Etsy Solar: Bringing Solar to Etsy Sellers
“I live in West Virginia and it’s not hard for me to take a drive and see the impact of coal on our community. I wanted to be a force for good and move forward into using an electric kiln in a sustainable way.” — Joy Bridy, owner of Joy Bridy Pottery, Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia
Etsy Solar helps eligible sellers in the U.S install custom solar panels on their homes or studios. Solar power can lower energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help sellers build innovative and sustainable businesses.
Joy Bridy is a potter working in a low-impact studio. Joy uses no running water — just rainwater — and all her clay is recycled and reused. She reuses packaging materials sourced from local stores, and she fires her mugs and ceramics in both a wood and an electric kiln. “My wood kiln is sustainable — it’s fueled by 100% scrap wood,” she says. “There’s no cost and not a lot of environmental impact. I’ve held back from using my electric kiln more because it uses electricity. I live in West Virginia, and it’s not hard for me to take a drive and see the impact of coal on our community. I wanted to be a force for good and move forward into using an electric kiln in a sustainable way.”
Many of Joy’s friends and colleagues are exploring alternative power options. “There’s a community solar organization,” she says, “and I know of 10 local businesses who have gone solar or are considering it. I have some friends in North Carolina who are also potters. They went completely solar three years ago, and they fire large electric kilns and have two employees. I thought: Well gosh, if they can do it, I think I can, too.” When she saw an announcement for Etsy Solar, Joy’s plans began to take shape. “I knew I couldn’t afford it on my own.” Etsy provided the first discount, and Joy has applied for state and educational grants to help cover additional costs.
Joy says her buyers prioritize handmade, sustainable products. “There’s a lot of support for going solar,” she says. “People are very excited to see their wares made with zero carbon emissions.” While saving money isn’t the primary reason Joy decided to go solar, she’s motivated by the big-picture payoff. “I think it’s important to keep solar in focus and keep promoting and using it. The more we do, the cheaper and more accessible it gets — the more we can take the burden off fossil fuels, the better.”
Etsy Solar is a seller-led solution to climate change that invests in the long-term resilience of their businesses. Together, our future is brighter.
