Two Products, One Proven Technology, One Important Difference
SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are the two core anti-glare solar screen products that Solar Solve manufactures for navigation bridge and wheelhouse window applications. Both are built around the same specialist shade film technology. Both hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA. Both deliver up to 93% glare reduction, at least 98% UV filtration and 100% clear, undistorted outward visibility. On the performance metrics that matter most for a navigation bridge installation, they are identical.
The difference between them is construction. One is enclosed in an aluminium protective cassette. One is not. That single construction difference has a cascade of practical implications — for installation, for maintenance, for long-term reliability in demanding marine environments, for head space requirements and for the profile that the finished installation presents at the window.
Choosing the wrong product for the application is a specification error that is costly to reverse after installation. Choosing the right one requires understanding what the cassette does, what its absence means, and which vessel types, window configurations and operating environments are best served by each.
This guide provides that understanding clearly and completely.
Where Both Products Came From: The Origin That Explains the Difference
Understanding why SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® exist as separate products — rather than simply as size variants of the same product — helps explain why the construction difference matters.
SOLAROLA® came first. In November 1986, John Lightfoot, Solar Solve’s founder and a qualified marine engineer, began developing the first navigation bridge sunshades for installation at the wheelhouse windows of the dry cargo vessels Dietrich Oldendorff and Johanna Oldendorff at Sunderland Shipbuilders. The first SOLAROLA® anti-glare screens — an aluminium roller blind without a cassette, fitted with the specialist shade film that would become the SOLASOLV® brand — were installed in May 1987. They were immediately successful.
SOLASAFE® was developed in direct response to a shipyard requirement. A series of 24 Superflex-2000 ferries ordered by a Danish operator required a more sophisticated product for their navigation bridge windows. The shipyard wanted the screens enclosed in an aluminium protective cassette that would be easier to install, protect the film from damage when retracted, and keep the screen clean when not in use. The first SOLASAFE® cassette screens were installed at the wheelhouse windows of the first two ferries, Superflex Alpha and Superflex Bravo, in July and September of 1987.
SOLASAFE® was created because a demanding application required a more protected, more refined product. SOLAROLA® remained in production because many applications do not require the cassette — and for those applications, the non-cassette roller delivers the same screen performance at a lower profile and lower cost. Both products have been in continuous production and active service on vessels worldwide ever since.
What the Cassette Does: Why SOLASAFE® Exists
The aluminium cassette head box on SOLASAFE® serves three distinct functions that the non-cassette SOLAROLA® does not provide.
It protects the shade film when the screen is retracted. On a working vessel bridge, the screen is raised and lowered repeatedly throughout each daylight watch. When retracted, the shade film on a SOLAROLA® is exposed on the roller — visible and accessible. On a SOLASAFE®, the retracted film rolls into the enclosed cassette housing and is protected from contact, dust accumulation and accidental damage. On vessels where the bridge is a working environment with frequent traffic and physical activity — ferries, cruise ships, naval vessels — this protection is a practical operational benefit.
It provides an automatic self-cleaning action. The SOLASAFE® cassette incorporates a built-in wipe-clean brush system. As the screen is retracted into the cassette, the brush removes dust, salt deposits and debris from the film surface automatically. The film is clean and ready for deployment at every use without manual intervention. On vessels operating in salt-laden coastal and offshore environments, where deposits accumulate rapidly on surfaces, this self-cleaning mechanism significantly reduces the maintenance burden on the film.
It produces a cleaner, more finished installation profile. The cassette presents as a neat, enclosed head box at the top of the window. On vessels where the finished appearance of the bridge window installation is a specification requirement — cruise ships, passenger ferries, naval vessels, air traffic control towers — the cassette delivers a professional, integrated appearance that the exposed roller of the SOLAROLA® does not match.
What the Absence of a Cassette Means: Why SOLAROLA® Exists
SOLAROLA® is not a lesser product than SOLASAFE®. It is a product optimised for applications where the cassette is unnecessary, impractical or where the available head space at the window cannot accommodate the cassette housing.
It delivers an identical performance specification. The shade film, the glare reduction performance, the heat rejection, the UV filtration and the outward visibility standard are the same in SOLAROLA® as in SOLASAFE®. The crew’s experience on the bridge — the reduction in glare, the maintained forward view, the cooler working environment — is identical regardless of which product is installed.
It has a lower profile at the window head. The aluminium roller without a cassette is more compact than the cassette housing of SOLASAFE®. On vessels where the available space above the window is limited — where structural elements, overhead equipment or instrument panels constrain the space at the window head — SOLAROLA® can be fitted where SOLASAFE® cannot.
