Privacy Policy
Introduction
Shine and Store is committed to safeguarding the privacy of every client, prospective client and website visitor who engages with our solar and battery storage services. This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored and disclosed when a person visits our website, requests a quotation, or proceeds through the sale and installation of a solar photovoltaic or battery storage system. As a business operating within the Victorian solar industry, we handle project specific information including site details, energy consumption data and documentation required for grid connection and government rebate applications. We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 and by the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, which strengthened the obligations of organisations handling personal information across Australia. By engaging our services or using this website, a person acknowledges that they have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Scope of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected by Shine and Store through our website, telephone enquiries, email correspondence, site assessments, sales consultations and the installation process. It covers information gathered from residential and small business clients across Victoria who engage us for solar panel, inverter or battery storage installation. This Policy does not extend to information handled by independent third parties such as distribution network service providers, Solar Victoria or the Clean Energy Regulator, each of which maintains its own privacy arrangements. Where a client is referred to an external body as part of a grid connection, rebate or certificate scheme, the privacy practices of that body will govern the information shared directly with them.
Information We Collect
Shine and Store collects personal information necessary to assess a property, prepare a proposal and deliver a completed solar or battery installation. The categories of information collected depend on the stage of engagement, ranging from an initial enquiry through to final commissioning and lodgement of rebate claims. The table below sets out the principal categories of personal information we collect and illustrative examples relevant to a solar installation project.
| Category |
Examples |
| Contact Details |
Full Name, Telephone Number, Email Address and Property Address |
| Property and Energy Information |
Roof Type and Orientation, Existing Switchboard Details, Electricity Retailer and Meter Number |
| Financial Information |
Payment Details, Deposit Records and Finance Application Details Where Applicable |
| Regulatory and Rebate Information |
Concession Card Status, Household Eligibility Details Required for Solar Victoria Applications and Rebate Records |
| Technical and Project Correspondence |
Site Assessment Notes, Installation Photographs, System Design and Single Line Diagrams |
| Website and Technical Data |
IP Address, Browser Type, Device Information, Pages Visited, Referral Source and Cookie Data |
How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to respond to enquiries, prepare indicative and formal proposals, and progress a client through each stage of the installation project. This includes lodging applications with the relevant distribution network service provider, preparing and submitting Solar Victoria rebate applications, recording project details on STC generating platforms where applicable, and claiming Small Scale Technology Certificates following installation. We also use personal information to schedule site visits and installation dates, coordinate with our installation team and allocate a Clean Energy Council accredited inspector where required. Personal information may further be used to respond to warranty claims, provide after sales support, share relevant details with our finance partners Brighte, Plenti and 28 Watts where a client chooses to pay by finance, and comply with obligations under the New Energy Tech Consumer Code and applicable Australian Consumer Law protections.
Marketing Communications
Where a client has provided consent, Shine and Store may send information about our services, seasonal offers and relevant industry updates such as changes to State and Federal solar incentive schemes. A person may withdraw this consent at any time by using the unsubscribe function included in our electronic communications or by contacting us directly using the details provided in this Policy.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to support core functionality, remember visitor preferences and measure how our online resources, including solar savings calculators, are used. We may use analytics services to collect aggregated and de identified information about visitor behaviour, which helps us improve the accuracy and usefulness of our website content. Most browsers allow a visitor to manage or disable cookies through their settings, although disabling cookies may limit the functionality of tools such as our online quote request forms. Analytics information collected in this way does not generally identify an individual.
Disclosure of Personal Information
As a solar and battery storage retailer, Shine and Store is required to share certain personal information with external bodies in order to progress a client through the grid connection, rebate and certification process. Disclosure is limited to what is reasonably necessary to complete these regulatory steps and to deliver the contracted installation. The table below sets out the principal categories of recipients and the reason personal information may be disclosed to them.
