The Monokote is a Hobbico product. It's been around a long time! It's definitely one of the heavier coverings, but isn't too bad to work with. For lighter structures, it's probably too heavy and shrinks too aggressively. I haven't used solarfilm, but I understand it's pretty light. Monokote is good for heavier, slab sided balsa and ply type stuff, where durability matters more than weight. Solarfilm is probably better suited to lighter structures where weight is a premium. But, as I said, no experience with solarfilm. So I may be talking through my hat..... I use Monokote with pretty good results on beefier glow planes.