Privacy Policies & Disclaimer

Your privacy is important to us.

This Website is managed by Carrot (“Carrot") and all provisions governing your participation in this Competition (including the Services provided through it) are described in the Terms and Conditions ("Terms"). This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and is a part of the Terms. Capitalized language used, but not defined in this Privacy Policy, may have the meanings given to them elsewhere in the Terms. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully, as it describes what information we gather from you, and how we may use and disclose that information. By registering a User Account and/or by accessing or using this Website, you expressly consent to the information handling practices described in this Privacy Policy.

THE INFORMATION CARROT COLLECTS

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User-Provided Information: You may provide to Carrot what is generally called "personally identifiable information” (such as your name, email address, postal mailing address, home/mobile telephone number, etc.) while using this Website, such as when you register, when you submit Entries and/or when you provide information in order to compete to receive any Award(s).
"Cookies" Information: When you use this Website, we may send one or more cookies – small text files containing a string of alphanumeric characters – to your computer. Carrot may use both session cookies and persistent cookies. A session cookie disappears after you close your browser. A persistent cookie remains after you close your browser and may be used by your browser on subsequent visits to this Website. Persistent cookies can be removed. Please review your web browser "Help" file to learn about the proper way to modify your cookie settings. Please note that if you delete or choose not to accept cookies from this Website, you may not be able to utilize the features of this Website to their fullest potential.
"Flash Cookies" Information: Flash and other browser plugin applications use technology similar to cookies to enable the storage and recall of settings, preferences and usage data, and other information. Because they are stored in separate software applications, these types of cookies are not managed through your web browser's cookie management interface. Carrot may employ such techniques, including Adobe Flash Cookies (also called "Local Shared Objects") to track information related to your interaction with features of this Website through which Flash-based content is provided. You can access various Flash Cookie management tools and configure certain privacy and security settings for your Flash Player from Adobe's web site directly.
"Automatically Collected" Information: When you use this Website or open one of our HTML emails, we may automatically record certain information from your web browser by using different types of technology, including "clear gifs" or "web beacons." This "Automatically Collected" information may include Internet Protocol address ("IP Address") or other device address or ID, web browser and/or device type, the web pages or sites that you visit just before or just after this Website, the pages you view on this Website, and the dates and times that you visit this Website.
Linked Website Information: When you link an account, you may have on a third-party service (such as any third-party social networking site) to your Account on this Website, Carrot may store the access credentials you provide and will have access to and may collect any information you may have stored in connection with that account that you have configured and those services to make available, including personally identifiable information and friends lists. By linking your accounts in this manner, you are authorizing Carrot as your agent to access and use your account on the third-party service in connection with your use of this Website.
Third-Party Web Beacons: We may also implement third party content on this Website that uses "clear gifs," "web beacons," or other similar techniques, which allow the third-party content provider to read and write cookies (including Flash Cookies) to your browser, or implement similar tracking mechanisms, in connection with your viewing of that third party content displayed on this Website. This information is collected directly by the third party, and Carrot does not participate in that data transmission. Information collected by third parties in this manner is subject to that third party's own data collection, use, and disclosure policies.
Information from Other Sources: We may also obtain information, including personally identifiable information, from third parties and sources other than this Website, such as other Users who import your email address. We may also receive information from third party services that provide a mechanism to expose information you have provided to such third party through the use of an application program interface (API), such as Facebook Connect and the Google API. If we combine or associate information from other sources with personally identifiable information that we collect through this Website, we will treat the combined information as personally identifiable information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