| Recipient |
Reason for Disclosure |
| Distribution Network Service Provider |
To Lodge and Progress Grid Connection Applications |
| Solar Victoria |
To Process Solar Homes Program Eligibility and Rebate Applications |
| Clean Energy Regulator |
To Register and Claim Small Scale Technology Certificates |
| Clean Energy Council |
To Demonstrate Compliance with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code as an Approved Seller |
| Installation Subcontractors |
To Carry Out Site Assessment and Installation Work |
| Finance Partners (Brighte, Plenti and 28 Watts) |
To Process Finance Applications and Manage Repayment Arrangements Where a Client Elects to Pay by Finance |
| Information Technology and CRM Providers |
To Securely Store and Manage Client and Project Records |
| Professional Advisers |
To Obtain Legal, Accounting or Insurance Advice |
| Government Authorities |
Where Required or Authorised by Law |
Shine and Store does not sell, rent or trade personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes. Any service provider engaged to support our operations is required to handle personal information in a manner consistent with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Data Security and Storage
Shine and Store takes reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect personal information against unauthorised access, misuse, loss, alteration and disclosure, consistent with our obligations under the Australian Privacy Principles. Client and project information is stored using secure electronic systems, with physical records retained only where necessary for regulatory or warranty purposes. Access to personal information is restricted to employees, contractors and installation partners who require it to perform their role in delivering a project. While we maintain appropriate security measures, no method of electronic storage or transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Retention of Information
Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Policy, including the completion of warranty periods, compliance with regulatory recordkeeping obligations and the resolution of any dispute. Certain records, such as those relating to Solar Victoria rebate claims and Small Scale Technology Certificate registration, may need to be retained for a period set by the relevant scheme administrator. When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or de identify it.
Notifiable Data Breaches
Shine and Store is subject to the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme contained in the Privacy Act 1988. Where we become aware of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to an individual whose personal information we hold, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner in accordance with our obligations under the scheme. We maintain internal procedures to identify, assess and respond to suspected data breaches promptly. Clients are encouraged to contact us immediately if they suspect their personal information has been compromised.
Third Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third party websites, including those of equipment manufacturers, finance providers and government schemes such as Solar Victoria. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those external websites and encourage clients to review the privacy policy of any external website before providing personal information.
Access and Correction of Your Information
A person may request access to the personal information Shine and Store holds about them and may request correction where that information is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date. Requests should be directed to us using the contact details provided in this Policy, and we will respond within a reasonable period consistent with our obligations under the Australian Privacy Principles. In some circumstances access may be limited where permitted by law, in which case we will explain the reason for any refusal.
Relevant Legislation and Regulatory Bodies
Shine and Store’s handling of personal information is governed by a combination of Commonwealth privacy legislation and industry codes relevant to the solar and battery storage sector. The table below summarises the principal legislation and regulatory bodies relevant to this Policy.
| Legislation or Body |
Relevance to This Policy |
| Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) |
Primary Commonwealth Legislation Governing the Collection, Use, Disclosure and Storage of Personal Information |
| Australian Privacy Principles |
Principles Based Standards Contained Within the Privacy Act Governing Our Handling of Personal Information |
| Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) |
Reform Legislation Strengthening Enforcement Powers, Introducing a Statutory Tort for Serious Invasions of Privacy and Enhancing Notification Obligations |
| Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme |
Requires Notification of Eligible Data Breaches to Affected Individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner |
| Australian Consumer Law |
Underpins Fair Marketing, Sales and Contractual Conduct Toward Consumers |
| New Energy Tech Consumer Code |
Industry Code Administered by the Clean Energy Council, Addressing Privacy and Consumer Protection Standards for Approved Sellers of Solar and Battery Systems |
| Office of the Australian Information Commissioner |
Independent Regulator Responsible for Administering the Privacy Act and Investigating Privacy Complaints |
Complaints
A person who believes Shine and Store has failed to comply with this Privacy Policy or the Australian Privacy Principles may lodge a complaint using the contact details provided below. We will investigate the complaint and respond within a reasonable period. If a complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the individual, they may refer the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.
Changes to This Policy
Shine and Store may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices, legal obligations or website functionality. Any update will be published on our website together with a revised effective date, and continued use of our website or services following a change constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.
Contact Us
Questions regarding this Privacy Policy, or requests to access or correct personal information, should be directed to Shine and Store using the contact details provided on our website. Complaints that remain unresolved may be escalated to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