It is appropriate for lower-maintenance-demand environments. On vessels where the screen is deployed less frequently, where the bridge environment is cleaner, or where manual maintenance of the film is straightforward and regularly performed, the absence of the cassette and its self-cleaning system is not a disadvantage. SOLAROLA® is a durable, reliable product that requires straightforward maintenance and performs consistently throughout its operational life.
The Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | SOLASAFE® | SOLAROLA® |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette head box | Yes — aluminium, enclosed | No — roller only |
| Self-cleaning brush system | Yes — automatic on retraction | No |
| Shade film | Same — identical SOLASOLV® film | Same — identical SOLASOLV® film |
| Glare reduction | Up to 93% | Up to 93% |
| Heat rejection | Up to 87% | Up to 87% |
| UV light rejected | At least 98% | At least 98% |
| Outward visibility | 100% clear, undistorted | 100% clear, undistorted |
| True colour rendition | Yes | Yes |
| Operation | Manual, electric, remote control | Manual, electric |
| Type Approvals | Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, RINA | Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, RINA |
| Guarantee | 7 years | 2 years |
| Profile colour options | 400+ aluminium colours | Standard aluminium |
| Head space required | More (cassette housing) | Less (roller only) |
| External appearance | Enclosed cassette — finished profile | Exposed roller — lower profile |
| Dispatch | 3 to 5 days (same day available) | 3 to 5 days (same day available) |
Film Colour Performance Data: Both Products, All Four Colours
Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are available in four shade film colours: Gold, Silver, Grey and Bronze. The film is the same across both products. The performance data below applies to both.
| Film Colour | Heat Rejection | UV Rejected | Visible Light Transmission | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 87.2% | 99.3% | 6.6% | Maximum heat rejection; vessels on all routes |
| Silver | 77.8% | 97.4% | 7.9% | Strong heat rejection; balanced performance |
| Grey | 65.7% | 98.6% | 14.2% | Neutral appearance; higher light transmission |
| Bronze | 67.6% | 98.5% | Not published separately | Bronze external appearance; balanced performance |
An important note on film colour and heat rejection: Gold film delivers the highest heat rejection at 87.2%, which is the highest total solar energy rejection across all four colours. This is the opposite of what many buyers assume — the gold external appearance of the film reflects the highest proportion of solar energy outward. For vessels on tropical or high-intensity solar routes where heat rejection is the primary driver, Gold film is the specification recommendation.
Grey and Bronze films have higher visible light transmission, which means more natural light enters the bridge interior through the screened window. For bridge environments where maintaining natural light levels is a preference alongside glare control, these colours provide a different balance between glare reduction and interior brightness.
All four colours achieve the same glare reduction performance — up to 93%. The choice of colour affects heat rejection and visible light transmission, not the fundamental anti-glare effectiveness of the product.
For the full technical data table including shading coefficient and total solar reflection and absorption figures by film colour, visit the Solar Solve technical information.
How to Choose: A Decision Framework for Buyers
The following questions will lead most buyers to the correct product for their application.
Question 1: Is there sufficient head space at the window to accommodate a cassette housing?
Measure the available space between the top of the window glass and the nearest overhead obstruction — structural element, instrument panel, ceiling fitting or any other physical constraint. SOLASAFE® requires enough head space to accommodate the cassette housing, which varies by screen width and is detailed in the product specification. If the available head space accommodates the cassette, SOLASAFE® is the recommended choice for bridge window applications. If the head space is too constrained, SOLAROLA® delivers the same performance in a more compact profile.
Question 2: Is the vessel operating in a high-dust, high-salt-spray or high-traffic bridge environment?
Ferries, cruise ships, offshore support vessels and naval vessels operating in coastal and offshore environments accumulate salt deposits and dust rapidly on bridge surfaces. The SOLASAFE® self-cleaning brush system addresses this maintenance challenge automatically. If the vessel operates in these conditions or if the bridge is a high-traffic environment where manual film maintenance is impractical, SOLASAFE® is the recommended choice.
Question 3: Is the finished appearance of the installation a specification requirement?
Where the external presentation of the bridge window screens is a formal specification requirement — passenger vessels, naval vessels, air traffic control towers, high-specification commercial vessels — the enclosed cassette profile of SOLASAFE® provides a finished, professional appearance that integrates with the window architecture. The 400-plus aluminium profile colour options for SOLASAFE® allow the cassette to be colour-matched to the vessel’s bridge interior or exterior specification.
