification with IPAF-certified AWP training and a specialised focus on solar panel maintenance. This makes it a reliable maintenance partner for organisations that find safety at height non-negotiable and want long-term investment in the performance of their installation. When you need your want to have solar panels cleaned or are looking for a VCA partner for structural maintenance, please Contact Solarco for a calm, substantive discussion about our approach and how it fits in with your own safety and profitability objectives.

FAQ

What is the difference between Basic SCC and VOL SCC and which certificate does my team need?

Basic VCA is intended for executive employees working under supervision; VOL SCC is for managers, executives and project leaders responsible for work preparation and supervision. For solar panel cleaning, technicians are often Basic SCC-certified, while coordinating or supervisory staff must have VOL SCC.

Is SCC certification required by law for work on industrial roofs?

SCC is not required by law, but in practice it is often contractually required by clients for work at height and in high-risk environments. For large roofs, solar parks and industrial sites, SCC is routinely required to ensure liability and safety in the chain.

How can I check whether an SCC certificate or personal attestation is valid?

Company certificates in Belgium can often be verified via the BESACC-VCA database; person certificates can be checked at the examination institute where the exam was taken. You can also ask your supplier for a digital copy or verification link and include standard verification in your supplier selection. See also the expert tips from Solarco for practical steps.

Why do companies combine SCC with IPAF certification?

SCC focuses on safety management and procedures, while IPAF specifically provides training and certification for safe use of AWPs and platforms. Together, they provide assurance that both policy and practice (operation of equipment at height) are done according to standards - essential when maintaining solar panels on rooftops.

What does an SCC certificate cost and how long is it valid?

A Basic SCC training course and exam usually costs between €150 and €300; VOL SCC is more expensive. Personal certificates are usually valid for five years; after that, renewal via exam or refresher module is necessary. Company certification costs more and takes several months due to audits and implementation of the safety management system.