The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research and development of renewable energy. Since their laboratory encompasses a wide range of technologies, they needed a logo that can adapt to their various departments within their company. The mark derives from the research in the solar industry (shown on the first slide) which have helped produce a technology of solar energy that can create electricity up to 12 hours without sunlight.
The marks for each of the departments is symbolized with two letters referencing the periodic table and the chemicals that the scientist at the lab use in their research. The environmental graphics also hint at the periodic table by placing the numbers in the upper right-hand corner like the atomic number denoting chemicals energy makeup.
