Most recently, the 29th Space Photovoltaic Research and Technology (SPRAT) Conference, hosted by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, was held onsite at NASA GRC on August 18-20, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. At this conference, researchers and users discussed current trends, issues, and mission applications in the development and use of photovoltaic (PV) systems for space.

The next SPRAT will be held in Fall 2028! Dates will be announced sometime in the winter of 2027.

General Conference Information

SPRAT is a fully in-person 2.5 day conference onsite at NASA Glenn Research Center featuring technical presentations and informal workshops spanning a wide array of PV topics. There is poster session for students to present their research. There is no registration fee to attend SPRAT, but attendees can opt-in to pay for meals provided at the conference during the day and for social events in the evenings.

Typically, we have a welcome picnic on the evening of the first day and a banquet on the evening of the second day for informal, relaxed networking after technical presentations.

NASA Glenn does not provide any lodging assistance/hotel block for this conference. There are many hotels to choose from in close proximity to the Center.

If you would like to be added to the SPRAT mailing list, please contact conference chair Meghan Bush.

Primary Topics from 2026

Presentations topics at the 2026 SPRAT included:

• Developments in thin film photovoltaics (perovskites, CdSeTe, etc)
• Improvements in III-V device performance and manufacturing
• Advances in Si device for improved form factor, radiation hardness
• Advanced characterization techniques, including in situ/operando methods
• Radiation degradation of emerging PV
• Novel blanket technologies and array structures
• Environmental impacts and test capabilities (e.g., spacecraft charging, lunar dust)

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.

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
Dr. Geoffrey Landis	29th SPRAT	Aug. 18 – 20, 2026

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