Glare on a navigation bridge is not simply uncomfortable. It reduces the ability to read electronic charts, identify navigation markers, monitor radar screens and maintain a clear forward view. In demanding marine environments, where decisions happen fast and conditions change without warning, poor visibility is a safety risk.
The instinctive response to glare is to block light. But on a vessel’s bridge, blocking light entirely creates a different problem. Crew members need to see out. They need to read navigation aids, assess sea conditions, monitor traffic and react to changes in their environment. A solution that eliminates glare by eliminating visibility is not a solution at all.
SOLASOLV® marine solar screens are engineered to solve both sides of this problem at the same time. They reduce up to 93% of glare at navigation bridge windows while maintaining a completely clear, undistorted outward view. This page explains how that is possible, what the technology involves, and why it matters for vessels operating in high-glare conditions worldwide.
For full product specifications and dimensions, visit the SOLASAFE product page or the SOLAROLA product page.
What Glare Actually Does to Bridge Crews
Before examining how SOLASOLV® screens work, it is worth understanding what glare does in practice on a working bridge.
Direct sunlight entering through bridge windows creates several compounding problems:
Instrument readability drops. Electronic charts, radar displays, dashboard panels and control screens become difficult to read when sunlight washes across them. Crew members squint, lean and reposition themselves to find angles where the glare is less severe. This takes attention away from navigation.
Forward visibility is impaired. Direct glare from low sun angles, particularly during dawn and dusk or in tropical waters, can make it difficult to see ahead clearly. Navigation markers, other vessels, coastlines and hazards become harder to identify against a bright background.
Crew fatigue accelerates. Sustained exposure to glare causes eye strain. Eye strain causes fatigue. Fatigue on the bridge is a well-documented factor in maritime incidents. The cumulative effect of working behind unscreened glass in high-sun conditions reduces alertness and increases the risk of human error.
The bridge becomes hot. Solar heat passing through unscreened glass raises the temperature of the bridge environment. In larger wheelhouses, this can significantly increase air conditioning load and the associated fuel cost.
SOLASOLV® screens are designed to address all four of these problems without requiring crews to choose between glare control and visibility.
How SOLASOLV® Screens Reduce Glare Without Blocking the View
The key to understanding SOLASOLV® screen technology is the distinction between glare reduction and light blockage. These are not the same thing.
Glare is caused by high-intensity visible light entering the eye at angles that overwhelm the eye’s ability to adapt. Blocking all light stops glare, but it also stops the crew seeing out. The SOLASOLV® approach is different: the specialist shade film selectively controls the intensity of incoming light, reducing it to a level that the eye can manage comfortably, while preserving the colour accuracy and clarity needed for safe navigation.
The result is a screen that the crew can see through clearly and that objects outside — navigation markers, sea conditions, other vessels — appear with true colour rendition and without distortion.
This matters because many glare-reduction products compromise colour accuracy. If a screen shifts the colour tone of what is visible through it, navigation markers may appear different to their true colour, which creates a different kind of hazard. SOLASOLV® screens are engineered to maintain true colour rendition so that what crew members see through the screen is an accurate representation of what is there.
The Performance Data: What SOLASOLV® Screens Deliver
Solar Solve’s shade film technology is independently tested and Type Approved by four of the world’s leading marine classification societies: Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA. The performance figures are consistent across the product range.
| Performance Measure | SOLASOLV® Result |
|---|---|
| Glare reduction | Up to 93% |
| Solar heat rejection | Up to 87% |
| UV light filtered | At least 98% |
| Outward visibility | 100% clear, undistorted |
| Air conditioning power savings | Up to 81% for larger vessels |
What 93% glare reduction means in practice:
Of the glare entering through a bridge window, the SOLASOLV® screen removes 93 out of every 100 units of glare intensity. What remains passes through at a level the human eye can handle without strain. The crew sees clearly. The instruments are readable. The forward view is unobstructed.
What 87% heat rejection means in practice:
The majority of solar heat that would otherwise pass through the glass is reflected or absorbed by the screen before it reaches the bridge interior. The bridge runs cooler. Crew members are less affected by heat stress. Air conditioning systems work less hard, which reduces fuel consumption. For operators of large vessels on long routes, the fuel cost saving is measurable.