THE WAY CARROT USES INFORMATION

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Carrot uses the information that you provide or that we collect to operate, maintain, enhance, and provide all of the features and services found on this Website. We will use your email address to contact you with respect to Entries, any Award, and otherwise in connection with this Competition, for any administrative and customer service purposes, to address intellectual property infringement, rights of privacy, or defamation issues, or regarding Postings.
Carrot uses all of the information that you provide or that we collect to understand and analyze the usage trends and preferences of our Users, to improve the way this Website works and looks, and to create new features and functionality.
Carrot may use "Automatically Collected" information and "cookies" information to: (a) personalize our services, such as remembering your information so that you will not have to re-enter it during your visit or the next time you visit this Website; (b) provide customized third party content and information; (c) monitor and analyze the operation and effectiveness of this Website and related activities; (d) monitor aggregate site usage metrics such as total number of visitors and pages viewed; and, (e) track your status in any Competitions or other activities.
Carrot may use your email address or other personally identifiable information to send you: i) messages about this Website or communications from other Users; ii) promotional messages related to this Website and the activities of third parties with whom we work; and, iii) messages on behalf of other Users, who think that you may be interested in this Website. You will have the ability to opt-out of receiving any such communications, either through links provided in the messages, or by updating your Account settings through this Website.

WHEN CARROT DISCLOSES INFORMATION

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We are not in the business of selling your information. We do, however, disclose your personally identifiable information in a variety of circumstances in connection with developing and maintaining this Website and operating or supporting Competitions. For example:

By its nature, this Website enables Users to communicate in a variety of ways. This also applies to information you choose to make available through features that connect to third party services, if applicable. Once you make your personally identifiable information available, it may be collected and used by the recipients without restriction. We urge Users to exercise common sense, prudence and good judgment about what personal information to make available to others through this Website.
Carrot may disclose your personally identifiable information to the Competition Sponsors and/or Competitors, as applicable, to enable your participation in and the operation of Competitions.
Carrot works with third party service providers to provide general website hosting, specialized Content hosting (e.g. the hosting of video Content), maintenance, and other services. These third parties may have access to or process your personally identifiable information as a result of performing the services they were engaged to perform.
Carrot may also disclose your information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary or useful to comply with applicable laws, to respond to a court order, judicial or other government subpoena or warrant, or to otherwise assist or cooperate with law enforcement activity or other similar activities in connection with internal or coordinated fraud detection and prevention, and the protection or enforcement of third-party rights.
Carrot works to promote a safe and reliable service for all Users. We reserve the right to disclose your information that we believe, in good faith, is appropriate or necessary to take precautions against liability; to protect Carrot and others from fraudulent, abusive, predatory, or unlawful uses or activity; to investigate and defend ourselves against any third-party claims or allegations; to protect the security or integrity of this Website; or to protect or vindicate the rights, property, or personal safety of Carrot, our Users, or others.

YOUR CHOICES

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You may, of course, decline to share certain personally identifiable information with Carrot, in which case Carrot may not be able to provide to you some of the features and functionality found on this Website. Please note that we may retain all information you submit for a variety of purposes, including backups and archiving, prevention of fraud and abuse, and analytics.

To protect your privacy and security, we take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting your account access or making corrections to your information. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE SECRECY OF YOUR UNIQUE PASSWORD AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES.

We may now or in the future make certain tools and features for configuring your privacy settings available to you through this Website, but any such features and settings we may provide do not guarantee the anonymity or confidentiality of any information, including personally identifiable information and Postings you provide or submit to this Website.

DATA RIGHTS

Summary

You may have the right to exercise your data protection rights, including to request that Carrot deletes, amends, or provides you access to your information.
You have the right to opt out of receiving Carrot’s promotional messages, but you may still receive other communications.
You can complain to your local data protection authority about the use of your information.
We respond to all requests that we receive from individuals who wish to exercise their data protection rights in accordance with applicable data protection laws. You can contact us by sending an email.

