NREL in the Community

NREL's commitment to the community includes organized, public tours; stakeholder outreach; and charitable giving efforts.

Virtual Campus Tours

NREL is currently offering virtual tours, where participants will learn about our research and see how we are demonstrating clean energy technologies, reducing waste, and eliminating atmospheric pollution.

Tours led by NREL staff are available at no charge and are typically held the second Friday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. To sign up, complete the virtual tour registration form. 

We also offer virtual tours designed especially for K–12 students. Register for a tour for students in grades K–6 or grades 7–12.

Reaching Out: NREL Community Connection Newsletter

Get quarterly news covering NREL giving activities and community involvement.

NREL Campus Expansion

Rendering of future Research and Innovation Laboratory.

Construction has begun on the new Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) at NREL's South Table Mountain Campus. When completed in December 2022, RAIL will be a flexible, multipurpose lab space that supports cross-disciplinary research in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

Here's what our neighbors can expect in the coming months:

  • Increased worker vehicle traffic via the south entrance along Research Road with peak times of 6–7:30 a.m. and 3:30–4 p.m.
  • Heavy equipment and construction deliveries at the east entrance on Denver West Boulevard
  • Construction work hours of 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday*
  • No anticipated work on weekends or evenings*
  • No anticipated road closures throughout construction
  • No anticipated impacts to utilities (water, gas, electricity) in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

*Although we do our best to keep to this schedule, there may be occasional work on evenings or weekends due to inclement weather or extenuating circumstances. If changes occur, we will make all efforts to minimize disruptive impacts to NREL's neighboring communities.

Please contact us with questions.

Community Contributions

NREL staff donate funds and time during the annual giving campaign, supporting local charities and a variety of causes.

2020 Giving Campaign

NREL raised $616,000 total supporting 506 charities and cause areas


This included employee donations, participation in Giving Tuesday, a virtual trivia tournament for charity, and contributions from the Alliance for Sustainable Energy

NREL in the Community

Over $59,000 contributed through NREL Giving partnerships, volunteering, and employee support


$50,000 in community support contributed from the Alliance for Sustainable Energy

Executive Energy Leadership Academy

Celebrating 13th year of Executive Leadership program, providing learning opportunities for energy-related decision makers

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