What 98% UV rejection means in practice:
UV light does not contribute to visible glare but it does cause long-term damage to skin and to sensitive bridge equipment, including electronic displays and instrument panels. The SOLASOLV® screen filters out at least 98% of harmful UV light, providing protection for crew members during long watches and extending the working life of equipment exposed at bridge windows.
Why the Screen Can Reduce Glare and Still Allow a Clear View
This is the question that most buyers ask when they first encounter SOLASOLV® performance data. The answer lies in the material science of the shade film.
SOLASOLV® screens use a specialist biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (polyester) film. This material has a melting point of approximately 260°C and does not shrink below 150°C, making it stable in demanding marine environments including tropical heat and direct sun exposure for extended periods.
The film is engineered to selectively manage the solar spectrum. It reduces the intensity of incoming visible light (controlling glare) and reflects or absorbs solar energy in the infrared range (controlling heat) without introducing distortion, colour shift or opacity into what the crew sees through it. The film is not a tint. It is not a blackout material. It is a precision-engineered filter that operates across specific wavelengths while preserving the clarity of the visible image.
This is why SOLASOLV® screens are described as a technical solution rather than simply a blind. The performance is the result of engineering, not just shading.
Film Colour Options and Performance Variation
SOLASOLV® screens are available in four film colours: Gold, Silver, Grey and Bronze. All four colours deliver the same core protective performance for glare reduction, heat rejection and UV filtering. The choice of colour affects the external appearance of the vessel and, in some conditions, the specific level of heat rejection achieved.
For maximum heat rejection, Silver film delivers the highest performance and is the strongest choice for vessels on routes with sustained high solar intensity. For appearance-sensitive installations, Gold and Bronze offer alternative external finishes while maintaining full glare and UV protection.
For detailed performance data by film colour, visit the Solar Solve technical information page.
Trusted on 20,000 Vessels Worldwide
SOLASOLV® marine solar screens have been supplied to more than 20,000 vessels across 108 countries, with over 200,000 Type Approved screens in active use. The product range covers the full spectrum of vessel types: ferries, cruise ships, naval vessels, offshore platforms, commercial cargo vessels, coastguard ships and specialist safety-critical installations including air traffic control towers.
Solar Solve has manufactured and supplied from its UK facility in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, since 1975. Every screen is custom made to the exact dimensions and window profile of the vessel, with Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA confirming that the product meets the standards required for use at navigation bridge windows.
The core principle behind the technology has remained consistent across five decades: reduce glare to a level that protects the crew, while preserving the clear, accurate outward view they need to navigate safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do SOLASOLV® screens block the crew’s outward view?
A: No. SOLASOLV® screens are designed to reduce glare and heat while maintaining 100% clear, undistorted outward visibility. Crew members can see out of the bridge windows clearly through the screen.
Q: How does a screen reduce 93% of glare without making it dark inside the bridge?
A: SOLASOLV® shade film selectively reduces the intensity of incoming visible light rather than blocking it entirely. The film filters light to a level the eye can manage comfortably, while preserving colour accuracy and visual clarity. The bridge remains well lit and the forward view remains clear.
Q: Does the film colour affect how clearly crew members can see through the screen?
A: All four film colours maintain clear, undistorted outward visibility. The choice of colour affects the external appearance of the vessel and influences the level of heat rejection. Silver film delivers the highest heat rejection performance.
Q: Are SOLASOLV® screens suitable for all types of vessel?
A: Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are custom made for each installation and have been supplied to ferries, cruise ships, naval vessels, offshore platforms, coastguard ships, commercial cargo vessels and air traffic control towers. Every screen is manufactured to the exact window dimensions and profile of the vessel.
Q: Do SOLASOLV® screens comply with marine safety regulations?
A: Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are Type Approved by Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA, and meet IMO and SOLAS standards for bridge visibility and safety. Type Approval confirms that the product meets the standards required for use at navigation bridge windows on classified vessels.
Q: How long do SOLASOLV® screens last on a working vessel?
A: SOLASAFE® screens include a 7-year guarantee. The polyester shade film is heat-set during processing with a melting point of approximately 260°C, making it stable in high-temperature marine environments. The material is resistant to saltwater exposure and UV degradation.
Q: Can SOLASOLV® screens be retrofitted to existing vessels?
A: Yes. SOLASOLV® screens are custom made and suitable for both new build installations and retrofits to existing vessels. Solar Solve provides full measuring guidance and can manufacture screens for standard and non-standard window shapes.
