Privacy Policy

1. Zero Personal Data Harvesting Policy

Unlike traditional solar lead-generation websites, SolarPanelCalculator.org does not require you to register, log in, or provide your name, telephone number, email address, or physical home address to run any calculator or modeling tool. All core mathematical evaluations run directly within your client browser using vanilla JavaScript.

2. Client-Side Processing & Local Storage

When you adjust sliders, input monthly electric bill amounts, select sun hours, or customize module wattages, these data points are processed ephemerally in your browser's local memory. When you utilize the "Share Calculation" feature, input parameters are encoded directly in the URL query string (?kwh=900&sun=4.5) to enable reproducible sharing. We do not transmit or store these calculations on remote servers or private databases.

3. Web Analytics & Cookie Consent Controls

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with IP pseudonymization to collect aggregate, anonymous telemetry regarding platform performance. In compliance with European Union GDPR and UK ePrivacy standards, non-essential analytics cookies are blocked until you grant affirmative consent via our interactive cookie banner. You can review, update, or revoke your cookie choices at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" control in our website footer or by using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

4. Third-Party Advertising, Google AdSense & Cookies

To keep our solar calculation tools, engineering matrices, and educational guides freely accessible to the public without paywalls or contractor lead-selling, this website utilizes digital advertising services, including Google AdSense. In compliance with Google's Publisher and AdSense Program Policies, we provide the following disclosures regarding third-party cookies and personalized advertising:

• Third-Party Vendor Cookies: Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies and web beacons to serve advertisements based on your prior visits to this website or other websites on the Internet.
• Google Advertising Cookies: Google's use of advertising cookies (such as the DoubleClick cookie) enables Google and its authorized advertising partners to serve relevant ads to visitors based on their browsing activity across this and other sites.
• Personalized Advertising Opt-Out: You have the absolute right to manage or opt out of personalized advertising. You may opt out of personalized Google ads at any time by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you can opt out of participating third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting the Digital Advertising Alliance at aboutads.info or the Network Advertising Initiative at networkadvertising.org.
• EEA, UK, and Swiss Consent Management (TCF v2.2): For visitors located in the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, advertising cookies and data processing for ad personalization are strictly gated behind an IAB Europe Transparency and Consent Framework (TCF v2.2) compliant, Google-certified Consent Management Platform (CMP). Ads served to users who decline or do not provide affirmative consent will be non-personalized.

5. Contact Inquiries & Data Retention

If you voluntarily reach out via our contact form or send an email to support@solarpanelcalculator.org, your name, email address, and message content will be used solely to respond to your technical question, bug report, or methodology inquiry. We never sell, rent, or trade email addresses to marketing networks or solar installation companies.

6. User Rights Under GDPR & CCPA

Depending on your jurisdiction (including the European Economic Area under the General Data Protection Regulation and California under the California Consumer Privacy Act), you retain statutory rights regarding your personal data:

• Right of Access & Portability: The right to request disclosure of any personal data we hold.
• Right to Erasure: The right to request immediate deletion of correspondence and contact records.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Equal access and full calculation capabilities without forfeiture of privacy rights.

7. Outbound Links to Third-Party Standards

Our website links to official government and standards resources, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Code Council (ICC), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or external content maintained on third-party domains.