Taylor Ball

Solar Program Manager, Midwest Renewable Energy Association

As the Solar Program Manager for the non-profit Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), Taylor primarily supports solar group guy programs that serve communities around the Midwest. In 2018, she applied to be the AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator for the Annual Energy Fair and was grateful to learn that the staff wanted her to join the team after her term ended in 2019. Taylor was fortunate to work in many areas of the MREA before transitioning full time to Grow Solar. She was able to earn her NABCEP PV Associate with her experience (and quite a bit of studying) in the process. She is now in pursuit to sit for her Board Certification in PV Technical Sales by next year. 

Taylor loves solar and loves to teach people how it can allow you to take control of your energy independence. She hopes to continue to educate people as she believes it is the first step in every journey. She has had the privilege to manage and facilitate 28 (out of 60) programs, providing solar education to over 13,500 people and installing over 20 megawatts of solar in six midwestern states. These programs included three Chicagoland programs, which have educated over 2,500 people and installed on 280 properties so far. With support from partners, new and old, the program has returned to the area as Solar Switch Chicagoland and she is excited to now be able to provide "Solar Power Hours" herself locally.

Taylor earned her bachelor of science in business administration with an emphasis in international business. She also earned a minor in environmental studies and a second language speaking proficiency certificate in Chinese from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She has a love for language and prior to the MREA worked in the English as a Second Language (ESL) departments in her previous universities. She plans to try to keep practicing Chinese (as well as pick Spanish back up) and has been attempting to learn Arabic. In the meantime, when Taylor isn’t working for the MREA or learning, you will find her exploring the world for its wonders (and food) when able.