Dave S wrote
My answer as a non-CFI is.. I would expect the number of CFI's who
actually endorse a student for night solo to be VERY low.. simply as a
result of the environment in which we instruct and train.

My answer as a CFI is - if not now, when? The student will have night
privileges when he passes the checkride. Therefore, if you don't feel
comfortable having him fly solo at night on your ticket, how can you
send him to the checkride?

My policy is that the student gets a night solo endorsement when he
completes his night and instrument training. If I don't feel like he
can fly at night and maintain an adequate level of safety and
proficiency, then we do more than the mandated 3 hour minimum (this
has happened). If he doesn't like it, he can find another instructor
(this has not).

Michael