The Future of Air Traffic Control Tower Visibility: Enhancing Safety with SOLASOLV® Transparent Window Shades
Solar Solve has been supplying SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare window screens to air traffic control towers worldwide for decades. ATC towers present a unique solar protection challenge: the large windows that give controllers their essential 360-degree view of airport operations also expose them to intense solar glare and heat that impairs visibility and comfort during critical operational periods. SOLASOLV® screens address this directly, reducing solar glare significantly while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view through the window at all times. All products are manufactured in South Shields, UK, and made to the specific dimensions of each window.
The Solar Glare and Heat Challenge in ATC Towers
Air traffic control towers are designed to give controllers maximum visibility of the airport environment. The same panoramic windows that make this possible also create significant solar exposure challenges:
- Direct sunlight entering at certain angles throughout the day creates intense glare that impairs the controller’s ability to see aircraft on the tarmac, in approach, and in the circuit
- Solar heat gain through large glazed surfaces raises the ambient temperature of the control environment, increasing fatigue and reducing sustained concentration during long operational shifts
- UV radiation accumulates over the operational day, posing long-term health risks to controllers and causing degradation of interior equipment and furnishings
- Standard opaque blinds are not suitable for ATC use as they block the outward view that controllers need to maintain at all times
SOLASOLV® transparent screens are the only effective solution to all three of these challenges simultaneously, because they reduce glare and heat without obstructing the controller’s outward view through the window.
SOLASOLV® Performance for ATC Tower Windows
⚠ Note to developer: Please confirm the correct performance figures for the ATC-specific product with Chris or Della before publishing. Standard SOLASOLV® figures are used below. If ATC-specific figures differ, update the table accordingly.
Performance Measure | Rating | ATC Tower Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Solar glare reduction | Up to 93%¹ | Eliminates glare impairing the controller’s view of aircraft, tarmac, and airport environment |
Solar heat rejection | Up to 87%¹ | Reduces heat build-up in the control environment, lowering air conditioning demand and crew fatigue |
UV light rejection | Up to 99%¹ | Protects controllers from cumulative UV exposure and prevents UV degradation of control room equipment |
Outward visibility | Fully maintained | Controllers retain a completely clear, undistorted view through the window at all times |
¹ Confirm ATC-specific figures with Solar Solve before publishing. The current live page states 91% glare, 65% heat, 98% UV. Please verify which figures are correct for ATC applications.
SOLASOLV® Products for ATC Tower Windows
Solar Solve supplies two anti-glare screen formats for ATC tower window applications. Both are manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied, as ATC towers have a wide range of window shapes, sizes, and configurations:
SOLASAFE® (with cassette)
The cassette-mounted anti-glare screen. The self-contained cassette housing provides a clean, integrated finish at the window frame and encloses the screen material when retracted. Preferred for new ATC tower installations and professional retrofit projects where appearance and a neat finish are important.
SOLAROLA® (without cassette)
The non-cassette anti-glare screen. Provides the same SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare performance in a simpler roller screen format suited to retrofit installation in ATC towers already in service.
Both products are available in a range of film colours providing different levels of visible light transmission to suit different tower orientations and operational requirements. Full technical specifications and film colour options are available on the technical information page.
Custom Measurement and Installation
Every SOLASOLV® screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied. ATC towers have a wide variety of window shapes, including large panoramic panes, angled windows, and non-rectangular configurations. Solar Solve’s window shapes guide and how to measure guide cover all window types and provide clear guidance on taking accurate measurements before ordering.
Solar Solve’s worldwide distributor network, spanning more than 40 office locations across 6 continents, can support installation at airports globally. Contact the Solar Solve sales team at sales@solasolv.com or call +44 191 454 8595 to discuss your ATC tower requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do air traffic control towers need specialist anti-glare window screens?
Air traffic control towers have large windows providing a 360-degree view of airport operations. These windows create significant solar glare during certain times of day, impairing the controller’s ability to see aircraft on the tarmac and in the sky clearly. SOLASOLV® transparent anti-glare screens reduce solar glare significantly while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view, ensuring controllers can monitor aircraft movements safely throughout the operational day.
Do SOLASOLV® ATC window screens block the controller’s view?
No. SOLASOLV® screens are see-through by design. Unlike opaque blinds or tinted glass, SOLASOLV® screens maintain a completely clear, undistorted outward view at all times, even when fully deployed. Controllers retain full visibility of the airport environment, aircraft movements, and ground operations through the screen.
Are SOLASOLV® screens custom-made for ATC tower windows?
Yes. Every SOLASOLV® screen is manufactured to the specific dimensions of the window being supplied. Air traffic control towers have a wide variety of window shapes, sizes, and configurations, and Solar Solve manufactures each screen to fit the exact window measurements provided. There is no standard catalogue size.
Do SOLASOLV® screens help reduce energy costs in ATC towers?
Yes. By rejecting solar heat through ATC tower windows, SOLASOLV® screens reduce the solar heat gain entering the control environment. This lowers the demand on air conditioning and cooling systems, reducing energy consumption and contributing to the airport’s sustainability and energy efficiency goals.
What Solar Solve products are available for ATC tower windows?
Solar Solve supplies SOLASOLV® anti-glare transparent screens for ATC tower windows in two formats: SOLASAFE® (with cassette) for new installations and professional retrofits, and SOLAROLA® (without cassette) for straightforward retrofit applications. Both provide the same transparent anti-glare performance while maintaining full outward visibility.
https://solasolv.com/product/solasafe/
https://solasolv.com/product/solarola/