And despite Edinburgh rallying briefly after the break through Matt Scott's converted try to get them back within a point, Zebre came again through Filippo Cristiano and Kameli Ratuvou for a 26-13 win.
The Scots were not helped with injuries as flanker Roddy Grant hobbled off leaving centre Andries Strauss to take his place, while David Denton switched to the second row after Ollie Atkins went off.
And Solomons, whose side take on rivals Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on Saturday, conceded the enforced changes had left his side short.
"We didn't play well in the first half but made changes and in the second showed a lot of grit," Solomons told the Herald.
"It was a gritty second half but our injury situation before and during the match made it very difficult for us and our set-piece got hammered. That is the way it is and we have to take it on the chin."
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