Privacy & Cookie Policy

1. Information We Collect

Solar for Soldiers collects personal information when you interact with us through our website, forms, and communications. This information is gathered solely in connection with our nonprofit mission — providing solar energy support to veterans and military families — and is used to facilitate outreach, donations, volunteer engagement, and program services. We may collect your personal information with your consent or as necessary to respond to inquiries, coordinate services, or facilitate participation in our programs. Personal information we may collect includes: your name, contact information (address, phone number, email), donation or payment details, communications or messages exchanged with us, property or utility documentation (if applicable to your project participation), government-issued ID (in limited cases), military service information, and website usage data and timestamps. We also use cookies and other tracking technologies (such as web beacons and pixels) to better understand how users interact with our website. These tools help us improve the site’s functionality, enhance user experience, and gather analytics. Some cookies are essential for site performance, while others help us analyze traffic patterns or remember your preferences. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may impact your ability to use some features of our website.

2. How We Use Personal Information

We use the personal information we collect to support the mission of Solar for Soldiers, including responding to inquiries, coordinating services, and providing quotes when necessary—for example, when evaluating a project or determining eligibility for assistance. We may also use your information to process donations, communicate with you about our programs, events, or volunteer opportunities, and to improve our website and outreach through analytics and feedback. Where permitted by law, we may send updates or informational communications related to our work. Additionally, we may use your information to comply with legal obligations or to protect our legal rights. We do not sell your personal information. We do not share your information with third parties except with your explicit consent, when required by law, or where necessary to deliver services—for example, with trusted partners involved in solar assessments or installations. In some jurisdictions, such as California, certain types of disclosures may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" under applicable privacy laws. While we do not monetize personal data, we will comply with all relevant legal obligations and respect your privacy rights under those laws.

3. Analytics and Technical Tracking

We use privacy‐focused analytics tools to help us understand how visitors interact with our website. Specifically, we use Vercel Web Analytics, which does not rely on cookies or collect personally identifiable information. Instead, it uses temporary and anonymized hashed values—derived from technical characteristics like IP address and browser type—to provide non‐identifying usage insights. These hashes are not persistent and are not linked to any user profile or external databases. They allow us to monitor general trends such as page visits, traffic sources, and site performance, which helps us improve the website’s design, accessibility, and effectiveness.

We also use Vercel BotID, a lightweight, privacy‐respecting CAPTCHA alternative that helps distinguish human users from automated scripts. This tool does not rely on cookies or invasive tracking. It uses passive detection methods, such as device characteristics and behavioral signals, to assess whether a visitor is likely to be a bot—thereby enhancing the security and integrity of our site without compromising user privacy. Although no personal data is collected and no cookies are set by these tools, they are still considered forms of technical tracking. We use them solely to support our nonprofit mission and do not share analytics or bot detection data with third parties or use it for advertising or profiling. If your browser includes tracking protection features or global privacy control signals, we respect those settings to the extent technically feasible.

4. How to Control Cookies

Solar for Soldiers does not use cookies for tracking, analytics, or advertising purposes on this website. Our analytics platform (Vercel Web Analytics) is cookie‐free and privacy‐focused. However, we have included this section for transparency and to support visitors who may wish to manage cookies more broadly. Some embedded content (such as maps, donation forms, or videos from third‐party services) may still place cookies on your device, depending on your browser settings or consent preferences. Most internet browsers allow you to manage or delete cookies manually, block certain types of cookies, or receive a notification when a cookie is being set. For specific instructions, refer to your browser’s Help section. While we currently avoid placing cookies ourselves, we believe it’s important to provide this information so you can remain in control of your online privacy—especially if future site features introduce cookie‐based functionality.

5. Data Retention & Your Rights

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected—such as responding to inquiries, coordinating program participation, processing donations, or maintaining compliance with legal and financial requirements. For example, donation records may be retained to meet tax and audit obligations. While our analytics platform does not collect or retain personal data, any information you provide to Solar for Soldiers (such as through forms or emails) is stored securely and retained only for the duration necessary to fulfill the intended purpose, unless longer retention is required by law or for legitimate operational reasons, such as fraud prevention or legal compliance.

If you are a resident of a state with specific data privacy legislation (such as California under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)), you may have the right to: access the personal data we hold about you; request that we correct or delete your personal information; opt out of any future data sharing that qualifies as a “sale” or “sharing” under state law; and receive a summary of the categories of personal data we collect and how we use it. To make such a request, please contact us using the information provided in Section 7. We will respond in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

6. Security

We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect the security and confidentiality of personal information you provide to Solar for Soldiers. This includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction of data. Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel and service providers who require it to perform legitimate functions, such as processing donations, responding to inquiries, or managing program participation. These individuals are bound by confidentiality obligations and are expected to follow strict data handling procedures. While no system can guarantee complete security, we are committed to maintaining industry‐standard practices and complying with all applicable laws to safeguard your information.

7. Contacting Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the personal information we may hold about you, or if you wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at:

Solar for Soldiers
Phone: (813) 540‑8807
Email: info@solarforsoldiers.io