Data Retention & Deletion Policy

1Our principles

The Solar Credit Calculator is designed to need very little data. We don't require an account, and most of what you enter is processed in your browser and never reaches our servers. Because of that, in most cases there is little or nothing for us to retain or delete.

• Minimise: only collect what the calculation genuinely needs.
• Expire: delete or refresh data on a fixed schedule rather than keeping it indefinitely.
• Respect: honour deletion requests promptly and free of charge.

2What data exists, and where

To understand retention it helps to know the categories of data involved:

• Your answers / estimate inputs — held only in your browser for the duration of your session. Not transmitted to or stored on our servers.
• Postcode (for solar irradiance) — sent to our server to look up sunlight data for your area.
• Postcode / address selection (for EPC look-up) — sent to our server only if you choose to use the address auto-fill.
• Cached solar data by postcode — a short-lived performance cache keyed on postcode, so we don't repeatedly query external services for the same area.
• Server logs — standard technical logs (e.g. IP address, timestamp) recorded by our hosting provider for security and reliability.
• On-device preferences — your theme choice and your cookie-consent choice, stored in your browser's local storage. These stay on your device and are not sent to us.

3Retention schedule

We retain each category only as long as needed for its purpose:

4Automatic deletion

Most deletion happens automatically and without you having to ask:

• Your inputs are never persisted server-side, so they cease to exist the moment your session ends.
• The postcode cache expires on a rolling 30-day basis.
• Server logs are rotated and purged by our hosting provider on their standard cycle.

5Deleting data on your device

The only data we store on your device is two non-personal preferences in local storage: your chosen theme and your cookie-consent choice. You are in full control of these:

• Use the “Cookie settings” link in the footer to review or change your consent choice; or
• Clear your browser's site data / local storage for this site to remove both preferences entirely.

Removing them has no downside beyond resetting your theme and re-showing the cookie notice.

6Your right to erasure

Under UK GDPR you have the right to erasure (the “right to be forgotten”), alongside your rights to access, rectification, restriction, objection and portability. Because we retain so little and don't hold accounts, we frequently have no personal data that identifies you to erase. Where we do, we will act on a valid request.

7How to make a deletion request

Email privacy@solarcreditcalculator.com with the subject line “Data deletion request”. To help us locate any relevant records, please include:

• the approximate date and time you used the calculator;
• the postcode you entered (if you're comfortable doing so); and
• any other detail that would help us identify the data (for example, an approximate IP address).

8Our response timescales

We respond to verified requests without undue delay and within one month (30 days). For complex or numerous requests we may extend this by up to a further two months, in which case we will tell you within the first month and explain why. There is no charge for a reasonable request.

9Backups & residual copies

Where data has been included in routine system backups maintained by our hosting provider, those copies are overwritten on the provider's normal backup cycle. If we cannot immediately delete data from a backup, we will put it beyond use and ensure it is removed when that backup is next rotated.

10Third-party processors

Some data is processed by the third parties listed in our Privacy Policy (for example, postcodes.io, PVGIS, the GOV.UK EPC Register and our hosting provider). Each operates its own retention practices. Where they act as our processors, we ensure deletion requests are passed on; where they act as independent controllers (such as government data sources), their own published policies apply.

11When we may keep data

In limited circumstances we may need to retain certain information despite a deletion request — for example, to comply with a legal obligation, to establish, exercise or defend legal claims, or to protect the security and integrity of the service. We will only keep what is strictly necessary and for no longer than required.

12 Changes to this policy

We may update this policy as the service evolves (for example, if we introduce optional accounts, email, or analytics). The “last updated” date above reflects the current version, and significant changes will be highlighted on the site.

13Contact

For any data-retention or deletion question, contact privacy@solarcreditcalculator.com or visit our Contact page. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint — though we'd appreciate the chance to resolve any concern first.