SPRAT
Space Photovoltaics Research and Technology Conference (SPRAT)
For the past 52 years, NASA Glenn Research Center has been bringing government, academia, and industry together for the shared goal of advancing the state of space photovoltaics. What began in 1974 as a quest to achieve the elusive 18% efficient silicon solar cell has since evolved into a collaborative 2.5 workshop covering all aspects of space solar array development, from cell level R&D to environmental testing to mission experience. At its core, SPRAT aims to serve as a forum where the space PV community can come together to discuss advancements, shortfalls, and goals for the benefit of all.
Conference
SPRAT
Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology (SPRAT) Conference
The 29th Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology (SPRAT) Conference, hosted by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, will be held onsite at NASA GRC on August 18-20, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. At this conference, researchers and users discuss current trends, issues, and mission applications in the development and use of photovoltaic (PV) systems for space. This meeting is fully in-person and will not include a hybrid option.
As always, there will be no registration fee to attend SPRAT in 2026. Attendees can opt in and pay for meals at the conference.
At the previous 28th SPRAT, we highlighted photovoltaic technologies that support NASA’s Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface and extend our reach to Mars, discussed a wide variety of ground and flight-based characterization techniques, explored various solar cell research and development efforts, and more. Our student poster session featured some exciting new developments in solar cell fabrication and characterization.
The agenda for SPRAT 28 can be found here: SPRAT 28 Agenda.
Topics for 2026
Topics of interest for this year’s SPRAT include but are not limited to:
- III-V and silicon PV technologies
- Thin film and alternative PV technologies (perovskites, CdTe, CIGS, etc)
- Tandem and multijunction research efforts
- Interconnect, coverglass, module, and blanket technologies
- Space array designs (including in-space, surface, and concentrators)
- Photovoltaic power system designs (including PMAD, power modelling)
- PV testing, characterization, and qualification
- PV manufacturing and process improvements to reduce cost
- Environmental interactions
- Missions and flight experiments
- Photovoltaics for laser power beaming
Conference Logistics
SPRAT is a 2.5 day conference onsite at NASA Glenn Research Center featuring technical presentations and informal workshops spanning a wide array of PV topics. There will be a poster session for students to present their research.
There is no registration fee to attend SPRAT. Attendees have the option to opt-in for meals provided at the conference during the day and for social events in the evenings and will be charged for their selections.
Typically, we have a welcome picnic on the evening of the first day and a banquet on the evening of the second day. Details for these events will be available in the coming months.
NASA Glenn will not be providing any lodging assistance/hotel block for this conference. There are many hotels to choose from in close proximity to the Center.
Call for Abstracts
The Call for Abstracts is not yet open, check back soon!
Registration Information
Registration for SPRAT 29 will open later this year.
If you would like to be added to the SPRAT mailing list, please contact Meghan Bush.
History of SPRAT
The first iteration of SPRAT was held at NASA Lewis Research Center in November 1974 under the name “High Efficiency Silicon Solar Cell Review”. The goal of this meeting was to bring together photovoltaics researchers with the shared goal of achieving an 18% efficient silicon solar cell for space. In 1980, the conference was officially dubbed SPRAT, and since then, the Photovoltaics team at NASA GRC has been regularly bringing together the space solar cell community for this unique forum.
The Irving Weinberg Award
The Irving Weinberg Award was established in 1995 and is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Irving Weinberg (1919-1995), a leading contributor to the field of space photovoltaic research and development at NASA Glenn Research Center (then NASA Lewis Research Center). It honors his accomplishments as a researcher, leader, and mentor to a new generation of space photovoltaic scientists and engineers.
The award is presented at SPRAT to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of space photovoltaics and represents the dedication, diligence, and leadership qualities exhibited by Dr. Weinberg during his career.
We are now accepting submissions for the 2026 Weinberg Award! Please see “Weinberg Award Nomination Instructions” in the Files list below for instructions regarding nomination criteria and submission requirements.
Submissions for the 2026 Weinberg Award are due to Meghan Bush on July 17th, 2026.
Past Irving Weinberg Award Recipients
| Name | Conference | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Chandra Goradia | 14th SPRAT | Oct. 24 – 26, 1995 |
| Dr. Masafumi Yamaguchi | 15th SPRAT | June 10 – 12, 1997 |
| Dr. Dennis Flood | 16th SPRAT | Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 1999 |
| Mr. Henry Curtis | 17th SPRAT | Sept. 11 – 13, 2001 |
| Dr. Bruce Anspaugh | 18th SPRAT | Sept. 16 – 18, 2003 |
| Dr. Geoffrey Summers | 19th SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2005 |
| Dr. Dean C. Marvin | 20th SPRAT | Sept. 25 – 27, 2007 |
| Dr. Ed Gaddy | 21st SPRAT | Oct. 6 – 8, 2009 |
| Dr. Robert W. Francis | 22nd SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2011 |
| Dr. Paul Sharps | 23rd SPRAT | Oct. 28 – 30, 2014 |
| Dr. Mark Stan | 24th SPRAT | Sept. 20 – 22, 2016 |
| Mr. David Wilt | 25th SPRAT | Sept. 19 – 21, 2018 |
| Dr. Sheila Bailey | 27th SPRAT | Aug. 2 – 4, 2022 |