Rights that you may have, depending on the country in which you live, include:

Accessing, correcting, updating, or requesting the removal of your information.
Objecting to processing of your information, asking us to restrict processing of your information, or requesting the portability of your information.
Opting out from receiving marketing communications that we send you at any time. You can exercise this right by selecting the “unsubscribe” or “opt-out” link in the marketing emails we send you.
Withdrawing your consent at any time if we have collected and processed your information with your consent. Withdrawing your consent will not affect the lawfulness of any processing that we conducted prior to your withdrawal, nor will it affect processing of your information conducted in reliance on lawful processing grounds other than consent. Should you wish to exercise your right to withdraw consent, Carrot will utilize data scrambling to deliberately distort, obfuscate or remove sensitive or confidential data from our system. This process is irreversible so that the original data cannot be derived from the scrambled data.
Complaining to a data protection authority about our collection and use of your information. For more information, please contact your local data protection authority. Contact details for data protection authorities in the European Union are available at http://ec.europa.eu/justice/article-29/structure/data-protection-authorities/index_en.htm.

Note that Carrot is a controller of your information. Other organizations, such as Competition Sponsors, may also act as controllers of your information. You should contact the Competition Sponsor if you have any questions about how they use information that you have provided to them.

THIRD PARTY WEBSITES

This Website contains links to Websites and services provided by third parties. Any personally identifiable information you provide on third party sites or services is provided directly to that third party and is subject to that third party's policies, if any, governing privacy and security. We are not responsible for the content or privacy and security practices and policies of third-party sites or services to which links are displayed on this Website. We encourage you to learn about third parties' privacy and security policies before providing them with personally identifiable information.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Protecting the privacy of children is especially important. For that reason, Carrot does not knowingly collect or maintain personally identifiable information from persons under 13 years-of-age, and no part of this Website is directed to persons under 18 years-of-age. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, THEN PLEASE DO NOT USE OR ACCESS THIS WEBSITE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE COMPETING AT ANY TIME OR IN ANY MANNER. If Carrot learns that personally identifiable information of persons less than 13-years-of-age has been collected on this Website without verifiable parental consent, then Carrot will take the appropriate steps to delete this information. If you are a parent or guardian and discover that your child under the age of 13 has obtained a User Account on this Website, then you may alert Carrot by emailing and request that Carrot delete that child's personally identifiable information from its systems.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DATA SECURITY

Carrot uses a variety of physical, managerial, and technical safeguards designed to improve the security of our systems and your personally identifiable information. We cannot, however, ensure or warrant the security of any information you transmit to Carrot, nor can we guarantee that such information may not be accessed, disclosed, altered, or destroyed by breach of any of our physical, technical, or managerial safeguards. You transfer your information to Carrot at your own risk.

If Carrot learns of a security systems breach, then we will attempt to notify you electronically so that you can take appropriate protective steps. Depending on where you live, you may have a legal right to receive notice of a security breach in writing. If you'd like to receive such a notice, please notify us by email.

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Your information may be stored and processed in any country in which Carrot and its affiliates maintain facilities. In this regard, or for purposes of sharing or disclosing data in accordance with this Privacy Policy, Carrot reserves the right to transfer, store, and process your information outside of your country. Your acceptance of the Terms includes your consent to any such transfer, storage, and processing of your information outside of your country and to the United States.

CHANGES AND UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

Please revisit this page periodically to stay aware of any changes to this Privacy Policy, which may be revised at Carrot’s sole discretion, as provided in the Terms. Note that our amended Privacy Policy will become effective on a going forward basis as set forth in the Terms, except that: i) unless you agree otherwise, we will use your personally identifiable information in the manner described in the Privacy Policy in effect when we received that information; and, (ii) if you do not agree with any changes to the Privacy Policy, you must terminate your participation and cease use of this Website. Your continued use of this Website after a revised Privacy Policy has become effective indicates that you have read, understood, and agreed to the current version of the Privacy Policy.

CARROT CONTACT INFORMATION

Please contact Carrot with any questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, your personally identifiable information, our use and disclosure practices, or your consent choices by email.

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NYSERDA PRIVACY POLICY

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INTRODUCTION

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This website is hosted by Carrot, a California-based Limited Liability Corporation, and its affiliated entities on behalf of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”).

This website is designed to make it easier and more efficient for individuals and businesses to interact with NYSERDA. NYSERDA recognizes that it is critical for individuals and businesses to be confident that their privacy is protected when they visit any website that is sponsored by NYSERDA.

Consistent with the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act, the Freedom of Information Law, and the Personal Privacy Protection Law, this policy describes both Carrot’s and NYSERDA's privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this website. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used. Because this privacy policy only applies to this website, you should examine the privacy policy of any website, including other state agency websites, that you access using this website.

For purposes of this policy, "personal information" means any information concerning a natural person who, because of name, number, symbol, mark, or another identifier, can be used to identify that natural person. Neither Carrot nor NYSERDA will collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, or completing an on-line transaction.

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INFORMATION COLLECTED AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOU VISIT THIS WEBSITE

When visiting this website, Carrot, working under the authority of NYSERDA, may automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

User client hostname. The hostname or Internet Protocol address of the user requesting access to a state agency website.
HTTP header, "user agent." The user agent information includes the type of browser, its version, and the operating system on which that the browser is running.
HTTP header, "referrer." The referrer specifies the web page from which the user accessed the current web page.
System date. The date and time of the user's request.
Full request. The exact request the user made.
Status. The status code the server returned to the user.
Content length. The content length, in bytes, of any document sent to the user.
Method. The request method used.
Universal Resource Identifier (URI). The location of a resource on the server.
Query string of the URI. Anything after the question mark in a URI.
Protocol. The transport protocol and the version used.

None of the foregoing information is deemed to constitute personal information.

The information that is collected is automatically used to improve this website's content and to help Carrot and NYSERDA understand how users are interacting with the website. This information is collected for statistical analysis, to determine what information is of most and least interest to our users, and to improve the use of the material available on the website. The information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes and neither Carrot nor NYSERDA are authorized to sell or otherwise disclose the information collected from the website for commercial marketing purposes.

Cookies

Cookies are simple text files stored on your web browser to provide a means of distinguishing among users of this website. The use of cookies is a standard practice among Internet websites. To better serve you, Carrot occasionally may use "session cookies" to enhance or customize your visit to this website. Session cookies can be created automatically on the device you use to access this website but do not contain personal information and do not compromise your privacy or security. Carrot may use the cookie feature to store a randomly generated identifying tag on the device you use to access this website. A session cookie is erased during operation of your browser or when your browser is closed.

If you wish, you may complete a registration to personalize this website and permit a "persistent cookie" to be stored on your computer's hard drive. This persistent cookie will allow the website to recognize you when you visit again and tailor the information presented to you based on your needs and interests. NYSERDA will use persistent cookies only with your permission.

The software and hardware you use to access the website allows you to refuse new cookies or delete existing cookies. Refusing or deleting these cookies may limit your ability to take advantage of some features of this website.

INFORMATION COLLECTED WHEN YOU E-MAIL THIS WEBSITE OR COMPLETE A TRANSACTION

During your visit to this website, you may send an e-mail to NYSERDA. Your e-mail address and the contents of your message will be collected. The information collected is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats included in the message. Your e-mail address and the information included in your message will be used to respond to you, to address issues you identify, to improve this website, or to forward your message to another State agency for appropriate action. Your e-mail address is not collected for commercial purposes and neither Carrot nor NYSERDA are authorized to sell or otherwise disclose your e-mail address for commercial purposes.

During your visit to this website, you may complete a transaction such as a survey, registration, or order form. The information, including personal information, volunteered by you in completing the transaction may be used by Carrot and NYSERDA to operate NYSERDA's programs, which include the provision of goods, services, and information. The information collected by Carrot and NYSERDA may be disclosed by Carrot or NYSERDA for those purposes that may be reasonably ascertained from the nature and terms of the transaction in which the information was submitted.

Neither Carrot nor NYSERDA knowingly collect personal information from children or create profiles of children through this website. Users are cautioned, however, that the collection of personal information submitted in an e-mail will be treated as though it was submitted by an adult, and may, unless exempted from access by federal or State law, be subject to public access. Both Carrot and NYSERDA strongly encourages parents and teachers to be involved in children's Internet activities and to provide guidance whenever children are asked to provide personal information on-line.

Information and Choice

As noted above, neither Carrot nor NYSERDA collect any personal information about you unless you provide that information voluntarily by sending an e-mail, responding to a survey, or completing an on-line form. You may choose not to send an e-mail, respond to a survey, or complete an on-line form. While your choice not to participate in these activities may limit your ability to receive specific services or products through this website, it will not normally have an impact on your ability to take advantage of other features of the website, including browsing or downloading information.

DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE

The collection of information through this website and the disclosure of that information are subject to the provisions of the Internet Security and Privacy Act. Both Carrot and NYSERDA will only collect personal information through this website or disclose personal information collected through this website if the user has consented to the collection or disclosure of such personal information. The voluntary disclosure of personal information to Carrot and NYSERDA by the user, whether solicited or unsolicited, constitutes consent to the collection and disclosure of the information by Carrot and NYSERDA for the purposes for which the user disclosed the information to Carrot and NYSERDA, as was reasonably ascertainable from the nature and terms of the disclosure.

However, either Carrot or NYSERDA may collect or disclose personal information without consent if the collection or disclosure is: (1) necessary to perform either Carrot or NYSERDA's statutory duties, or necessary for Carrot or NYSERDA to operate a program authorized by law, or authorized by state or federal statute or regulation; (2) made pursuant to a court order or by law; (3) for the purpose of validating the identity of the user; or (4) of information to be used solely for statistical purposes that is in a form that cannot be used to identify any particular person. Further, the disclosure of information, including personal information, collected through this website is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law and the Personal Privacy Protection Law. Carrot and NYSERDA may disclose personal information to federal or state law enforcement authorities to enforce its rights against unauthorized access or attempted unauthorized access to Carrot or NYSERDA's information technology assets.

RETENTION OF INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE

The information collected through this website is retained by Carrot and NYSERDA in accordance with the records retention and disposition requirements of the New York State Arts & Cultural Affairs Law. Information on the requirements of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Law may be found at New York State Education Department (NYSED). In general, the Internet services logs of Carrot or NYSERDA, comprising electronic files or automated logs created to monitor access and use of Agency services provided through this website, are retained for the equivalent of three backup cycles and then destroyed. Information, including personal information, that you submit in an e-mail or when you complete a survey, registration form, or order form is retained in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule established for the records of the program unit to which you submitted the information. Information concerning these records retention and disposition schedules may be obtained through the Internet privacy policy contact listed in this policy.

ACCESS TO AND CORRECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE

Any user may submit a request to NYSERDA's privacy compliance officer to determine whether personal information pertaining to that user has been collected through this website. Any such request shall be made in writing and must be accompanied by reasonable proof of identity of the user. Reasonable proof of identity may include verification of a signature, inclusion of an identifier generally known only to the user, or similar appropriate identification. Requests should be addressed to:

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New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Attn: Privacy Compliance Officer

17 Columbia CircleAlbany,

New York 12203-6399

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The privacy compliance officer shall, within five (5) business days of the receipt of a proper request, provide access to the personal information, should any exist; deny access in writing, explaining the reasons therefore; or acknowledge the receipt of the request in writing, stating the approximate date when the request will be granted or denied, which date shall not be more than thirty (30) days from the date of the acknowledgment. In the event that either Carrot or NYSERDA has collected personal information pertaining to a user through this website and that information is to be provided to the user pursuant to the user's request, the privacy compliance officer shall inform the user of his or her right to request that the personal information be amended or corrected under the procedures set forth in section 95 of the Public Officers Law.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTEGRITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE

Both Carrot and NYSERDA are strongly committed to protecting personal information collected through this website against unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Accordingly, both Carrot and NYSERDA limit employee access to personal information collected through this website to only those employees who need access to the information in the performance of their official duties. Employees who have access to this information follow appropriate procedures in connection with any disclosures of personal information.

