Just as the cost of solar energy has been dropping precipitously, innovations sprout to accelerate the trend while improving the technology. In a recent example of biomimicry applied to solar, Oak Ridge National Lab was inspired by the moth’s eye to create an antireflective coating that increases solar conversion efficiency up to 6 percent, and by the lotus leaf to make that coating highly water repellent—essentially self-cleaning since bouncing rain drops collect dust and particles.