Question 4: What is the priority film colour for the vessel’s operating environment?
For maximum heat rejection — tropical routes, equatorial passages, Red Sea and Gulf operations — specify Gold film, which delivers 87.2% total solar energy rejection. For a neutral appearance with higher visible light transmission, specify Grey or Bronze. For strong all-round performance with a silver external finish, specify Silver.
Question 5: Is the installation a new build specification or a retrofit?
Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are suitable for new build specification and for retrofit installation on existing vessels. Both products are custom made to the exact window dimensions and profile of the vessel. For measuring guidance and window shape options, visit the Solar Solve window shapes page. For complex or non-standard window profiles, Solar Solve accepts technical drawings uploaded via the contact form before order placement.
The Guarantee Difference: Seven Years vs Two Years
The guarantee period difference between SOLASAFE® (7 years) and SOLAROLA® (2 years) is a direct reflection of the construction difference between the two products.
The SOLASAFE® cassette protects the shade film from physical contact, UV exposure in the retracted position and salt and dust accumulation. The self-cleaning brush system maintains the film condition through operational use. The result is a product whose shade film is maintained in better condition throughout its operational life than a non-cassette roller in the same environment. Solar Solve’s confidence in the SOLASAFE® product is expressed in the 7-year guarantee — more than triple the SOLAROLA® guarantee.
For fleet operators and procurement teams whose vessels are on long deployment cycles with infrequent refit opportunities, the extended guarantee period of SOLASAFE® is a practical specification benefit. A 7-year guaranteed product on a vessel with a 2.5-year survey cycle means the screen is covered through two full survey cycles without replacement.
For guidance on placing an order, obtaining a quotation or discussing requirements for specific vessel types, visit the SOLASAFE product page for cassette product specifications and the SOLAROLA product page for non-cassette specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the main difference between SOLASAFE and SOLAROLA?
A: Both products use the same shade film and deliver identical performance: up to 93% glare reduction, up to 87% heat rejection, at least 98% UV filtration and 100% clear outward visibility. The difference is construction. SOLASAFE® has an aluminium cassette head box with a built-in self-cleaning brush system and a 7-year guarantee. SOLAROLA® is a non-cassette aluminium roller with a more compact profile and a 2-year guarantee. The choice depends on available head space, the maintenance environment of the vessel and appearance requirements.
Q: Do both SOLASAFE and SOLAROLA hold the same Type Approvals?
A: Yes. Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS and RINA — the four leading marine classification societies. Both meet SOLAS and IMO standards for navigation bridge visibility.
Q: Which film colour delivers the best heat rejection?
A: Gold film delivers the highest heat rejection at 87.2% total solar energy rejected. This is counterintuitive for some buyers — the gold external appearance reflects the highest proportion of solar energy outward. Silver film delivers 77.8% heat rejection. Grey and Bronze deliver 65.7% and 67.6% respectively. All four colours achieve up to 93% glare reduction.
Q: Can SOLAROLA be used where SOLASAFE cannot fit?
A: Yes. Where the available head space at the window is too constrained to accommodate the SOLASAFE® cassette housing, SOLAROLA® delivers the same screen performance in a more compact non-cassette profile. If head space allows, SOLASAFE® is the recommended choice for bridge window applications due to its self-cleaning system and extended guarantee.
Q: Which product should I specify for a cruise ship or passenger ferry?
A: SOLASAFE® is the recommended choice for cruise ships and passenger ferries. The cassette provides film protection, the self-cleaning brush system manages the salt and dust environment of coastal and offshore operations, and the finished cassette profile meets the appearance standards of passenger vessel specifications. Cunard, Holland America and Celebrity Cruises all have SOLASAFE® screens installed at navigation bridge windows.
Q: Are both products available for retrofit installation on existing vessels?
A: Yes. Both SOLASAFE® and SOLAROLA® are suitable for retrofit installation as well as new build specification. Both are custom made to the exact dimensions and window profile of the vessel. Standard dispatch is within three to five working days. Same-day dispatch is available for urgent orders.
Q: Is SOLAROLA a lower-quality product than SOLASAFE?
A: No. SOLAROLA® delivers identical performance to SOLASAFE® — the same film, the same Type Approvals, the same glare reduction, heat rejection and UV filtration. It is a different construction optimised for applications where the cassette is unnecessary or where head space is constrained. The shorter guarantee reflects the difference in film protection provided by the cassette, not a difference in the quality of the product itself.
