Logo
NREL's logo is the face of the organization and the primary touch point of its brand.
Logo Components
The logo includes three components: a graphic bug, the NREL acronym, and sometimes a tagline.
The NREL logo, or the actual bug, is an energy symbol using a contemporary and mechanical form. The form has evolved over time, but the meaning has remained consistent. It is a representation of an eternal, emanating, and dynamic source of energy. The mechanical form suggests our technical ability to harness this energy for the advancement of human needs. The bug represents a continuous, renewable source of innovation.
The logo components are locked into relative and cohesive positions. This configuration, also known as a logo lockup, should never be altered.
Logo Lockups
Two logo lockups are available for use.
Logo Lockup 1: BUG + NREL
![NREL logo lockup with graphical bug and the NREL acronym only](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/nrel-logo.png)
Lockup 1 is ideal for use in scientific posters, scientific journals, technical papers, and other assets where our technical research is the focus.
Logo Lockup 2: BUG + NREL + TAGLINE
![NREL logo with graphical bug, the NREL acronym and the Transforming Energy tagline](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/logo-components.png)
Use this lockup to market lab capabilities on social media and in campaigns, promotional materials, and corporate events.
Note that the full name "National Renewable Energy Laboratory" is not part of the trademarked NREL logo. (You must create a footer containing the lab's full name on any materials that do not contain the full NREL name.)
Use of the NREL Logo
Use the NREL logo in accordance with the following guidance.
Third-Party Use of the Logo
The NREL logo may not be used as an endorsement, or implied endorsement, of any product, service, or enterprise. See below for uses that are approved, not allowed, and that require branding team review and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approval.
Authorized Use of the NREL Logo
The NREL logo may be used on:
- Printed materials or digital marketing for an NREL-hosted event
- Printed materials or digital marketing describing an event or program where NREL is a financial or in-kind sponsor
- Printed or digital materials describing an ongoing partnership with NREL where NREL is providing financial or in-kind support (e.g., a cooperative research and development agreement, a work for others agreement)
If your requested use falls outside these categories, or if you have questions about logo use, contact Stacy Buchanan before proceeding.
Unauthorized Use of the NREL Logo
You may not:
- Use the NREL name or logo to imply endorsement of a company, product, or service
- Use the NREL name or logo by an entity with whom the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC or the DOE do not have a formal partnership agreement or a sponsorship agreement
- Use the NREL name or logo for any use not outlined in "Authorized Use of the NREL Logo."
The three logo components are locked together proportionally and should never be used separately, rearranged, condensed, or altered in any way. The NREL logo should not be modified or appropriated to fit into spaces or formats. Do not reconstruct the logo; only use the approved NREL logo.
![NREL logo with graphical bug improperly stacked above the acronym](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-01-bug-stack_padding.png)
![NREL logo with tagline improperly placed alongside acronym](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-02-tagline-alongside-acronym_padding.png)
![NREL logo with tagline improperly centered below acronym](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-03-tagline-centered_padding.png)
![NREL logo improperly flipped vertically to the left](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-04-flipped-left_padding.png)
![NREL logo improperly flipped vertically to the right](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-05-flipped-right_padding.png)
![Improper placement of NREL logo on top of an image of solar panels](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/improper-uses-06-solar_padding.png)
Logo Clear Space
When using the logo, always leave clear space around it, free of text, rules, and page edges. The minimum clear space is proportional, relative to the size of the logo used, measured equally on all sides by the size of the bug.
![NREL logo with ample clear space surrounding the graphical bug, NREL acronym and Transforming Energy tagline](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/logo-clear-space.png)
Logo Minimum Sizes
The three logo components can be used together at any size down to the minimums shown here. You can reduce the size of the logo to less than the minimum size with the tagline removed.
![NREL logo in minimum print size of 1.25 inches wide](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/minimum-01-print-size.png)
![NREL logo in preferred print size of 2 inches wide](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/minimum-02-preferred-print-size.png)
![NREL logo in minimum web size of 160 pixels wide](/comm-standards/brand/assets/images/minimum-03-web-size.png)
NREL Logo in Relation to Co-Brands
The NREL logo is the main logo when used with partner logos and should be used first and in a visually higher hierarchy in relation to co-brands. Partner logos should be at minimum equal or smaller, depending on the partnership arrangement. Partner logos are never larger than the NREL logo.
Color Use
Follow this guidance for color use.
Logo With Tagline
- The preferred positive color use is black.
- The reversed version is all white over a contrasting color. It can also appear all black.
- No other color options are approved.
Logo Without Tagline
- The preferred positive color use is blue.
- The reversed version is all white over a contrasting color. It can also appear all black.
- No other color options are approved.
Use of the Alliance Logo
The Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC operates NREL under a management and operating contract, or prime contract. As NREL's contractor, in some rare cases, use of the Alliance logo may be appropriate. Please contact Stacy Buchanan if you have a question about whether the Alliance logo is appropriate for your needs.
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