National Laboratory of the Rockies
Former name | National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Transforming Energy |
| Established | 1977 |
| Research type | Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy |
| Budget | $544.9 million (FY 20) |
| Director | Jud Virden |
| Staff | 3,675 employees, postdoctoral researchers, interns, visiting professionals, and subcontractors |
| Location | Golden, Colorado |
Operating agency | Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC |
| Website | nrel.gov |
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in the United States specializes in the research and development of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy systems integration, and sustainable transportation. NREL is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Department of Energy and operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, a joint venture between MRIGlobal and Battelle. Located in Golden, Colorado, NREL is home to the National Center for Photovoltaics, the National Bioenergy Center, and the National Wind Technology Center. On December 1, 2025, the Department of Energy announced a new name for NREL, the National Laboratory of the Rockies, pending Congressional authorization.