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

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

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
NREL logo with tagline improperly placed alongside acronym
NREL logo with tagline improperly centered below acronym
NREL logo improperly flipped vertically to the left
NREL logo improperly flipped vertically to the right
Improper placement of NREL logo on top of an image of solar panels

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

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
NREL logo in preferred print size of 2 inches wide
NREL logo in minimum web size of 160 pixels wide

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.

Preferred NREL logo with tagline, with all elements in blue set against a white background Reversed NREL logo with tagline, with the acronym, graphical bug, and first word of the tagline in white and the word “Energy” in green set against a blue background Optional NREL logo with tagline, with the acronym and graphical bug in blue and tagline in black Optional NREL logo with tagline, with all elements in black Optional NREL logo with tagline, with all elements in white set against a blue background

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.

Preferred NREL logo without tagline, with all elements in blue set against a white background NREL logo reversed without tagline, with all elements in white set against a blue background Optional NREL logo without tagline, with all elements in black set against a white background

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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