As part of its long-standing environmental protection activities, the Kyocera Group is planting "Green Curtains" across Japan to help meet regional energy reduction targets following the shutdown of all nuclear reactors after the March 2011 earthquake. The curtains of foliage are grown on trellises over windows and outer walls of manufacturing and office buildings to provide shade from direct sunlight and heat radiation.

The Green Curtains reduce the temperature inside buildings and decrease the need to run energy-intensive air-conditioning systems during the hot summer months.

This year Green Curtains are being planted at 28 Kyocera Group company locations throughout Japan(1), more than a 30 percent increase over the previous year, which is helping the country meet its regional energy reduction goals ranging from 5 to 15 percent(2).

The Kyocera Group Green Curtain Activities Web site provides an overview of the eco-friendly initiative with photos and illustrations showing how to grow your own Green Curtains at home or at the office. The web site provides a complete list of materials and step-by-step instructions for constructing trellises and planting seeds.

By mitigating temperature increases in workplaces, Green Curtains are helping companies reduce the energy load required by air conditioning systems as well as decreasing utility bills.

In addition to greening up with Green Curtains, the Kyocera Group has a total of approximately 2-megawatts of solar power generating systems installed at 18 company facilities in Japan - generating the equivalent power used by roughly 480 average households(3).

Energy-Conservation Measures
The Kyocera Group in Japan is using many progressive conservation practices to help meet power reduction targets and minimize environmental impact while providing a blueprint for activities any home or business can use. Follow Kyocera's lead with some of these recommended practices:

Save Energy by Reducing Air Conditioning and More:

+ Set the thermostat to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during work hours, and relax the dress code to allow employees to dress and work comfortably while reducing energy use.

+ Use a digital, programmable thermostat and automate ideal settings for different times of day.

+ Install automatic door-closers throughout the workplace including exterior and interior freight doors as well as walk-in refrigerators and freezers.

+ Maintain ventilation systems with regular filter replacement and duct cleanings.

+ Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.

+ Install blinds and reflective film on windows to decrease room temperature from sunlight.

Improved Lighting and Other Energy Reducers:

+ In addition to turning off of all unnecessary lights, install movement-activated sensors for lighting in stairways, hallways and other places employees are not constantly using.

+ Replace old fluorescent lights with new, energy-efficient models; use compact fluorescent over incandescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less electricity and will last more than 10 times as long. Install LED exit signs as well for more savings.

+ Shorten the delay time before employee computer monitors automatically go to sleep or "power down" mode.

+ Have employees use laptops when possible. Laptops use up to 90 percent less energy than a desktop computer. Furthermore, shut down and unplug all computers at the end of the work day.

Notes
1 Locations planned at time of release.

2 Energy reduction targets, periods and times vary by regional utility power service areas. Typical periods range from early-July through mid-September; weekdays from 9am to 8pm.

3 Based on an average use of 3,600kWh per household. Source: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan.