Privacy Policy

Last updated: March 30, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how Solarinstallguide ("we", "us", "our"), accessible at solarinstallguide.com, collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information about visitors ("you"). Please read this policy carefully. If you do not agree, please stop using the site.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for your personal information is the operator of solarinstallguide.com. For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at:

[email protected]

We aim to respond to all privacy requests within 30 days (or within the statutory period required by applicable law, whichever is shorter).

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information Collected Automatically

• Log data: IP address (truncated/anonymized), browser type and version, operating system, device type
• Usage data: pages visited, time on page, scroll depth, exit page, referring URL
• Technical data: screen resolution, language preference, timezone
• Interaction data: clicks on links, use of interactive tools (calculators), article feedback votes
• Cookie data: see Section 5 for full details

2.2 Information You Provide Voluntarily

• Email address — if you subscribe to our newsletter or editorial updates
• Name and message — if you contact us via email
• Article feedback — thumbs up/down votes (anonymous; not linked to any account)

We do not operate user accounts, collect payment information, or require registration to access any content.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

For visitors in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland, we process personal data under the following legal bases (GDPR Article 6):

4. How We Use Your Information

• Operate and maintain the website
• Analyze traffic patterns and improve content quality
• Serve relevant advertisements via Google AdSense and MGID
• Send newsletters and editorial updates (subscribers only)
• Respond to your inquiries
• Detect and prevent abuse, spam, or security threats
• Comply with legal obligations
• Aggregate anonymous statistics for content planning

We do not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal effects on you.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies. You can manage preferences via your browser settings or by withdrawing consent through our cookie banner.

Advertising cookies are only set after you accept our cookie consent banner. Essential and security cookies do not require consent as they are necessary for basic site functionality.

6. Google Analytics 4

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors use our site. IP anonymization is enabled — your full IP address is never stored. Data is retained for 14 months then auto-deleted. Google is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework.

Opt out via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. Reference: Google Privacy Policy.

7. Google AdSense & Advertising

We participate in Google AdSense. Google may use cookies to serve ads based on your interests and prior visits. We also participate in affiliate marketing programs — affiliate relationships are disclosed and do not influence editorial content.

Opt out of personalized advertising:

• Google Ad Settings
• Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out
• EDAA opt-out (EU)
• NAI opt-out tool

8. MGID Native Advertising

We use MGID, a native advertising platform, to display sponsored content recommendations. MGID may set cookies to deliver relevant content and measure ad performance. MGID is an IAB member. Opt out at mgid.com/privacy-policy.

9. Cloudflare

Our website is served through Cloudflare for CDN, DDoS protection, bot mitigation, and performance. Traffic passing through Cloudflare's network may include your IP address and request headers for security purposes. Cloudflare acts as a data processor under our Data Processing Addendum. Details: cloudflare.com/privacypolicy.

10. Third-Party Services

11. Data Retention

12. Your GDPR Rights (EEA / UK)

• Right of access (Art. 15): Request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
• Right to rectification (Art. 16): Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Right to erasure (Art. 17): Request deletion of your personal data where there is no compelling reason to retain it.
• Right to restriction (Art. 18): Request that we limit how we process your data while a dispute is resolved.
• Right to data portability (Art. 20): Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Right to object (Art. 21): Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including direct marketing.
• Right to withdraw consent (Art. 7(3)): Withdraw consent at any time without affecting prior processing.

To exercise these rights, email [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority (e.g., the ICO in the UK).

13. California Privacy Rights (CCPA / CPRA)

• Right to know: Request disclosure of personal information collected in the past 12 months.
• Right to delete: Request deletion of personal information (subject to exceptions).
• Right to correct: Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Right to opt-out of sale or sharing: We do not sell personal information.
• Right to non-discrimination: Exercising your rights will not result in discriminatory treatment.

Categories of personal information collected (CCPA disclosure): Identifiers (anonymized IP, cookie IDs); Internet / network activity (pages visited, interactions); Inferences drawn by ad networks (not by us directly).

To exercise California rights, email [email protected].

14. Do Not Sell My Personal Information

We do not sell personal information to third parties. Third-party advertising networks (Google AdSense, MGID) may use cookie data for targeted advertising per their own privacy policies — governed by your cookie consent and by the opt-out tools in Sections 7 and 8.

15. International Data Transfers

Our website and some service providers are based in the United States. If you are in the EEA, UK, or another jurisdiction with data transfer restrictions, your data may be transferred to and processed in the US. We rely on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (Google is certified) and Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where applicable.

16. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Our website is not directed to children under 13 (or under 16 in the EEA). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.

17. Security

• HTTPS/TLS encryption — all data in transit is encrypted
• Cloudflare protection — DDoS mitigation, bot detection, WAF
• Access controls — administrative access limited to authorized personnel
• Regular security updates — server software kept up to date

No Internet transmission is 100% secure. In the event of a data breach affecting your rights, we will notify affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by law.

18. Third-Party Links

Our articles contain links to third-party websites for reference. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. This Privacy Policy applies only to solarinstallguide.com.

19. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Material changes will be reflected in an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes your acknowledgment of the updated policy.

20. Contact & Data Protection Inquiries

If you are in the EU/UK and are unsatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority (e.g., ICO in the UK).