Solar Mate Privacy & Disclaimer Policy
Last updated: 12 May 2025

1. Purpose & Scope

Solar Mate (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates solarmate.au as an independent solar-consultancy and educational website.
This Policy explains:

  • how we collect, use, disclose and secure personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), as amended by the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024; and

  • the terms on which you use our content, tools and quotations, including limitations of liability and pricing conditions.

Nothing in this Policy purports to exclude, restrict or modify any right or guarantee that cannot be lawfully limited under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

2. What We Collect

Category Typical examples Legal basis (APP) & justification
Identity & contact Name, address, phone, email APP 3 – necessary for providing quotations, responding to enquiries
Usage data Pages viewed, IP address, browser type, cookies, referral source APP 3 – legitimate interests in site analytics, improving services
Quote details Roof photos, electricity bills, system requirements APP 3 – required to prepare accurate quotations
Payment data Amounts paid, invoicing details (no card data stored) Needed to process payments and manage accounts

We do not intentionally collect sensitive information (e.g. health, biometrics) and request that you do not submit it.

3. How We Use Information

  • Preparing indicative or fixed-price solar proposals.

  • Sending educational content, rebate alerts and marketing where you have opted-in (APP 6).

  • Improving site functionality via analytics (Google Analytics 4, Microsoft Clarity) and A/B-testing tools.

  • Meeting legal obligations (record-keeping, fraud prevention, cyber-security incident response under the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme).

We never sell personal information. Affiliate tracking links only record anonymised referral identifiers.

4. Disclosure to Third Parties

We disclose personal information only to:

  1. vetted solar installers, engineers or finance providers with your express consent;

  2. cloud service suppliers (Australian or overseas) who host our CRM, email and analytics platforms—each is bound by confidentiality and data-processing agreements that meet APP 8 cross-border transfer requirements;

  3. regulators, courts or insurers if required or permitted by law.

5. Data Security & Retention

  • ISO 27001-aligned security controls, including encryption in transit (TLS 1.3) and role-based access.

  • Formal Data Breach Response Plan: any eligible data breach will be notified to affected individuals and the OAIC within 30 days as required by the 2024 amendments (penalties up to AU $50 million for serious interference with privacy).

  • Records are kept for seven (7) years or longer if required by taxation, warranty or insurance law, then securely destroyed.

6. Access, Correction & Complaints

Email solarmateguy@gmail.com with the subject line Privacy Request. We will:

  1. verify your identity;

  2. provide access or corrections within 30 days;

  3. investigate complaints and respond in writing.

If unresolved, you may complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

7. Cookies, Tracking & Opt-Out

We use first-party cookies for login sessions and third-party cookies (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel) for aggregated statistics and remarketing. You can disable cookies in your browser; the site will still function, but personalised features may not.

8. External Links & Affiliate Partners – Risk Notice

Our articles contain links to third-party websites and affiliate offers. We do not control or endorse external content. Visiting those sites is at your own risk; review their privacy policies independently.

9. Information-Only Disclaimer

  1. General information only – All blog posts, calculators, videos and consultancy calls provide general guidance on solar and battery systems in Australia. They are not electrical engineering, financial or legal advice.

  2. No professional-client relationship – Viewing or using our content does not create a consultant-client or fiduciary relationship unless a separate written contract is signed.

  3. Reliance at your own risk – You must obtain independent, qualified advice tailored to your circumstances before acting on any information from this site.

  4. No warranties – We make no representations or warranties (express or implied) about completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability of information.

  5. Limitation of liability – To the fullest extent permitted by law, Solar Mate, its directors, employees and agents are not liable for any loss, damage, claim or expense (including indirect or consequential loss, loss of profit or data) arising out of or in connection with:

    • reliance on our content or tools;

    • errors or omissions;

    • interruptions, cyber incidents or site unavailability;

    • third-party products or services linked or referred to on our site.
      Where liability cannot be excluded under the ACL, it is limited (at our option) to the re-supply of the services or the cost of re-supply.

10. Pricing & Quotation Terms

  • Indicative vs fixed – Verbal or online estimates are indicative only. A written quotation issued after a formal site/technical assessment is a fixed price valid for 14 calendar days from the date of issue.

  • Nominal payments – Any upfront nominal payment (deposit) is an initial contribution only; final balance may adjust for changes in material costs, network requirements or scope variations that you approve in writing.

  • Price increases after 14 days – If you accept a quotation after its 14-day validity, we reserve the right to revise pricing.

  • GST – All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include 10 % GST unless otherwise noted.

11. Children

Our services are directed at persons aged 18 years or older. If you believe a minor has provided personal information without parental consent, please contact us for deletion.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy to reflect legislative, technical or business changes. Material changes will be notified via a banner or email. Continued use of the site after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

 

For all privacy enquiries, please email solarmateguy@gmail.com.