In addition, Carrot and NYSERDA have implemented procedures to safeguard the integrity of the information technology assets, including, but not limited to, authentication, monitoring, auditing, and encryption. These security procedures have been integrated into the design, implementation, and day-to-day operations of this website as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

For website security purposes and to maintain the availability of the website for all users, Carrot and NYSERDA may employ software to monitor traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise damage this website.

DISCLAIMERS

Information is provided on this website to allow the public immediate access to public information. Every reasonable attempt is made to provide only accurate, current and reliable information. However, Carrot and NYSERDA, their officers, agents and employees expressly disclaim any express or implied warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness, currency, suitability or reliability of any information provided by this website.

In order to provide users with certain information, this website may provide links to other websites including local, State, and federal governmental agencies. A website link does not constitute an endorsement of the content, viewpoint, accuracy, opinions, policies, products, services or accessibility of that website. Once you link to another website from this website, including one maintained by the State, you become subject to the terms and conditions of that website including, but not limited to, its privacy policy.

Further, the information provided in this privacy policy should not be construed as giving business, legal, or other advice.

Contact Information

For questions regarding this Internet privacy policy, please contact:

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New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Attn: Privacy Compliance Officer

17 Columbia Circle

Albany, New York 12203-6399

Definitions

The following definitions apply to terms appearing in italics, in this policy:

Personal Information shall have the meaning set forth in subdivision 5 of section 202 of the State Technology Law.

State Agency Website shall have the meaning set forth in subdivision 7 of section 202 of the State Technology Law.

User shall have the meaning set forth in subdivision 8 of section 202 of the State Technology Law.

This Policy was last updated on February 8, 2021.

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NYSERDA DISCLAIMER

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DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

Information contained on this website is provided "as is," without warranty of any kind. In particular, both Carrot and NYSERDA, their employees, officers, and members, and the State of New York, make no warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability of any product, apparatus, downloaded computer software product, service, or the usefulness, completeness, or accuracy of any processes, methods, downloaded computer software product, or other information contained, described, disclosed, or referred to herein. Both Carrot and NYSERDA, their employees, officers and members, and the State of New York, make no representation that the use of any product, apparatus, process, method, downloaded computer software product, or other information will not infringe privately owned rights.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

In no event shall either Carrot or NYSERDA, their employees, officers or members, or the State of New York be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special, or consequential damages or any damages whatsoever including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data, or profits, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or performance of this website, the provision of or failure to provide services, or for any information, software, products, services, or graphics obtained through this website, or otherwise arising out of the use of this website, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, or otherwise, even if either Carrot or NYSERDA, their employees, officers and members, and the State of New York have been advised of the possibility of damages.

DISCLAIMER OF ENDORSEMENT

Reference to any specific product, service, process, or method by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise on this website does not constitute an implied or expressed recommendation or endorsement, or favoring by either Carrot or NYSERDA, their employees, officers or members, or the State of New York, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

Certain links on this site lead to information and resources on servers maintained by third parties, and are provided as a convenience to our website visitors. Neither Carrot nor NYSERDA, its employees, officers and members, and the State of New York, have control over these outside sites and are, therefore, not responsible or legally liable for their content.

Inclusion of any outside site does not imply an endorsement of the site, or information contained therein, by either Carrot or NYSERDA, their employees, officers or members, or the State of New York.

USE OF SITE AND MATERIALS; UNAUTHORIZED ALTERATIONS

The information and other materials contained on this website, individually and collectively, are provided for informational purposes. You may download and reproduce copies of the information and other materials on this website as you consider your participation in NYSERDA programs. Applications to these NYSERDA programs will only be made available through the online platform.