NREL Science & Technology Facility: Golden, CO

Walking the Walk

Sustainable buildings often feature photovoltaic applications. But, where does research and development of new photovoltaic technologies take place? Now, it occurs in a new light-filled, energy-efficient research facility on the Golden, Colo., campus of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). From within the lab, researchers can look outside to a scenic view surrounding the building. Completed in August 2006, NREL's 71,347 ft² Science and Technology Facility (S&TF) houses nine laboratories for advanced materials synthesis, analysis, characterization, and support, as well as a 10,170 ft² Process Development and Integration Laboratory (PDIL).