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In Golden, Colorado, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.  Located in historic Camp George West, the facility opened in the late 1960's with an emphasis on active solar energy research.  While many of its researchers, which hail from more than sixty different countries, continue to focus on photovoltaic and active solar technology, NREL made a significant leap in 2009 by engaging two new researchers with expertise in daylighting and passive solar technology.

Daylighting is gaining more recognition as a critical part of meeting new energy consumption benchmarks such as those quantified in model energy codes and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Introducing daylight into a building requires attention to size and orientation of glazing, glare control, integration of electric lighting through the use of photosensing controls that dim or turn off banks of lights when sufficient daylight is present, and internal and external shade devices.

All of these daylighting technologies are part of the design of NREL's Research Support Facilities (RSF), slated to open this summer.  These buildings will house much of the NREL team that has been located off campus in leased office buildings.  The new RSF design, as well as more specifics on the daylighting work being done by NREL's researchers, will be covered in upcoming articles.

The NREL Visitor's Center, featuring an interactive exhibit hall, is open during the week from 9 am to 5 pm. NREL offers monthly tours of its campus which must be reserved in advance.  For more information, call 303-384-6565.

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