Last updated: October 17, 2026.
This Privacy Policy explains what information Plain Solar Guide («we», «us», «our») collects when you visit plainsolarguide.com (the «Site»), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have. By using the Site you acknowledge this policy. If you do not agree with it, please do not use the Site.
1. Who we are
Plain Solar Guide is an independent information website about residential solar costs, savings and payback for U.S. homeowners. You can contact us at hello@plainsolarguide.com. For visitors in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, the operator of the Site is the controller of your personal data.
2. Information we collect
Information you give us
- Contact form and emails: your name, email address and the content of your message, so that we can reply.
- Calculator inputs: the numbers you type into our solar savings calculator (for example your electricity bill) are processed in your browser to show you a result. We do not send them to our servers or store them.
Information collected automatically
- Technical data: IP address, browser type and version, device type, operating system, language, pages viewed, time spent, and the page that referred you to us.
- Cookies and similar technologies: small files or identifiers stored on your device. See section 4.
We do not ask for, and you should not send us, sensitive information such as government identification numbers, payment card numbers or financial account details.
3. How we use information, and our legal bases
| Purpose | Legal basis (EEA/UK visitors) |
|---|---|
| Operate, secure and maintain the Site; prevent spam and abuse | Legitimate interests |
| Understand which content is useful and improve the Site | Consent (where required) or legitimate interests |
| Show advertising and measure its performance | Consent |
| Reply to your messages | Legitimate interests or steps you ask us to take |
| Comply with legal obligations | Legal obligation |
4. Cookies, analytics and advertising
We use cookies and similar technologies for essential Site functions, to understand how the Site is used, and to display advertising. When you first visit the Site, a cookie banner lets you accept, reject or customize non-essential cookies, and you can change your choice at any time using the cookie settings on the Site. Essential cookies cannot be switched off because the Site needs them to work.
Advertising. We may use Google AdSense and other third-party advertising vendors. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. Google’s use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this Site and other sites on the internet.
You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also visit aboutads.info to opt out of some third-party vendors’ use of cookies for personalized advertising. To learn how Google uses information from sites that use its services, see How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.
Analytics. If we enable an analytics service, such as Google Analytics, it will collect usage data (pages viewed, approximate location, device information) so that we can measure and improve the Site. In regions where consent is required, we load non-essential analytics and advertising cookies only after you agree.
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Some parts of the Site may not work properly without essential cookies.
5. Sharing information
We do not sell your personal information for money. We share information only with:
- Service providers that help us run the Site, such as hosting, security, email, analytics and advertising providers, who process data on our behalf or under their own policies.
- Authorities or other parties when the law requires it or when needed to protect our rights, users or the Site.
- A successor if the Site is transferred as part of a sale or reorganization.
The Site does not currently pass your details to solar installers or lead-generation companies. If we ever add a quote-request form, we will state clearly, before you submit it, which companies will receive your details and why.
Advertising partners may collect information through cookies and similar technologies in the way described in section 4. Under some U.S. state laws this can count as «sharing» for cross-context behavioral advertising or a «sale» of personal information. You can opt out at any time through the cookie settings on the Site or through the opt-out links above.
6. International transfers
Our hosting and advertising providers may process data in the United States and other countries, which may have different data protection rules than your country. Where required, we rely on appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses or the provider’s participation in a recognized data transfer framework.
7. Your rights and choices
California and other U.S. states. Depending on where you live, you may have the right to know what personal information we collect and how we use it, to request access, correction or deletion, to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information and of targeted advertising, and not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights. We do not knowingly sell the personal information of anyone under 16.
European Economic Area, United Kingdom and Switzerland. You may have the right to access, correct, delete, restrict or object to the processing of your personal data, to data portability, and to withdraw consent at any time without affecting earlier processing. You also have the right to complain to your local data protection authority.
To exercise any of these rights, email hello@plainsolarguide.com. We may need to verify your identity before we act on a request, and we will respond within the time the applicable law requires.
8. Data retention and security
We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes in this policy or as the law requires. For example, we keep messages sent through the contact form only as long as needed to handle your request. We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information, but no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.
9. Children
The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has given us personal information, contact us and we will delete it.
10. Links to other sites
Our pages link to other websites, including government and industry sources. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the «Last updated» date at the top of this page. Please review it periodically.
12. Contact
Questions or requests about this policy: hello@plainsolarguide.com.
Newsletter
If you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your email address and the date you confirmed your subscription. We use it only to send you updates about solar costs, incentives and tax rules. We ask you to confirm your subscription by email before we send anything. We do not sell or rent your email address. The emails are stored on this website and sent from it. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every email, or by writing to us through the contact page, and we will delete your address.