Privacy Policy

1. Who We Are (Data Controller)

This Privacy Policy applies to FreeSolarSolutions.com, operated by Michael David Pierce ("we," "us," or "our"). For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable privacy laws, Michael David Pierce is the data controller.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several different types of information for various purposes to provide and improve our Website to you.

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

When you voluntarily provide information to us — such as when you create an account, sign up for a newsletter, or contact us — we may collect:

• Email address
• Name (if provided)
• Any other information you choose to provide in messages or forms

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and your visit, including:

• IP address (anonymized where possible)
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on each page
• Referring website (the website you came from)
• Date and time of your visit
• General geographic location (country/region level only)

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our Website and hold certain information. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our Website.

We use the following types of cookies: Session Cookies (to operate our Website), Preference Cookies (to remember your preferences), and Analytics Cookies (to understand how visitors use our Website). We do not use advertising tracking cookies that follow you across other websites.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• To provide, operate, and maintain our Website
• To improve, personalize, and expand our Website
• To understand and analyze how you use our Website
• To develop new content, features, and functionality
• To communicate with you, including for customer service and updates
• To send you emails if you have subscribed (you can unsubscribe at any time)
• To find and prevent fraud and abuse
• To comply with legal obligations

We do not sell your personal information to any third party. We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, we process your personal data under the following legal bases as defined in Article 6 of the GDPR:

• Consent: Where you have given us clear consent to process your personal data for a specific purpose (e.g., newsletter signup)
• Legitimate Interests: Where processing is necessary for our legitimate interests (e.g., website analytics to improve our service), provided these are not overridden by your rights
• Legal Obligation: Where processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation
• Contract: Where processing is necessary to perform a contract with you

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Analytics data is retained for a maximum of 26 months. Email addresses for newsletter subscribers are retained until you unsubscribe. Account information is retained until you request deletion. You may request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us at [email protected].

6. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Website (such as analytics providers and email service providers). These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only to provide services to us.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).
• Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
• Protection of Rights: We may disclose your information to protect the rights, property, or safety of FreeSolarSolutions.com, our users, or others.

7. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and maintained on computers located outside of your state, province, country, or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, we ensure that any transfer of your personal data to countries outside the EEA is protected by appropriate safeguards, such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission, or we rely on adequacy decisions where applicable. By using this Website, you consent to this transfer.

8. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have specific rights regarding your personal information. We honor all of these rights regardless of your location.

8.1 Rights for All Users (Universal)

• Right to Know: You have the right to know what personal information we collect about you
• Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Right to Correction: You have the right to request that we correct inaccurate personal information
• Right to Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information
• Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of any marketing communications at any time

8.2 Additional Rights for EU/UK Residents (GDPR)

• Right to Restriction: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances
• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data where we are relying on legitimate interests
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on consent to process your data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: You have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority

8.3 Additional Rights for California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the following additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• The right to know about personal information collected, disclosed, or sold
• The right to delete personal information collected from you
• The right to opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information (Note: We do NOT sell personal information)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights
• The right to correct inaccurate personal information
• The right to limit use and disclosure of sensitive personal information

To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond to verified requests within 45 days.

8.4 Rights for Residents of Other US States

Residents of Virginia (VCDPA), Colorado (CPA), Connecticut (CTDPA), Utah (UCPA), Texas (TDPSA), Oregon (OCPA), Montana (MCDPA), Indiana (INCDPA), Iowa (ICDPA), Delaware (DPDPA), New Hampshire (NHPA), New Jersey (NJDPA), and other states with enacted privacy laws have similar rights to those described above. We honor all such rights. To exercise your rights, contact us at [email protected].

9. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not sell personal information as defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA), or any other applicable state privacy law. If this practice ever changes, we will update this Privacy Policy and provide you with a clear opt-out mechanism before doing so.

10. Analytics and Third-Party Services

We use analytics services to help us understand how visitors use our Website. These services may collect information about your use of the Website, including pages visited, time spent on pages, and general geographic location.

We may use services such as Google Analytics, which collects information anonymously and reports website trends without identifying individual visitors. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect this information. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

We may also use advertising networks such as Ezoic or similar services to display advertisements. These services may use cookies and similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Website. You can opt out of personalized advertising by visiting aboutads.info/choices or youronlinechoices.eu (for EU users).

11. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/SSL), secure server infrastructure, and access controls.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your rights and freedoms, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

12. Children's Privacy (COPPA)

Our Website is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in the EU under GDPR). We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and you believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers.

13. Cookie Policy and Your Choices

You have several options for managing cookies:

• Browser Settings: Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent.
• Opt-Out Tools: You can opt out of interest-based advertising through the Digital Advertising Alliance at aboutads.info.
• EU Cookie Consent: If you are in the EU/UK, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner when you first visit our Website. You may withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your browser settings.
• Do Not Track: Some browsers have a "Do Not Track" feature. We honor Do Not Track signals where technically feasible.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. For significant changes, we will provide a more prominent notice, which may include an email notification if you have provided us with your email address. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

15. How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your privacy rights described in this Policy, please contact us using the information below. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by applicable law (typically 30-45 days). We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal data, or our privacy practices, please contact us:

EU/UK residents may also contact their local data protection authority. A list of EU data protection authorities is available at edpb.europa.eu. UK residents may contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.