Personal preference.  
Depending on the boats & paddler skill, a solo could outperform a tandem.  
Last year I had no problem in a Swift Heron keeping up with a Wenonah Prospector.  The difference being 1' in length and width giving the Heron a L:W ratio of 7.6 & the Wenonah being 4.9.  With equal power applied the Wenonah goes near half as fast.  Incomplete calculations, but a decent guideline for basic efficiency.

What is meant by no solo experience?  Never soloed a canoe or never paddled a dedicated solo?  Going from soling a 16' to a dedicated solo is awesome.  You never felt so pampered in all your life.  Going from never solo to soloing depends on your skilz.  If you know your strokes, at least 4 different strokes, should be no problem.

I think the biggest problem with a solo canoe in the mix is becoming windbound.  Tandem can handle a lot more gnarly action than a solo.