‘Green curtains’ being planted in Japan to cut energy use

The country is undertaking a major energy efficiency drive after shutting down all its nuclear reactors in the wake of the Fukushima crisis.

Energy shortages could become an issue as the summer approaches and homes and businesses turn up their air conditioning. Instead, Kyocera is planting ‘curtains’ of foliage grown on trellises over windows and outer walls of buildings to provide shade from direct sunlight and heat.

The green curtains reduce the temperature inside the building, decreasing the need to run energy-intensive air conditioning systems.