Cookie policy
Last updated 31 July 2026. This page lists every cookie this site can set, and what each one is for.
The short version
By default this site sets onecookie — the one that remembers your cookie choice. Our visitor analytics (Vercel Web Analytics) is cookieless and doesn't track you across other sites.
Everything else is opt-in. Google Analytics and Google AdSense are loaded only if you press Accept on the banner. If you reject, or simply ignore the banner, those scripts are never requested and none of their cookies are set.
Strictly necessary — always set
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| smesolar_consent | SME Solar (first-party) | Remembers whether you accepted or rejected non-essential cookies, so we don't ask again on every page. | 6 months |
This cookie is exempt from consent requirements because the site can't honour your choice without remembering it.
Analytics — only after you accept
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which guides are read and which are ignored, so we know what to write next. IP addresses are anonymised by Google and we don't use Analytics data to identify individuals.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes one visitor from another so we can count how many people read a guide. | 2 years |
| _ga_TTBLFQV4Q7 | Google Analytics | Keeps track of a single visit (session state) for the SME Solar property. | 2 years |
Advertising — only after you accept
Display advertising through Google AdSense helps fund the site and keeps the guides free. Google may set the following cookies once ads are enabled.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| __gads / __gpi | Google AdSense | Serves and measures ads, limits how many times you see the same one, and detects invalid traffic. | Up to 13 months |
| IDE / test_cookie | Google (doubleclick.net) | Measures ad performance and, where permitted, supports personalised advertising. | Up to 13 months |
Cookie names and lifetimes are set by Google and can change. The current list is published in Google's own cookie documentation.
Google Consent Mode
We implement Google Consent Mode v2. Before you choose, all consent signals — ad_storage, ad_user_data, ad_personalization and analytics_storage — are set to denied, and we enable ads data redaction. If you accept, those signals are updated to granted; if you reject, they stay denied.
Changing your mind
You can change or withdraw consent at any time — it's as easy to withdraw as it was to give. Use the link (also in the footer of every page) to reopen the banner and choose again.
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings, and opt out of Google Analytics entirely using Google's browser add-on. Blocking the strictly-necessary cookie means you'll see the banner on every visit.
Questions
The data controller is Gareth Isherwood. For anything cookie- or data-related, email privacy@smesolar.co.uk. Full detail on what we collect and your UK GDPR rights is in the privacy policy.